Just brought home my first 1911. Its a Carbonia Blue WWI Repro

[ttownthomas]

Is a picture worth 1000 rounds?

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DSC_0100 by ttownthomas, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[rondog]

I have one of those, you're gonna love it! Bought mine very gently used for $899 from a private seller, boxes and all. He only fired 50 rounds through it, and sold it because it was too pretty and he wanted a carry piece. Only complaint I had was the crappy quality of the checkering on the grips, but I whined at Colt and they gave me a new set.

Mind if I ask the story & price on yours? Here's mine, she's my favorite (these are the crappy grips).

 

[Black Butte]

Super nice! Always wanted one of these. Someday.

 

[ttownthomas]

Story and price

The owner had 5 1911's he was selling. In a flash I missed out on all 3 of the guns I was interested in. One of the guns was a WWI Carbonia blue Repro like this one but it was NIB. He called me back and offered me this identical one that he had used as a shooter. He took awesome care of the gun. Claims 2000 rounds but based on the condition if he had told me 500 I would have believed him. He asked for $600. I gladly paid it. Barrel lugs inside the slide are still razor sharp. Perfectly maintained. This is a perfect gun for me. Cars and Guns are built to be used not viewed.

 

[TexAg]

Argh! $600?! I'd LOVE one of these for that price! Lucky @&$#%*!

 

[rellascout]

Nice I would have bought it at $600 in a heartbeat. Paid $900 for mine NIB. They are great looking and great shooting guns.

 

[ttownthomas]

Would it be terrible to put better sights on it?

 

[rellascout]

No its your gun so you can do whatever you like but it will cost you some coin because you will have to mill the slide IIRC the front is not dovetailed.

Personally I would leave it. They are great looking guns and your new sight will never match the carbonia blue finish.

 

[rondog]

Would it be terrible to put better sights on it?

Just my opinion, but I'd consider it sacrilege. You'd be defeating the whole purpose of the gun, which is to be a reproduction of the very first M1911's issued in WWI. Yes, the sights are tiny, but they're faithful to the original design, which is important to me. You got a helluva deal on that gun, I'd leave it just like it is and get another 1911 to build into a custom. The RIA Tactical would be perfect for that.

 

[ttownthomas]

I know. It is handsome the way it is. I think I'll leave it alone. Besides I'll need another reason to buy a new gun before too long!

 

[Mizar]

Just shoot the pistol enough to hit everything you aim at. Everything. And you will discover that those tiny old sights are not so bad.

Boris

 

[Zerodefect]

Would it be terrible to put better sights on it?

I think 10-8 has sights that slide right in to those Colt old school style slots. It's just a taller new sight. Keeps the original look for the most part as well.

I don't remember about the front.

 

[Leaky Waders]

I have one too they are awesome pistols...mine wears ivory grips when she's feeling sassy.

Beware that there was a recall on them. You can find out about it here:

http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServices/RepairRefinish/RecallRequest.aspx

I sent mine in and it was returned very quickly...I think I may have even posted about it on these boards. I'll search later and see.