Colt Double Eagle

Lore & Background

The design of the Double Eagle was based on the Colt M1911 pistol. Magazines are single stack and identical to those shipped with the M1911. Most Double Eagle models were available in stainless steel only, though the "Lightweight" Officer's had an alloy frame and blued slide. Ron Smith of Smith Enterprise, Inc. was the main designer of the double action mechanism. The slide used a version of Colt's Series 80 locking firing pin safety, but unlike Colt's Series 80 pistols, the Double Eagle Officer's model in .45 ACP held an 8-round magazine.

The Double Eagle was chambered for several calibers; among the more common are .45 ACP and 10mm Auto. Occasionally one will see a copy in .40 S&W, 9×19mm Parabellum, and .38 Super. Similar to the M1911, Colt offered, in addition to the full-sized version, the more compact Commander and Officer versions. The full-sized version was chambered for .45 ACP and 10mm Auto, as well as in 9mm and .38 Super for a time in 1992. The Commander was chambered for .45 ACP, along with a somewhat rare .40 S&W version in 1992. The Officer's model was available in .45 ACP and rarely .40 S&W, again only in 1992. Colt eventually redesigned the trigger mechanism and added a retaining plate due to some shooters having problems with skin being pinched by the top part of the trigger, as well as some springs only being retained by the grip panel. The result was the Double Eagle Mark II.

Reader's Guide

The Colt Double Eagle represents Colt's attempt to modernize the classic M1911 platform with a double-action trigger system while retaining the familiar single-stack magazine and overall layout. Its production run from 1989 to 1997 placed it in an era when many shooters were seeking double-action semi-automatics, yet the Double Eagle never achieved the widespread adoption of its single-action predecessor. The involvement of Ron Smith in designing the double-action mechanism gave the pistol a pedigree in aftermarket customization, but the design also introduced issues—such as the trigger pinching skin and springs retained only by the grip panel—that led to the Mark II revision. The availability in multiple calibers, including 10mm Auto and .40 S&W alongside the traditional .45 ACP, showed Colt's effort to compete in the evolving handgun market. The Double Eagle's legacy is that of a transitional design: a bridge between the iconic M1911 and the double-action pistols that would dominate later decades, but one that remained a relatively niche offering within Colt's catalog. Its stainless steel construction and Series 80 safety features gave it durability and a modern feel, while the Officer's model's 8-round capacity in .45 ACP distinguished it from earlier Colt Series 80 pistols.

Did You Know?

• The Double Eagle was based on the Colt M1911 and used the same single-stack magazines.
• Ron Smith of Smith Enterprise, Inc. designed the double-action mechanism.
• Colt released a Mark II version with a redesigned trigger mechanism and a retaining plate.