opinion?

[pmanton]

A few months ago I got a Remington-Rand 1911A1 from CMP.
I set about obtaining the proper barrel grips, etc. I wanted to return it to as issued when new.

My wife chastised me. You're destroying it's history!

Opinion please. Am I a dunderhead? Or is my lovely bride out of line?

 

[Bullet Bob]

I think whatever you want to do with your stuff is your business. For myself, I agree with your wife.

 

[sceva]

I think the history on these are pretty much muddled up anyway. What with multiple rebuilds etc over the years. The arsenal rebuilds / reparks done in the 50's pretty much wiped out the earlier history.

 

[five 0]

Depends on what barrel it came with. If it was a period barrel but not correct then I would leave it. If a new manufacturer then I would replace. Same with the grips etc. It's your gun do as you wish.

 

[Puller]

The 1911's coming from the CMP are parts guns already. The fact they came from the CMP with those little certificates means nothing, to me the "destroying history" thing on parts guns is kinda silly.

I have a couple of them from the CMP, that I'm well pleased with by the way, and the first thing I did was soak the grips in mineral spirits to get those ugly rack numbers off, then I searched the available data and reference books to see what parts it would take to bring them back to as manufactured. For me it's like a treasure hunt and I enjoy swapping parts with other like minded parts seekers.

Besides, those with interests in M1 rifles and M1 carbines have been doing this for decades.

 

[Valmet]

As others have stated, it's essentially a parts gun. If I were in your shoes I'd do exactly what you're doing and tracking down correct parts, etc. that's the fun of it- that's my .02 at least.

 

[gunbarrel]

I have a Colt 1911A1 made in 1944 that I bought from a fellow R&P Club member for $300 before "Saving Private Ryan" came out and drove the price of these pistols through the roof. It's in beautiful shape, but I've been told by a couple of people over the years that if I replace a couple of small of GI parts it will be "all correct." Since I'm not anal about it, I have left it the wayv it is. The only things I changed were to replace the two generic, cheap commercial magazines with WWII era GI magazines. I enjoy it for what it is.

 

[Kanewpadle]

If it was a family heirloom I would say no. But it's not. Go for it.

 

[zwartepiet]

PM,

I see it both ways and also have done both.

Carbines and Garands were my thing in 2006-2015 and part of the "game" was looking for parts to "correct" one that I wanted to be as issued. It was a blast, and each piece you found, or each additional rifle or carbine you came upon could have what you were looking for. It was an awesome treasure hunt!

Carry on!

 

[19leben]

Even if can find all the "correct" parts it'll never be in original condition. You'll tank value as well, since it's a CMP gun. However it came from the government is it's truest and most historically correct form. I say leave it alone.

 

[LVSteve]

The rebuilds and random parts are the history. I'd have left it alone.

 

[AJ]

My opinion (and this is just my opinion) is to leave them alone. I was issued weapons from the armory for 24 years. Never once did I check to see if all the parts were as it came from the factory. All we ever cared about was if it worked as advertised. Yes, the guns have a history if left in "As issued" condition. Start replacing parts and you loose that history. Bottom line the gun will never be the same. Guns with worn finish and replaced parts have "been there and done that". Those with no wear and tear on them are Safe Queens and Collector pieces with no real history. Those have never fired a shot in anger or in defense of ones self.......

 

[Greyman50]

Got an original 1918 Colt 1911 that my Dad got back in the 30's and bought a 1911A-1 way before the " craze" came about. Gave both to my son years ago. Did buy a " new" CMP on few years ago and it was just a parts gun. They are what they are.

 

[Abbynormal]

You have 2 options:

You have an authentic post WW2 mix master
or
You can chase all the original parts down and hope it raises the selling price

But, remember, it was made to go bang. It will do it either way

 

[.38SuperMan]

If you replace parts you become part of its history.

 

[crows]

I think whatever you want to do with your stuff is your business. For myself, I agree with your wife.

Can't say it any better.

 

[AJ]

My opinion (and this is just my opinion) is to leave them alone. I was issued weapons from the armory for 24 years. Never once did I check to see if all the parts were as it came from the factory. All we ever cared about was if it worked as advertised. Yes, the guns have a history if left in "As issued" condition. Start replacing parts and you loose that history. Bottom line the gun will never be the same. Guns with worn finish and replaced parts have "been there and done that". Those with no wear and tear on them are Safe Queens and Collector pieces with no real history. Those have never fired a shot in anger or in defense of ones self.......

Have thought about this a bit more. What I am trying to say a gun with no wear and tear or that has had some "collector" trying to make it correct lacks soul.

 

[LVSteve]

Have thought about this a bit more. What I am trying to say a gun with no wear and tear or that has had some "collector" trying to make it correct lacks soul.

^This. The worst examples of this are those that have to steam out the dents on a milsurp rifle stock, then follow up with TruOil or (shudder) polyurethane varnish. Throw in a bunch of cold blue on the wear spots and white material to make the crests and other markings on the metalwork easier to see and you have the complete 'bubba restoration".

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

A few months ago I got a Remington-Rand 1911A1 from CMP.
I set about obtaining the proper barrel grips, etc. I wanted to return it to as issued when new.

My wife chastised me. You're destroying it's history!

Opinion please. Am I a dunderhead? Or is my lovely bride out of line?

I think everyone including Veterans overlook that 1911s served in Korea, Vietnam and all types of actions including Haiti, Beirut, Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm and brought back for OIF/OEF.

The way it came from CMP is military issue. If you want a museum piece buy a museum piece. JMHO

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

The 1911's coming from the CMP are parts guns already. The fact they came from the CMP with those little certificates means nothing, to me the "destroying history" thing on parts guns is kinda silly.

I have a couple of them from the CMP, that I'm well pleased with by the way, and the first thing I did was soak the grips in mineral spirits to get those ugly rack numbers off, then I searched the available data and reference books to see what parts it would take to bring them back to as manufactured. For me it's like a treasure hunt and I enjoy swapping parts with other like minded parts seekers.

Typical collector, I am guessing you have no ideal what a "Rack Number" was for. Grandpa's "Dog Tags" can be recycled too.