Posted: 1/2/2017 11:41:10 PM EDT
In the late 1970s, the USAF Office of Special Investigations wanted to issue their agents a handgun more powerful than a standard snub-nose .38 Special revolver. They used surplus M1911A1s from the Navy, modifying them for less than $100.00 each.
This pistol will be my next project. |
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ILike,
All of the OSI .45s were made from surplus Navy M1911A1s. The AF Marksmanship Unit made each one. About the only parts they added were a serrated front ramp sight, a six round magazine with finger rest, and the AF-designed right lever for the ambi safety. |
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Quoted:
My understanding is they were all supposed to be destroyed. It's also my understanding that they were built by cutting national match frames. All military national match pistols were built using standard gi issue frames so there is no national match frame per se. The process for building national matches started with test firing stock guns those most accurate were set aside stripped and rebuilt into match guns. Sort of a strange way to do this as once selected only the bare frame remained as the basis for the match gun. |
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Thanks. I guess my confusion was sort of a chicken/egg sort of thing.
I saw a very similar looking pistol years ago and the owner swore it might be an OSI model. The markings on the frame were correct for what would then more correctly be called Air Force Marksmanship rebuild, however there was a lot wrong. The rear sight was adjustible. The recoil spring was cut to length but weakened as a result. The frame was not welded up for a new grip screw so the grips were cut to the frame like a hi power. To its credit, after replacing the recoil spring it was very reliable and accurate. It had custom 6 round mags shorter than any current production and I have no idead where they came from. |