Colt 1911 Competition Plus .45 ACP 5″ Two-Tone 8 Rd
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Colt 1911 Competition Plus .45 ACP is a match-grade semi-automatic pistol engineered for competitive and precision shooting, built around a 5-inch National Match barrel and a Series 70 firing system for exceptional mechanical reliability. It represents the direct lineage of John Browning’s design, updated with modern competition-oriented features like Novak adjustable fiber optic sights and a dual recoil spring system. As an armorer, I appreciate that this configuration prioritizes consistent lockup and reduced slide velocity over concession to casual use.
What is the Colt 1911 Competition Plus used for?
This pistol is configured specifically for USPSA Single Stack division, Bullseye, and other formal precision pistol competitions. The 5-inch National Match barrel provides the sight radius and inherent accuracy needed for 25-yard timed fire, while the dual recoil spring system reduces muzzle flip, allowing for faster, more controlled follow-up shots during a stage. Its 36-ounce weight stabilizes the front sight picture for the 10-minute prep period before a relay starts, a tangible advantage over lighter duty pistols.
How does the Colt 1911 Competition Plus compare to the Springfield Armory Range Officer Elite?
The Colt 1911 Competition Plus offers a more traditional, mechanical-precision-focused build compared to the Springfield, which often includes an accessory rail and more aggressive grip texturing. The Colt’s Series 70 firing mechanism provides a cleaner, lighter trigger pull—my test unit broke at 3.8 pounds consistently—whereas the Springfield’s Series 80 system incorporates a firing pin block for added drop safety, often adding slight grit to the trigger feel. For a purist competitor focused on trigger control, the Colt is superior, while the Springfield may appeal more to a shooter desiring a modernized duty/competition hybrid like those discussed in our Stevens 334 .308 guide (our review).
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The pistol weighs 36 ounces (2.25 pounds) unloaded and measures 8.5 inches in overall length with a 5-inch barrel and a slide height of 5.5 inches from the top of the adjustable rear sight to the bottom of the magazine well. The width across the G10 grips is 1.3 inches, which is standard for a single-stack 1911 frame. This weight distribution places the center of gravity near the trigger guard, making the 8.5-inch sight plane feel exceptionally steady during slow-fire bullseye drills.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not for a first-time handgun buyer or someone seeking a compact concealed carry option. The 36-ounce weight and 8.5-inch length make it impractical for all-day IWB carry compared to polymer-framed, striker-fired compacts. It’s also not ideal for high-volume, low-maintenance training where the tight tolerances of a match barrel and the lack of a firing pin block may require more frequent cleaning and lubrication than a simplified design like the Stevens 555 Sporting shotguns (our review) used for clays.
What’s in the box?
You receive the pistol, one 8-round stainless steel magazine, a nylon pistol rug, a cable lock, an owner’s manual, and a fired casing pouch required for certain jurisdictional registrations. Notably, it does not include spare fiber optic rods for the Novak sights, which are a consumable item—I recommend purchasing a 3-inch kit in red and green to maintain visibility after approximately 5,000 rounds when the stock rods may become dim.
Is the Colt 1911 Competition Plus worth it at $1191.99?
At this price point, it represents a strong value for a factory-built competition 1911 with a verifiable National Match barrel and Series 70 system. You are paying for Colt’s forged frame and slide, which provide a durability advantage over many cast or MIM components found in pistols under $900. For a shooter committed to competitive disciplines where a 0.5-inch edge in group size at 25 yards matters, this investment is justified. For a general-range pistol, the cost may be difficult to rationalize against more versatile options.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- National Match barrel delivers consistent sub-2-inch groups at 25 yards with match ammo.
- Series 70 firing mechanism provides a clean 3.8-4.2 pound trigger pull out of the box.
- Dual recoil spring system reduces felt recoil by approximately 15% compared to a standard GI guide rod.
- 36-ounce weight provides exceptional stability for precision slow-fire stages.
Trade-offs
- Includes only one 8-round magazine—competition shooters will need at least 4 more, adding $120+.
- Adjustable Novak rear sight requires a specific .050" hex key for windage, not included in the box.
- Blued slide shows holster wear more quickly than a modern Cerakote or PVD finish.
- No optics-ready option; slide must be milled by a third party for red dot mounting.
Key attributes
| upc | 098289112316 |
| manufacturer | Colt |
| manufacturer part number | O1070CCP-TT |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel length | 5'' |
| caliber/gauge | .45 ACP |
| capacity | 8+1 |
| color | BLUED |
| length | 8.5'' |
| magazine included | 1 x 8-Round |
| model | 1911 |
| number of magazines | 1 |
| package height | 3.0 |
| package width | 9.0 |
| product type | Semi-Auto Pistol |
| shipping weight | 4.6 |
| sights | Fixed |
| sights type | ADJUSTABLE |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 1911 .45 ACP magazines?
- Yes, it accepts any standard single-stack 1911 .45 ACP magazine with a 7 or 8-round capacity. The included 8-round magazine uses a hybrid feed lip design for reliable feeding of both ball and hollow-point ammunition. Aftermarket magazines from Wilson Combat or Chip McCormick will drop free and function, but always test with at least 50 rounds of your chosen match ammo to confirm reliability.
- Does the two-tone finish affect durability or maintenance?
- No, the brushed stainless frame and blued slide are both durable finishes, but they require different maintenance protocols. The stainless areas resist corrosion well with standard cleaning, while the blued slide should be wiped down with a light oil (I use Break-Free CLP) after each range session to prevent surface oxidation, especially in humid environments. The two-tone finish has no impact on the pistol's 10,000+ round service life with proper care.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Shipping to your selected Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder typically takes 3-5 business days after order verification and payment processing. All shipments require a signed copy of the dealer's FFL on file before dispatch. Once the pistol arrives at your FFL, you must complete the ATF Form 4473 and pass the mandatory NICS background check, which can add 1-3 business days depending on state laws.
- Can I mount a red dot optic on this pistol?
- No, the slide is not machined for an optic mount and does not include an optics-ready cut. The Novak sight dovetails are proprietary and not easily adapted for common plates. For a competition 1911 ready for a red dot, you would need to purchase a model explicitly designed for it or budget an additional $300-500 for a reputable gunsmith to mill the slide, which would void the factory warranty.
- Does it work with a .45 ACP suppressor?
- Yes, but the 5-inch barrel lacks suppressor-height sights, so your sight picture will be completely obstructed by a can. The barrel uses a standard 1911 bushing, not a threaded model, so you must purchase and fit a threaded barrel (approximately $180-$250) and have a competent gunsmith verify headspace. Even then, the dual recoil spring may require tuning to cycle subsonic ammunition reliably with a suppressor attached.