Educate Me on the Billboard 1911s

[bill-in-texas]

1) How long until the billboard was changed?
2) Are all “billboards” PC guns?
3) What’s a “Briley” barrel look like? Pictures?
4) Are there any features to look out for, or known issues?...

(I’ve seen ambi safety models, target sight’d examples, different cross-checkering on grip frames, and different stocks.)


I haven’t seen any recent sales but was curious what I might expect to pay, these days.

Thanks, all!
-Bill

 

[Ben-Kenobi]

I know the billboard model was first built in 2003 and the less desirable prefixes were from 2004. As for recent sales there was one on a board here and it went for $700 US.

 

[bill-in-texas]

I know the billboard model was first built in 2003 and the less desirable prefixes were from 2004. As for recent sales there was one on a board here and it went for $700 US.

So, if I understand you correctly Ben, a JRE prefix from 2004 is less desirable because it’s not a first year. Is that right?

Are the PC-assembled 1911s identifiable in any obvious way?
Is there a cut-off date or serial number for PC involvement?
-Bill

 

[Maddog 521]

I have a JRD 5xxx that is supposed to be a 2003 model. There are a lot of post on this forum that should answer your questions. Do a search and they'll come up. I tried to post several but it didn't work.

 

[bill-in-texas]

…There are a lot of post on this forum that should answer your questions. Do a search and they'll come up…

Yep. I did multiple searches before posting my questions above.

I’ll keep searching; I have yet to find answers to the above specific questions.

 

[growr]

Are you looking at a JRE prefix 1911 Sc? If so, some photos would help. Great gun.

In Montana they sell for $900-1100 depending on condition.

Randy

 

[bill-in-texas]

Randy,
I wish it were a Scandium model.
It’s SS, and that’s okay, too.
The seller says he bought it brand new and has never fired it. The test case pouch is dated September, 2004. Maybe that’s too late for Performance Center hands to have touched it. I dunno.



How about this question:
Were MIM parts used on these?…
(I own a very fine 1911 with MIM parts so, no hate here. Just wondering.)

-Bill

 

[WR Moore]

No idea if it was used in the guns in question, but Briley made an unusual barrel bushing assembly. Instead of the cylindrical barrel in a cylindrical bushing, they used a precision fitted ball sleeve in the barrel bushing that slid on the barrel but allowed the barrel to pivot in the bushing without stressing the barrel.

Theoretically, it should be longer wearing and replacement would only mean replacing the ball sleeve rather than precision fitting a new bushing.

 

[Sevens]

The unique Briley bushing described above is present on all the true PC guns made from 1992-2008 EXCEPT for the 1911’s including the true PC 1911 pistols identified by the JMB serial prefix.

Interestingly enough, the later “PC” 1911 pistols, specifically the ones with the red stocks and the one with the blue stocks and slide cuts… these 1911’s do wear the Briley bushing. {WARNING, please don’t take offense anyone… but these guns are NOT real PC guns, any more than the ridiculous .380 Shield pistols adorned with the fake PC label. These might be decent handguns, but they are just as much real PC as a new PC S&W Victory, as in, they are absolutely not because the PC literally does not exist in any form.}

The real Performance Center did still exist in 2004, but the (unsubstantiated?) rumors of PC work on the billboard SW1911 pistol was with only the JRD series and not the JRE guns. Maybe. I think. Possibly.

I will report my small bit of hands-on experience with the SW1911 of this era. I owned a post-billboard but pre-E-Series SW1911 and it was a fantastic pistol. I also had an E-Series and I believe the SW1911 was a better pistol.

MIM parts? I’m not 100% sure, but I would be basically shocked if it didn’t have them. Even some of the real PC guns, absolutely elite level guns that exist in a place above the SW1911 made use of some MIM parts, and S&W may well be the finest MIM parts maker in all of gundom.

As to the JRD versus JRE, or perhaps the question is “should I buy this JRE or not?”, I think it’s allllll about the price. I’m willing to bet that this is a fine handgun, so if the price is decent, I think you’d be happy with it.

 

[bill-in-texas]

The unique Briley bushing described above is present on all the true PC guns made from 1992-2008 EXCEPT for the 1911’s including the true PC 1911 pistols identified by the JMB serial prefix.

…rumors of PC work on the billboard SW1911 pistol was with only the JRD series and not the JRE guns. Maybe. I think. Possibly.

I will report my small bit of hands-on experience with the SW1911 of this era. I owned a post-billboard but pre-E-Series SW1911 and it was a fantastic pistol. I also had an E-Series and I believe the SW1911 was a better pistol.

MIM parts? I’m not 100% sure, but… S&W may well be the finest MIM parts maker in all of gundom.

As to the JRD vs JRE… if the price is decent, I think you’d be happy with it.

“Gundom”… Lol.
(Can I use that?!)

Thanks for the elaborate response.
-Bill

 

[Sevens]

Of course you can use that. You should use that!

 

[bill-in-texas]

This particular example has the target sights and ambidextrous safety.
I don’t particularly need an ambi safety, but the target sights (like I have on my Springfield Range Officer) help make it a great range toy.

-Bill

 

[Sevens]

I should count up the number of handguns I own that wear the Bomar rear sight (or a solid copy of it), it is my favorite style of rear sight for a handgun. I have many.