The Colt 1911 Competition Pistol: Elevating Your Performance

The Colt 1911 Competition pistol chambered in .45 ACP, model O1070CS, is a meticulously engineered firearm designed for shooters who demand precision, reliability, and the classic feel of a 1911, but with modern enhancements tailored for competitive excellence. Whether you're a seasoned competitor in disciplines like USPSA, IDPA, or Bullseye, an avid enthusiast seeking a top-tier range companion, or someone looking for a robust and accurate pistol for personal defense, this Colt Competition model offers a compelling blend of heritage and performance.

Why Choose a Colt 1911 Competition Model?

Many shooters ask, "What makes a 1911 suitable for competition?" or "Is the Colt Competition 1911 a good choice for my shooting needs?" The answer lies in its thoughtful design and the specific features that address the demands of competitive shooting while maintaining the legendary reliability that Colt is known for. This pistol is built to help you achieve tighter groups, faster splits, and consistent scores, ultimately improving your overall shooting proficiency.

The Foundation of Performance: Design and Caliber

At its heart, the Colt O1070CS 1911 Competition maintains the iconic John Browning-designed 1911 platform, celebrated for its single-action trigger, ergonomic grip angle, and inherent accuracy. This model, however, is not just a standard 1911; it's optimized for the rigors of competitive use.

Chambered in .45 ACP: The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge holds a storied place in firearm history and remains a popular choice for both competition and personal defense. Its heavy bullet and moderate velocity offer several advantages:

• Managed Recoil: Despite its power, the .45 ACP, especially in a full-size, all-steel 1911, often feels like a slower push rather than a sharp snap, making follow-up shots more controllable for many shooters.
• Stopping Power: Historically proven for its effectiveness, the .45 ACP is a formidable round for self-defense applications, providing significant energy transfer.
• Competitive Advantage: In divisions where a "major" power factor is desired (e.g., USPSA Limited), the .45 ACP readily meets these requirements with standard factory ammunition, reducing the need for specialized handloads for score.
• Accuracy Potential: The large, heavy bullet of the .45 ACP is inherently stable, contributing to the exceptional accuracy potential often associated with the 1911 platform.

Key Features that Elevate Your Shooting

The Colt 1911 Competition O1070CS isn't just about the caliber; it's a sum of its parts, each chosen to enhance performance and user experience.

• 5-inch Barrel Length: The classic 5-inch Government model barrel length is paramount for a competition pistol.
  • Enhanced Sight Radius: A longer sight radius provides a greater distance between the front and rear sights, which significantly aids in precise aim and tighter groups, especially at longer distances.
  • Improved Ballistics: The longer barrel allows for a more complete burn of gunpowder, potentially increasing muzzle velocity and energy for the .45 ACP cartridge, optimizing its performance.
  • Reduced Muzzle Flip: The additional weight of a 5-inch barrel out front helps to mitigate muzzle rise, contributing to faster and more controlled follow-up shots.
• Brushed Stainless Steel Frame & Slide: The choice of brushed stainless steel for both the frame and slide offers a multitude of benefits that directly impact the pistol's longevity, aesthetics, and handling characteristics.
  • Exceptional Durability: Stainless steel is highly resistant to wear and tear, ensuring that the pistol maintains its structural integrity and tight tolerances even after thousands of rounds. This is crucial for competitive shooters who put a high volume of rounds through their firearms.
  • Superior Corrosion Resistance: Unlike carbon steel, stainless steel is inherently resistant to rust and corrosion, making it ideal for use in various environments and reducing the effort required for long-term maintenance. This is especially beneficial for those who train outdoors or live in humid climates.
  • Increased Weight for Recoil Absorption: The heavier mass of a stainless steel frame and slide effectively absorbs and dissipates recoil energy, leading to a noticeable reduction in felt recoil. This translates to more comfortable shooting sessions, less shooter fatigue, and quicker recovery for subsequent shots.
  • Distinctive Aesthetic: The brushed finish provides a sleek, modern look while maintaining a classic appeal that is unmistakably Colt. It's a finish that wears well and is relatively easy to maintain.
• Black G10 Grips: The O1070CS comes equipped with aggressive black G10 grip panels, a popular material in high-performance firearms.
  • Unrivaled Grip Security: G10 is a high-pressure fiberglass laminate material known for its extreme durability and ability to be machined with aggressive textures. The texture on these grips ensures a positive and non-slip hold on the pistol, even with wet hands or under rapid firing conditions. This secure grip is fundamental for consistent recoil control and accuracy.
  • Weather and Chemical Resistance: G10 is impervious to most solvents, oils, and moisture, ensuring that the grips maintain their integrity and texture over time, unlike traditional wood or some polymer grips.
  • Ergonomic Comfort: While providing superior traction, the G10 grips are also contoured to fit comfortably in the shooter's hand, promoting natural pointability and reducing hand fatigue during extended shooting sessions.
• 8+1 Capacity: The standard 8-round magazine capacity (plus one in the chamber) is typical for a full-size 1911 in .45 ACP. While some modern pistols offer higher capacities, 8+1 is often sufficient for most competitive stages and more than adequate for personal defense scenarios, especially when coupled with quick reloads.

Advanced Features for the Serious Shooter

Beyond the core components, the Colt 1911 Competition O1070CS incorporates several specialized features that underscore its competitive focus:

• National Match® Barrel: This is a hallmark of Colt's competition-grade pistols. A National Match barrel is specially fitted and machined to extremely tight tolerances, ensuring superior lock-up and consistency. This translates directly into exceptional out-of-the-box accuracy, making the pistol capable of producing very tight groups at range. For shooters asking, "How accurate is the Colt Competition 1911?", the National Match barrel is a key part of the answer.
• Novak Adjustable Fiber Optic Sights: Sighting is critical for accuracy. The inclusion of Novak adjustable fiber optic sights is a significant upgrade for competition.
  • Fast Target Acquisition: Fiber optic front sights gather ambient light, creating a bright, highly visible dot that is easy to pick up quickly, crucial for fast transitions between targets.
  • Precision Adjustment: The rear sight is typically adjustable for both windage and elevation, allowing shooters to fine-tune their point of impact for different ammunition types or shooting distances. This adaptability is vital for maximizing precision in various competitive formats.
  • Durability: Novak sights are renowned for their robust construction, designed to withstand the rigors of active use without losing zero.
• Dual Recoil Spring System: This system significantly reduces felt recoil and prolongs the lifespan of the pistol's components. By using two springs, the system more effectively dissipates recoil energy, making the pistol smoother to shoot and enabling quicker follow-up shots. This is a common feature on modern competition and duty pistols to enhance control.
• Undercut Trigger Guard: An undercut trigger guard allows for a higher grip on the pistol. A higher grip positions the hand closer to the bore axis, which naturally helps to mitigate muzzle flip and improve recoil control. This subtle ergonomic enhancement can make a noticeable difference in rapid firing strings.
• Enhanced Hammer: The competition model typically features an enhanced or skeletonized hammer, which often contributes to a lighter, faster lock time and a cleaner trigger pull.
• Upswept Beavertail Grip Safety with Memory Bump: This feature is crucial for a comfortable and secure grip. The upswept beavertail provides a high, comfortable grip that distributes recoil over a larger area of the hand, preventing "hammer bite." The "memory bump" on the grip safety ensures consistent activation of the safety, even with varying hand pressures, making the pistol reliable under stress.
• Series 70 Firing System: Many competitive shooters and 1911 purists prefer the Series 70 firing system, which does not incorporate an internal firing pin safety. This design is often credited with providing a cleaner, crisper trigger pull compared to Series 80 designs. For a competition pistol where trigger feel is paramount, this is a distinct advantage.

Ideal User Profiles for the Colt 1911 Competition

Who is this pistol truly for?

• Competitive Shooters (USPSA, IDPA, Bullseye): This pistol is explicitly designed with them in mind. Its accuracy, recoil management features, and competition-ready sights make it an excellent choice for various divisions where a 1911 is permitted.
• 1911 Enthusiasts and Collectors: For those who appreciate the heritage of the 1911 but desire a modern, high-performance variant, the O1070CS offers a compelling package. It represents a refined version of a classic.
• Advanced Target Shooters: Individuals focused on precision at the range will find the National Match barrel and adjustable sights contribute significantly to achieving their accuracy goals.
• Personal Defense and Home Protection: While a full-size pistol, its reliability, accuracy, and potent .45 ACP chambering make it a highly effective tool for personal defense, provided the user is adequately trained.

Maintaining Your Colt 1911 Competition

To ensure your Colt 1911 Competition pistol performs optimally for years to come, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential. For detailed instructions, always refer to your owner's manual. Generally, this involves:

• Field Stripping: Disassembling the pistol into its main components.
• Cleaning: Using a bore brush, cleaning rod, patches, and appropriate solvents to clean the bore, chamber, and all moving parts, removing carbon buildup and fouling.
• Lubrication: Applying a thin coat of quality gun oil to friction points such as the slide rails, barrel lugs, and trigger components.
• Reassembly: Putting the pistol back together, ensuring all parts are correctly aligned and function properly.

Proper care will not only preserve the pistol's functionality but also its resale value.

Availability and Accessories

The Colt 1911 Competition O1070CS is a highly sought-after model. Shooters interested in acquiring this exceptional firearm can find it available at reputable dealers like DEGuns (deguns.com). When purchasing a pistol of this caliber, consider investing in essential accessories to enhance your shooting experience:

• Extra Magazines: Having multiple magazines (e.g., 8-round magazines specifically designed for 1911s in .45 ACP) is crucial for competitive shooting and convenient range sessions, minimizing reloading downtime.
• Quality Holster: For competitive use or even range practice, a secure and fast-drawing holster is essential. Look for holsters specifically designed for full-size 1911s, considering material (Kydex, leather) and carry style (OWB, IWB if applicable for a large pistol).
• Ammunition: Stock up on various types of .45 ACP ammunition – full metal jacket (FMJ) for practice and a reliable jacketed hollow point (JHP) for personal defense, if that's a planned use.
• Cleaning Kit: A dedicated cleaning kit for .45 caliber firearms will ensure you have the right tools for proper maintenance.
• Range Bag: A sturdy bag to transport your pistol, magazines, ammunition, and other gear safely to and from the range.

The Colt 1911 Competition O1070CS is more than just a handgun; it's a precision instrument built for those who strive for excellence in their shooting. Its combination of classic design, robust materials, and modern, competition-focused features makes it a standout choice for anyone looking to step up their game on the range or in competition.

Product Specifications Summary

Feature	Detail
Model	Colt 1911 Competition O1070CS
Caliber	.45 ACP
Barrel Length	5 inches (National Match®)
Capacity	8+1 Rounds
Frame Material	Brushed Stainless Steel
Slide Material	Brushed Stainless Steel
Grip Material	Black G10
Sights	Novak Adjustable Fiber Optic
Recoil System	Dual Recoil Spring
UPC	098289111791