1911 question

[mattw]

This is just something I was wondering about and I realize it doesn't matter at all except to me:

Are the frames and slides shaped differently from different manufacturers?

I have a 1918 mfg. Colt 1911 and a 2000ish mfg. Springfield Armory milspec (a few of the usual modifications: sights, hammer, grip saftey, etc..) and the frame
and slide on the Colt seem to be much thinner and it appears to be an over-all thinner weapon. The Springfield seems almost blocky in comparison/

Is this because of the differences between the 1911 and the 1911A1? Is this because of the differences in the methods of manufacture? Were the 1911s milled or chisled from solid barstock by hand or what?

Does Colt still make "thinner" frames than Springfield?

 

[Jim Watson]

Yes, 1911 frames and slides are shaped differently from make to make and year to year.

Comparing a 1918 USGI Colt, and several later guns, the measured width of the slide and frame are very close across brands and years. But the old gun is more contoured. In particular the top radius of the slide, the bottom radius of the dust cover, and the front radius of the grip strap are all smaller, leading to a more blended appearance and feel.

Sometime in the last few years, Springfield changed the contours of their guns, especially the frontstrap, to more closely resemble Colt's. Yours is probably the older style with a rather flat frontstrap. The dustcover is still a bit chunky if you look close.

I don't know when the change crept in. I don't have an early 1911A1 to compare, but that 1911 is a slimmer gun than any I own. About an ounce lighter than a 1950s G.M., too.

 

[mattw]

Does anyone still make 1911s with the old contours? Do you guys know if the Colt repro of the WW1 1911 is shaped the same as the old ones?

 

[Onmilo]

Yes, the Colt 1911 reissue is shaped just like the original.
Hand biting hammer and all.

 

[jed]

The best way I have found to get what you want is to buy
a Colt WWI commemorative model. These do not cost much and are usually unfired. I bougt two and proceeded
to shoot one of the two as I was not concerned with future
gun value. The gun was amazing to say the very least.
The fit and finish is terrific outside and inside.

The one I have will shoot lead semi wadcutters without any
modification or choking.

I later changed the sights to more closely resemble the Colt series 80 sights. Also, I put a nice set of target grips from Herrett and added a flgr. The flgr is still under evaluation. It does not hurt the cycling of the gun. However, it may not help with accuracy. Of course, it can
be converted back to the GI system if desired.

I hope this helps somewhat.

jed

 

[Aguila Blanca]

The Colt WWI reproduction is an accurate recreation of the original M1911. I believe the repros were modeled after the 1917 blueprints. Frame shape is essentially the same as the 1911A1s, though. The major differences between the 1911 and the 1911A1 were the arched mainspring housing on the A1, the scallops just behind the trigger on the A1, and the trigger length.

Springfield has their frames manufactured in Brazil by Imbel which also produces 1911s for the Brazilian military. They are not true to the Colt blueprints. Older Springfields look like Imbels. I believe that Springfield has changed molds, and that their current frames look more like a 1911 "should" look.