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06-14-2019, 06:59 PM
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SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The kidney of Dixie.
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My first 1911.
A Colt Series '70 Government Model 45. Bought it in February of 1973. Retail was $135.
The local Woolworth's had a basement with sporting goods. Bought a 1903 Springfield there for $69. They had a big glass fishbowl next to the cash register filled with loose 45 ACP ammo for 5 cents apiece. Often traded my paycheck for ammo. Started reloading in 1976 and of course the 45 was the first caliber I loaded. I have no idea how many thousands of rounds have been fired through this pistol. It has not failed to feed, fire, or eject once in all that time.
In 1975 a smith put S&W K frame sights on it. I also bought a set of ivory stocks. Paid $32.50 for the ivory and screamed about the high price.
Stolen in a burglary in 1985. Recovered by police a few months later from a known drug dealer who was carrying it.
I carried this handgun working as a bouncer in a biker bar. Also packed it as a night clerk in a convenience store. They are called that because the criminals find them very convenient. Been in a couple scrapes together. Gun has been drawn on somebody 4 times. Fired in anger twice.
Had it engraved in 2011. Retired now. I shoot it once in a while.
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06-14-2019, 07:12 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Michigan
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I love it. Beautiful 1911. I also have a few guns that I am emotionally bonded to.
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06-14-2019, 07:40 PM
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Location: Southern Maine
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I like 1911s. That one is very nice.
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06-14-2019, 07:49 PM
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A nice looking .45!
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06-14-2019, 10:46 PM
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Sounds like she deserved a makeover and some down time. I bought my first 1911 about 1981 or so, & I seem to recall paying close to $500. Of course it was in satin nickel, and I didn't shop around. Wish I'd kept that one really, but it was finicky about ammo and I got fed up one day and swapped it away.
Those ivories are beautiful on that ole scratched up gun. LOL! Congratulations on hanging on to it so long. It's an old friend now. Thanks for sharing it.
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06-14-2019, 11:27 PM
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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I like the S & W sights on it. Nice touch and probably help a heck of a lot in the accuracy dept. Thanks for sharing.
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06-14-2019, 11:51 PM
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First M1911
We call them "Stop and Rob" stores
Quote:
Originally Posted by Art Doc
A Colt Series '70 Government Model 45. Bought it in February of 1973. Retail was $135.
The local Woolworth's had a basement with sporting goods. Bought a 1903 Springfield there for $69. They had a big glass fishbowl next to the cash register filled with loose 45 ACP ammo for 5 cents apiece. Often traded my paycheck for ammo. Started reloading in 1976 and of course the 45 was the first caliber I loaded. I have no idea how many thousands of rounds have been fired through this pistol. It has not failed to feed, fire, or eject once in all that time.
In 1975 a smith put S&W K frame sights on it. I also bought a set of ivory stocks. Paid $32.50 for the ivory and screamed about the high price.
Stolen in a burglary in 1985. Recovered by police a few months later from a known drug dealer who was carrying it.
I carried this handgun working as a bouncer in a biker bar. Also packed it as a night clerk in a convenience store. They are called that because the criminals find them very convenient. Been in a couple scrapes together. Gun has been drawn on somebody 4 times. Fired in anger twice.
Had it engraved in 2011. Retired now. I shoot it once in a while.
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06-15-2019, 08:56 AM
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I enjoyed the read  Also appreciate the fine firearm and what you and it have been through together.
Karl
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06-15-2019, 09:02 AM
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Beautiful pistol and a great story to go with it.
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06-15-2019, 09:52 AM
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1911s Forever
Wow! Thank You for sharing A Colt's Life and Picture.
It is a Cool Colt with Provenience.
Back in those Years putting that S&W Adj. Sight was
I think, a neat idea for having a Pistol with Adj. Sight.
I really like the Engraving too!
I'm pretty Boring. Below is my Boring Circa 2008
Ruger Full Size 1911, my 1st 1911.
Never had a problem with it, POI/POA dead on, and
my Reloads are Accurate (verified by a 1911 Target
Shooter/Enthusiast). I'm a Revolver Guy so for some
reason I'm not very good with the 1911.
(As usual my no fuss/not fancy pictures from this guy)
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06-15-2019, 11:15 AM
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That’s very nice. Glad you got it back! Thanks for the pic.
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06-15-2019, 11:17 AM
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Great story and a nice 1911, Art Doc.
I didn't get my first 1911 until about 3 years ago. I bought a cheap ATI military style 1911a1 knockoff and it turned out to be money well spent. And I found that I loved the 1911 platform, so much so that I went ahead earlier this year and bought a custom 1911 from Alchemy Custom Weaponry.
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06-15-2019, 02:58 PM
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Be sure and write that up somewhere for your heirs - we all need to ID things that are special to us so that family will later have the story.
(Just back from a family reunion - my grandfather had long guns, and his now-gone youngest daughter always felt bad she didn't get one. Well, her daughter got two this weekend to make up for it. Side-by-side 20 ga and an old old Winchester gallery gun. But the Winc might have been Grandma's - we don't know for sure now! So write down the story!!!)
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06-15-2019, 07:33 PM
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US Veteran
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Very nice COLT, good to see a smith rear sight on a 1911. I have two that way, a combat commander, and a series 70 full size.
Good luck, nice story btw!
Semper paratus
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06-15-2019, 08:15 PM
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Colt with S&W sights
I have a Colt LW Commander chambered in 38 Super. The gunsmith milled a perfect channel for S&W K-frame sights. This gun was originally commissioned by a resident of New Orleans area. Because of Katrina he sold some of his guns to raise cash. I spoke to him a few years back to see if he wanted it back. He didn't; gone and forgotten.
I haven't shot it(yet).
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