1911 Colt

jkrzos · 12-16-2007, 07:21 AM

Howdy,

Just bought a 1911 Colt mfgd in 1918, in about 40% finish. The left side of the slide is worn, but the right side shows wear, but has readable serial #4552XX. I paid $500.00 along with the holster used by previous owner. I bought it from a very good gunshop, whom I trust. The action is tight, no wobble in the slide and the grip safety works. I am looking forward to shooting it. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

John Krzos

nathangdad · 12-16-2007, 10:20 AM

one of the reasons for modification to the 1911-A1 was the fact that the grip safety often piched the web of the hand when recoil occurred. this was enough of a problem to start the movement to the 1911-A1 modification. so you might want to have a custom grip safety installed. also, many of the 1911's had very hard trigger pulls. again, you might want this looked into by someone who can install a custom trigger. i would put in a new mainspring, and if you can get it a new trigger spring.

M14man · 12-16-2007, 11:57 AM

If it has all original parts, you DON'T want to start swapping parts. If the serial number does not have a C letter prefix the gun is GI. Someone familiar with Colt GI's could tell you if all the right era parts are on them, or if the gun went thru rebuild. For example a 1918 would have a long trigger,flat mainspring housing, and wood grips. It would be worth about $900. If it has been altered, the price goes down depending on what was done.

sunray · 12-28-2007, 09:21 PM

At $500 you stole it. W.W. I vintage 1911's are worth a ton of money. Even one in mediocre, but safe condition.

jkrzos · 01-17-2008, 10:50 AM

P1040126.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Image of 1911 COLT - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

HERE IT IS
JKRZOS

M14man · 01-18-2008, 04:14 PM

Nice gun. The grips are not original, and neither is the magazine. The slide looks like it was 'sanitized' where the Colt logo and patent dates on the left side were removed. Not visable in the photo anyway.The United States Property markings can't be seen either. A nice .45 but with a much diminished collector value.

nathangdad · 01-18-2008, 04:45 PM

You might want to put in new stainless steel
springs (note the grip spring is flat). Also,
if you are really interested you might have the gun cryo'd to remove any stress in the metal.
This is taking it down to 350 degrees F. below zero. If the barrel is worn you might want to consider a new barrel (possibly stainless).
The original guns often had a heavy trigger pull so you might want to see about some trigger work. A good firm such as you might find here can blue the gun for you.

billy · 01-18-2008, 04:48 PM

or you could clean er up ,shoot it,and enjoy your new pistol!

samuel · 01-18-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathangdad

You might want to put in new stainless steel
springs (note the grip spring is flat). Also,
if you are really interested you might have the gun cryo'd to remove any stress in the metal.
This is taking it down to 350 degrees F. below zero. If the barrel is worn you might want to consider a new barrel (possibly stainless).
The original guns often had a heavy trigger pull so you might want to see about some trigger work. A good firm such as you might find here can blue the gun for you.

You might want to shoot the gun and have fun.Whats all this "you might"stuff?Any bonified reason? sam.

nathangdad · 01-18-2008, 07:58 PM

Well, it is a manner in which I was taught to communicate. You "might" simply implies an invited option for the reader to either accept or not accept a suggested course of action presented in the sentence. It is nothing more than a friendly statement and no one should feel it goes beyond that point.

rfc357 · 01-18-2008, 08:01 PM

Cryo treatment is a scam to part you from your money. Leave it alone. Have it checked by a gunsmith for basic safety, then shoot it and have fun.

For those who favor cryo treatment, please describe what "stress" it removes. I carry a 1911 that has had over 20,000 rounds through it with only spring replacement. The only cryo treatment it has had is being carried in a holster in North Dakota, Alaska, Nebraska, and Colorado winters.

billy · 01-18-2008, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfc357

Cryo treatment is a scam to part you from your money. Leave it alone. Have it checked by a gunsmith for basic safety, then shoot it and have fun.

For those who favor cryo treatment, please describe what "stress" it removes. I carry a 1911 that has had over 20,000 rounds through it with only spring replacement. The only cryo treatment it has had is being carried in a holster in North Dakota, Alaska, Nebraska, and Colorado winters.

oh...
in that case all of my guns have been cryo treated!
it's -12 right now not including windchill.

nathangdad · 01-18-2008, 10:51 PM

You might wish to observe some of the electron microscopy on molecular orientation in steel before and after cryo. Also, Benelli (Nova) has some high quality stop action photos on shot leaving a barrel showing the effects of cryo on barrels/screw in chokes. Cryo does work although it is not the only stress relief method in general practice. I suggest some web search and recommend contact with a major cryo firm as most of them have a great deal of documentation of the process. I do understand it is not readily observable to the general public.

rfc357 · 01-19-2008, 02:24 AM

I'll believe in cryo treatment when I see an independent report showing a measureable improvement in some factor of performance. Sure the cryo people have a lot of documentation. They are trying to sell cryo!

big boomer · 01-19-2008, 03:51 PM

For what you paid, you got a deal, enjoy and shoot the stuffing out it. If you can't hit with it then put in a new barrel but if it aint broke don't fix it.

billy · 01-19-2008, 04:04 PM

throwing a ton of money at it before you even shoot the damn thing?

ggordon · 01-19-2008, 06:48 PM

If you plan on shooting it, I'd recommend (at a minimum) putting in a new recoil spring. A spring from 1918 might not be adquate for slowing the rearward movement of the slide with modern ammo. Damage to the gun and/or shooter can result.

Otherwise, have fun!

billy · 01-20-2008, 03:49 PM

have a smith take a peek at it and see.

myself....
i would clean it , shoot it and see if it needs anything

Mike5thgrp · 01-31-2008, 09:49 PM

Find an old Sgt. who taught in AIT and ask him to take a look. Most gunsmiths don't know shit about 1911s. Go to the local VFW and find someone who used one in combat. He can make sure it works properly. Keep it oiled.

meatloaf · 02-07-2008, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

oh...
in that case all of my guns have been cryo treated!
it's -12 right now not including windchill.

LOL I will have to add that to my next sales pitch when I trade in one of my guns for an upgrade.

12-16-2007, 07:21 AM	#1
jkrzos Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MATTESON, ILLINOIS Posts: 46	1911 Colt Howdy, Just bought a 1911 Colt mfgd in 1918, in about 40% finish. The left side of the slide is worn, but the right side shows wear, but has readable serial #4552XX. I paid $500.00 along with the holster used by previous owner. I bought it from a very good gunshop, whom I trust. The action is tight, no wobble in the slide and the grip safety works. I am looking forward to shooting it. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks John Krzos

12-16-2007, 10:20 AM	#2
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,434	it might pinch one of the reasons for modification to the 1911-A1 was the fact that the grip safety often piched the web of the hand when recoil occurred. this was enough of a problem to start the movement to the 1911-A1 modification. so you might want to have a custom grip safety installed. also, many of the 1911's had very hard trigger pulls. again, you might want this looked into by someone who can install a custom trigger. i would put in a new mainspring, and if you can get it a new trigger spring.

01-18-2008, 04:45 PM	#7
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,434	Springs might be an option plus . . . . . You might want to put in new stainless steel springs (note the grip spring is flat). Also, if you are really interested you might have the gun cryo'd to remove any stress in the metal. This is taking it down to 350 degrees F. below zero. If the barrel is worn you might want to consider a new barrel (possibly stainless). The original guns often had a heavy trigger pull so you might want to see about some trigger work. A good firm such as you might find here can blue the gun for you.

01-18-2008, 04:48 PM	#8
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 11,928 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 145	or you could clean er up ,shoot it,and enjoy your new pistol! __________________ internet yards and real yards are completely different units of measure.

01-18-2008, 07:58 PM	#10
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,434	To Samuel on "you might . . . " Well, it is a manner in which I was taught to communicate. You "might" simply implies an invited option for the reader to either accept or not accept a suggested course of action presented in the sentence. It is nothing more than a friendly statement and no one should feel it goes beyond that point.

12-16-2007, 11:57 AM	#3
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 426 Images: 10	If it has all original parts, you DON'T want to start swapping parts. If the serial number does not have a C letter prefix the gun is GI. Someone familiar with Colt GI's could tell you if all the right era parts are on them, or if the gun went thru rebuild. For example a 1918 would have a long trigger,flat mainspring housing, and wood grips. It would be worth about $900. If it has been altered, the price goes down depending on what was done.

12-28-2007, 09:21 PM	#4
sunray Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 98	At $500 you stole it. W.W. I vintage 1911's are worth a ton of money. Even one in mediocre, but safe condition.

01-17-2008, 10:50 AM	#5
jkrzos Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MATTESON, ILLINOIS Posts: 46	P1040126.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Image of 1911 COLT - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting HERE IT IS JKRZOS

01-18-2008, 04:14 PM	#6
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 426 Images: 10	Nice gun. The grips are not original, and neither is the magazine. The slide looks like it was 'sanitized' where the Colt logo and patent dates on the left side were removed. Not visable in the photo anyway.The United States Property markings can't be seen either. A nice .45 but with a much diminished collector value.

01-18-2008, 08:01 PM	#11
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	Cryo treatment is a scam to part you from your money. Leave it alone. Have it checked by a gunsmith for basic safety, then shoot it and have fun. For those who favor cryo treatment, please describe what "stress" it removes. I carry a 1911 that has had over 20,000 rounds through it with only spring replacement. The only cryo treatment it has had is being carried in a holster in North Dakota, Alaska, Nebraska, and Colorado winters.

01-18-2008, 10:51 PM	#13
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,434	to RFC397 on cryo You might wish to observe some of the electron microscopy on molecular orientation in steel before and after cryo. Also, Benelli (Nova) has some high quality stop action photos on shot leaving a barrel showing the effects of cryo on barrels/screw in chokes. Cryo does work although it is not the only stress relief method in general practice. I suggest some web search and recommend contact with a major cryo firm as most of them have a great deal of documentation of the process. I do understand it is not readily observable to the general public.

01-19-2008, 02:24 AM	#14
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	I'll believe in cryo treatment when I see an independent report showing a measureable improvement in some factor of performance. Sure the cryo people have a lot of documentation. They are trying to sell cryo!

01-19-2008, 03:51 PM	#15
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 939	For what you paid, you got a deal, enjoy and shoot the stuffing out it. If you can't hit with it then put in a new barrel but if it aint broke don't fix it.

01-19-2008, 04:04 PM	#16
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 11,928 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 145	throwing a ton of money at it before you even shoot the damn thing? __________________ internet yards and real yards are completely different units of measure.

01-19-2008, 06:48 PM	#17
ggordon Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 81	If you plan on shooting it, I'd recommend (at a minimum) putting in a new recoil spring. A spring from 1918 might not be adquate for slowing the rearward movement of the slide with modern ammo. Damage to the gun and/or shooter can result. Otherwise, have fun!

01-20-2008, 03:49 PM	#18
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 11,928 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 145	have a smith take a peek at it and see. myself.... i would clean it , shoot it and see if it needs anything __________________ internet yards and real yards are completely different units of measure. Last edited by billy; 01-20-2008 at 03:51 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

01-31-2008, 09:49 PM	#19
Mike5thgrp Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: US Posts: 3	1911 Find an old Sgt. who taught in AIT and ask him to take a look. Most gunsmiths don't know shit about 1911s. Go to the local VFW and find someone who used one in combat. He can make sure it works properly. Keep it oiled.