[bushmaster1313]

What is the indicator that a 1911 has seen a lot of rounds?

[R.Ph. 380]

I think, first indicator might be breach face battering/scarring.

[Grizfire]

If it was never cleaned then you will be able to tell by how dirty it is. Also look at wear on the extractor, ejector, feed ramp, and inside of the slide stop. Check the finish to see if it is worn off (if possible) also check the magazines.

You could also field strip it and look at the rails, if it was used much the rails will be worn smooth with no burrs.

That is about all I can think of...its an inexact science.

[Lar1911]

There are guns that have a ton of leather wear but never really fired. So that is not always a good indicator

[MICHAEL T]

A worn out barrel I bought one with a shot out barrel. Had barrel replaced and new springs and kept on shooting.

[TIMC]

It's really hot when you pick it up!:D

[Wildfire]

Hey :
I shot IPSC for years . My Colt 1911 has over 170,000 rounds through it and still shoots like new. It is also likely one of my most accurate handguns.

All cast bullets.. Same barrel. Slide and frame. Bushing was replaced at about 80,000 rounds.

All were 200 grain cast fired at 950 FPS...

[Gun Geezer]

A huge smile on the shooter! :D

[Thingster]

I've always been told to look for wear on the top of the barrel hood, but don't know how much water that holds once the factory finish is worn from it.

[John Holbrook]

A good indicator of usage is the hammer face. Every time the firing pin rebounds, it peens and craters the face.. This hammer has seen a lot of use!!!!!


http://www.fototime.com/%7B8A62B533-6535-4966-9E6E-3CEAE4BCB863%7D/origpict/DSC00386.JPG

[rkammer]

Hey :
I shot IPSC for years . My Colt 1911 has over 170,000 rounds through it and still shoots like new. It is also likely one of my most accurate handguns.

All cast bullets.. Same barrel. Slide and frame. Bushing was replaced at about 80,000 rounds.

All were 200 grain cast fired at 950 FPS...
I love hearing stuff like this! I also shoot 200 gr LSWC at almost 900 FPs out of my Series 70. Leading? What leading? I haven't seen the first sliver.

[Wildfire]

Hey :
Yes you are right. It never leads with hard cast bullets.
Mine too is a seires 70 light weight. 5".
While it has many custom parts the slide, frame and barrel are the originals.

Wide open throat and will feed empties.

It still shoots as good or better than new.
I have always used good shock buffers.

I tried 155 grainers at 1200 fps and started having issues and loosing matches.
Went back to 200s and 950 fps and came back..
The trigger is very light and maybe even on the edge. But this is the one I would want if I had to be in a gun fight.