Colt 1911 Brain trust sought

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    C

    coopdog373

    Active Member
    Feb 13, 2009
    191
    herndon
    Friends-I tend to remember Lou being our .45 SME so without him I hoped the masses could guide me. I am curious if anyone has thoughts to the condition of the below pistol. I know some folks love the older Colt .45's so if its sold I promise to offer it up here first (Yes, FFL from VA to MD). Any comments on the below are appreciated, I just don't know much about these. The SN shows it MFR IN 1981. Once I am educated I can make an informed decision..i promise mods its not an attempt to circumvent the "fishing rules"...

    Sorry for the cell phone pics..they tend to resize correctly.

    Thanks friends for your comments...
    Coopdog
     

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    Last edited:
    S

    Supervel

    Member
    Jul 28, 2016
    12
    Harford County
    As a 1911 specialist I think it's a good starting point for a build,it's a 70 that helps some too. Colts from this era and this model are
    Usually pretty loose with parts "fast fitted". Meaning "if it went bang it shipped". Extractor's often way off making them persnickety about ammo. With better components fitted well and slide tightened up they can be a good gun. Maybe consider conversion to 10mm?
     
    Biggfoot44

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    33,107
    Leave it alone ? It's already been worked upon .

    Aftermarket sights .

    The hammer , trigger and barrel hood have been engine turned .

    It's unlikely that and only that was done in a vacuum . Most likely done at the same time as some combination of Trigger job/ reliability package/ accurizing , as was an entire sub- industry doing such things to Colt's back in '70s into early '80s.

    Not saying if a good thing or bad thing
    I would have to hands on judge the quality and nature of the work performed .
     
    M

    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,571
    Harford County, Maryland
    Handsome pistol...caveat being that duckbill grip safety. Some like it.

    The top of the front strap looks like it was reshaped, eliminating that long radius Colt used. Perhaps a slight relief cut behind the trigger guard.

    The duckbill wasn’t on that era pistol, IIRC. The hammer seems like it might be striking the backend of that duckbill grip safety. Not sure that is a proper combination - spur hammer and duck bill grip safety. Checking adequate overcock during cycling would be prudent. Actually I would opt to replace the duckbill with the period correct A2 grip safety. Locating a nice blued one wouldn't be too difficult.

    Good call on checking for a molested feedramp.

    A close careful gun in hand detail strip and inspection by a good 1911 guy is in order. Pretty on the outside doesn’t mean correct on the inside.
     
    Biggfoot44

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    33,107
    It wasn't factory , but it was period correct to combine a spur hammer with a mild beavertail . There were some aftermarket made that way , or a 'smith would relieve for proper clearance . Heck , I did one that way in the '80s .

    The reason was , for some people ( me ! ) using stock grip safety would bite our hands .
     
    C

    coopdog373

    Active Member
    Feb 13, 2009
    191
    herndon
    Friends-Thank you for the wealth of sound comments and the education; please keep them coming, I grew up in the 92FS, AR generation.

    The previous owner did shoot in competitions but nothing IPSC. I was given two boxes of reloading supplies and I am now just going through that.

    Boothdoc-I tried to find the 1911 thread, but a search turned up mad amounts of 1911 threads. If a specific sub-forum I am missing please point me in the right direction.

    As to a 10MM Conversion I will have to pass on that. I like the idea of a 10MM in my collection but I feel the nostalgia of this colt staying as is or perhaps some period corrections. The funny thing is I found several boxes of 10mm reloads...unsure what those where for.
     
    TheOriginalMexicanBob

    TheOriginalMexicanBob

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 2, 2017
    32,795
    Sun City West, AZ
    I wouldn't change it to 10mm...too many changes to make it cost effective...better to buy a Delta Elite instead for that. Besides the barrel/bushing you would have to change the extractor, ejector, firing pin, firing pin stop and the feed ramp in the frame may not even be correct for other than a .45. It may create more problems than its worth and require a qualified gunsmith to fix.

    Series 70 Colts are in demand as a basis for custom guns. Since this example has already been modified I think it should either be left alone as a shooter or go ahead and change it to suit yourself.
     
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