Ballester Molina and +P ammo.

[Pyro]

I've got a Ballester Molina from the late 40's, would it be safe to shoot +P ammo out of it? Local store has a deal on Magtech Guardian Gold I'd love to hop on.

 

[rcmodel]

Wouldn't be prudent.

I don't know anything about the metallurgy or heat treatment of the Ballester Molina.
And I doubt too many others do either.

It is probably as good as a comparable 60-75 year old Colt, or nearly so.

But if you break it, it's liable to stay broke.

rc

 

[jeepnik]

I wouldn't, but if you're inclined, go for it. Just let us know what hospital you want the flowers sent to.

Seriously, it was built long before +p ammo was around, it's just not worth taking the chance.

 

[nathan]

how about stiffer springs?

 

[WardenWolf]

Stiffer springs won't help if the parts physically cannot take the pressure. Just don't do it.

 

[amd6547]

I owned an excellent condition Ballester Molina for about five years, until I sold it last year.
I would have no problem using +p in it.

 

[Old Fuff]

Actually, they are pretty good pistols, and in some ways better then the 1911.

Post a serial number and maybe it can be determined exactly when it was made, which can make a difference. Anyway, the materials they used were pretty good by anyone's standards. They are much better then (for example) Spanish handguns made during the same time period.

 

[Pyro]

234469
You people make +P ammo sound like it's a hand grenade.

 

[Old Fuff]

For no good reason, other then perhaps the fact that they were sold as military surplus in the United States for very low prices compared to 1911 pistols of Colt or Argentine manufacturer, has left Ballester Molina pistols with a reputation of being a low quality knock-off of the Colt. The Old Fuff has often taken advantage of this.

Consider if you will:

It is interesting to note that Ballester Molina barrels were made from tough S.A.E. 3312 steel, which was more durable then Colt's barrel steel. A test by the Argentine army revealed that Ballester Molina barrels outlasted Colt barrels by several thousand rounds.

Colt .45 Government Models (Commercial Series) 1912 through 1970; Including Super .38 and .22 Models Plus Norwegian and Argentine Copies by Charles W. Clawson, pp. 201.

The rest of the pistol is of similar quality. Many of them were purchased by the U.K during World War Two, and went through British proof houses with no problems.

 

[srtolly]

I have one and I wouldn't use +p in it just because parts are so hard to find. If you break it let me know I'm looking for parts.