[Archie]

The 1911A1 DID replace the 1911 as the 'standard gun'. But the government didn't just throw away all the older guns. As time went on, many were 'rebuilt' with 1911A1 parts, like the newer sights (slightly bigger and the rear notch square) and the shorter trigger and so on. But the frames were not (to my knowledge) milled out for the trigger access.

Some weren't fiddled with hardly at all.

Many were surplused out and sold on the civilian market, back when the government tried to save tax money instead of waste it willy-nilly. (Of course, that hacked off Colt, who didn't get to sell as many new commercial made pistols - but somebody is always crying about something.)

I have one such. It is a 1911 frame and slide, with Remington - UMC markings; but it has been remade into a hardball target gun. It still has the wide beavertail hammer and long trigger. I removed the adjustable sights and put fixed sights back on it - they are however a bit wider and just a bit higher than the originals. It shoots very well and will shoot hardball, wadcutters and Federal Hydra-Shok very well.

I've had it for years and the price would be meaningless.

I have a second 1911 I recently purchased for about $1000. The serial number runs in the 50,000 range; but it appears to have been arsenal refinished; it is the gray color of parkerizing rather than the commercial blue of the early pistols. Also, the rear sight has been replaced, but the front seems to be the original thin version. The original grips were gone and replaced with the brown plastic GI grips of the 1911A1. I found some replica diamond grips and put them on for old time's sake. It still has the original style hammer and short tang grip safety. It has been carried and used. The edges and high spots are worn from being holstered and carried. This picture is the second pistol, still with the plastic grips. (By the way, the plastic grips work well, even if not 'cool'.)

It shoots well and I'm proud to have and carry it.