[coltjeeper]

Saw this in the latest issue (Mar/Apr '04), toward the rear of the mag............




No New 1911s In Inventory?

We don't think so. A missive we received from a soldier-reader revealed they were issued 325 1911A1s from DEPOT in time to take them to Iraq. Of the 325, 25 were packed in a box wrapped in brown Vapor Protective Paper and 300 were sealed in individual plastic bags. The 300 appeared to be new, un-issued from various manufacturers. According to our source, two of those were Union Switch & Signal makes! The 25 odd ones were partially rebuilt and the rest were issued as-is.

Here we are, 2003 at the time, and the military was able to somehow magically find 300 brand-new WWII-era 1911A1s to issue. What was with that "Gee wiz, all of our 1911s are all worn out, so we need to buy 9mm Berettas?"

[Jim K]

From the standpoint of the army, 300 pistols is insignificant. If they had a hundred times that or more, the supply would still be totally inadequate, and new pistols would have had to be bought.

Jim

[DMK]

25 were packed in a box wrapped in brown Vapor Protective Paper and 300 were sealed in individual plastic bags. The 300 appeared to be new, un-issued from various manufacturers. According to our source, two of those were Union Switch & Signal makes! Droool! The Army could have sold those still in the wrappers on Ebay and picked up a couple more Mk. 23 SOCOMs for each.

[444]

"The Army could have sold those still in the wrappers on Ebay and picked up a couple more Mk. 23 SOCOMs for each."

Yeah, but why take a step backwards ? :confused:

[DorGunR]

American Handgunner (1911 back in service)


One of John Brownings finest should never have been taken out of service.;)

[stans]

According to our source, two of those were Union Switch & Signal makes!

Well, there goes the market for US&S 1911's! Not really surprised to hear that there are still unissued 1911's in storage, the military has a habit of squirreling things away and they remain hidden in a corner for decades. Who knows, there may still be a stash of 1903 Springfields and M1 Garands still in the wrappers somewhere.

[BluesBear]

Actually stans, there are. M1918A1 BARs, M3 & M3A1 Grease Guns too.
The History channel had an episode of Modern Marvels I think it was, that focused on the Military warehouse that supplies all of the Military museums.

They showed a BAR still in the packing crate, complete with a Principle Gunners Belt. The host ripped open the paper surrounding an untouched Grease Gun. They showed a huge wooden crate partially full of .45s.

Lot of Thompsons, 1928, 1928A1, M1 & M1A1. Flat bolt M1 carbines. Tables full of M1919A6 machine guns. And who knows what else.

[stans]

Now you've got me drooling!!!!