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Probably because their QC has been very questionable in the past, and that type of institutional reluctance sticks around for a long time, even if most of them produced today are fine.Why’s that? Have a couple of S&W 1911s that function just fine without any upgrades needed. One in 9mm that I use for pin shoots with 1000s of rounds through it. To each their own but see no issue with S&W firearms
I asked myself this question and bought a Bul. I think it's great. YMMV.Colt completion 70 series or S&W E Series?
This would be my first 1911, either would be a 5” barrel chambered in 45.
This would be mostly a range gun, maybe carried occasionally while scouting.
My dad has an E-Series and it's actually a nice gun except for the fact that the safety fell off the gun within the first few hundred rounds but I took it to a good gunsmith who got it fitted properly.In reality I think either you choose will be fine. I have an E Series smith and Wesson with roughly 3k rounds fired and no failures of any kind. I also have an original colt series 70, a colt competition and a Springfield TRP full rail...all work just fine.
This is my first 1911 so I probably have no clue what I am talking about but, it wasn't the 70 series that steered me away from the colt. It was the reports of bad QC and non-existent customer service. I would still love to find an older Colt, maybe a delta elite in 10mm...Since you passed on the series 70. Can you share more details?