Colt 1911 GI

[Mossberg88]

Recently came into an original Colt 1911 GI carried in Korea and Vietnam. Because I don't plan on ever selling this, I was wondering what I should 'update' in it, in order to make it a reliable defense weapon.

It has the original magazines, so i was thinking of getting a new magazine or two, possibly new springs in it for reliability/functionability etc.

Any input would be helpful since this is my first 1911.

Thanks.

 

[2wheels]

Personally, I wouldn't want to go irreversibly modifying a gun with that history, even if you never plan on selling it.

So I'd do pretty much what you're already thinking... Replace any springs that I feel need it, and buying some new mags is about as far as I'd go.

Then I'd go shoot the snot out of it to make sure I can trust it. Even without all the modern accessories we've gotten used to on 1911s, a good ol' GI 1911 is still a great self defense weapon.

 

[Voodoochile]

Mine was manufactured in 1942 & saw some time in the Pacific I believe.
All I have ever done to mine was replaced all the original springs with Wilson Combat replacements, & I use either WC or Kimber mags keeping all the original springs & the 1 mag in my safe.

Now granted she isn't the tightest grouper, benched she'll do 3.5" + at 25 yards but for normal defensive distances she keeps em where I point her & she will shoot anything I've run through her even though I normally just run Remington Ball in her & on occasion she'll eject etraight up in the air just to land the case on my hat but for the 20+ years I've had her she's never let me down.

By comparrison, my wifes M1991A1 custom Colt will group on average 2.25" off the bench at 25 yards & the ejection is perfectly out to the right every time.

 

[Fremmer]

Don't alter it in any way. Try shooting it first and see how she does.

 

[Walkalong]

It's good to go as is. I bet you could find someone who would trade you a tricked out 1911 for it. Even up.

 

[2zulu1]

I'd also keep all the USGI springs if you decide to change them out. Reason being, no USGI parts were made after WWII.

 

[Mossberg88]

Great, thanks for all the tips. If I were to replace springs from W.C., what should I look for in terms of the spring weights?

 

[rondog]

Agreed, don't "improve it" at all, other than a good cleaning, oiling and new springs. The more you change or replace, the more you devalue it. It may have been carried in Korea and Vietnam, but if it's an M1911A1 it was made in WWII. If it's an M1911, that's WWI vintage. None were made after 1945.

Do some research and find out exactly what it is, when it was made, and how "original" it is currently. It may have already been modified, it may have been through a couple of rearsenal rebuilds, or it may be as-issued with all its original parts and un-messed with. Find out what you have before you go fiddling with it.

Just my opinion.

If it's already been altered irreversably, then do what you want with it. But it may have more value as it is than you may suspect. Is it actually a Colt? Or was it made by another company and you're just calling it a "Colt .45"? They were made by many companies but all look alike, all parts are interchangeable, and it's not uncommon to call them all "Colt .45's". But some of them are worth a LOT more than others.

Bring a bunch of clear, sharp, detailed photos here before you make any changes it to it, so the local experts can tell you what you have. Where did you get it, anyway? Any idea of its history?

 

[bannockburn]

I have to agree with all the others here who say some new mags and springs are fine just leave the rest of the gun unaltered. Clean it, oil it, take care of it; just don't update it beyond those new parts to make and keep it functional. And hang onto all the old parts too. If you want a new M1911 shooter there are probably a hundred or more different models to choose from. Get one of those and leave this one as is in your collection.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

Leave it be- I might have a nicely done Colt Combat Elite to trade ya

no USGI parts were made after WWII.

I believe they were cranking out slides and barrels for a few more decades.

 

[Loc n Load]

Not broke - don't fix

If the gun runs, then I would not tinker with it. And I certainly would not alter the piece, vintage 1911's have soared in value and probably will continue to.