70's era Colt doesn't shoot straight - now what?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 70's era Colt doesn't shoot straight - now what?

Posted: 8/10/2005 1:38:09 PM EDT

I have a 70's vintage Colt 1911 that was handed down to my from my dad. He was a cop and carried it for about 2 weeks before going back to revolvers. Apparantly, pulling the trigger and having it not go bang because he forgot the safety scared him. As a result, it's in truly outstanding condition.

It shoots high ( like 4" at 20 yds) and has the original itty bitty sights. I took it to a gunsmith and he told me the problem was typical. He also said that the weapon is worth significant dollars due to the condition and recommended against fixing it as it would cause it to become non-stock.

I don't want to part with it as it has sentimental value, but I would like to shoot it without the aggravation of calculating "hold-under". I'd also like to have it as my nightstand piece since my normal carry weapon is another 1911. So, I'm looking for advice on how to fix this thing. Are taller front sights available? Can a competent gunsmith make whatever changes are necessary without affecting the value? Am I stupid to shoot such a pristine piece?

Posted: 8/10/2005 1:42:35 PM EDT

[#1]

It isn't [In my Opinion] worth any more than a current re-issue series 70. Send it to Yost for a #1 Enhanced package and enjoy.

Posted: 8/10/2005 5:26:40 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
It isn't [In my Opinion] worth any more than a current re-issue series 70. Send it to Yost for a #1 Enhanced package and enjoy.

This sounds like the thing to do. If nothing else, at least talk to the guys at Yost and see what their opinion is of the weapon as a collectors piece versus a shooter.

Posted: 8/10/2005 5:36:46 PM EDT

[#3]

I was going to suggest Yost as well. I have a series 80 Colt that he built for me in 1994. It still shoots great. Ted is an ethical, fair individual. He will not sell you a bunch of crap you dont need. He has done a few smaller projects for me over the years. He completed the work quickly and phoned me to let me know it was done and shipped. He treated the small projects like they were high dollar jobs.

I recommend his services without hesitation.

Posted: 8/10/2005 5:44:25 PM EDT

[#4]

You Might not NEED a taller front - the stock sights are small enough that you may just
be seeing/holding wrong.

Kings Gunworks has drop in high profole sights (very reasonable )
A gunsmith wouldn't charge much to install them.

www.kingsgunworks.com/newcatalog/page02.html

Posted: 8/10/2005 6:09:37 PM EDT

[#5]

You Might not NEED a taller front - the stock sights are small enough that you may just
be seeing/holding wrong.

I don't think it's me. I've been shooting for 30 or so years and generally shoot pretty darn well. Well, I hope it's not me!

Thanks for the link to the sights, I'll check it out.

Posted: 8/11/2005 9:56:10 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
This sounds like the thing to do. If nothing else, at least talk to the guys at Yost and see what their opinion is of the weapon as a collectors piece versus a shooter.

Oh I suspect I can tell you verbatim what Ted’s thoughts about it being a collectors piece are gonna’ be. To put it shortly, it isn’t and never will be, certainly not in our lifetime.

All Colt 1911s are just good starting points and inherent of the term “customize” when you do such or have done the idea is to make it better. Fact of the matter is that, by and large, guns are generally horrible investments and yield such little returns that saving them for posterity or a potential monetary win-fall just don’t make any sense. This is especially applicable to Colt 1911s, which have been and will be made in such quantities that owning one literally makes you one of a million members in the Colt owners club and not much more.

Are there some guys who go ape-shit over older “collectable Colts”? Absolutely, but I ain’t one of ‘em. And I would wager that, considering the fact that the S70 is now again being manufactured, it would take another 100 years before the “original” S70s are even thought of as a truly valuable collectors piece.

In the mean time I would offer you this, cut that gun up. Get it to the point where it’s everything you’ve ever wanted and then spend the rest of your life trying to wear it out. Now that’s a return on your investment!

Posted: 8/11/2005 9:57:04 AM EDT

[#7]

Save it for a "DROP" Gun!!!

Posted: 8/11/2005 10:27:23 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Quoted:
This sounds like the thing to do. If nothing else, at least talk to the guys at Yost and see what their opinion is of the weapon as a collectors piece versus a shooter.

Oh I suspect I can tell you verbatim what Ted’s thoughts about it being a collectors piece are gonna’ be. To put it shortly, it isn’t and never will be, certainly not in our lifetime.

This is what I would expect to hear too. I just don't know Colts that well. I figure shoot 'em if ya got 'em!

Posted: 8/11/2005 10:35:03 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
... I figure shoot 'em if ya got 'em!

Absolutely...

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 70's era Colt doesn't shoot straight - now what?

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