Colt's New Agent 1911 -- Why Can't I Buy One In California?

American Cowboy Chronicles ^ | March 12, 2017 | Tom Correa

[Texas Fossil]





Dear Friends,

Have you ever had a chance to buy something but didn't, then later kick yourself in the ass for not doing so. Well, that's the way I'm feeling about not buying a Colt New Agent 1911.

Why can't I buy one? Well, it has to do with new Colt 1911s not being sold in California anymore. Colt rifles are accessible to residents of California, and so are Single Actions, but not the Colt 1911 or any of its versions including the Colt New Agent.

In May of 2015, believe it or not, the California DOJ's endless list of banned rifles, shotguns and pistols that have been labeled "assault weapons" includes almost all Colt 1911s. It's true, I'm now finding out that almost every Colt 1911 is banned in California.
While I was told by one firearms dealer that the Colt Commander model #04691 is thought to remain on the "approved" roster, I really haven't been able to determine which Colt 1911 is acceptable for sale to regular law abiding citizens and not just to law enforcement. Of course, these pistols are also not to being sold to law abiding citizens with CCW permits who have undergone background checks.
I've checked with a number of firearms dealers in Northern California, and all tell me the same thing. Colt semi-auto pistols fell of the "approved" handgun for sale list, the California Drop List, and are now is determined to be an "assault weapon." To me, this is just a way for anti-2nd Amendment, ant-Constitution, gun control Democrat crazies in California to disarm law abiding citizens.

How is it that the State of California can break the law and legalize marijuana, which is illegal under Federal law, yet at the same time make guns illegal under State law which are legal under Federal law?

When I was studying for my degree in the Administration of Justice/Criminal Justice, I remember being taught about the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It states:

Amendment XIV

Section 1.

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

Isn't that what the State of California is doing? Isn't the State of California curtailing my privileges and immunities as a citizen of the United States? Fact is, it doesn't take a lawyer to see the State of California is breaking Federal law. But does that matter to anyone in government, especially in the California State Capitol controlled by anti-gun Democrats? No, it doesn't.
And what does any of this have to do with my wanting a Colt New Agent .45 ACP? Everything!

I took a look at the Colt New Agent and liked the light weight, the grooved sights, the lack of sights that grabs on to one's clothing when drawing it, the standard slim design and ergonomics of the 1911A1 design. I believe that this pistol is perfect for a concealed carry weapon for me as a citizen exercising my Constitutional rights under the 2nd and 14th Amendments.

It is perfect for someone like myself who likes the 1911 .45 ACP and wants one when exercising my rights as a law abiding American citizen. Yes, a law abiding citizen with a concealed carry permit who went through the classes and did everything correctly, include undergo a background check, to exercise my rights.
Fact is, the whole pistol looked to be well thought out. It fills a niche in the concealed carry market which is pretty void of good 1911s specifically designed as carry pistols.

Today, it seems that many 1911s out there are made for competition shooting with enormous front and rear sights. Many of those are not made for quick up close work where one defending his or her self cannot go into a Weaver Stance and take the time to use those bulky sights.

It is just my opinion, but it has been my personal experience that if you have the time that it takes to drop into a Weaver Stance and sight in, than you may also have the time to maneuver away from the dangerous situation. But since the vast majority of gunfights take place within 3 to 7 feet of one's assailant, most have only second to get your weapon out and into action.
Frankly, most folks don't have the time to drop into a Weaver Stance and sight in. Most have to go with just getting a general sight picture. And no, that hasn't changed in over 40 years from when I was first trained for such encounters.



While I love my 1911s, and I don't own any that can realistically be used for International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) or United States Pistol Shooting (USPSA) competitions. The reason is that I do not own target guns designed to be "race guns." I own basic close quarter self-defense guns. Yes, no frills self defense guns like the Colt Series 70 above.

As for the Colt New Agent, it got my attention when I first looked at it as a lighter option to my Rock Island Compact .45 ACP.  While I loved the lighter weight, I really liked the "trench sights" which is a "grove" running the length of the slide. Yes, the perfect kind of sight to prevent the gun from snagging on clothing or even a holster.

And when all you need to get is a general sight picture, the sights of the Colt New Agent are plenty suitable for anything within 20 yards. And like my Rock Island Compact, the Colt New Agent's 3 inch barrel is perfect for easy concealment.

I like carrying a pistol made of metal and not plastic. And no, I don't care that it is a bit heavier than the Glocks that everyone seems to be carrying these days. I know the 1911 and I cut my teeth on them in the Marine Corps. And if you're like me, and maybe learned how nice a 1911 is when you were in the military or shooting your Dad's, or Granddad's, then you really would like one of these Colt New Agent 1911s.

And yes, you too can have one if you want to buy one. That is if you live in just about any other state but California!

And there's the problem. Why should every other American be able to buy one, but not the people here in this state? Frankly, this is all just bullshit and the sort of thing that makes people do things that they don't want to do.

For example, businesses don't want to uproot their workers and leave California, but a lot of business are fed up with the over-regulation in California and are simply moving out. The same goes for law abiding tax paying citizens. Many of us don't want to uproot our families, but many are moving out.

Of course, once in another state that allows one have full ownership of their rights as an American citizen, than they can exercise all of their rights as an American. And that, well that goes directly to why this truly pisses me off.

Why do I have to sell my home and move somewhere else just to be able to have all of the rights granted to me as an American citizen? Why is it that I have to either move, or break the law and buy one illegally, if I want to own a firearm that is on the market legally in most states? And how is it that California can get away with denying me my rights as a American?

No, I don't think this is right at all.

Tom Correa

[Big Red Badger]

I forgot about MICROSTAMPING!

[Texas Fossil]

Thanks for responses.

I was not interested in the gun for myself. Only interested to see if someone could explain why CA is so nutty.

There were some good comments about the cost of having a particular gun approved. I don’t blame any gun manufacturer for not wanting to do business in CA. (Of course it is the intent of the ComDem Crazies in CA, eliminate all guns in spite of the 2nd Amendment)

Tom is a good guy. He posts a lot of interesting Western and Indian history articles on his blog. Plus some current events coverage. His background resonates with FR members.

This is the 2nd firearm article I posted on FR from his site. For a blog post, both of them got a lot of responses.

It is a real shame CA is sooo controlled by the Looney Left.

Thanks for reading this.

[Texas Fossil]

It is amazing, isn’t it.

We are working on Open Carry. I have drug my feet about concealed carry. Our Concealed carry fees are very high. They have discussed fixing that issue in Austin.

When open carry passes, it will be a mute issue, except for traveling outside of Texas.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Thanks for posting this. Now, I know why my Springfield Armory M1911-A1 came with a “NOT LEGAL IN CALIFORNIA” sticker on the hard case it came with.

Assault weapon, eh?

I’m going to look for the select fire switch...

;-)

[Scrambler Bob]

state approval process
= = =

It is for ‘safety’; Can’t have those unsafe ‘Sat Nite Specials’, you know.

But really for $$$$ and total tracking and control.

[Wilhelm Tell]

I think that this is similar to the literary tests that were just a gimmick to keep African Americans from voting back in the Jim Crow era. Gun “safety” laws like this are meant to make it impossible for a citizen to exercise a Constitutionally protected right. In this case, create so many bogus technical standards that no gun maker could follow because they are not possible or too expensive. Finally, no one can legally own a gun because any possible gun has been banned by arbitrary and bogus regulations.

[Texas Fossil]

Yes, I agree. That is the intent.

Totalitarian Left in Action.

[Texas Fossil]

You would think, with this going on for many years that the ComDem Party would have long ago collapsed.

Hopefully that point is near.

[jazminerose]

He does live in the wrong state. We fled SoCal in 2015—best thing we ever did. So worth all of the hassle of relocating.

We’re now in East Tennessee and loving it. My dear hubby just bought me two new guns, just because. Want a new gun? Go to the gun store and get it. We have instant background checks.

It’s a different world here.

[samadams2000]

I am personally more concerned about CA forcing us to EITHER A) Registering our AR-15 or B) Modifying it. This must be done this year per passed law.

[Texas Fossil]

It is pretty gun friendly in Texas. But until recently some laws instituted during Reconstruction made it difficult for Concealed Carry. That is fixed except for the fee size.

Texas DPS has surprised me how little confidence they had in Texans being dangerous with handguns.

Of course, those who abide by the law are not the threat. That comes from those who ignore the Law.

It will be the same with open carry when it happens. Non event.

[Texas Fossil]

I’m just glad I don’t have to deal with that. My niece and here husband live in MD. (He’s in the Navy) It is almost as unfriendly to guns as is CA.

[Secret Agent Man]

Given his mention of how most unwelcome engagements are within 3-7 feet, I am guessing the 3” barrel isn’t an issue for him.

[smokingfrog]

That definitely looks like an assault weapon to me. They probably just took off the bayonet mount to try and fool the CA gun hoplophobe regulators. /s

[Secret Agent Man]

Control the terms, control the language, control everything.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

All of the new designs do NOT improve on the need for, nor purpose of, a self-defense weapon. The author nailed it with, “...most gunfights against an assailant are from 3-7 feet.” My 100-year-old pistol design, the Browning 1910 1955 .380 was good for taking care of Ferdinand and Sophie by a young fanatic who could barely shoot closeup. I shoot far better than he ever did, so it’s good enough for me.

[Big Red Badger]

They dropped the

“BULLET BUTTON!”

YIPPEE!

[yarddog]

There was a retired Belgian soldier who lived in my home town.

He could tell some interesting war stories. Also a lot of gun tales. One which I never checked to see if it was actually possible was how they would shoot 9mm Luger in old Webley revolvers.

One thing which did strike me as different was his favorite pistol while in the Congo, was the little Browning .32.

[03A3]

Given how temperamental 3” 1911’s tend to be the state is unwittingly doing him a favor. Get an Officer if you have to have small.

[onedoug]

He should just call up his pals.

Eff CA!