1911 vs 1911A1

[PA Castaway]

Hello all,
Here goes my first post on these forums. I've seen a lot of threads discussing the 1911 here and I've read them all. One question I have though that I haven't really found much discussion on is if anyone knows a manufacturer who makes a reproduction of the 1911 pre-A1 design?
This would be one with a flat main spring housing, a shorter strrup, and no indentation along the sides of the trigger. I've attached a comparison to show what I'm trying to find new.
The most important items to me are located on the A1 at items 4, 6, and 7. I've handled a friend's vintage Colt 1911 and I like it much more than the A1 which I see everywhere.

 

[Pappy109]

Hello all,
Here goes my first post on these forums. I've seen a lot of threads discussing the 1911 here and I've read them all. One question I have though that I haven't really found much discussion on is if anyone knows a manufacturer who makes a reproduction of the 1911 pre-A1 design?
This would be one with a flat main spring housing, a shorter strrup, and no indentation along the sides of the trigger. I've attached a comparison to show what I'm trying to find new.
The most important items to me are located on the A1 at items 4, 6, and 7. I've handled a friend's vintage Colt 1911 and I like it much more than the A1 which I see everywhere.

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/tech_library.htm

Enjoy
Regards Pappy!

 

[PA Castaway]

Pappy,
Thank you for your quick response. I visited the link you recommended but didn't find anything that really answers my question (maybe there was too much information on that page and I missed it).

 

[Silent Bob]

Only Colt makes a close reproduction of a pre-A1 M1911. There are two variants, the older ones had glossy carbonia gas furnace blue finishes while later builds use a simpler and darker bluing process (Colt calls these 1918 repros after the so-called "Black Army" guns that came out that year, which dispensed with the time-consuming carbonia finish in order to speed up production).

It shouldn't be too hard to find an older-stock repro if you really want the carbonia finish, but you may have to look around. Both cost around a thousand bucks, and come with a reproduction cardboard box and screwdriver tool.

 

[Pappy109]

Pappy,
Thank you for your quick response. I visited the link you recommended but didn't find anything that really answers my question (maybe there was too much information on that page and I missed it).

To the best of my knowledge I have never seem a clone of the 1911 straight out. As I recall the RIA GI clone did have a flat back strap and the last GI Springfield I worked on had the lanyard loop but it had a raise back strap.

Now as far as no trigger bevel cuts on frames I have never seen that in a clone, only the real thing in my collection.

That about all I can help you with...sorry!

 

[PA Castaway]

Thanks again both Pappy and Silent Bob. I just did a search on this 1918 repo and came up with this http://www.gunsamerica.com/978058445/Guns/Pistols/Colt-Automatic-Pistols/COLT_1918_WWI_REPLIC.htm which by quick look has the important parts right (no indent near trigger, flat main spring, and shorter strrup).
Now time to take a hammer to the piggy bank it looks like... Thanks for the help

 

[Silent Bob]

Here is a in-depth review of the Colt M1911 repro:

http://www.coolgunsite.com/

Click on the "Commercial" tab and you will find the review.

You can also read about the original M1911s on this site.

 

[Pappy109]

Thanks again both Pappy and Silent Bob. I just did a search on this 1918 repo and came up with this http://www.gunsamerica.com/978058445/Guns/Pistols/Colt-Automatic-Pistols/COLT_1918_WWI_REPLIC.htm which by quick look has the important parts right (no indent near trigger, flat main spring, and shorter strrup).
Now time to take a hammer to the piggy bank it looks like... Thanks for the help

My Pleasure

Regards.

Pappy

 

[Oro]

Besides the Colt WWI repro, which is highly accurate and worth owning, USFA makes a repro they call the 1910 Commercial, I believe. It is not entirely accurate to a 1910 Commercial by any stretch (much less so than the Colt WWI, for example). But it is a well made gun.

Another way to go to "recreate" a 1911 is to follow this formula:

1) Buy an original Colt Series '70.
2) Add a long steel trigger and flat MSH.
3) Add a long/wide spur trigger or keep the original.

This is what I use as my shooter/carry "1911." The original design has very important virtues many people overlook (the long trigger/flat MSH, and especially the hammer). It still has the frame "indents" around the trigger, but those are only cosmetic as they don't come into play for most hands with the long trigger/flat MSH.

The short GS tang is not good in any book, though. having the later long tang is always better, really. I love this gun as it gives me the feel of real pre-1924 1911 but with the reliability of modern steel and the accuracy of the "Accurizer" Series '70 bushing and a Dwyer Group Gripper guide rod. The hammer and MSH are actually WWI take-off parts but you can buy repros very cheaply.