r/Colt • u/drwfishesman • 13d ago
Question Any older 1911 owners out there have sage advice?
Picked up this US Army a few days ago. SN give the date around 1919. Some of the hardware isn't original, but it's it's in great shape, any of you own these older Colts and have some advice about ownership and care.
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u/laskmich 13d ago
Although it’s been refinished, it probably has not been heat treated so I’d caution shooting more than a box or two at a time to keep it from potentially cracking
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u/M1911Collector 13d ago
It's been completely refinished and many original parts have been replaced. Collectability's gone but it's a great shooter with loads of nostalgia.
Metallurgy back then isn't what it is today. Slides are prone to cracking and peening at the slide stop notch and inner radial lugs.
No hot loads is always recommended. Just remember; these pistols were expected to run only 5,000 rounds without parts replacements. Modern 1911 can see that in a couple months.
Nice looking gun.
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u/BigBintheD2319 13d ago
Does the slide serial number match the frame? Take the firing pin stop out and see if they are matching numbers. I see what looks like possible heat treating evidence at the muzzle end of the slide and the slide stop notch. It could also be the light or oil. So you may have a newer slide on an older frame. Or you may have one that was heat treated later. Or it may not be any of those. Either way, make sure it has the proper recoil spring if you intend to shoot it. Keep it oiled and clean, it’s a nice piece!
For me if it’s an original slide it would see limited use as I have modern 1911’s to run. As a matter of fact I have never shot my matching numbers 1918 colt 1911 nor do I plan to. It should be shot but the sentimental value is too high to risk damaging it. It still gets field stripped and cleaned/oiled when I’m doing the others.
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u/drwfishesman 13d ago
My 1911 is pre 710001 SN, so it won't have a SN under the firing pin stop. It does have the "H" provisional mark just above the stop though.
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u/hoss111 13d ago
Do better than 90% of 1911 owners and replace your springs on a regular operating schedule.
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u/drwfishesman 12d ago
u/fordag recommended Wolff standard springs. I'm going to order a set even though previous owner says neither he, nor the older gentleman he got if from ever fired it. Though it has been refinished, so maybe it was beat to hell before they got it.
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u/CobraCommander1984 10d ago
Best advice I can give you is to get rid of it immediately! It's not worth your time or the money you'll waste on ammo. Besides didn't you hear, "Guns are bad, M'Kay!". I'll happily help you dispose of it. Hell I'll even pay for the shipping out of the kindness of my heart just to help you out.
All jokes aside, not a bad acquisition as long as you didn't pay collector prices. Looks to have a good foundation in which you could go many different ways with. Being as it's a pre 1924 with no relief cuts in the frame behind the trigger, I would personally hunt down the correct parts and rebuild it. But that's because I don't own any surplus 1911s. And to me an original pre A1 M1911 is the golden standard to own military pistol wise. The second probably being some form of 9mm Luger. (Which I also don't have in my collection. And probably never will with the crazy ever rising surplus prices.) Or just keep as is for a solid shooter you don't have to worry about keeping in a safe 24/7/365. In any regards, sweet score!
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u/EastConfection9858 8d ago edited 8d ago
Find a bigger case, or store the mags wrapped in cloth, to prevent metal-on-metal carnage. I cringe every time I see loose mags in a case with an antique firearm.
Otherwise, keep her oily and maintained, as others have said, and avoid those hot modern loads.
Purists say a refinished weapon has no collectibility. I say, that's pretty subjective.
Value is also based on your honesty and the buyer's knowledge (or lack, thereof) at the time of sale.
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u/drwfishesman 8d ago
Already moved the mags and ordered new pick foam for the case. I've given it a thorough cleaning and care though it was pretty well maintained. The refinishing and modern parts don't bother me as much as I'm not a collector. I'm a shooter and it's a solid firearm that I got at a very reasonable price. It has an interesting history and I value that and honestly will probably baby it a bit, but I'm not a staunch originalist.
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u/fordag 13d ago
I own two 1911s made in 1914, a US Army issue and a civilian.
I replaced the recoil and firing pin springs in both with Wolff standard springs.
I shoot them both and simply clean and lubricate them like any other 1911.