Return of the Colt stainless Officer's Model ACP

[Naphtali]

I gave the Colt stainless Officer's Model ACP to my father-in-law in 1991. It subsequently disappeared into his second wife's family. I was just told it will come back to me. I don't know whether it remains stock.

What must be done to render it as reliable as is reasonable to do? Since I know nothing about 1911 specialists, whom would you suggest to check it over and make it "right"?

For general self defense factory ammunition as well as for use in the back woods of extreme west central Montana wilderness area, what one ammunition will do?

 

[Fishinfool]

If the gun hasn't been messed with or otherwise abused, it should be fine. I would disassemble, clean, oil, then test fire. You will want several additional magazines. Possibly a new recoil spring if it has been shot some, as the shorty 1911's tend to eat springs quicker than the full sized guns. I don't remember if the Officers models of that era used a single, or a captured dual spring set up. The proper recoil spring is important, as these shorty 1911's are a little more sensitive than the full sized guns when it comes to proper spring / timing / reliability.

Ammo? You could do worse than just regular ball ammo as a single load. I like ball for general shooting with the .45acp, Federal HST or Winchester Ranger 230 HP's for self defense, and a handloaded hard cast 230 grain flat point at about 950 fps as a woods load (Buffalo Bore sells a similar load commercially).

Larry

 

[chief38]

You can disassemble it, inspect all the parts to see if they are Factory parts, look for any marks on the internals, and asess. Compare them to factory parts and springs and most importantly, test it thoroughly for functioning and reliability with different ammo.

1911 parts are readily available and not too costly should anything need replacement.

 

[SweetMK]

If "she's" got the "Idiot Scratch",,,
you can be pretty sure someone has been tinkering,,,,,,,

 

[Warren Sear]

If it has the "idiot scratch" on the side it just means the pistol has been field stripped for regular maintenance. No one used the term "idiot scratch" until relatively recently. The scratch was just part of using the gun the way it was designed, before the "pinky lifters" got involved.

I bought a Colt Officers Model when they first came out. It was not reliable with any ammo. I was glad to be rid of it.

 

[Sistema1927]

My Coly Officer's Model wasn't reliable until I installed a full length guide rod in it.

 

[Baxter6551]

I would recommend the Evolution Gun Works (EGW) recoil spring guide rod kit. It takes care of a bushing weakness in the original set up.

Officer'''s Guide Rod Kit w/ Clark Plug SS 45ACP (22# Officer'''s Spring) - Evolution Gun Works

 

[rockquarry]

If it has the "idiot scratch" on the side it just means the pistol has been field stripped for regular maintenance. No one used the term "idiot scratch" until relatively recently. The scratch was just part of using the gun the way it was designed, before the "pinky lifters" got involved.

I bought a Colt Officers Model when they first came out. It was not reliable with any ammo. I was glad to be rid of it.

Yes, newschooler Internet-era term. I don't recall hearing "idiot scratch" years ago.

 

[mikerjf]

I recall the term at least back in the 1990’s. Did it myself to mine in the 1970’s!

 

[arjay]

Take it out and shoot the hell out of it first. If it’s reliable don’t mess with it. Short 1911s can be finicky

 

[stansdds]

I remember hearing the term "idiot scratch" in the late 80's. As to a reliable Colt Officer's ACP, some were reliable right out of the box. Some were reliable only with ball ammo. I would definitely field strip it, examine for damage or modifications, give it a proper lubrication and a new recoil spring. Check the magazines too and if they are filthy inside, odds are they have been used quite a bit and might also need new springs. Once you are satisfied that it is ready, head to the range with some ammo. Ball ammo for general practice, desired defense ammo for reliability testing, sight in, and recoil familiarity. Report back with your range report, please.

 

[JohnRippert]

Mine was the first centerfire pistol I ever purchased. It was perfectly reliable with ball ammo until I changed out the dual recoil springs with a single spring from Wolff. Started having very bad FTFeed issues. Went back to the original dual springs and it kept chugging along until it left in my first downsizing.

 

[xfarfuldog]

I remember the idiot scratch term being used in the 80's. That is when I started shooting mostly Colt 1911s. So that makes the term at least 30 plus years old. Maybe that term wasn't used in other parts of the country?

 

[Naphtali]

I hope fervently that the useless phrase "Idiot scratch" will not be used in future replies. Of course I am hoping more replies will come.

 

[A10]

My first experience with the little 1911's was in the 80s. Most of them worked with ball ammo, but defense ammo and reloads were a different story. These were manufactured prior to improved spring rates, lowered ejection ports, and polished feed ramps became a standard.

As far as the term Idiot Scratch goes, I heard it in the late 70s and 80s, mostly from folks who worked on 1911s. Don't know when it became general lexicon. Back then guns were still mostly looked upon as tools.

 

[1911haulic]

If "she's" got the "Idiot Scratch",,,
you can be pretty sure someone has been tinkering,,,,,,,

Not necessarily, don't ask me how I know.

 

[S&W Fan]

I too recommend installing the EGW recoil system. I carried one extensively when the stainless version first came out. After a few hundred rounds the recoil plug and spring went flying down range when the little nub on the bottom of the plug broke off. At the time Wilson had the most used system so I bought one, had installed and the pistol ran flawlessly until I sold it just a few years ago.

 

[minconrevo]

The stock Colt Officer's just isn't 100% dependable. If you will replace the breakage-prone key slot recoil spring plug with a reverse plug and full length guide rod 100% can be accomplished. Fitting will be necessary.

The full length rod keeps the barrel in position to feed effectively.

The recoil spring should be replaced about every 750 rounds. I prefer chrome silicon over music wire.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I've never had a Colt version but my Springfield Armory officers model lightweight has been 100% reliable with factory ammo, both ball and hollow point. A few glitches with some of my handloaded truncated cone lead bullet, but not many and had similar issues in other guns. These were shot as-cast from a Lee mold with liquid alox lube. I think they need a pass through a sizing die.

 

[Naphtali]

The stock Colt Officer's just isn't 100% dependable. If you will replace the breakage-prone key slot recoil spring plug with a reverse plug and full length guide rod 100% can be accomplished. Fitting will be necessary.

The full length rod keeps the barrel in position to feed effectively.

The recoil spring should be replaced about every 750 rounds. I prefer chrome silicon over music wire.

Clear, concise, and precise. Wow!