questions re 1911A1

[BullRunBear]

I'm mostly a revolver guy but a friend has offered me a 1911A1 for about $200. It's a standard issue piece, not a Gold Cup or anything fancy. A previous owner had the thing nickel plated and part of the serial number is missing. It must have been made after WW II but before 1970. It has brown plastic grip panels intended to look like checkered wood. It was made in the Colt factory.

I've seen him shoot the pistol and it fed reliably and was decently accurate.

Questions: Is that price OK? I'm not looking for authenticity, just a plinking piece on steel plates and maybe bowling pins.

Are adjustable sights available and can I install them myself? Those low, GI fixed sights are a little hard on my aging eyes.

The lands in the barrel seem a bit shallow but are still distinct. Is that normal for this pistol?

I shoot mostly hard cast bullets. (I have a 45 acp cylinder for my Blackhawk convertible.) Will they work OK for a 1911A1? Would a replacement barrel help in that regard?

I've always wanted a Colt 1911/1911A1 but then I hear the siren call of revolvers and muzzleloaders and spend money on them. The new Colts and clones are rather expensive, so I'm hoping this might work out.

Thanks for any help.

Jeff

PS: My only centerfire semiauto is a CZ75b but that's been taken over by the wife. I might object but she shoots it better than I do.

 

[Quiet]

$200 is a great price for a used Colt 1911A1.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

yes, buy it.

 

[RON in PA]

Just wait a second before you jump in on this one. Part of the serial number is missing? I'd be concerned about the legality of owning the thing. Anybody want to comment on Federal law and Virginia law on owning firearms with screwed-up serial numbers.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

^^oohh, good call! i would avoid that one. altering a serial number is a federal crime, you don't want that thing in your possession.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

If it has been refinished, it may be that in the process the serial may have been sanded down with the frame prep. Look at it closely, and see if there are faint numbers left, or whether a few seem to be purposely removed.

If faint, and still there, buy it. If any are removed, I'd look further into the legality of owning it.

 

[BullRunBear]

Guys,

Thanks for the heads up about the serial number. I looked carefully and my assumption was wrong. The gun is from 1942. One of the numbers wasn't (re)stamped as deeply as the rest but can be seen if you know where to look.

Jeff

 

[45Fan]

For that kind of price, you could buy that one, and pick up a RIA 1911 to shoot, and still be in for less cash than most colt 1911's. That sounds to be one heck of a deal.

 

[Sky]

Sounds horrible!! worn out!! But if he needs the money I Will Buy IT and make a lamp out of it! Email? I will even give you $25 handling! hahahhehehehah

 

[Old Ranger]

Throw the money at him as you run out the door. If that pistol has most of it's original parts - - - you get the picture. Whether or not, you can rebuild any 1911A1.

 

[Skinsanity]

Wow....Were you holding a gun on him and wearing a mask when he gave you that price?

 

[Old Shooter]

Go for it.....

 

[Slamfire]

That is a great price.

Go for it.

 

[TexasGunbie]

Any colt 1911 even if it doesn't fire can be worth 200. You are looking at a very good friend here.

 

[BullRunBear]

Guys,

Thanks for all the encouragement but it turns out I won't be getting the 1911A1. I mentioned it to an acquaintence who fell in love with it and offered over twice the asking amount. I put him in touch with my friend and the deal was done.

I'm pleased for my friend. He's in his 70s now and is selling his guns to pay for good bullseye quality 22 and centerfire pistols. He was career Coast Guard and competed on their bullseye teams. (He still shoots well.) Now, decades later, the old interest has resurfaced. He already picked up a Ruger Mk III. Don't know what he'll get for centerfire, possibly a competition grade 45 or 9mm. Getting more money for the 1911A1 means he is closer to the new pistol.

And I'm not exactly losing out. I already bought from him, at bargain prices, a Ruger flattop 357 magnum (3 digit serial number, first year of manufacture) and an old model Single-Six with both cylinders. As I said earlier, I'm a revolver guy and these guns are sweet and accurate.

At some point I may look at one of the new RIA 1911s if they have decent accuracy.

Thanks again.

Jeff

 

[Quiet]

At some point I may look at one of the new RIA 1911s if they have decent accuracy.

IMO...
The (Armscor) RIA 1911 Tactical is the best 1911 you can buy for under $500 that will outperform most 1911s in the under $1000 category.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

And I'm not exactly losing out. I already bought from him, at bargain prices, a Ruger flattop 357 magnum (3 digit serial number, first year of manufacture) and an old model Single-Six with both cylinders.

Actually, that is probably the better deal.