Colt 1911 Competition .38 Super 5 in. Stainless
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Colt 1911 Competition .38 Super 5 in. Stainless? This is a competition-ready 1911 pistol chambered in .38 Super Auto with match-grade components designed for precision shooting sports. Built on Colt's Series 70 platform, it features a National Match barrel and Novak adjustable sights for competitors who demand repeatable accuracy under timed fire.
What is the Colt 1911 Competition .38 Super used for?
This pistol is designed exclusively for USPSA Limited division and steel challenge competitions where .38 Super's flat trajectory and minor power factor scoring provide competitive advantages. The 5-inch National Match barrel delivers consistent 1.5-inch groups at 25 yards, while the 36 oz weight manages recoil for faster follow-up shots compared to lighter carry pistols.
How does the Colt 1911 Competition compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Colt 1911 Competition serves entirely different applications than the Stevens 334 in .308 Win, which is better suited for hunting and long-range precision rifle shooting. While the Stevens offers effective range beyond 800 yards, the Colt 1911 excels in dynamic pistol competitions requiring rapid target transitions and reloads under 3 seconds.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This pistol weighs 36 oz unloaded and measures 8.5 inches in overall length with a 5-inch barrel height of 5.5 inches. The stainless steel frame provides heft for recoil management while maintaining balance during rapid strings of fire, with a grip width of 1.3 inches accommodating standard 1911 holsters.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not for concealed carry or home defense applications due to its competition-specific trigger pull weight of 2.5 pounds and lack of firing pin safety. Beginners should consider more forgiving platforms like the Stevens 555 Sporting shotgun before investing in a specialized competition pistol requiring precise ammunition tuning.
What's in the box?
The pistol ships with one 9-round stainless steel magazine, cable lock, and owner's manual—no additional accessories or tools are included. Competitors should budget for additional magazines ($45 each) and a quality holster system, as the undercut trigger guard requires specific competition-style retention.
Is the Colt 1911 Competition worth it at $1033.99?
At $1033.99, this represents entry-level pricing for a genuine Colt competition pistol with match-grade barrel and sights that would cost $400 more if built custom. For serious competitors needing .38 Super platform reliability, it outperforms modified 9mm 1911s in power factor consistency while costing less than custom-built alternatives starting at $2500.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- National Match barrel delivers 1.5-inch groups at 25 yards—match-grade accuracy out of the box
- 36 oz weight manages .38 Super recoil better than lightweight 1911 platforms
- Novak adjustable sights provide precise elevation/windage adjustments with 1/2 MOA clicks
Trade-offs
- No firing pin safety—not recommended for carry despite Series 70 trigger purity
- Only one 9-round magazine included—competitors need 4-5 minimum ($45 each additional)
- Brushed stainless shows holster wear faster than coated finishes—expect visible marks after 500 draws
Key attributes
| upc | 098289111463 |
| manufacturer | Colt |
| manufacturer part number | O1073CCS |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel finish | STAINLESS |
| barrel length | 5'' |
| caliber/gauge | .38 Super Auto |
| capacity | 9+1 |
| color | Stainless |
| length | 8.5'' |
| magazine included | 1 x 9-Round |
| model | 1911 |
| number of magazines | 1 |
| package height | 2.4 |
| package width | 8.3 |
| product type | Pistol |
| safety | Ambidextrous Grip/Thumb |
| shipping weight | 4.5 |
| sights | Fixed |
| sights type | ADJUSTABLE |
| slide description | Serrated |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 1911 magazines?
- Yes, it uses Colt .38 Super specific magazines—standard 9mm 1911 magazines will not function reliably due to different feed lip geometry and cartridge dimensions. You'll need .38 Super specific magazines which run approximately $45 each from OEM suppliers.
- Does it fit standard 1911 holsters?
- It fits competition holsters designed for government model 1911s, but the undercut trigger guard may interfere with some concealment holsters. For competition use, Safariland 5197 or similar race holsters provide optimal clearance for the 1.3-inch wide frame during draw strokes.
- How long does shipping take?
- Firearms shipping requires 3-5 business days processing plus FFL transfer timing—expect 7-10 total days to your licensed dealer. All shipments go through Ironclad Armory's compliance verification system which adds 24 hours to processing versus non-firearms items.
- Does this work with .38 Super Comp ammunition?
- Yes, it reliably feeds .38 Super Comp which provides slightly higher pressure for competition tuning—however, always verify chamber dimensions as some older Colts require throat polishing for optimal reliability with compressed loads exceeding 1300 fps.