Posted: 8/4/2012 8:48:31 AM EDT
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Recently I inherited what I believe is a Government Series 70, Colt 1911. Its serial Number Dates it to having a manufacturers date of 1918, I believe... I'm no history expert, but I've been able to do a little research.
http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/ACrews6466/2012-08-04_11-44-50_770.jpg Have I fired this amazing piece of history since I received it you ask? F@@@&%$%#%K YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! Guns are made for shootin' and thats what they gon'e do!!! (about 150 rounds through the pipe...) And this bad mam-ba-jam-ba shoots with smoother action than my brand new XDm .45 ACP... Accurately too. Now, to the point of this post... This firearm was passed down to me from my recently deceased Grandfather. It protected him and his home for many years (He was not Original Owner) And I plan to keep bangin' rounds through her regularly. With that being said...I'm no ra-tard. I understand this weapon is almost 100 years old. And even thought it purs like a dragon... I want to keep it purring for another 100 years as I plan to pass it down the line as it was passed to me. THIS FIREARM HAS ABSOLUTELY NO MONETARY VALUE TO ME... NONE WHATSOEVER... I NEVER plan to sell it, and I could give a crap what its "worth". To me its all sentimental value... With that being said I want to ask some of you knowledgeable gents for a little direction on keeping her intact for the stay she has with me... I was looking at the Wilson Combat accessories And saw a few things that Interested me. I do not want to make any Permanent changes to the frame of this gun... I would like to put in a compensator set-up... from research I'm understanding I will need a shorter spring cap.. I would like to drop in possibly a match grade barrel... I would like to put Hogue grips on it... I would like to replace the guts... slide spring, retaining pin, guide rod and shock bushing... and pick up some Chip McCormick 10 rd'ers nothing major, just enough to give her some life...and a slightly modernized touch. I love the "Character" of this old firearm and do not want to change the aged finish on the outside at all. Tell me what you think!!!! all opinions welcome! (unless you think she should be a safe queen...ain't happening) Guts lookin a little worn... http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/ACrews6466/2012-08-04_11-50-29_132.jpg http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/ACrews6466/2012-08-04_11-39-20_159.jpg http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/ACrews6466/2012-08-04_11-37-51_506.jpg http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/ACrews6466/2012-08-04_11-37-36_304.jpg http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/ACrews6466/2012-08-04_11-37-25_619.jpg The rear sight seems to have been adjusted at some point in its life.... would like to "Update" the sights if possible, without milling anything... need advice on this.. http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/ACrews6466/2012-08-04_11-42-38_242.jpg THANKS FOR LOOKIN!!!!!! |
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Ok OP if that is the original finish for that pistol that gun is worth better than $4,000+. By shooting it allot you will simply destroy an old Colt. The pre WWII 1911's had soft steel in the slide breech face. If the pistol is what it looks to be don't be the dummy hat destroys a piece of history that has survived this long. |
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you inherited a USGI 1911 not a series 70 which did not come out until the duh 1970's.
do not hack on any part of that gun in any way- original usgi 1911's should other than spring replacement be left alone as historical icons that being said keep in mind I DO shoot mine. there is always the risk of breakage in a 90 year old item. I am willing to chance it- In 30+ years of shooting 1911's have not broken any major part even in ww 1 era guns. shooting 200 rounds a few times a year there is the good possibility it can be handed down to your children's children! the old adage some fitting required means ANY part other than springs can require adjustment /modification to work when dropped in a 1911. if it works leave it alone. also this is not the gun to stoke with +p hollow points. the metallurgy is simply not as good as today's and heat treating was not as extensive in later years. light reloads or AT MOST gi spec ball is all you should shoot through it. do not replace the sights- the staked in front makes this pretty much a one time thing and you will distory it's historical significance by doing so. keep it leave it alone. shoot it every once in a while. buy a newer production gun to beat or hack on. |
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thank you for the information captain127. And I agree the +p would be a bad idea in this firearm.
I think some people are miss understanding me... I'm not trying to make this 1911 part of my zombie apocalypse loadout... I simply want to "beef up" some of the wear and tear parts so that I do as little damage as possible when I do shoot it... I run maybe 3-4 mags through it every range day... twice a month. and I would never destroy or lose the original parts that I replace. |
| I am sure you are a nice guy. But you are a dumb ass... This gun may have sentimental value to you, will it when it is a POS that has been over fired? The way I see it is that it will eventually become a display gun. It can either be one that functions or it will be one when you have fired it beyond repair. your choice |
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Quoted: What you don't understand is that the steel in guns that old is not the same as it is today. The heat treating was not sufficient to make it hold up to regular use. There is a chance that shooting it occasionally will not harm it, but every time you pull the trigger there is a chance for catastrophe. Think of it this way, you could sell that gun and easily buy a few Les Baers or a very high end custom 1911 to shoot the piss out of.you guys are crushing me. I understand what it is... I do... But it feels too good to retire it. |
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Quoted:
you guys are crushing me. I understand what it is... I do... But it feels too good to retire it. some people you just can't help. whatever. do what you want. i don't see why everyone even cares. just another stupid ass destroying a piece of history. oh well. |
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OP I know how you are feeling to a degree, when I picked up this 1911 long ago I took it to the range and was gonna shoot it with light loads just to do it. As a matter of chance a fellow club member came into the range and I asked his opinion on what to do. He asked me why I wanted to shoot it and I had no answer. So the answer everyone here is giving you is what I got. A cherry 1922 Commercial.  |
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you have an amazing piece of history. My grandpa gave me his Ithaca 1911 he carried in Korea, found out it was made in 1943 and is in great shape. I have shot it but only maybe 50 rounds a year. I agree they were originally made for shooting but I don't want to harm this heirloom. What I love about this gun is that it was actually carried by my grand father in the Korean War, that gun has seen so much and now I have it. Even more, after he gave it to me, I found out how much I loved the 1911 platform and went on to buy the other 1911's I have today that I carry and shoot a lot.
You can do whatever you want, if it were me I would still shoot it but not like just any other gun. I just couldn't. |
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Thank you to everyone who has replied in a positive manner... I must say I'm starting to be persuaded to put it away.
I'm currently an active duty Combat Engineer in the US Army...I assure you from a military stand point I understand the significance of this firearm. My grandfather too was in the Korean War and though I dont believe he carried this firearm during that time, I do believe that is around the time frame when he acquired it. I do not plan to sell it... but I guess I can start looking at replacements. 
Thank you P08 for the information about the slide and frame... I had no knowledge of the soft metals used in its construction and knowing that fact deffinately makes me want to shoot it much less than I already have... I was kinda under the impression "its a 1911 and its built like a brick shit house" @92muddyXJ - I can feel ya too... I really wasnt into 1911's until I Inherited this one. I guess that is the sole factor making me want to shoot it...because of it, I love them. |
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Quoted:
Thank you to everyone who has replied in a positive manner... I must say I'm starting to be persuaded to put it away. I'm currently an active duty Combat Engineer in the US Army...I assure you from a military stand point I understand the significance of this firearm. My grandfather too was in the Korean War and though I dont believe he carried this firearm during that time, I do believe that is around the time frame when he acquired it. I do not plan to sell it... but I guess I can start looking at replacements.
Thank you P08 for the information about the slide and frame... I had no knowledge of the soft metals used in its construction and knowing that fact deffinately makes me want to shoot it much less than I already have... I was kinda under the impression "its a 1911 and its built like a brick shit house" No, you're thinking of a Glock. 
Pre 2010 gen 3 that is... |
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Quoted: Don't get me wrong the steel isn't so soft that occasional shooting is going to do harm, but it isn't up to today's standards. Look at this pic of a WWII gun and notice the dark spots on the slide where they flame hardened it so that it would hold up longer.Thank you to everyone who has replied in a positive manner... I must say I'm starting to be persuaded to put it away. I'm currently an active duty Combat Engineer in the US Army...I assure you from a military stand point I understand the significance of this firearm. My grandfather too was in the Korean War and though I dont believe he carried this firearm during that time, I do believe that is around the time frame when he acquired it. I do not plan to sell it... but I guess I can start looking at replacements. Thank you P08 for the information about the slide and frame... I had no knowledge of the soft metals used in its construction and knowing that fact deffinately makes me want to shoot it much less than I already have... I was kinda under the impression "its a 1911 and its built like a brick shit house" @92muddyXJ - I can feel ya too... I really wasnt into 1911's until I Inherited this one. I guess that is the sole factor making me want to shoot it...because of it, I love them.  |
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Quoted:
Put a mag of 230grn ball through it on the 4th of July each year. Gently clean, oil, repeat... You can enjoy it, shoot it, and preserve it. In 50 years, you'll only put 350 rounds through it this way, and each time you fire it will be a meaningful event. This. And maybe JMB's birthday( it's a Federal holiday right?). 
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OP if you really want to shoot it replace the recoil spring first. Find or load some lower power lead round nose ammo about the same power as a bullseye load. Ammo at about 750fps shouldn't batter it too much. Keep it well lubed. I would limit the number of rounds fired, but really, it isn't a piece of crystal. It was made to be shot although it was also made to go to an armorer when needed. It is a tool of war and could be expended if necessary. |
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OP - Replace the spring, put a few light loads through it. (50 or 100) Then clean it and PUT IT AWAY! Tell your children the history of the gun and that when they own it, they too, can take it to the range and put 50-100 through it. You said, it isn't about the monetary value, that's fine. Think about the sentimental value when you destroy it for your kids. "Son, this was your granddad's gun. I screwed it up when I switched a bunch of crap out and shot it. Now the slide has a buckle in it. But that's ok. It's a nice paperweight/ conversation piece."
Anyway, you are going to do what you want anyway. The rest of us will just be irritated. Its your gun. |
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Get both! Preserve it AND shoot it!
Just pick a day of the year (Armistice Day seems appropriate) and break it out that day to celebrate. Fire a couple magazines through it, clean it, and put it away until next year. Extra points if you wear a doughboy uniform while firing it! 
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LOL.
alright alright I get it guys... putt'n er away...till next year. While hunting for a cheap replacement to shoot the crap out of... I came across a RIA tactical 5in 45 ACP... for $450 its getting great reviews and I can hack the shit outta it, paint it mod it throw it at things all without the guilt that you have all placed upon me. -Austin |
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+1 to that! History is what matters, this from a time when America was a great nation, save it! Quoted:
Seriously...thats a piece of history. Don't shoot it any more than you already have... Go buy a Colt repro and shoot the shit out of it but you'll regret damaging the one you've got at some point in the future. |
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Quoted:
LOL. alright alright I get it guys... putt'n er away...till next year. While hunting for a cheap replacement to shoot the crap out of... I came across a RIA tactical 5in 45 ACP... for $450 its getting great reviews and I can hack the shit outta it, paint it mod it throw it at things all without the guilt that you have all placed upon me. -Austin Why don't you fire a few rounds on your Grandfather's Birthday every year as a "tribute" to him? Also, the RIA would be a very good 1911 that feels about the same and you can shoot the $!@% out of it all you want! Good luck! |
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LOL. alright alright I get it guys... putt'n er away...till next year. While hunting for a cheap replacement to shoot the crap out of... I came across a RIA tactical 5in 45 ACP... for $450 its getting great reviews and I can hack the shit outta it, paint it mod it throw it at things all without the guilt that you have all placed upon me. -Austin Why don't you fire a few rounds on your Grandfather's Birthday every year as a "tribute" to him? Also, the RIA would be a very good 1911 that feels about the same and you can shoot the $!@% out of it all you want! Good luck! +1 well thought out plan. Keep that baby put up, most of the time (99%) and look into some light loads for it, only for special occasions. I'd rather eat a bag of nails, than see you change ANYTHING on that gun. Which, by the way, is a REAL 1911 (not a 1911A1) AND a museum piece at that. The RIA is a great idea, good guns, good company standing behind the product........AND it's the perfect gun for you to shoot the $hit out of while you learn the platform. If you want a more modernized 1911, you might check out the RIA Tactical model. Great value, for not that much more money. Congrats on that beauty and PLEASE do it the justice it deserves. |
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LOL. alright alright I get it guys... putt'n er away...till next year. While hunting for a cheap replacement to shoot the crap out of... I came across a RIA tactical 5in 45 ACP... for $450 its getting great reviews and I can hack the shit outta it, paint it mod it throw it at things all without the guilt that you have all placed upon me. -Austin Thank you we all can sleep at night now |
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Quoted:
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LOL. alright alright I get it guys... putt'n er away...till next year. While hunting for a cheap replacement to shoot the crap out of... I came across a RIA tactical 5in 45 ACP... for $450 its getting great reviews and I can hack the shit outta it, paint it mod it throw it at things all without the guilt that you have all placed upon me. -Austin Thank you we all can sleep at night now The RIA and variances are great shooters (I have two citadels) and you can shoot the living daylights out of them plus they are fun to modify |