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

[Texas Fossil]

My friend Tom, just lives in the wrong state. /smile

All things aside this is a very nice looking semi-auto pistol.

It is a shame the the looney left controls CA. My poor friend Tom is caught in the dilemma, he wants a really nice gun, but the state of CA tells him it is an assault weapon, and he cannot own one. (He is a Marine (retired) and a retired LEO. Is this not insane?)

[yarddog]

I don’t think I would want one anyway. Just too short for a 1911. Now a Commander or Combat Commander would be fine.

Of course if you want one that is enough of a reason. Too bad for California residents.

[CdMGuy]

Try contacting this store and see if they can help you out. At least they should be able to advise you as to if this gun or a similar Colt model still is available in CA. Also, they have a store in Tucson, and if you cannot purchase it here in CA, then maybe in their AZ store.

http://www.2ndamendmentsports.com/

[Mariner]

It’s pretty alright.

But who wants a .45 with a 3in barrel?

.357 probably. 9mm probably.

But ~600fps in a caliber that often does not have enough velocity to open a hollow point bullet? I would venture that a 9mm with a 4in barrel and 125gr bullets would be more destructive.

[DesertRhino]

I got a chance to shoot one. Way better than I expected. Slick and easy to use. And very surprising to see great accuracy with that channel sight. I swear it feels faster because you aren’t looking for that sight. Probably just a perception, but it felt that way.

[Caipirabob]

To hell with the socialists, it is your country, not theirs! They are the inheritors of the lake of fire, that’s it. Don’t let a socialist determine your fate at the hands of freaks. They are worm food, they just haven’t realized their potential yet.

[RC one]

a 7 shot 1911 is an assault weapon? How the F does California get away with this crap? and Democrats wonder why they have lost the House, the Senate, the White House, 12 governorships and about 900 state legislature seats. Yeah, it was Russia’s fault. sure.

[Billthedrill]

My understanding of current Kali law is that a manufacturer who wishes to sell a new model in that state must go through a state approval process costing $200K and up. Per model Many don't bother.

Anyone with better knowledge on the topic is welcome to correct me there.

[dila813]

1911 Model is cloned in other countries to make ghost guns that don’t have a serial number that the gangs use to commit crimes with.

So the 1911 clones get reported as 1911s when they aren’t at crimes.

The idiot government of Cali thinks banning this model will prevent crimes when the criminals aren’t even using these actual guns.

In other words, they are stupid.

[D Rider]

I love 3” 1911’s, another option for one is the Sig ultra. Always wanted to try the new agent myself

[Mariner]

The reason they are no legal in CA is because they cannot pass a drop test with a round in the chamber...or Colt didn’t submit them for safety certification.

It’s got nothing to do with an AWB. They ban these guns under the color of safety.

[crosdaddy]

Agree completely, no frick’n .45 in a 3” barrel. As a side note, just ordered a Springfield EMP4 contour (bobtail) carry. Can’t wait, although they said it could be 1-3 months.

[ForYourChildren]

“Colt’s New Agent 1911 — Why Can’t I Buy One In California?”

Does it go BANG?

[Big Red Badger]

Come on !
If he wants one That badly...
2nd party purchase?

California is NUTS for sure!

Wait till next year for the ammo Restrictions!

[umgud]

Colt did not submit this (or other models) for approval or renewal on CA’s approved roster. If a semi-auto pistol is not already on their roster, it will have to be able to micro-stamp brass to be added. Consequently CA shut down all new semi-autos ever being sold new in CA.

As far as CA infringing the 2a, we’re going to probably need at least 2 more supremes and somebody will have to challenge CA in a major way.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Why Can't I Buy One In California?

Because...California.

[hanamizu]

if you cannot purchase it here in CA, then maybe in their AZ store.

---

You can only legally buy a handgun in the state of which you are a resident.

[Kickass Conservative]

>>>they have a store in Tucson, and if you cannot purchase it here in CA, then maybe in their AZ store>>>

If you only have a CA I.D., you can’t buy one in AZ or anywhere else outside of CA for that matter. Handguns can only be purchased in your State of Residency.

Used to not apply to Long Guns, but now that CA “registers” ALL Guns purchased, you are probably SOOL there too.

[clintonh8r]

Bump

[null and void]

Yet right next door we have open carry. No one even bats an eye at one in Sam’s Club.