Range Report on the new pony!

Rogervzv · July 20, 2013, 06:57 PM

... took the new Colt XSE 1980 model 1911 .45 to the range today for the first time, after having field stripped and lubed it. (It was somewhat dry from the factory.) My goals were to: 1) determine the accuracy of the fixed Novak sight; 2) zero the Crimson Trace lasergrip; 3) determine the overall reliability of the gun; and 4) test how the pistol handled hollowpoint rounds.

The pictures below tell part of the story. Both were shot at ten yards with a two-handed weaver stance. The target on the left is my zeroing target with the Crimson Trace laser. As can be discerned, the laser at first shot slightly high, which is the upper ragged hole (plus a flyer to the left). I then adjusted it down, and it appears to now be perfectly zeroed.

The target on the right was shot solely using the Novak iron sights, which are a three-dot sight setup. I must say that I am extremely pleased with this. The Novak setup is very rugged and holster-friendly, but nevertheless accurate and easy to use.

The pistol handled hollowpoint rounds without a hiccup. I shot two magazines of Fiocchi JHP and they fed and shot very nicely. In the old days some 1911s had problems with hollowpoint ammo. Not here.

Overall I shot an extravagant 300 rounds today and there was not a single feeding or misfire issue. Ejection of shells was nearly 90 degrees, perhaps slightly forward. No casings hitting me in the face or any of that nonsense.

Overall quite pleased with the new pony!

Just home from the LGS after installing the Crimson Trace grip:

45Gunner · July 21, 2013, 12:57 AM

Darn nice shootin' and a pretty gun to boot. Congrats and enjoy.

Pilot · July 21, 2013, 02:03 PM

That is just beautiful! Congrats.

Erikbal · July 21, 2013, 03:07 PM

Beautiful gun and nice shooting! Glad to hear it worked well for you!

IdahoG36 · July 21, 2013, 08:45 PM

Great looking gun!

mikejonestkd · July 21, 2013, 09:00 PM

The XSE series are great pistols, my combat elite is one of my favorite 1911s. 15K rounds in 3 years and its been utterly reliable and accurate.

Enjoy.

KyJim · July 22, 2013, 09:56 PM

Congratulations! Gotta' love those Colts.

Chowder · July 22, 2013, 11:33 PM

Great shooting and a fine looking gun!

July 20, 2013, 06:57 PM	#1
Rogervzv Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2011 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 1,075	Range Report on the new pony! ... took the new Colt XSE 1980 model 1911 .45 to the range today for the first time, after having field stripped and lubed it. (It was somewhat dry from the factory.) My goals were to: 1) determine the accuracy of the fixed Novak sight; 2) zero the Crimson Trace lasergrip; 3) determine the overall reliability of the gun; and 4) test how the pistol handled hollowpoint rounds. The pictures below tell part of the story. Both were shot at ten yards with a two-handed weaver stance. The target on the left is my zeroing target with the Crimson Trace laser. As can be discerned, the laser at first shot slightly high, which is the upper ragged hole (plus a flyer to the left). I then adjusted it down, and it appears to now be perfectly zeroed. The target on the right was shot solely using the Novak iron sights, which are a three-dot sight setup. I must say that I am extremely pleased with this. The Novak setup is very rugged and holster-friendly, but nevertheless accurate and easy to use. The pistol handled hollowpoint rounds without a hiccup. I shot two magazines of Fiocchi JHP and they fed and shot very nicely. In the old days some 1911s had problems with hollowpoint ammo. Not here. Overall I shot an extravagant 300 rounds today and there was not a single feeding or misfire issue. Ejection of shells was nearly 90 degrees, perhaps slightly forward. No casings hitting me in the face or any of that nonsense. Overall quite pleased with the new pony! Just home from the LGS after installing the Crimson Trace grip: __________________ The difference between a citizen and a civilian is that the citizen makes the safety of the body politic his personal responsibility, protecting it with his life. The civilian does not.

July 21, 2013, 12:57 AM	#2
45Gunner Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 1,902	Darn nice shootin' and a pretty gun to boot. Congrats and enjoy. __________________ 45Gunner May the Schwartz Be With You. NRA Instructor NRA Life Member

July 21, 2013, 02:03 PM	#3
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	That is just beautiful! Congrats. __________________ Pilot

July 21, 2013, 03:07 PM	#4
Erikbal Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2012 Location: Olean, NY Posts: 375	Re: Range Report on the new pony! Beautiful gun and nice shooting! Glad to hear it worked well for you!

July 21, 2013, 09:00 PM	#6
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	The XSE series are great pistols, my combat elite is one of my favorite 1911s. 15K rounds in 3 years and its been utterly reliable and accurate. Enjoy. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

July 21, 2013, 08:45 PM	#5
IdahoG36 Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 2,993	Great looking gun!

July 22, 2013, 09:56 PM	#7
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	Congratulations! Gotta' love those Colts.

July 22, 2013, 11:33 PM	#8
Chowder Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2012 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 449	Great shooting and a fine looking gun!