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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - OT - Retro Sidearms (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 3/12/2010 10:06:33 PM EDT
Thinking of picking up a "retro" sidearm. Man - the real 1911s are really pricey!!  I'm thinking about 1991series Colts like the 1991A1 Government or Commander. Or even busting the time frame a bit and getting a Berreta M9. Which ever and throw it down the driveway or spray on some rack numbers. 
Even looked at some 1911 kits - wow they are a bit more complicated than the average ar type build... and still damn pricey! 
Would like to hear what others have as far as period sidearms. |
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I'm thinking either the SA GI or the Colt. My .45 in the Army was a mutt––Singer frame and US Switch and Signal slide.Looked like hell, but always worked and gave me expert every time! wish I could've bought that!  Damn. That was a rare beast.
As for retro sidearm, mine is a 1943 1911A1 Remington slide on a Ithaca frame. I also have a 70B series Commander. Those are very nice. I have owned a 1991A1 Officers model. Some people scorn them but I like the 1991A1 series and the Rock Island Armory 45's. I think these are great bargains in a utilitarian 45. They are easy to tweak and upgrade with Ed Brown parts if need be. At least swap out any MIM parts with forged parts like the Ed Brown hardcore extractor. |
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I've got a Victory Model like above, a 100% correct Remington Rand 1911A1 as given to me by the WW2 US Army lieutenant vet that carried it in North Africa, plus a M9 marked Beretta. I've got a US military issue Beretta M9 marked surplus slide that I'm considering selling if you decide to go for the M9 look. It will only fit on the 92F model.
Here's the Beretta: 
Rob |
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You could do what I did...made my own commemorative for my service time.
Took pictures quickly and didnt wipe the oil off. All un marked RIA parts from sarco. I purchased a digital micrometer and files from HF, but didnt need them. Lots of good assembly instruction on the 'net'. 
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Wow - some great looking/interesting sidearms coming out of this thread!! Great story on the "mutt" I didn't realize, but it makes perfect sense, that parts were mixed up like that. Wouldn't that be great to track that piece down after all this time?
That is a good idea, skychair. Looks good, too! |
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if you want to go with colt, get their repro...
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=160830169 |
| Many years ago when I was more deeply into shootong 1911's I aquired a USS&S slide. I always thought I would put it together with some other nice parts. I never completed that project and now that you brought up your fine service "mutt" it brings back fond memories. I will have to dig it out some day to oil it and put it back into storage or perhaps gather the rest of the needed parts and finally complete it....<><....:) |
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The Springfield Armory GI.45 is almost indistinguishable from a Colt unless you look at the markings. Once you replace the grips, that is.
GI.45 I have one and have had no issues through hundreds of rounds. David |
A few years back I was looking for a new Springfield .45 and there were just none to be had around here. I decided if I couldn't get the Springfield I was going to go for broke and I asked my dealer to see if he could find a Colt Commander. A few days later he called me to tell me that he had located one somewhere on the east coast at another dealer and if I wanted it I'd better act quick. I told him I'd take it. It may not be retro correct but, It's all mine and it was brand new. 
Doc 
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You could do what I did...made my own commemorative for my service time. Took pictures quickly and didnt wipe the oil off. All un marked RIA parts from sarco. I purchased a digital micrometer and files from HF, but didnt need them. Lots of good assembly instruction on the 'net'. http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL294/1488357/20836958/384153817.jpg http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL294/1488357/20836958/384153815.jpg Very nice work! Who did the engraving? |
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My USGI Colt 1911. Manufactured in 1918 for WWI. Arsenal refinished at Rock Island Armory for WWII. Now 92 years young and still spittin' fire and lead.
As for expensive...well, deals do come along if you're patient. I got this one 3 months ago off GB for $800. Compared to recent prices of even the "inexpensive" modern brands, I wasn't about to pass that up. I've been shopping for an early 1911 on and off for years but never wanted to pay the asking prices till I found this one. During the WWII rearsenal, these old warhorses (originally blued) were parked and the double-diamond wood grips were swapped out for these "plain checkered" ones. (I have some original grips but I like these just fine.) The pistols were stripped down and the parts were frequently scrambled during inspection, repairs and refinishing. Many pistols came out a combination of old and new parts from Colt, Ithaca, Savage or whatever. This one, remarkably, came out all Colt except possibly the hammer (I think it's a circa-1943 Ithaca). The slide, however, is not the one that came on it in 1918. Looks identical externally, though––you can't tell without removing the firing pin stop. ...I'm still looking for 2-tone mags and appropriate leather. I've got other .45's, but I must admit...garbage sights and all, I love this one! It's the same thing that attracts me to retro ARs...when I hold it, I sense its history. It's more than a pistol. it's more than a tool. It's a symbol. 
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My 1969 BHP: 
Just got these grips for my birthday... 
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That's a sweet piece, TGus. Heckuva war trophy. |
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Now those are some sweet, Sunday-go-to-meetin' grips right there! I like them! Something like that would look good on my stainless Kimber... |
Here's a teaser of a project I'm working on:
A 1918 Colt M1911 frame that I got a couple of years ago and a 1919 or so Colt M1911 slide I got two weeks ago. Neither have any real finish on them and someone tried to buff the slide out––it also has some pitting. Going to do it arsenal-rebuild style. |
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Nice grips! Are they ivory? Hey - you are only one post away from the big 10,000!! 
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I remember seeing several High Powers floating about. Some were Canadian manufactured Ingles guns, and some commercial Browning. I was told CIA types were prone to have them, but cannot verify that.
I also remember seeing a number of "liberated" K-38's with USAF ownership marks floating around, too. |
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Alright - finally joined the 1911A1 club! I was a bit strapped (thanks RBR!) so I opted for an entry level piece as my first. I got the Rock Island Armory 1911A1 GI model. I'll tell you what - for an under $400 pistol it's really nice! I'm impressed with the fit and feel of it. I replaced the factory grips with some Colt look alikes - big improvement right there on look and feel.
I've still got my eye on an eventual Hi Power or Colt but will have to save up some bucks first.
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http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a362/Sablelieger/Weapons/RetroWeapons.jpg An old school montage of assorted retro goodness. AHHH!!! the lower!!!!  ... Thought I will let the charging handle go.
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I've been working on a 1911A1 project since Christmas. I picked up a basketcase Argentine 1927 .22 ACE just before christmas to play with, and noticed the major parts were real nice pre-ww2 Colt. Just after Christmas, I picked up a new Springfield GI model, and sent the 1927's mainspring housing, trigger, hammer, grip safety, mag release and slide release to US Anodizing for re parkerizing. Once I got rid of the crap Springfield "pallet wood" grips, and put the Argentine parts on, it came together real nice. Still looking for a US&S or Rem-Rand slide though.
Now, getting the ACE to run is a different story.... I think she's about to be re-united with a .45 barrel and a Springfield slide. |
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Alright - finally joined the 1911A1 club! I was a bit strapped (thanks RBR!) so I opted for an entry level piece as my first. I got the Rock Island Armory 1911A1 GI model. I'll tell you what - for an under $400 pistol it's really nice! I'm impressed with the fit and feel of it. I replaced the factory grips with some Colt look alikes - big improvement right there on look and feel. I've still got my eye on an eventual Hi Power or Colt but will have to save up some bucks first.
http://www.dreamscraps.com/misc/ria.jpg Nice pistola, Dodger! Welcome to the "He-Man-M9-Haters-Club"!
I think the Rocks are probably the best value out there for new 1911's. Some will argue that cast receivers aren't as durable as forged, but I haven't heard anyone complain about the quality of these. Unless you plan on shooting this a lot more than the average .45 owner, this should last you for many years to come. I like the fact that they stuck so close to the original pattern––right down to the lousy sights! If this is your first, though, you need to understand that they can be as addictive as the AR. There are way too many collectible variants out there and they're like very expensive potato chips––you can't stop at one. Study the design and the history. Understand the pistol and you'll develop a great respect for the genius behind it. (My avatar wasn't picked for the machine gun, but for the man behind it!) That should serve you well. |
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To quote the great Garth Algar, "That is a babe. She makes me feel kinda funny, like when we used to climb the rope in gym class." |
Dodger57, From the left there is a 1918 belt loader that loads the shells in to a cloth belt for the 1919. Behind that is a M1 carbine mag pouch. The red device is a blank firing device for the M16 and in front of that is two sight adjustment tools for the A1 and A2. The wood handle is for the 1919 that fits on the back end after the T&E is taken off. On the other side of the belt is a case with a Colt clamp on bipod, and cleaning rods, brushes, cleaning patches. Next to that is a TM manual dated 1968 for the M16. Laying on the manual is a United States Property marked Smith & Wesson 1917 DA 45 auto rim that will shoot the next item laying on the manual 45 ACP in half moon clips. Next is an Wilson whistle, The Acme Thunderer made in England. Under that is a WW1 trench lighter that still works. Next to that is a WW2 Zippo that still works. Next is a United States Property marked Colt 1913 45 ACP. next is an oil can that sais 2oz PS oil lubricating preservative, special spec. USA2-120 p.o. no. (28-024) 44-40702 Maid by The American Products Co. Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. The tan canvas case in the back has in it a 30-06 barrel and booster for the 1919. Let me know if this helps. |
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More photographs, please!
Closeups! Details! Rollmarks! |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - OT - Retro Sidearms (Page 1 of 2)
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