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OK guys....I accidentally got a chance to handle one of the newer Colt "New AAgents" a few days ago. It was the DAO version in .45ACP and the gutter sight. Other than the sight, which I might be able to get used to...I really liked this pistol. It fit me very well and felt great to me for some reason.
So, I'd like anybody's personal experience with one of these, has anybody had custom work done to one, and from the smittys here..have you guys actually worked on one, and what would you do to improve on these? Just interested to see what ideas are floating around about this interesting DAO pistol (not really interested in the SA version, since we are all pretty familiar with that). Thanks in advance, and sorry for such a broad couple of questions.-Best regards--John

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

Also....one of my main questions for our gunsmiths, is about the "gutter" type sight on these. I am a big fan of the ASP series pistols, and would have loved to have gotten my hands on one, but other things came up. My eyes are a pretty big problem and as "neat" as I used to the the Guttersnipe sight was, it will not be practical for my eyes anymore. So the question is....how hard/expensive would it be to attach a set of very low-profile carry sights to this pistol, either by filling the trench completely in or by using a partial fill?
I've looked for weeks now, and there does not seem to be an option for the DAO in .45 that has actual sights on it. The single-action versions all have Novack rears and Ashley "Big Dots" on them if I recall, or at least one variation...but nothing for that smooth little DAO! Thanks for any input guys.--John

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

JR, looks like there's not much interest in this particular Colt. Not sure what my LTW compadres think but I remember Tim Brian commenting that the trigger was not nearly as good as most DAO's out there. I have not handled one but I can see that the bore axis seems really high. There was one on the cover of SWAT Magazine a few issues back that had been customized by Robar..... you can get back issues on their webiste swatmag.com, although this one is recent enough that it might not be in back issues yet. You can get the hard copy or the PDF. I read it and I think they had issues with the trigger too. I have an article in that one too about the 6X45 cartridge.

Thanks Ned...I'll check out that article tomorrow. I don't get many of the "gun rags" anymore due to my budget (aka disability), so not able to keep as up-to-date as I used to on new gear. The one I fooled around with had a little bit of a heavy, but smooth trigger and in dry fire (yeah I know...BAD Munsey!) it seemed "acceptable" to me on the short inspection that I did. I have a Colt Pony .380 DAO that seems MUCH heavier to pull, but that might be my imagination.
Until I can read the article, could you brief me on the "issues"? Were they failures of some sort, or just unliked due to a heavy pull? I know that Colt has has pretty bad luck with ALL of their DAO pistols that I can recall. One Dept. in the county I worked as a deputy, used the Double Eagles in .45 as their issued weapon, and had mixed results with them. Wish they could come out with something in DAo that worked well and would take off, but that seems as far-fetched to me as their returning to true civilian sales and production! Personally, I'd love to have another Magnum Carry! (And kicking myself for letting a low serial number, first year one go many years ago! ).
Thanks for the input Ned...much appreciated sir! Best regards--John

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

John, the only issue I'm pretty sure I remember is the trigger pull. There may have been something else, can't find that issue now......

Ned...I found and read the article, and thank you for sharing it. From what I read, the heavy trigger pull was the only thing mentioned (no mechanical issues or failures), and they advised that it was not for "novices", which I am not. From the example that I handled, I would certainly be willing to give her a shot if I could get my hands on one. I personally didn't feel like the DAO pull was much (if any) worse than the damnable double action pull of one of my last issued Beretta 96's or even a M-9 in DA. They did mention a couple of fail-to-feeds on the last round of one particular magazine, and Robbie Barkmann mentioned it may just need a stronger magazine spring. Now if I can just come up with a way to obtain one of these..might have to let that C&S "Pathfinder" go to a new home, since I rarely use/carry it! Thanks again Ned! --John

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

I hate to put down any fellow gunner's gun wishes. I confess a love for the Walther P38 even if it is an abortion as a combat pistol.

However, I share Jeff Cooper's opinion that a combat sidearm needs, above all else, a good trigger and a highly visible set of signets.

Looking at the NA DAO, the DA trigger I tried at the SHOT show sucked and I'll pass on the vagina sights. You can get the same piece with a good trigger and sights.

But, to answer your question, I have read about an idea to drop a fiber optic tube at the end of the trench sight and I think it would be an interesting project for someone.

ML

Mushinto old friend, no worries and I didn't feel that you were "putting down my dreams" or anything of the sort. Mine is more of a curiosity about this piece, and there really isn't any realistic chance of m being able to afford one unless I get really creative or won the lotto.
The article that Ned posted answered my question about the sights replacing the "vagina sight" (like that terminology too by the way! ). If you recall...I share your love/fascination with the ASP pistols, and although I think the sight is "neat", I agree with the lack of practicality or usefull ness (unless working in an extreme "deep cover" assignment, which I am not). As I said before, the DAO trigger on the one that I handled really wasn't bad at all, and had a smoth follow through, so it didn't bother me, but this pistol might have been the exception, rather than the rule (as Colt has seemed to become so erratic in the QC department in the last couple of decades). I was merely intrigued by the one I handled, and it felt good, fit me well, and was fast on target..a natural 'pointer" for me. I've seen the ones with better sights and trigger, and they were all single actions, and this was seemed neat and different..so it caught my eye.
Hope you have been doing well sir, and thanks for the input!-- John

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee