The exception is the Centenary Edition which comes in a replica of the box in which the original 1911 was supplied. It has been claimed that the later black cases are not as good as the original blue cases, but overall the packaging is of high quality for a replica pistol. Later models come in a black hard case with eggshell foam. Early models were supplied in a blue hard case which featured foam with cut-outs for the pistol, CO2, pellet holder(s), allen key and a tin of pellets. The pistol is supplied with one rotary pellet holder, an allen key for sight adjustment and a short user manual. Like other Umarex pellet-shooting pistols, most versions of the 1911come in a sturdy, well-padded hard case. Sights: Front – fixed, rear adjustable for windage only The Dark Ops version is identical to the Standard Model other than for a brushed steel finish to the side of the slide. The Centenary Edition featured a glossy black finish, wood grips, different markings and came in a box which was a replica of the packaging in which original M1911s were supplied. The nickel finish is actually a rather dull silver, similar to the nickel finish on other Umarex pellet shooters. Early black Standard Models featured a glossy black finish while later models have a more matt finish. The Standard Model is available in black or nickel finish. There are three basic versions of the Umarex 1911: The Standard Model, The Centenary Edition and the Dark Ops version. CO2 is stored inside the grip and accessed by operating the magazine catch, which releases the right grip and gives access to the CO2 compartment. It follows the pattern of other Umarex pellet firing replicas in having an eight-shot, rotary pellet holder which is hidden inside the slide, and accessed by operating the slide release which allows the front of the slide to move forward. The Umarex Colt Government 1911 A1 is a licensed replica constructed of metal other than for plastic (or wood on some versions) grips and some internal parts. By 1930, most 1911s were supplied with a non-reflective, Parkerized finish (though some were still finished using Du-lite, a Colt proprietary bluing process) so finish alone can’t be used to distinguish between models. Later models tended to feature the cheaper Parkerized finish compared to the blued finish on originals, but this wasn’t co-incident with the release of the M1911A1. The distinctive original wooden grips featuring a double-diamond pattern were found to be complex and expensive to produce, so the later model also featured simplified grip checkering. Some users also complained of a long reach to the trigger, so a shorter trigger and frame cut-outs were introduced. To prevent this, the grip safety spur was extended and the hammer shortened and re-shaped.
COLT 1911 A1 ORIGINAL SKIN
Some users suffered from “ hammer-bite” (where the web of skin between the thumb and forefinger is nipped between the hammer and grip safety spur when the slide recoils). The M1911 was found to have a tendency to shoot low, so a curved mainspring housing was introduced to raise the natural pointing position of the pistol. Though the M1911 was generally popular, there were a few niggling issues. Changes to the M1911 came about following experience of using the original pistol in action. However, I do want to talk briefly about the differences between the original M1911 and the modified M1911A1 introduced in 1924 as that has some relevance to this review. I have covered the background to the Colt 1911 in some detail in the Cybergun Tanfoglio Witness review (link at the end of this article), and I won’t repeat that here. Can you spot the other six differences? Answers at the bottom of this article. One change (the M1911A1 has a wider foresight) isn’t really evident in photos. How good is your knowledge of the 1911? Other than finish, there are seven physical differences between the original M1911and the later M1911A1. It isn’t terribly different from the others in terms of construction or performance but because it reflects many of the fine qualities of the original, I found it particularly satisfying to shoot.Ĭolt 1911 spot-the difference. In fact, this is probably my favourite Umarex pellet shooter. I have owned two Umarex Colt 1911s – an early nickel finish model and a glossy black Centenary Edition. Like those other Umarex pistols it’s well made, accurate and powerful but the 1911 also inherits the elegantly slim design and good ergonomics of the original pistol. Mechanically it’s very similar to other Umarex air pistols such as the Walther CP-88 and Beretta 92FS – the cast body conceals an eight shot rotary pellet holder and CO2 is stored inside the grip. The Colt Government 1911 A1 is a multi-shot, pellet firing air pistol from Umarex.