This Colt XSE Gov Model has been the sidearm I have conceal carried and used the most in my life. Just a hair away from 20 years now. You can see custom Kirkpatrick leather holster its spent 99.9 percent of that time in along with the 3 types of magazines I used as daily carry over that time. The Classic Wilson 47 on left and most recently the Wilson combat Vickers mag on right.

I will never be able to afford a full custom 1911 like the best ones made by KGB Customs LLC unless Karl wants to give me one (ahem..) But I can have a slightly customized factory piece. The now discontinued XSE line was in my opinion, almost everything I wanted from a 1911.

With a few things changed, natch.

I ditched the full length guide rod for the standard original, I replaced the MSH with a checkered stainless Smoth & Alexander one and replaced the then “duckbill” type grip safety with a drop in Wilson combat part that I am aware looks awful. Of course I replaced the factory wood grips with an older set with the colt gold medallion.

The XSE line came with a lot “custom” features not common from Colt at that time, Novak sights, under cut trigger guard, competition trigger, front slide serrations and my ambi safety of choice, the STI models that look like the Swenson ambi safeties.

I haven’t used an extended beveled mag well since the late 80s early 90s. I found way too many times I ended up using standard mags for one reason or other and you can’t reload fast with an extended mag well and a mag without a bumper pad. So I prefer to be able to use any magazine I may run across.

Tolerances were tightened slightly on the XSE according to colt press & propaganda at the time. That’s debatable, but it seems to be the case. I own several XSEs and that appears to be true from my observance.

I lost track of rounds through this gun a long time ago but if you saw the inside, it shows. I do know I have had to replace all the springs 6 times since I’ve had it.

I still use it, but it’s mainly just for CCW now with not as much shooting. Even for CCW I only carry it about half the time. These days I carry a Colt lightweight commander about as often.