RANGE REPORT: My 101-year-old Colt 1911

[LostintheOzone]

I just use the recommended standard 16 lb. recoil spring. Brownells and Wolff both sell spring kits for your convenience.

Fiddling with spring weights beyond standard is a recipe for troubles in my view. I don't have troubles with any of my 1911-guns.

My Gold Cup came with two springs, 16 lb and 14 lb I believe. I've never had the 14 in the pistol because the 16 works fine for the 230's that I load. It's my understanding that the 14 would have to be used if I wanted to shoot 185's but all I ever load is 230's, the original bullet weight the pistol was designed for. I generally try to stay with the original design if I can. That includes using FMJ ball also. Never had any problems with any of my 1911's using 230, ever. I've tried the HiTek coated bullets and they work but going back to ball as they seem to take the taper crimp better and don't work themselves out in my revolver. I use the same ammo in my 625.

 

[old tanker]

I've posted this "United States Property" marked 1911 before. It came to me through DCM sales in 1961. An uncle gave me the old wood grips to replace the plastic ones Rock Island put on it when they rebuilt/refinished it. It was built to be a soldier's sidearm, and, even though both of us have long since been retired, it remains one.

 

[old tanker]

..when the front sight went AWOL there in 2008...

Upon the advice the uncle who gave me the wood grips, a jeweler sweated a little silver solder to keep the front sight firmly in place. (After it was set to hit center on a 25 yard rapid fire target with a 6 o'clock hold.)

 

[Mexican Kerry]

My 1918 is a pretty beat up one, marks scrubbed and the slide isn't original to the frame (it had a .22 conversion unit on when I bought it). Its as close as I'll get it now, even have a correct barrel that cost a small fortune.

Kind of a hokey staged pic:

When I want to shoot an old one, I usually take my refinished '43 Rand/Colt, as I have a lot less money into it.

 

[imakmst]

John Moses Browning was a gun-designin' genius.

Plain and simple.