1948 government colt 1911

[eastbank]

my 1948 colt was kept in a holster for at least 25 years before I bought it, its in ex condition inside, out side has some issues. I was thinking of sending it to colt to have it factory refinished, any pro,s-con,s on doing it?

 

[film495]

looks good to me, but I like things with a little age to them, but run like a clock …

 

[tipoc]

The gun is in good shape externally. I see no rust or pitting. Lightly oil the exterior, keep it clean, maintenance as needed, it's good for another 71 years.

 

[lysanderxiii]

my 1948 colt was kept in a holster for at least 25 years before I bought it, its in ex condition inside, out side has some issues. I was thinking of sending it to colt to have it factory refinished, any pro,s-con,s on doing it?

No.

The value will drop considerably, and there is nothing wrong enough to warrant ruining its value as is.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Looks good to me, just honest patina. I say oil and leave it be.

 

[eastbank]

I have over 200 rounds of 230 gr Winchester white box hard ball with no ftf-fte so far. it does run like a clock, a loud one.

 

[EMC45]

I wouldn't touch it aside from shooting it (A BUNCH) and cleaning it.

 

[FlSwampRat]

Depends on the use to which you plan on putting the gun. Is it artwork that you're going to display or a shooter? If it is the former, you have to decide if you like it looking "like new", because, remember, it only looks that way, value wise, it's a refinished gun.
If it's a shooter, it is fine the way it is. And, IMHO, it's a better work of art than if you had it factory refinished.
Your gun, up to you. Me? I'm with the leave it be, shoot it and enjoy it crowd.

 

[Slamfire]

Where is the rust?

I have wrapped pistols in wax paper or stuck them in a plastic bag before stuffing them in a holster. The pistol being heavily oiled or coated with RIG. No rust on anything to date. The best is to store out of the holster, just in case the metal makes contact with the leather.

 

[tark]

Put new springs in it! Dirt cheap insurance. That gun has obviously been fired a lot and if the springs are original they are probably in need of replacement. Save the old springs, they are part of the gun's history.

If you re-finish the gun you will cut its value by 50% at least.

 

[Skylerbone]

As it could probably withstand another 100,000 rounds of lead without wearing out the barrel I’d switch ammo and call it good. I can appreciate collector value in a firearm but if you bought it to shoot then I say carry on with only typical maintenance.

 

[eastbank]

i think I,ll leave it alone and enjoy it has a fine shooter. thanks for all replys.

 

[bannockburn]

eastbank

i think I,ll leave it alone and enjoy it has a fine shooter. thanks for all replys.

I think you've made a great choice with your decision to leave your Colt Government just the way it is (I would do the same)!

 

[brutus51]

Glad to hear your going to leave it as is, rebluing would only serve to remove the pistols character, you may not know where the bumps and
bruises came from but they add personality to the gun.
I'd like to reblue myself to look as I did in my twenties but I'd still be the same old fart inside.

 

[TikkaShooter]

I have a few WWII 1911-A1 Ithaca pistols purchased the the NRA/DCM in the early 1960s by my father. They are parked, not blued. The one I shoot has an 18# Wolff spring. They are picky eaters and prefer 230 gr HB which is their only weakness; if one considers that a weakness.
Yeah, I know, massage the feed ramp; however why is the question.

 

[Jerry M]

Leave it alone: no refinish, no springs, no new sights, no new hammer, no new grips etc. Shoot, clean, & oil it.

Good luck

Jerry

 

[TikkaShooter]

I have a couple of WWII 1911-A1 pistols. The only thing they won't do is shoot JHP ammunition as they prefer 230 gr ball ammo. After WWII, Korea and Vietnam, very few doubt the 1911-A1.
My advice is don't mess with an expensive firearm when buying a modern less expensive firearm will do whatever you believe you want.

 

[czhen]

I wouldn't take the risk of lost it with carrier, unless has not personal value.