Michigan Armament 1911 need info

diverdown · 11-11-2008, 08:10 PM

Hi I saw a 1911 pistol for sale 400$ at the local pawnshop the slide reads michigan armament nice two tone finish does any body know when and where this guns where made and are they any good and is it worth the 400$? thanks

rondog · 11-12-2008, 12:35 AM

For the $400, I'd buy a new Rock Island that has a full lifetime warranty before I'd buy an unknown no-name with who knows what kind of customer service, if any. Maybe if you can knock 'em down to $200, but I've never heard of that brand name. Might want to ask on some of the 1911 forums.

gandog56 · 11-12-2008, 12:25 PM

Michigan Armanent was a company in the early sixties who were located in Walled Lake Michigan, near Detroit. They took components and assembeled them to many variations like ambi safety, aluminum frames, adjustable sights etc. Quality was very good. Later they moved to California and quality went downhill, hence they stopped.

PlaneGuy · 01-13-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diverdown

Hi I saw a 1911 pistol for sale 400$ at the local pawnshop the slide reads michigan armament nice two tone finish does any body know when and where this guns where made and are they any good and is it worth the 400$? thanks

I traded an AR-15 for a tricked-out Michigan Armament "Commander" model. That was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made involving firearms. I apparently got one that was built right before the company went under. Parts breaking was the norm, I had NO confidence in the weapon and was lucky to get rid of it.

vinnyw1 · 10-11-2009, 11:00 AM

As an owner of a Michigan Armament Custom Combat .45, I'll give everyone my story. It was the first pistol I ever bought, and I bought it in 1984. My general rule is never to sell a firearm (I usually regret it), so I still have it. I have read comments that quality fell off during the twilight years of the company. I don't know if mine was made before or during that time, but I have had no problems with it. That being said, I have not extensively used it, but have probably fired several hundred rounds over the years. I like the looks and feel of it, and it has some nice features. Fully adjustable trigger is very light and crisp. Full beavertail safety, ambidextrous safety, pachmayer grips and extended mag release, all standard. I have found it to be reasonably accurate, but definitely not a "tack driver", and the barrel has a lot of play in the bushing. I'm thinking about getting an accurizing kit with a new barrel/bushing and even a new slide.

I would agree with the above posts that suggest caution. The company is long since out of business, and you don't know which stage of production the firearm was in. If mine is any example, I think the frame is solid but you may have to have the upper half redone to get a really nice pistol out of it. I paid $450 25 years ago, so the value certainly isn't holding very well. I'll probably end up sinking another $400 into it, but it is sentimental at this point.

Hope this helps someone. Good luck.

Flyingreendog · 10-20-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diverdown

Hi I saw a 1911 pistol for sale 400$ at the local pawnshop the slide reads michigan armament nice two tone finish does any body know when and where this guns where made and are they any good and is it worth the 400$? thanks

I have one of these weapons, and I use it extensively.
I have to admit the lack of info on it had me concerned but between a gunsmith friend and several years of trial and error with replacement parts we had determined that my 1911 custom combat pistol will accept anything Colt for the 1911.
like I said, i use the heck out of it for targeting and carry it concealed for defense. I also TRUST it completely. I figure I have fired several thousand rounds without problem.

It may be one of the earlier models because of the 3 digit serial number.
I figure if you can pick it up for around 300 bucks, it has a low serial number and you like it,,, why not.
I would love to have another just for the aspect of having "twins"

11-11-2008, 08:10 PM	#1
diverdown Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 10	Michigan Armament 1911 need info Hi I saw a 1911 pistol for sale 400$ at the local pawnshop the slide reads michigan armament nice two tone finish does any body know when and where this guns where made and are they any good and is it worth the 400$? thanks

11-12-2008, 12:35 AM	#2
rondog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 3,296	For the $400, I'd buy a new Rock Island that has a full lifetime warranty before I'd buy an unknown no-name with who knows what kind of customer service, if any. Maybe if you can knock 'em down to $200, but I've never heard of that brand name. Might want to ask on some of the 1911 forums. __________________ I child-proofed my house, but they still keep getting in!

11-12-2008, 12:25 PM	#3
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 11,805	Michigan Armanent was a company in the early sixties who were located in Walled Lake Michigan, near Detroit. They took components and assembeled them to many variations like ambi safety, aluminum frames, adjustable sights etc. Quality was very good. Later they moved to California and quality went downhill, hence they stopped. __________________ People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

10-11-2009, 11:00 AM	#5
vinnyw1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	As an owner of a Michigan Armament Custom Combat .45, I'll give everyone my story. It was the first pistol I ever bought, and I bought it in 1984. My general rule is never to sell a firearm (I usually regret it), so I still have it. I have read comments that quality fell off during the twilight years of the company. I don't know if mine was made before or during that time, but I have had no problems with it. That being said, I have not extensively used it, but have probably fired several hundred rounds over the years. I like the looks and feel of it, and it has some nice features. Fully adjustable trigger is very light and crisp. Full beavertail safety, ambidextrous safety, pachmayer grips and extended mag release, all standard. I have found it to be reasonably accurate, but definitely not a "tack driver", and the barrel has a lot of play in the bushing. I'm thinking about getting an accurizing kit with a new barrel/bushing and even a new slide. I would agree with the above posts that suggest caution. The company is long since out of business, and you don't know which stage of production the firearm was in. If mine is any example, I think the frame is solid but you may have to have the upper half redone to get a really nice pistol out of it. I paid $450 25 years ago, so the value certainly isn't holding very well. I'll probably end up sinking another $400 into it, but it is sentimental at this point. Hope this helps someone. Good luck.