Posted: 4/28/2007 8:41:56 PM EDT
the slide on grandpas old colt cracked. can this be welded or fixed? i got a newer slide but was wondering about the orginal one. this orginal was made in 1913 he said. should i keep it cracked just to have all the orginal parts? or should i try to have it fixed if it can be done, just so its useable. heres a pic   what should i do, or is it a paper weight now? -chris |
| Contact Jim Stroh at Alpha Precision. If it can be welded he is the one who can do it. |
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From the front sight on it, it had already been customized but this is why I recommend you do not use or shoot the really old 1911s on a regular basis if they are in original condition and are in good shape. As SGB suggested find someone with an extensive background in welding, metallurgy and heat treating of firearms and get their opinion. Thats a pretty good crack and might have been exacerbated by a weak recoil spring which allows this area to slam into the frame with excessive force. One of the reason why I just don't shoot my old USGI 1911s all that much save for my Mutt, something like this would destroy all their value and tho I don't have many, what I do have are pretty nice. Good luck and if it can be fixed for a reasonable sum make sure while it's there that he checks the slide lock notch and welds that up if it is worn also. Hate to see this stuff happen, the old metal is just not all that great and until they were flame hardened in the front and at the slide lock this was not an uncommon occurance, especially when recoil springs were allowed to weaken and never replaced. Even if fixed, I don't know if I would use it again, it's in an area that has quite a bit of stress on it. However, if someone is really good at welding, who knows?....................... |
thanks for the replys guys. so if i put all the stock parts back on this gun, its now junk cause of the crack right? i didnt know for value, if i put it back together and used all the old parts, even though the slide is cracked if itd be worth anything. since i got a different slide on hand. and it has the NM barell and stuff. i might as well just keep it cracked and not weld it. since its grandpa's he bought back in the early 40's, i may some day put all the orginal parts in it and make a wall hanger/ shadow box and show the side that doesnt have the crack............. again thanks for the answers -chris |
The frame and the small parts are still good. Just the slide is trash. IF you really wanted to use this as a shooter, you'd just need a new slide and get your barrel and bushing properly fitted to it. Or get a whole new top end. My recommendation would be to return this to stock condition, keep it as a show piece and get a cheap 1911 to just shoot. I've seen used RIA and Norincos for under $300 easy at my local shops. |
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Either pony up the $500 to get a matching slide that pops up on Egay every once in a blue moon, or leave it alone as a cohesive albeit nonfunctioning unit. I wouldn't start putting aftermarket slides & other grap on this old horse. Restore w dignity or put it out to pasture on display. |