Sigh...it may be time to retire the old 1911.

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Sigh...it may be time to retire the old 1911.

Posted: 9/28/2004 1:48:26 PM EDT

Well, I cleaned my old Remington Rand 1911A1 today, and when I looked down the barrel after running a wire brush and cotton swab through it, that it appears to be quite pitted. Not sure what it is exactly, I have only shot US manufactured ammo through it since I purchased it two years ago, so I am going to take the barrel by the local gunsmith shop this week to get his take on it.

But, if the barrel is as corroded as I am afraid it is, then there will be no more shooting it.

It's a terrific old pistol, probably the only one that I absolutely will not ever sell. The only thing I have done to it is replace an aftermarket slide stop with an original USGI slide stop, so the weapon is now 100% USGI, just like it came out of the factory in 1944. For all I know, it killed a few Nazis in it's prime.

I don't want to replace the barrel, I want to keep it just like it is, so I guess I will have to buy another 1911 soon to replace it at the range.

I guess there's a silver lining to every cloud after all!

Posted: 9/28/2004 1:50:16 PM EDT

[#1]

A pitted bbl will make no big difference at pistol ranges. Shoot it.

Posted: 9/28/2004 1:50:40 PM EDT

[#2]

Dibs!

Posted: 9/28/2004 1:51:43 PM EDT

[#3]

Its a fine piece of American history.

Posted: 9/28/2004 1:55:18 PM EDT

[#4]

Replace the barrel and shoot it.

Save the old barrel and put it back in if you ever want it to be original again.

I love 1911s.

Posted: 9/28/2004 1:57:35 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Replace the barrel and shoot it.

Save the old barrel and put it back in if you ever want it to be original again.

I love 1911s.

+1

Posted: 9/28/2004 1:57:41 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Replace the barrel and shoot it.

Save the old barrel and put it back in if you ever want it to be original again.

I love 1911s.

SHHHHHH!

Posted: 9/28/2004 2:00:19 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Replace the barrel and shoot it.

Save the old barrel and put it back in if you ever want it to be original again.

I love 1911s.
SHHHHHH!

I doubt that "Dibs" counted.

Posted: 9/28/2004 2:06:15 PM EDT

[#8]

This pistol will be given to the winner of a bare hands free for all deathmatch which will take place at Gunstock this year. I will referee, and declare the winner. All contestants must shout 'We who are about to die salute you!' to me, or will be disqualified.

Posted: 9/28/2004 2:07:18 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Replace the barrel and shoot it.

Save the old barrel and put it back in if you ever want it to be original again.

I love 1911s.

+2

+1

Posted: 9/28/2004 2:10:02 PM EDT

[#10]

Give her a good cleaning and retirement.

I get a very "I'm not worthy" feeling about them old old 1911s... i'd rather send my cheap ammo through a new one than disgrace someone's grandpappy with my plinking.

I'm dead serious... I feel bad shooting them old timers. Not so much M1s, due to all the work done on them after (as is often the case).

- BG

Posted: 9/28/2004 2:14:58 PM EDT

[#11]

Clean it, put it in a nice case, retire it, buy an HK. Then it won't happen again.

Posted: 9/28/2004 2:21:51 PM EDT

[#12]

My thoughts agree with Cyanide-Just shoot it.
Low velocity (ball is 800fps +- right?) pistols are not going to be affected much by pitting. Might need a little more cleaning,but more shooting might just polish out some of the spots.A 1911 with battle pistol type fit is only going to shoot so tight anyhow,it isn't like you have a bullseye gun.Don't mistake my remarks as
scorn. I think it is a fine pistol and a great part of history and as long as it is safe it should be shot and enjoyed as is

Posted: 9/28/2004 2:30:27 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Replace the barrel and shoot it.

Save the old barrel and put it back in if you ever want it to be original again.

I love 1911s.

+3.

I have an old Colt 1911 (A 1911, not a 1911A1) made in 1918 according to Colt's records.

I don't shoot the hell out of it, but it DOES get a couple of boxes run through it every year.

It receives necessary maintenance. New recoil spring, whatever it needs. I do save the
old parts, just for originality's sake, but they're not useful. Who wants a recoil spring cap
with the lugs broken off it? (That caused the worst jam ever...when the lug broke off, it wedged
between the barrel and the barrel bushing! I thought I'd never get it cleared!)

It was a DCM/NRA sale gun, circa 1964, and was refurbished at the Augusta Arsenal prior to sale.

The best fourteen bucks my father ever spent!

CJ

Posted: 9/28/2004 2:34:41 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Replace the barrel and shoot it.

Save the old barrel and put it back in if you ever want it to be original again.

I love 1911s.

+3.

CJ

+4

Posted: 9/28/2004 7:24:43 PM EDT

[#15]

I'm with all those that say "shoot it". I've got a 1911 also, (circa '18) and it's the one I always think about when some one finds out I own "a bunch" of guns...and I tell them they're all "shooters" ... nothing of mine's too valuable or rare to shoot. Although I understand BUCC_Guy ... I have another scenario for him to think about ; Pure fiction... The old man and his 1911 went through some real stuff in the Great War and now, in the '20s or '30s, he introduces his grandson to old slabsides. He's proud the kid and the old gun get along so well, and he might think that'll come in handy in the future, maybe. Do you think he, or the kid, or the gun is worried about whether cheap ammo is going through the spout ? I don't. We might feel bad shooting them old-timers, but I'll bet a new shooter will get the same thrill you used to, shooting a pistol that's 8 or 9 times older than they are. Stay safe

Posted: 9/29/2004 5:12:01 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
For all I know, it killed a few Nazis in it's prime.

Warfare & field work is hard on weaponry. That one saw no action...

Posted: 9/29/2004 5:14:36 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Replace the barrel and shoot it.

Save the old barrel and put it back in if you ever want it to be original again.

I love 1911s.
SHHHHHH!

I doubt that "Dibs" counted.

I think you are right, buddy

Posted: 9/29/2004 5:18:25 AM EDT

[#18]

Part of me is going the direction of getting a new barrell for it and then the other part is for retiring it as the champion it is. Maybe you could "semi-retire" it? Shoot it once in awhile put it up and so on. Hard decision. Take care.

Posted: 9/29/2004 5:22:57 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

I have an old Colt 1911 (A 1911, not a 1911A1) made in 1918 according to Colt's records.

It was a DCM/NRA sale gun, circa 1964, and was refurbished at the Augusta Arsenal prior to sale.

The best fourteen bucks my father ever spent!

CJ

Do you know that I hate you?

I'll give you $42 dollars for that gun. Triple your money.

As for AvengeR15, just shoot it. Cyanide is correct.

Posted: 9/29/2004 5:26:51 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
Replace the barrel and shoot it.

Save the old barrel and put it back in if you ever want it to be original again.

I love 1911s.

+1

Posted: 9/29/2004 5:28:19 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Replace the barrel and shoot it.

Save the old barrel and put it back in if you ever want it to be original again.

I love 1911s.

+3.

CJ

+4

+5

Posted: 9/29/2004 5:35:05 AM EDT

[#22]

It is definately beyond repar and accuracy.

I will pay for shipping if you want to send it to me instead of throwing it in the garbage can.

P.S. I bet it is still more accurate than a glock

Posted: 9/29/2004 6:20:51 AM EDT

[#23]

Like everyone else on the board I desire many different guns old and new. I own two 'new' 1911's but I have always dreamed of owning an all original 1911 'war horse' I would not turn one down in ANY condition.

The history mean that much to me.......

PS own it with pride...

Posted: 9/29/2004 11:23:40 AM EDT

[#24]

Maybe I will semi-retire it, as has been suggested. I won't take it to the range or anything, and will only use it to bust caps in Blue Helmets, when the time comes.

Did I just say that out loud?

Posted: 9/29/2004 11:40:56 AM EDT

[#25]

Get new barrel/bushing set for $150 (Good Stuff) and take it out!

Save old barrel/bushing lightly oiled to put it back to "stock" if you wanna sell.

Brownells is your friend. Remember, the barrel and bushing are a "matched set", don't just get a barrel!

Posted: 9/29/2004 11:45:25 AM EDT

[#26]

Hit it in das pooper and post the pics?

Zen
"This is my rifle, there are many like it, but this one is mine"

Posted: 9/29/2004 12:03:49 PM EDT

[#27]

Just follow this 3 step plan:

1) Buy another 1911.

2) Buy another barrel for the 1911 you have.

3) Keep the original barrel.

Repeat as needed.

Posted: 9/29/2004 12:46:46 PM EDT

[#28]

Unless the pitting is deep enough to affect the structural integrity of the barrel, it will be of no concern. If you just want to retire that pistol, then do so, but there is no NEED to.

Now, if you are looking for an EXCUSE to convince your wife and or girlfriend that you NEED another pistol, then please disregard the above statements.

Posted: 9/29/2004 1:04:18 PM EDT

[#29]

It probbly has a HS( High Standard BBL) They are available and can be found on ebay.
Dont worry about matching the bushing to the bbl unless it has a match BBL. Just check to see if the bbl springs when in battry. Don't worry about shooting the old one a little pitting will not hurt any thing.

Posted: 9/29/2004 6:18:39 PM EDT

[#30]

I got one just like it just not pitted,or as old(my was made in 1945) so while it did not see any WW2 action it may very well have been carried in Korea,or Nam!!!

As yours too,just shoot it and know that that many would be glad to take it off your hands!!

Bob