[FPrice]

Has anyone here purchased a Sistema Colt from these guys? Any comments?

[vanfunk]

Frosty,
I bought a Colt 1927 from them a couple of years ago, back when these refinished surplus examples first became available. It was one of my first purchases with a C&R, and it went quite smoothly. I called and spoke with Marcello (who I believe still works there), and he held a "hand-picked" example for me until my C&R arrived in his office. The service was prompt and professional. I had the gun in my hand the next day. What I got was a matte-blued Colt in excellent shape, with a great bore, for $400. It proved to be a great shooter, 'til I let it go in partial trade for a DSA FAL. They're long out of the original Colts, unfortunately, but the Sistemas are of very, very high quality apparently, and are made on the same machinery. The political problems in Argentina make ordering from them a catch-as-catch-can situation, though. I'd call them, tell them what you want (such as variation: Air Force, Navy, Commercial, etc.) and see if they have any ready to ship. If not, they'll tell you when they expect more, but be prepared to wait. I'm assuming you'll be using a C&R for this? Otherwise, there's no hope of getting one into Massachusetts. I'd have no reservations about ordering from JLD Enterprises again.

HTH,
vanfunk

[FPrice]

I just received a 1950 Sistema Colt from a dealer I recently met. It was in fairly good shape, had been re-finished in a gun-metal grey parkerizing, most major parts looked like they had very little wear. A lot of light oil all over the interior, was kinda dirty, quickly made my cleaning rags dirty. The writing on the right side of the slide was worn, but apprarently it was from some police agency (don't have it here but think it was "Ministry of Interior"). Slide and frame numbers matched, magazine and barrel did not. The barrel was rather dirty and is not cleaning up very well, will have to try some stronger methods. Tried to test the safeties but could not find the way to conduct the test. However, by my somewhat faulty memory, I tried to test the slide safety and I think it failed. But I may have been doing it wrong. (Check gun is empty, apply slide safety, grip gun like you are going to fire, pull trigger (pointing in safe direction!) and hold it back, release slide safety, hammer fell)

Overall I am satisfied. Price was okay for this Commonwealth, I like older 1911A1's, I bought it sight-unseen, knew I was taking a bit of a risk, and I think there is nothing wrong that cannot be fixed by a little expert gunsmithing, possibly my own with some guidance.

[VG]

I bought one from them last year. It was fairly represented and looked good. It is very "loose" compared to a WWII Remington Rand I have but it now shoots 4-5" groups at 25 yards after a trigger job, new bushing, barrel link, and link pin. The sights are horrible and I usually shoot it at 10 or 15 yards as a result.

JLD has been whipsawed by the economic crisis in Argentina, I understand that it has been over a year in some cases from the time they pay for the pistols until they receive them. And they get so many email and phone inquiries, they can't possibly keep up. But when I faxed them my order they called me the next day to confirm it, and when I thought there was a problem with the extractor (just dirty) they offered to have it sent back at their expense.

http://www.capinc.com/files/sistema_rs_s.jpg

[longeyes]

Bought one from JLD in fall of '91. No complaints. I've since tweaked mine quite a bit (beavertail, sights, trigger, etc.) and changed the barrel recently (King's). It's a good gun and JLD, from my experience, was fine to deal with.

[BluesBear]

Since y'all are discussing Sistemas.

Has anyone replaced their hammer?

If anyone has a nice long/wide spur 1911 or Sistema hammer that they'd care to sell please PM me.

Thanks.

[wild billz]

CAI has C&R 445s from Argentina, in fair condition for $159. Has anyone bought one of those? How bad are they since they are listed as fair I assume little to no blueing left. Would it be worth buing one to fix up? I assume also that theses are simialr as the Sistema you are discussing, right or wrong? One says Manufactured by Hafdasa of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the other the Ballester Rigaud.