Colt 1991A1 - To rebuild or not

[gpurp]

Guys, I have this full size 1991A1 that I bought new in the early 90's. I had a trigger job done, polished the feed ramp, and installed night sights, and got full length guide rod right away and it hasn't changed since. Overall its been a pretty good piece and used as an all around gun on the ranch. Its now pretty worn and the Trijicons don't glow anymore.

Over the years I haven't paid much attention to the newer 1911 styles. Yes, all the Kimbers, STIs, and Nighthawks are very nice and pretty. And I'm sure they feel good in the hand and shoot pretty good too. My question is whether its worth having the the 1991A1 rebuilt or sell it and then buy a new .45 I was thinking about having it refinished, Novaks, beavertail, magwell, and such. In the end I'm looking the features and performance that come from today's 1911s in the <$1k price range.

 

[silicosys4]

You'll get $500-$600 pretty easily for it as is, and the work you are talking about doing to it is going to cost you a lot more than you will get out of it...about 3x as much to do as you would get resale. If you are truly not interested in hanging onto the gun, I'd sell it as is and use that and the money you'd put on upgrades to pick up what you want.

 

[rcmodel]

On the other hand?
If it works, don't fix it.

Careful what you're wishing for.
Cause what you gain you just might lose.

Other then pretty bling, there is not much to be gained with the "new breed" of 1911's that will make them do anything your older Colt won't do as well.

rc

 

[murf]

for the price of all the work you want to have done to your old 1911, you can retire it to the north pasture and buy a new "nice and pretty" one.

murf

 

[gpurp]

Sage advice RC. That bling bug isn't some much tempting because it'll get some scuffs and scratches from normal wear no matter what gun I end up with. I'm shooting more for long term functionality.

I need bigger/brighter sites just because of my eyes changing. Beaver tail and mag well seem like good functional improvements.

 

[jogar80]

I would just replace the sights. Or, doesn't Trijicon offer some kind of service to renew the glow? I'd do that and call it done.

 

[Skylerbone]

You haven't got a full description posted but I'd say if it's blued:

Nighthawk Custom 1-piece magwell/integrated MSH.
Les Baer beavertail grip safety.
Serrated frontstrap.
New Harrison Custom sights or replacement lamps from Trijicon (IIRC ~ $30).
Refinish in Cerakote.

That should set you back a grand, a bit more and you could tighten up the slide to frame fit and add an EGW barrel bushing to improve bushing to barrel fit.

One talented smith to put it all together: http://www.reidpistolsmithing.com/

 

[Ironhorse522]

I love my 1991a1!! Post pics of yours!! Is it the matte blue or parkerized?

 

[Cocked & Locked]

i'd send the slide back to Trijicon to have the sights "re-lamped" and toss the one piece guide rod (what good did it do?)

Put it back to stock and keep on shooting. Then you can be one of the cool guys that has been shooting the same unmolested Colt for 20 years.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Based solely upon the OP, I'd say incrementally upgrade yours and enjoy the "improved" features step by step over time and not worry about the relative costs as they can be swayed to support either argument.

A 1991 is a great starting point for a personal and not off the shelf "custom" and I figure your attachment to it will grow with the personally picked upgrades.

 

[Jed Carter]

Wilson Combat spring kit about $20, New Trijicon night sights $80-$120, Mainspring housing and magwell $90, hand fit new beavertail grip safety $150-$200, refinish slide and frame $150 and up, Lightweight hammer $30 and up, match grade barrel and bushing $200 + fitting, new extractor $10. Say about $1K to $1.5K and 20 to 30 weeks away from home. I like spur hammers and the stock grip safety, I say replace all the springs, fix or replace the sights, and keep it as is, maybe do the refinish. Get another, "better" 1911 for show and range trips like a Colt Gold Cup or a S&W 1911 Performance Center. My personal favorite 1911, Colt Mk IV Series 70, not the best shooter, just my favorite. Best shooters are STI Custom Shop 9mm, S&W 1911 PC, SIG RCS 1911 then all the rest. Whatever you do keep the old Colt, would love to see a picture or two of the pistol.

 

[OARNGESI]

put new sights on and keep it. duracoat is not two expensive if you want to freshen it up

 

[rcmodel]

IMO: You don't want a Mag Well funnel anyway, unless you want to add weight in the wrong place, add another 1/2" length to the gun but, and change the balance of the gun.

Just break the sharp edges of the frame with a file and it becomes a funnel, without the added length & weight in all the wrong places.

rc

 

[Skylerbone]

Or install a Chen Legacy which won't add any length but does require a pro. If you go the upgrade route, find a smith then discuss specifics. A world of possibilities vs. a few basic new pistols.

 

[bbuddtec]

just double-ditto on what rc said, you are a wealth and beyond, sir.

I'd do an inventory on worn parts and that's about it.