my first and only 1911 - The Firearms Forum

J Curttheoldman · 09-17-2009, 01:09 PM

I purchased this treasure from a co-worker in the middle 1970's for $25, he had been a naval officer in WW2 and had no use for the pistol, so , I did. The latest date of patent on the left side of the slide is Aug 19, 1918, beneath that reads COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO. Right side of slide reads "MODEL OF 1911.U.S.ARMY, serial # on the frame reads xxxxxx. As a tanker in the Army in 1953 - 1955, this was my side arm and I love it. Can it take the available ammo on todays market and my reloads from the Speer manual safely. It is still tight and still has most of it's finish. No telling how many barrels it has had. I have put a few hundred rounds through it, should I continue?

Alpo · 09-17-2009, 01:51 PM

I'd shoot it. Stay away from the +P stuff. Probably will not work with anything other than FMJ. But factory ball should not hurt it. Standard velocity reloaded ball shouldn't hurt it.

Alpo · 09-17-2009, 01:53 PM

Made in 1918.

Doc1911 · 09-17-2009, 02:20 PM

Buy a SA and save this one. It is worth some serious $$$ to collectors. Whatever you do - don't refinish it.

Lotsdragon · 09-17-2009, 03:54 PM

Well here we are again, why would you buy a gun you cant shoot? I just dont get it.......

Doc1911 · 09-17-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotsdragon

Well here we are again, why would you buy a gun you cant shoot? I just dont get it.......

There is really no right or wrong answer here. Accept for antique weapons I shoot all mine. However, when I stumble upon an antique - I personally save it and shoot the other ones I already own. This way they maintain more value. It is a personal choice.

Alpo · 09-17-2009, 05:11 PM

I'm not suggesting using it to compete with, and shooting thousands of rounds a week in practice. I've got a Webley, from 1915. I don't shoot it every day, but I shoot it. I realize that it is old. Many of my guns are pre-war. Some of 'em (my Ortgies, for example) haven't been made for 60 or 70 years. You can't get parts. If I break one, my only option is to try to find someone that can make me a part. But I shoot 'em anyhow. That's why I bought 'em.

johnlives4christ · 09-17-2009, 09:59 PM

im with alpo. if i had a prototype 1911 that didnt have a grip safety i would shoot it.

Alpo · 09-17-2009, 10:05 PM

Heck, if I had that one-off 45 ACP Luger, I'd shoot it.

mrkirker · 09-18-2009, 10:38 AM

I'm with Alpo on this one. I've an early 1911, and I shoot it occasionally with target round-ball, not every week or every month for that matter. If it was a pristine example, I'd think twice about taking it to the range, but a 'war gun' needs to be trotted out every so often. (2¢)

Shooter45 · 09-18-2009, 11:59 AM

A 1911 that doesn't get shot is a paperweight IMHO. I'm not a collector but a shooter so that's my reasoning. I have seen some nice examples of old 1911's thru the years, some in nice showcases and they just look lonesome.

But, the pistol belongs to you so the choice is yours.

09-17-2009, 01:09 PM	#1
J Curttheoldman Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2	my first and only 1911 I purchased this treasure from a co-worker in the middle 1970's for $25, he had been a naval officer in WW2 and had no use for the pistol, so , I did. The latest date of patent on the left side of the slide is Aug 19, 1918, beneath that reads COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO. Right side of slide reads "MODEL OF 1911.U.S.ARMY, serial # on the frame reads xxxxxx. As a tanker in the Army in 1953 - 1955, this was my side arm and I love it. Can it take the available ammo on todays market and my reloads from the Speer manual safely. It is still tight and still has most of it's finish. No telling how many barrels it has had. I have put a few hundred rounds through it, should I continue? --> Last edited by J Curttheoldman; 09-17-2009 at 02:16 PM..

09-17-2009, 01:51 PM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,658	Re: my first and only 1911 I'd shoot it. Stay away from the +P stuff. Probably will not work with anything other than FMJ. But factory ball should not hurt it. Standard velocity reloaded ball shouldn't hurt it. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

09-17-2009, 01:53 PM	#3
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,658	Re: my first and only 1911 Made in 1918. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

09-17-2009, 02:20 PM	#4
Doc1911 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: USA Posts: 874	Re: my first and only 1911 Buy a SA and save this one. It is worth some serious $$$ to collectors. Whatever you do - don't refinish it. __________________ _____ Sincerely, Doc NRA Life Member

09-17-2009, 03:54 PM	#5
Lotsdragon Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Potosi, Mo Posts: 813	Re: my first and only 1911 Well here we are again, why would you buy a gun you cant shoot? I just dont get it....... __________________ "First comes smiles,then lies.Last is gunfire" Roland Deschain

09-17-2009, 05:11 PM	#7
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,658	Re: my first and only 1911 I'm not suggesting using it to compete with, and shooting thousands of rounds a week in practice. I've got a Webley, from 1915. I don't shoot it every day, but I shoot it. I realize that it is old. Many of my guns are pre-war. Some of 'em (my Ortgies, for example) haven't been made for 60 or 70 years. You can't get parts. If I break one, my only option is to try to find someone that can make me a part. But I shoot 'em anyhow. That's why I bought 'em. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

09-17-2009, 09:59 PM	#8
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: my first and only 1911 im with alpo. if i had a prototype 1911 that didnt have a grip safety i would shoot it.

09-17-2009, 10:05 PM	#9
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,658	Re: my first and only 1911 Heck, if I had that one-off 45 ACP Luger, I'd shoot it. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

09-18-2009, 10:38 AM	#10
mrkirker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,067	Re: my first and only 1911 I'm with Alpo on this one. I've an early 1911, and I shoot it occasionally with target round-ball, not every week or every month for that matter. If it was a pristine example, I'd think twice about taking it to the range, but a 'war gun' needs to be trotted out every so often. (2¢) __________________ *I don't know if dogs have a heaven, but there will be dogs in mine.*

09-18-2009, 11:59 AM	#11
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,752	Re: my first and only 1911 A 1911 that doesn't get shot is a paperweight IMHO. I'm not a collector but a shooter so that's my reasoning. I have seen some nice examples of old 1911's thru the years, some in nice showcases and they just look lonesome. But, the pistol belongs to you so the choice is yours.