uramex/daisy/colt colt govn't 1911a1 review

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Average Ratings

Value for Money	6.6/10
Reviewer Rating	7.4/10
Overall Rating	8.1/10

64% Recommended9 out of 14 Reviews

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By Jungle Jim Jam on 17th Apr 2007

Jungle Jim Jam's Ratings

Value for money	3/10
Overall value	3/10
Jungle Jim Jam's recommendation

Good Points

Solid.

Bad Points

Not really what it pretends to be, not exact as a replica, absolutely awful trigger, disappointing finish, unintelligent in conception. Over-priced. Over-estimated.

General Comments

Umarex Colt 1911.


There are two aspects to this gun, as there are to the entire range of Umarex CO2 pistols. They are all replica's of actual firearms, and they also operate as gas-powered air-pistols.

As a replica of a Colt 1911, this gun is modestly satisfactory. It is made of metal, but it's not steel or genuine firearm quality alloy and it's finish is therefore not blued. The metal is something referred to by another reviewer, politely, as "Spelter" and in rather less repeatable terms by an engineer friend of mine. Yes it's heavy, heavier than the real thing. But how much of that weight is "real", resulting from aspects of the construction necessary for it's operation rather than just for weight's sake?

The catches work. But they do not replicate their actions on the real gun. What would be the stripping catch and slide lock on the real Colt here unlocks the magazine compartment. What would on a 1911 be a magazine release here pops-the grip off for loading CO2. The frame safety does lock the trigger and hammer, but not in the same way as on the Colt as it allows it to be cocked even when engaged. Moreover, at least on my Umarex, the gun shoots even without pressure applied to the grip safety, which in effect is only a fake. Now that may be due to a flaw in this specimen rather than true of them all. In which case, what does such a major flaw in the safety mechanism indicate about the quality of manufacture?

A replica should feature all of the actions of the real gun, including field stripping, slide action and breech opening. On the Umarex, the slide is fixed ( apart from two thirds of it popping forwards to admit the magazine ), the breech is a feeble stamped-on feature and there is no provision for user disassembly at all. More seriously, the rear of the fake slide, a single cast piece on the real gun and on a good replica, has a big join running along it lengthwise.

Mine is the "nickel" version, that, contrary to expectation, is not finished in a hardened chrome but is lightly anodised and scratches easily. For example, under the mag release catch along the arc of it's movement. Not only that, but the black paint ( yes, paint ) on the trigger scratches off along the bottom simply through use. On top of which, the "nickel" colour is really very strange indeed, a kind of pale gold, making the gun resemble the kind of cheesy desk-lighter you might see in a drug-baron's den in "Kojak". The black trigger and catches look odd against that setting, as one would expect them on a real gun with a stainless finish to be chromed or bare steel. On such a "pimped" gun the practical black rubber grips also look most inappropriate. I actually swapped them for the brown plastic grips off a Marui airsoft AMT Hardballer ( requiring some fiddling about with blu-tac and a knife ) with a result that makes both guns look MUCH better!

For a good replica, one would do much better buying a decent all metal airsoft pistol, which are exact in every detail, even including trade marks if you pay enough. Not more than for the "de-luxe" versions of the Umarex Colt.

In spite of all of this, I still must concede that this gun is an appealing object to look at and to handle. Probably because I see it in the context of a collection in which its idiosyncrasies and illogicalities are aspects of its unique character. It is hung next to an airsoft Colt that is embellished with ornate scroll-work and Chinese dragon grips. In this context the gun has a place. However, if I were seeking a one and only replica of a Colt 1911 I would not choose this.

Then there is the shooting. The trigger is very heavy in single action ( pre-cocking the hammer with the thumb first ). Requiring the application of pressure back at near the joint of the finger. Not many people seem to appreciate that a good trigger should be operable with the smallest part of the finger. If you need to shift the finger to bring the middle into play, then the trigger is too heavy. As is the case here. When it comes to double-action, cocking and firing from the trigger, this piece requires the gorilla mitts of a Schwarzenegger. I can only just manage it using the forefingers of BOTH hands together.

Accuracy is hard to assess given this terrible trigger, but nonetheless seems to be good. The report is not very loud. But the experience is yet unsatisfactory. Partly because of the trigger. . Partly, also, one is aware that what one is trying to shoot is a rather silly pretense of something that it isn't. It is NOT a "semi-automatic", it is a revolver, with the little cylinder magazine concealed inside a heavy, fake exterior. Pop open the slide and the mag disc drops out for replacement with another, pre-loaded. You get two as standard. Others come in packs of three. Very easily, you could lose them altogether.

Anyway, in the context of a collection, this gun is an interesting contrast piece for occasional shooting. But if I were seeking a one and only CO2 pistol for frequent use, this would not be it.

I know that there are loads of people who love this gun and the others in the series, the Beretta 92 and Walther CP88. I think part of the reason is that they may not be aware of the alternatives out there that are much better either to shoot, or as replicas, or, indeed, in both capacities. It may also be because they have been indoctrinated with the idea that everything made in Germany is inherently superior!

To take but one example of a much better, non-German alternative, the Baikal CO2 Makarov is made from high quality steel with a blued finish instead of the cheap paint or patina coating that are the options with the Umarex. OK, it cannot take pellets, but with lead BBs and its far superior trigger it can compete with the Umarex for accuracy. If you must have pellets, you would do better to choose one of the honest revolvers that do not pretend to be what they are not. I have the Daisy 44, an American product, and it is a vastly superior shooting instrument at a considerably lower price. With an eight inch barrel, in single-action, it is unbelievably accurate. There is also the Baikal MP451 which has magazines for both lead BB and pellets, weighs a fraction of the Umarex, does not pretend to be what it isn't and comes with an optional shoulder stock that permits a witheringly high rate of fire. In airsoft, several manufacturers produce exact, full metal replicas of the 1911. Then there are the blank-firers and non-firing metal replicas. Of course, in the UK ALL replicas, possibly including the Umarex ones, are soon to become illegal to sell ( although, thankfully, not to own ).

This is the second gun of this main Umarex type that I have owned ( the other being the CO2 C225 ). I got rid of the other pretty quickly. I am keeping this one simply as a collection piece. Partly so I can show people how the reputation of all things German for engineering excellence may largely be down to the proverbial "Emperors Robes". Mainly because no collection would be complete without at least one of these Umarex pistols. But also because it appeals to me as a collectable object in the same way as do the obsolete cameras and other toy guns that I collect. Indeed, I do also own a desk-top lighter in the guise of a full-size replica Colt 1911! But it's finish is not as "pimped" up as this Umarex CO2 version!

Then of course there is the Umarex PPK blow-back pistol, but that's for another review!

In summary, I would only recommend this gun to those who will add it to a selection, if not a collection. I would not recommend it to anyone as their one and only dedicated shooting instrument.

One last point. as someone else has pointed out, many retailers charge a positively ridiculous inflated price for these guns. In the UK, Uttings, Ramsbottom and a couple of other places sell the basic model of any of the Umarex series for around or under £100. but most dealers charge about £140 for the same guns. My local shop sells the basic gun at about £180! Be warned. Shop around. Choose carefully.

P>S> I put this with the other reviews of this gun but they seem all to be under the wrong section heading which ought to be either "Umarex" or "Colt" rather than "Walther".

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