Concerned about modern ammo in older 1911a1

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davek

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First off, it's not "ancient" or anything. My current HD handgun is a Colt Government model made in 1959. It was later customized to be a wad gun. I've since since replaced the sights and ejector to make it conducive to regular ammo again. The end result is a sweet 1911a1 with a custom throated bbl that has a flared muzzle for close tolerance with the bushing. It's extremely accurate and so far hasn't had so much as a hickup on the range.

At any rate, I got some Speer Gold Dot JHP's for defensive rounds. I put twenty rounds through it with no problems, but noticed that the recoil was much greater than the WWB that I use for range ammo. Might this be because the bullet is heavier or is Speer Gold Dot a "hot" round?

I have two concerns...one is that I'd like my defensive ammo to shoot as closely to my range ammo as possible for obvious reasons. There's no way I can get a follow up shot with the Speer ammo as quickly as I can with the White Box.

The second concern is that assuming the Speer ammo is hot, will it damage my older 1911a1?

The reason I chose the Gold Dot originally was because even though the bbl is throated, I wanted a round with a more rounded off tip to ensure reliability, but I've since noticed some Federal ammo that looks like it would work as well. Are there any suggestions on a different defensive ammo selections?

Thanks
 
Hello. The Speer 230-gr. Gold Dot has not shown itself to have a higher than normal velocity in my 5" guns. Fired from a 5" Springfield, I got an average velocity of 831 ft/sec with a std. deviation of 19. Winchester USA averaged 801 ft/sec from the same gun.

Best.
 
I cracked a set of bakelite grips shooting a 1950's era commander, but the gun was otherwise fine.

I have a 1919ish Colt that gets a steady diet of modern UMC hardball with no ill effects.
 
Old Colt/New Ammo

Don't be concerned. The 1911 is over-engineered for the cartridge. If
anything, the modern "Hardball" loadings are a bit softer than ordnance-spec GI hardball ammo was in the 50s.


Uh...Wanna sell that Colt?
:cool:
 
Lee Lapin,

I forgot to mention that. Yes, I replaced the recoil spring with a Nawlins 18.5 lbs spring. :)

1911Tuner,

Don't be concerned. The 1911 is over-engineered for the cartridge. If
anything, the modern "Hardball" loadings are a bit softer than ordnance-spec GI hardball ammo was in the 50s.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Uh...Wanna sell that Colt?
Click to expand...

Nah. Family heirloom. You can look at it though! (Those grips will go soon as I get some flat panels.)

picture.gif

Here's it's dad....another one I inherited, but I won't be making any changes to this one. It shoots fine the way it is. :D

picture.gif
 
WARNING, Davek, WARNING!!!

Under NO circumstances should you reveal your exact location to ANYONE on this forum, lest you find yourself "selling" those beautiful pistols at a five-finger discount!:D :scrutiny:
 
No problem

You should have no problems as others have stated. Good ammo if it feeds well.
 
Hi. A 1959 vintage pistol can handle any current ammo. No Plus P's though.
"...I'd like my defensive ammo to shoot as closely..." Always practice with the ammo you intend to shoot. If you can shoot the 'White box' ammo well, use that all the time. Accurate shooting is far more important than the velocity of the bullet.
 
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