An ode to old slabsides...

[Watchdog]

I was doing some photography work today, and realized that I didn't have a current picture of my first love in the handgun category. My very first centerfire pistol was a G.I. surplus Ithaca M1911A1...

At any rate, I selected an excellent condition Colt M1911A1 to photograph today. It left Hartford to join the service in 1943.

Your usual beautiful photography and well-written commentary! Coincidentally, the first semi-auto I ever fired back around 1969-1970 was an old Ithaca .45 from WWII. What a pistol!

My current WWII pistol is an old Remington Rand that went off to war in October of 1943. This one was rearsenaled at Rock Island Arsenal, but I don't know when. It now sports a vintage Colt barrel, but still has its original Risdon magazine. I took the original Keyes grips off of it simply to preserve them. This one gets regular workouts at the range...I've fired several hundred rounds through it in the past year. And of all my guns, this one is the one next to the bed at night. I know where it shoots, and I have every confidence in it.

In my opinion, John Browning's masterpiece is still the king of serious self-defense pistols...

Far as I'm concerned, that last sentence says it all.

 

[Mule Packer]

I was strictly a revolver man up until seven years ago or so. A buddy of mine was a retired Marine gunnery sergeant. He swore by the Model 1911 and kept one handy right up until the day he retired. In his spare time, he would sit at his desk and field strip his 1911 and reassemble it, just to see how fast he could do it.

He and a guy on this forum (Hellraiser) were the ones who finally convinced me it was time I got a 1911. The first one I picked up was a Springfield Mil-Spec. While it's not a Colt, I've been sold on the 1911 platform ever since.

I've since picked up a Ruger SR-1911. I like it, too, but for some reason, I prefer the Springfield. I don't know why. It seems a little smoother...but that's probably because I've put several hundred rounds through it.

Besides, if you live in Utah, it's almost a given that you own a 1911 inasmuch as it's the Utah State Gun.
Utah becomes first in U.S. to designate official state gun | Reuters

 

[max]

As usual John, very nice pictures. My introduction to the 1911 was at Fort Gordon in 1969 during MP school. I bought my first one in 73 or so. I don't remember the specifics, but had it redone in black chrome and put MMC sights on it. I sold it and got a Series 70 Gold Cup which I still have. It is very accurate and most enjoyable to shoot. I later got a Commander in satin nickel, a Ruger 1911 and was just given a Colt Stainless Government model.

I started reloading 45's in the 70's and find it the easiest round to reload. I use cast swc's and 231.

I will always have some 1911's on hand, just in case.

 

[Watchdog]

I've since picked up a Ruger SR-1911. I like it, too, but for some reason, I prefer the Springfield. I don't know why.

In addition to the reason(s) you mentioned, it could be because the Springfield retains more of the GI appearance than the Ruger. That's a nice looking pistol you have there.

The simplest design is often the best.

 

[Lee Barner]

I like old slab sides too. I learned to shoot one at about age 15 from a neighbor who forgot to turn his in when he left Europe in 1945. he also taught me how to field strip and clean, which I did after each shooting session. when I first qualified with one in 1969 the range officer came up to me after the first couple of mags and asked me if I had shot one of these before. I told him I had and who had taught me. I was the only one in the group that day that shot expert. haven't been without one since. lee

 

[A10]

The first handgun I bought after I turned 21 was a Combat Commander. I've owned a couple, and a Sig 1911 is my current house gun. I need another Colt....and I'll probably be getting one of the new Ruger lightweight models. This is mine, along with it's 9mm baby brother.......

 

[BRush]

I like wheel guns, but if I could only carry two . . .

 

[wheelyfun66]

Love the CCO style of 1911 for carry:



But nothing wrong with Combat Commander or full sized either!

 

[oneflycowboy]

When it comes to the 1911, I tell people, you just have to own one to understand.

 

[Jim PHL]

I've always been interested in guns and shooting. Started as a kid with Dad and have owned my own since I was legally able at 21. I always admired the 1911 but always bought into the whole "you have to be some kind of expert to handle or own one". (Kind of like how you have to be a certain kind of motorcycle rider to be able to have a Harley.) I never even held one until I was over 40 but the first time I picked one up it felt exactly how I knew it would feel. I bought my first, a Springfield "Loaded" shortly after. I've always wanted a blued Colt and finally treated myself a couple years ago to a brand new o1991. It may not pass muster with some of the purists (for that matter, neither does my Sig 1911 with a dreaded external extractor!) but it's a favorite in my modest collection and will always be "my ol' slab sides". All the guns in my safe are favorites these days. No trash or junk. The only model I have any interest in adding would be more variations of the 1911.

 

[GypsmJim]

My Dad's 1924 Commercial 1911 (not A1) bought in 1972 for $85. This and his 1919 Parker double are 2 guns that will be handed down to his grandchildren.

 

[gregintenn]

I'm convinced that John Moses Browning had divine inspiration.

 

[boykinlp]

Here is mine:

 

[model70hunter]

Went into LE with a new but well broken in Colt Combat Commander in Satin Nickle. Loved it. Being independently poor I had to trade it in on the Python I used through the rest of my time as a LE.

I traded for a new Series 70 Gold Cup in the 80's but did not shoot it much, I was into serious Sporting clays and it went towards a Beretta 686 O/U.

In the 90's and aughts I had a mix of 1911's. About 8 years ago I found a Kimber Target on a dealers table at a gun show. Too low to pass up. I was very impressed with the accuracy. It is a keeper but doesn't feel like a Colt.

I sold all the other 1911's except a Thompson.

One cold and windy day I slipped into an LGS just to warm up ya know.

I saw a used pistol case and peeked in. I never impulse buy guns, in some cases I have already made up my mind on a type I will buy if the condition and price match.

There was this 1911 Colt lost soul. I held it until it quit shivering. I pet it's little head, the collar tag said, National Match Colt Automatic. The tag said $8xx. I see a few very small small pits on the slide. The bore is squeaky clean, the gun is tight.

I asked them to hold it for a few seconds, do no put it back in the case. I went out and pulled out the Thompson 1911, an extra Win M-12 in 3" Duck that I had brought along just in case. We talked, I got it for $100 plus the 2 long guns.

Made in 1966, pre 70 series. I put a 16# spring in it and shoot it sparingly.

I take it everywhere, it sits next to me now.

One can hold all the pretenders and clones no matter their price tag but to me the Colt always feels better.

 

[XAVMECH]

A little bit of this, a little bit of that

Way too many different parts sources to list them all, but they all seem to be happy together - a very nice old shooter, indeed...
My thanks to Jimbo C for a great old pistol!!

 

[Cpo1944]

Its cold and sleeting here in NC today and it reminds me of the first time I fired a 1911. It was in Norfolk VA Naval training center shooting range. That was one of the coldest times I ever remember sleet and freezing cold wind would slice right thru my Pea Coat. I was shivering so bad its a miracle I even hit the paper at all! I fell in love with the Old Colt that day and never fell out! God Bless John M. Browning.