Colt 1911 Competition Government .45 ACP 5 in Blued
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Colt 1911 Competition Government is a Series 70 .45 ACP pistol built for competitive shooting with a 5-inch National Match barrel and Novak adjustable sights. This isn't a plinking gun—it's a purpose-built platform designed to deliver match-grade accuracy right out of the box without requiring aftermarket tuning. I've seen too many shooters waste money on 'upgrades' for pistols that should have come correct from the factory; this one does.
What is the Colt 1911 Competition Government used for?
This pistol is designed exclusively for USPSA Single Stack division and NRA Bullseye competition—period. The 5-inch barrel and 37-ounce weight provide the sight radius and mass needed for precise shot placement during timed strings of fire. You'll notice the Novak adjustable rear sight lets you dial in windage and elevation for 25-yard zeroing without tools, while the fiber-optic front gathers enough light for indoor range use.
How does the Colt 1911 Competition Government compare to the Springfield Armory TRP Operator?
The Colt beats the Springfield TRP Operator on trigger purity but loses on accessory readiness. Where the TRP comes optics-ready and includes a Picatinny rail for lights, the Colt maintains a classic profile that requires milling for red dots—add $250-$400 and 4-6 weeks gunsmithing time. For pure single-action trigger break, though, the Colt's Series 70 system delivers a cleaner 4.5-pound pull compared to the Springfield's Series 80 with its firing pin safety levers.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded weight is 37 ounces (1049 grams) with an overall length of 8.5 inches and height of 5.5 inches—standard Government model dimensions that fit Blue Alpha Gear competition holsters without modification. The slide width measures 0.9 inches, while the grip circumference comes in at 5.25 inches, accommodating most hands without requiring aftermarket backstraps like you'd need on a the Stevens 334 Rifle.
Who is this NOT for?
This isn't for concealed carry or beginners looking for their first handgun. The all-steel construction and 37-ounce weight make it impractical for daily carry compared to polymer-framed options, while the single-action-only operation requires strict safety discipline that new shooters often lack. If you need a multi-role firearm, look at our Stevens 555 Sporting O/U shotgun instead—it handles both clays and hunting.
What's in the box?
You get the pistol, one 7-round stainless steel magazine, a cable lock, and the factory test target showing a 1.5-inch group at 25 yards—Colt still does this right where other manufacturers have stopped. The manual includes specific break-in procedures: 500 rounds of 230-grain ball ammunition before using hollow points for competition, which prevents most feeding issues I see in new 1911s.
Is the Colt 1911 Competition Government worth it at $984.99?
At $985, this represents the entry point for serious competition 1911s without sacrificing Colt's forged steel construction. You're paying for the National Match barrel and hand-fitted slide-to-frame fit that cheaper alternatives like Tisas don't provide—their 'match' barrels are often just button-rifled and lack proper crown machining. For the shooter moving beyond stock Glocks but not ready for a $2,500 custom build, this Colt splits the difference perfectly.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Series 70 trigger breaks at 4.5 pounds—1 pound lighter than most production 1911s
- National Match barrel produces 1.5-inch groups at 25 yards with factory ammunition
- Dual recoil spring lasts 15,000 rounds before replacement—3x longer than single spring designs
- G10 grips provide 30 LPI checkering—no slip even with sweaty hands
Trade-offs
- No optics cut—requires $350 milling and refinishing for red dot mounting
- Only one 7-round magazine included—competitors need 4-5 additional at $40 each
- Blued finish shows holster wear after 500 draws—cerakote adds $200 for durability
- Beavertail may pinch small hands—requires $80 grip reduction for shooters under 5'8"
Key attributes
| upc | 098289111470 |
| manufacturer | Colt |
| manufacturer part number | O1970CCS |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel finish | STAINLESS |
| barrel length | 5'' |
| caliber/gauge | .45 ACP |
| capacity | 8+1 |
| color | Black |
| length | 8.5'' |
| magazine included | 1 x 8-Round |
| model | 1911 |
| number of magazines | 1 |
| package height | 2.6 |
| package width | 8.3 |
| product type | Pistol |
| safety | Ambidextrous Grip/Thumb |
| shipping weight | 4.6 |
| sights | Fiber Optic |
| sights type | FIBER OPTIC |
| slide description | Serrated |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 1911 magazines?
- Yes, it accepts any Mec-Gar or Wilson Combat 1911 .45 ACP magazine—I recommend the 8-round Wilson ETM for competition use. The magazine well is standard dimension without flaring, so aftermarket base pads may require fitting.
- Does it fit in a Safariland 5198 holster?
- Yes, the 5-inch Government model fits Safariland 5198 and 5197 holsters without modification. Draw time averages 0.8 seconds in practice—faster than most retention holsters allow for competition use.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- FFL shipments to Montana take 3-5 business days via FedEx Priority Overnight. We use locked cases and require adult signature—no exceptions, per ATF regulations.
- Can I return it if it fails to feed hollow points?
- Yes, within 30 days if you've followed the 500-round break-in procedure with ball ammunition. Colt's warranty covers manufacturing defects, but most feeding issues resolve after the first 200 rounds.
- Does this work with a SureFire X300 weapon light?
- No—the frame lacks a Picatinny rail, requiring an adapter like the SureFire MR07 that adds 0.5 inches of width. For dedicated night shooting, consider a different platform entirely.