Old GI 1911s - still viable weapons or curiousity pieces?

[Bat Guano]

I still have the DCM Remington Rand that my folks gave me for Christmas, 1960. They paid the original owner $25 for it--his cost was $17.50. I stippled the frontstrap and reparked it, so it's not "original" and collectable. In those days they were all over the place anyway.

The sights are on the small side but there if you look. I don't shoot it a lot these days but I wouldn't hesitate to carry it at all. The usual load is a 230 gr. RNL and 6.5 gr. Unique, but it feeds 185 gr. JHP just fine...

 

[redlevel]

I carried this one off and on for nigh on to forty years. I always thought it was a Colt because that was how the slide was marked. I gave it to my nephew last Christmas because I had traded his Daddy out of it and wouldn't trade it back. I researched it some with help from the 1911 forum. Discovered it is actually an Ithaca serial number, 1943, and has a stamp from the Mt. Ranier Arsenal, where it was rebuilt some time before the early 60s, when my brother bought it. I probably fired maybe 2000 rounds in forty years or so. Never a hitch. If I knew I was headed to an upscuddle, and that old 1911A1 was all I had available, I wouldn't feel slighted. It is tough, reliable, and accurate. What else is there?

Here is a shot showing the "M R" stamp from the Mt. Ranier Arsenal.

 

[Kavinsky]

"They were definitely of the "buy a new replica to shoot, leave the old guns for us pure collectors" mindset. I consider this a silly philosophy - if they aren't going to shoot them, why don't they buy up all the busted ones?"

Those guys are the collectors of something that is not made any longer. When they are gone, they are gone!

Do you feel the same way about a family piece of furniture that has been handed down generation after generation, maybe made in 1795, or a fine old S&W that is the only known one to exist?

Ever watch the Antique Road Show? Why destroy or devalue an antique?

WWII mags made by the contractors are the most reliable ones you can have.

guns are MENT to be shot, just like cars are ment to be driven and chances are they'll last longer if they are shot (and driven) than the polished up and thrown in a locker kinda guns

after all, chances are the museums probably already have their ww2 colts so why are you saving yours for the next guy?
YouTube - ‪WWII 1911‬‏

 

[Silver77]

With GI-spec 230gr FMJ-RN hardball , maybe. Or the old Remington 185gr RNHP.

They ain't worth a hoot with 200gr SWC or todays modern truncated cone hollow points.

Good modern mags like CMC Shooting Stars work with both.

The military didn't issue 200 gr. SWC or hollow points. CMC and shooting Star weren't even a dream n those days.

 

[kewpie]

The military didn't issue 200 gr. SWC or hollow points. CMC and shooting Star weren't even a dream n those days.

My Colt 1943 A1, original never-gunsmithed (meaning 'hacked') feeds everything I ever bought or handloaded - LSWC included. It loved the Speer flying ashtrays with 7.4 gr unique. Any decent mag would work, incl the original.

Some of the values are so high now that I can agree with not shooting them. Sell to someone who appreciates it as a collectible and buy a Series 70 Commander, (or 2 or three ) with the proceeds.

 

[Gary]

I vote with the shoot it crowd. I wouldn't make a competition gun out of one but I see no problem if you use it as a home protection gun or one that you take to the range occasionally. Shooting old guns like this is one of the great pleasures of owning them. I see little risk of damage as long as you use the correct ammo.

 

[GRIZZLYBEAR]

I guess I am with the shoot 'em group.

About 20 or 25 years ago a Union Switch M1911 came into my possession, I had been looking for one for around 10 years. It had about 90% of the original finish left and it was mechanically sound. I had figured on using for a collector and shooting it maybe once or twice a year.

I had it in pieces on the table giving it a good cleaning & changing out the old springs. The old lady walked in and we started BSing while was putting the old war horse back together. She picked it up, looked over, and said thanks, this is my new carry gun. The Union Switch has been her constant companion for over 20 years. I have offered to buy her a new 1911 of her choice, but, she likes the union switch & won't "switch" to a more modern 1911.

 

[walnutred]

Grizzlybear, I can relate. A few decades ago a LGS got a batch of 1911A1s from somewhere. I settled on an Ithaca and a Remington because they were $15 cheaper than the Colts. Dad thought paying $120 for a 1911 was sure sign I had lost my common sense. My wife "adopted" the Ithaca shortly after we were married 25 years ago today. Her logic was that it was she found it easy to load, easy to shoot, easy to maintain, the controls were in a logical location and seemed likely to stop an attacker at across the room ranges. I gave up a long time ago trying to come up with a logical rebuttal.

 

[reddogge]

Just remember, it probably won't hurt an old one to bang a box of shells through once a year or carry it for self defense but if you are going to shoot it every week at the range keep in mind the steel in these older ones isn't up to par with the modern 45s and you can crack slides.

 

[Sprefix]

Wow, That is a fine handgun....

Mine are just going to have to remain viable weapons. They've been viable for many years.

I still have the first 1911 I ever bought for myself, as a 21st birthday present to me, in 1978.

It's been shot thousands of times and is still ready to go.

Just beautiful.......And YES!, These guns are very viable. As for the original post question...,Would you have a Rolls Royce and not drive it? Would you have a gorgeous wife and never put any "handling marks" on her? Do you have a beautiful leather jacket and leave it in the closet? If you got it, use it and take care of it. Why own it if you don't want to enjoy it. Unless, of course, you are starting a museum...........JMO.

 

[Silver77]

What does having a Rolls Royce and a jacket have to do with gun collecting?