Colt 1911 Competition

What Makes the Colt Competition Ready for USPSA and IDPA?

The Competition ships with several features that competitors typically add to a base Government Model. The National Match stainless barrel provides tighter tolerances for improved accuracy. The fully adjustable Bomar-style rear sight allows precise zero adjustment for any load. The upswept beavertail grip safety prevents hammer bite during rapid fire. The skeletonized trigger with overtravel adjustment allows a consistent, crisp pull. The extended thumb safety is faster to disengage under competition pressure. Together these upgrades mean the Competition is competitive out of the box in USPSA Single Stack and IDPA ESP/SSP divisions without additional gunsmithing. Most competitors add a trigger job and possibly a magwell funnel, but the platform is genuinely ready to run.

Series 70 vs. Series 80: Why Colt Uses Series 70 on the Competition

Colt’s Series 80 pistols include a firing pin block safety—a plunger that prevents the firing pin from moving unless the trigger is fully depressed. This adds a drop safety but also introduces additional parts in the trigger train that slightly increase trigger pull weight and complexity. The Competition uses a Series 70 firing pin safety system (a heavier firing pin and lighter spring, relying on inertia safety rather than a mechanical block), which produces a cleaner, lighter trigger feel preferred by competition shooters. The Series 70 design is the original 1911 mechanism and is considered by most competition shooters to be superior for accuracy work. Colt uses the Series 70 on their competition-oriented 1911s for precisely this reason.

Colt Competition 9mm vs. .45 ACP: The Caliber Decision

The Colt Competition is available in both 9mm and .45 ACP. The 9mm version holds 9+1 rounds and offers lower recoil, lower ammunition cost, and the broader modern defensive ammunition selection. The .45 ACP version holds 7+1 and delivers the traditional 1911 experience with the caliber the platform was designed for. For USPSA Single Stack competition, the .45 ACP scores Major power factor automatically with standard loads—a scoring advantage that leads many serious competitors to choose .45. For general competition, defensive use, and high-volume training, the 9mm is the more practical choice. The Competition platform is excellent in both calibers.

Colt Competition vs. Springfield Range Officer: Factory Competition 1911s

The Colt Competition and Springfield Range Officer are the two most directly comparable factory competition 1911s at similar price points. Both offer adjustable sights, upgraded barrels, and competition-oriented ergonomics. The Springfield Range Officer uses a stainless steel barrel and has a slightly more refined factory trigger. The Colt Competition uses the Series 70 trigger system which most experienced 1911 shooters prefer. The Colt name carries additional collector value and brand cachet for shooters who care about provenance—Colt invented the 1911 and has manufactured it continuously since 1911. Both are excellent competition platforms; the choice often comes down to brand loyalty and which trigger feel you prefer after handling both.

What Upgrades Do Competitors Add to the Colt Competition?

The Competition is genuinely competitive stock, but serious USPSA and IDPA competitors typically add: a trigger job from a qualified 1911 smith to reduce pull weight to 3.5–4 lbs with a crisp break; a magwell funnel (EGW, STI, or similar) for faster reloads; and upgraded magazine basepads. An extended magazine release is already present. Sight upgrades to a fiber optic front are popular for better sight acquisition in competition lighting. Beyond those targeted modifications, the Competition needs no major work. Many competitors run the gun stock for their first season and make targeted upgrades based on the specific weaknesses they identify through match experience.

Related Pages

Browse all Colt firearms, explore our full 1911 pistol selection across all brands, or compare with the Springfield Armory 1911 lineup for an alternative competition platform.