Colt M1911A1 Tactical: Part 2
Another action pistol from Umarex
by B.B. Pelletier
Today, we'll look at the performance of this pistol. It has a 5" barrel, so we expect it to be in the 400-425 f.p.s. region with lighter lead pellets. I'm interested in a pellet that shoots as accurately as possible.
Make mine wadcutters
All the Umarex action pistols are .177 caliber only. I use wadcutter pellets exclusively because the low velocity means the pellets will try to tear the target paper and wadcutters don't do that at the velocity these airguns can generate. If I were shooting action targets , I'd want accuracy but the shape of the nose would be less important. My choices for the Colt M1911A1 Tactical are Gamo Match, JSB Match Diabolo (pistol), RWS Diabolo Basic, RWS Club, Crosman Wadcutters, Crosman Premier Super Match and RWS Hobby pellets. I chose these on the basis of pellet shape and price. An action-pistol shooter is going to shoot a lot, so price has to be a factor...the same as accuracy.
Velocity and number of shots per powerlet
I chronographed the pistol with three different wadcutters to give you a good feel for the gun's potential. From a fresh powerlet, Crosman Super Match averaged 397 f.p.s., with a spread of 24 f.p.s. and a high of 410. RWS Hobby averaged 416 with a spread of 27 f.p.s. and a high of 430. Gamo Match averaged 408 f.p.s. with a spread of 10 f.p.s. and a high of 414. This pistol gave over 60 good shots per powerlet - a big suprise, because I only saw 45 good shots from the Walther CP88 Tactical!
Accuracy
Accuracy was best with Gamo Match, by a wide margin. With a careful hold, they will give 1" 5-shot groups or better at 25 feet. I feel they are capable of even a little better, like 3/4", but I didn't see it. Crosman Super Match pellets were second, and, being smaller, they loaded easiest of all. All other pellets have to be pressed into the magazine with a tool to get the skirts in all the way. A pellet seater works well for this. And RWS Hobbys gave surprisingly large groups - in the 1.5" range.
Adjusting the dot sight
The sight adjustments on the Walther MDS sight are backwards. Turn TOWARD the right to move the group left, and so on. This is in line with German target sights in general, and opposite how most of the rest of the world marks sights.
Trigger-pull
The grip safety on an Umarex Colt pistol has always been a bit "clicky" compared to the firearm. I mean, you can feel a click in your hand when it takes the gun off safety. The test gun's grip safety was very noticable. The single-action trigger-pull, however, is as crisp as I have come to expect on this model. A couple weeks ago, I commented on the nice trigger on the new Walther CP88 Tactical. That trigger broke at 6 lbs., and I liked it. Well, the trigger on this Colt breaks at 3 lbs., 4 oz. and is just as crisp! I can do some good shooting with a trigger like this!
The Colt M1911A1 is my favorite of all the Umarex pistols. Only the S&W 586 shoots better for me. This tactical version has a great dot sight that really enhances the gun's performance. If you've been wondering which Umarex to get, I'd suggest one of these Colts.
posted by B.B. Pelletier @ 4:30 PM
39 comments
39 Comments:
I looked up those Skenco Velocity pellets you mentioned, and in the description it stated that they were not to be used in umarex guns. Is that incorrect? Have you used them sucessfully in Umarex guns? I tried to shoot raptors through my CP88, but they would jam in the magazine, so I am searching for another high velocity pellet for my guns.
j. tye,
I have used type 2 Skencos and they did work. You have to push them into the magazine and maybe people aren't doing that. If you don't they will back out and tie up the gun's action.
Raptors are perhaps too hard to use. I only mentioned them because of the velocity thing.
I have edited the posting to take both pellets out.
B.B.
Thanks for the reply. About the Raptors, I didn't have a problem with them backing out of the mag and jamming the action. They would get stuck at the mouth of the magazine, never entering the barrel after the CO2 had been released. I will check out the type 2's. Thanks again B.B.
B.B.
if you rmember i was asking about the mendoza. i was able to find their mexican website and it says on the site that it has a one year warranty. i submitted an inquiry about why other models are sold as an rws and hopefull even though i submitted it in english i can get an answer directly from them
i do have a question about pump pneumatics. i have a 66 powermaster and i was curious about tuning those? since its nothing like a spring rifle i doubt there is a whole lot to do with them. do you know of any sites or anything about upgrading/modding pump pneumatics? on a side note the 66 isn't rifled anymore. i didn't know if mine was s i asked crosman and they told me it was on the older models like mine.
Brian,
The Crosman Powermaster 66 would be difficult to upgrade because of how it's made. You can improve a Sheridan or a Benjamin 390-series gun because the parts have enough lattitude do be altered. I;m not sure the 66 has the same lattitude.
I will do a series on modifying PCP and CO2 guns at some time, and I'll show the things that go into a power upgrade.
B.B.
Any chance of ever seeing anything on Mendoza? I'm really curious.
Jim,
There seems to be a small but active group interested in Mendoza pellet rifles. I will talk to Pyramyd Air about their future and, if they are going to continue to be sold, I will try to get one to test for you.
B.B.
BB-
I enjoy the C40 by Crosman. How does the Colt compare?
There are few .22 cal air pistols and fewer multi shot .22 air pistols. Do you know of any?
Ray
Ray,
The Colt is much more refined than the C40, but if realism is not important, the difference would not justify the cost difference.
Yes, Pryamyd has a 6-shot .22 revolver called the Hunting Master AR6 by Evanix.
B.B.
BB,
i read about your blog about using peep sight and i find it really useful.
bt i think u leave some issues not yet discuss. for example, i own a sharp innova,
it came with peep sight system, it's very accurate, but something bothers me, when i am aiming
to a dark place, while i am in a brighter place, i sometime's got glare on my peep sight's hole.
which makes it difficult to see the front hooded post. and because the post is hooded, i sometimes unable to see
it in dim lighting. i use the air rifle to shoot rats at night, but i like to keep the peep sight because i find it very
accurate.do you have any suggestion? i have tried to put some correction fluids on the post,
but still can see em because the hood shadows the light.
btw, i happen to came accros a new peep sight system from Mojo Sighting Systems (http://www.mojosights.com)
has any one try to mount it on an airgun?
thanks
haque
haque,
If lighting is a problem, you can solve it with a bigger peep hole. That's how all the military rifles do it.
As for your bfront sight, I think it has to be open, not hooded. A hooded sight is okay for target shooting but as you have discovered, it's not good for low light.
The Mojo looks interesting, but I haven't heard of mounting one on an airgun.
B.B.
BB,
IF I USED A BIGGER PEEP HOLE, I WILL LOSE SOME ACCURACY RIGHT?
AND THE FRONT HOOD IS KINDA INTEGRATED TO THE GUN. I FEEL SORRY IF I
HAD TO USE HACK SAW TO CUT IT OFF....
AND I KINDA LIKE THE SIGHT.. I WAS ABLE TO HIT A SOFTDRINK CAN FROM 50 M+
FROM TIME TO TIME.. AND I AM USING INDONESIAN CHEAP PELLETS TOO..
I JUST FOUND A GOOD WAY ....
INSTEAD OF JUST USING CORRECTION FLUID (WHITE PAINT) ON THE FRONT POST, I
PAINT THE HOOD INSTEAD SO WHEN I AIM IN A DARKER PLACE, I STILL CAN
SEE THE CIRCLE, ALTHOUGH HARD TO SEE THE POST, BUT STILL IT HELP ALOT.
I MAKE FOUR WHITE DOTS AT THE FRONT HOOD TO RESEMBLE A CROSSHAIR.
AND ABOUT THE GLARE, I READ IN WIKIPEDIA THAT SHOOTER SOMETIMES USE THE
SMOKE FROM CIGARRETE TO BLUR THE SIGHT SO IT'S NOT SHINY..
I USE MATTE BLACK PAINT. BUT NO QUITE SATISFACTORY...
ANY OTHER SUGGESTION MAYBE?
REGARDS
hAQUE
HAQUE,
An old-time solution to dulling and darkening front sights is to use the carbon given off by a candle. Juts beyond the tip of the flame there is a steady stream of black carbon.
Try it!
B.B.
B>B>,
Can the entire gun be disassembled? Meaning can you remove the red dot sight, as well as the mount? After removing the mount, do you think there would be any noticible traces of its removal? (Or do you get a "clean" Colt M1911?) Last question, I assume the inside of the tip of the barrel was threaded to accomodate the compensator, would the other silencer advertized on the Pyramid site (for the ppk/s) fit on this gun? thanks as always.
(Also, is the mount included in the tactical Colt, the same mount advertized on the Pyramid Air site under accesories?) I'm just trying to price out the gun versus what you get if you pay seperatly, the red dot sight I can't seem to find anywhere, but I assume its about 80 dollars or so, the mount sells for about $28, so it seems like a bargin.
The Tactical Colt IS a bargain, and yes the sights and mount can be removed. I had to install them before I took the picture. You get the standard rear sight with the gun, too.
I don't see the dot sight separately, either. It is a very nice sight, so my recommendation is to get the Tactical model.
Yes the barrel is threaded on the inside. I don't know whether the other silencer will fot, but Pyramyd Air would. Give them a call.
B.B.
One more question B.B.,
If I purchased a Colt tactical, and a standard CP88 (or even a 6"CP88) would the mount (and of course MDS sight) from the Colt be easily transferable to the (non tactical) CP88? Does it somehow just screw in over existing screw holes?
I don't really care about the fake can, it's the other add-ons I want, but it seems like the mount shown on both the tactical models of the CP88 and the Colt both come pre-installed with the same scope mount that sells on the Pyramid site (listed under accesories for standard non tactical versions of both guns)) for about $30, so i figured it would be "swappable" between the two pistols.
Does this seem accurate?
Ooops,
Last question for real, if I bought a compensator (listed on Pyramid Air for about $40) for the stadard Colt 1911, can I assume that it would also fit this tactical model (with current can compensator removed of course)? Meaning, there is nothing different about the tip of this gun, other then the threading, over a non tactical Colt?
Okay, here is how the dot sight mount attaches. It replaces the rear sight blade by sliding into the same dovetail. Forward of that about 1.5 inches there is a metal pad that bears down on the top of the slide. When it does, it puts tension on the part that is in the dovetail, causing it to twist back. That locks the base in place
The dot sight simply clamps to the Weaver base, so it holds tight. As long as you don't overtighten the screws, this is a pretty good system.
And, yes, I believe the two guns will accept the same sight.
B.B.
Your silencer question should be directed to Pyramyd Air.
B.B.
I had been looking at this gun for a bit now but had passed on it due to the price for the tactical model. After reading your report I decided to get it. I figured the wife can only kill me once right?
Enjoyable gun. Heavy, but it feels good in the hands. I grouped the pellets pretty well for me. Still learning how to shoot consistently. Took me a bit the get the red dot sighted in. I advise anyone who gets these sights to take to time read the instructions first. I got over anxious and didn’t look for the sight instructions. Hey! It’s a lot easier to adjust when you actually loosen the locking screw first! Who’d a thunk that? It is a bit irritating to have two separate allen wrenches to do the adjustments but perhaps that is normal. Personally speaking Walther could take a lesson from NC Star and instead of having four different size dots have the four different images of a dot; crosshairs, a circle with dot and circle with dot and crosshairs. I do like the Walther better than a cheaper red dot sight I had purchased when I wasn’t sure I would like one.
On to the gun itself.
Did I say it was a nice gun? It most assuredly is. The first few times of trying to use it double action I had a bear of a time. I believe it is the action of rotating the magazine that is the culprit as with it out the action is easier. This seems to loosening up some though with usage. It will be awhile before I can say for sure. I did find the single action to be nice. Very light pull to fire it. Felt a bit difficult to cock the hammer back with the shooting hand but since I’m still in the “shooting with both hands stage for accuracy" I found it easier to cock with my left hand. Actually did find it to seemly be more accurate with the compensator on it. Maybe the extra (slight) weight helped me.
I did not seem to have any problems with the grip safety. Felt a bit odd but easy to get used to. I seem to recall you mentioning a certain way to hold this gun in another report but can’t seem to find it now. Would you mind repeating it or point me in the right direction? I guess I didn’t use the right search words.
Overall I found it to be a very nice gun. Fun to shoot and as accurate as the shooter. Thanks for the report on it BB. It helped me make up my mind.
Rabbitt
Rabbitt,
Glad you like the pistol!
Here is the technique for holding with one hand. This won't work for two hands. Grasp the pistol with your middle finger only, pulling it straight back into the web of your hand (between the thumb and palm). The other fingers and the thumb apply no pressure to the pistol. The trigger finger squeezes straight back toward the web of the hand.
This hold is the one used by most veteran target shooters who shoot the 1911.
B.B.
Hello, I'm thinking of getting the 1911 but I don't know which brand of CO2 cartridges I should use. Help me please
Josh
Josh,
These guns really are not sensitive about which CO2 cartridges you use. Besides, Crosman makes most of the CO2 cartridges, anyway. They make them for Daisy and maybe for some others, as well.
B.B.
Would the Colt be able to use Pachmayr Rosewood/Rubber Grips?
This is the link
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=70713&kwtid=208502
Josh
Josh,
Those grips should fit without a problem.
B.B.
would a cp88 compensator fit on the colt 1911? and would there be a way to increase the fps on the 1911?
The Colt 1911A1 has a special compensator made for it. But there is a tactical 1911A1 that appears to use the same compensator as the CP88.
It depends whether the 1911A1 you get has threads for the compensator. So you have to determine that it does.
B.B.
can you put the link to the tactical 1911 please? and is installing the compensator for cp88 the same as the 1911? thanks in advance
I don't know whether you want the link to the first report, which is here:
http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2006/07/colt-m1911a1-tactical-another-action.html
or the link to the pistol on the Pyramyd Air website, which is here:
http://www.pyramydair.com/p/colt-1911-tactical-pellet-gun.shtml
The compensators for both the 1911 and CP88 spin on threads inside the barrel slide.
B.B.
Will Umarex be making a stainless steel version of the Colt 1911 any time soon? Thanks for all the answers ^^
Josh
Josh,
I asked them for a wartime finish on the 1911 five years ago and that hasn't happened yet. But anything is possible.
B.B.
Hi B.B. I'm having a real hard time deciding on whether I should get a black or a silver 1911. Can you give me your opinion and tell me when the colors would look best and which one matches dark blue and dark red best? By the way, Umarex replied and they don't have any plans for the 1911. Thanks for all your help =)
Josh
Josh,
I'm color=blind, so I can't answer your question. I do think the silver gun has a nicer finish, but I personally prefer the black finish.
B.B.
Hello, when I pressed the lever to open my Umarex Colt 1911 slide to put in the clip, the whole slide popped off. I tried to put it back together but it still pops off! Please help me fix the gun.
Josh
Josh,
Contact Umarex USA for repairs.
www.umuarexusa.com
B.B.
Hello, I sent my gun to Umarex, I'll get it back soon. I was just wondering if this ambidextrous safety would fit and function properly in my Colt 1911.
http://www.topgunsupply.com/wilson-combat-ambidextrous-high-ride-thumb-safety-1911-blue.html
If you know any different ambidextrous safety for the Umarex Colt, please tell me =) Thanks again.
Josh
Josh,
Although your Umarex pistol looks like a Colt M1911A1, it isn't. The only part that will interchange with Colt is the grips. The ambidextrous safety will not work.
B.B.
Hello B.B.
I was shooting my 1911 in double action and it shot just fine, but when I tried single action, the gun failed to push the pellet out of the magazine. I tried it again but with both hands pressing firmly down on the grip safety but the same thing happened. Please tell me what is wrong with my gun.
Thanks for all the help you gave me.
Josh
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