US Gov 1911

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Hondo 60

Hondo 60

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Are there any US marked 1911s left for sale anywhere?
Army vet 1978-1982

If so, what wording do I use to search for them?

I've recently seen mention of Colt 70 or 80 series.
What defines them as such, when were they made & is there a number like that to designate the US gov models?

I know, lotsa questions!
I also know you guys got lotsa really good answers too.

thanks in advance!
 
Since a couple of million were made, I'm sure there's a few for sale somewhere:). Seriously, there's always a bunch for sale at our local gun show, but then they come with gun show prices:barf:. I was very luckly and found an almost perfect condition, original Remington Rand (mfg date of 1945) about a year ago. I've seen a number of others at fair prices in local shops, but not as many as before and not as nice as the one I bought. I think that given this is the year of the 1911 (100th anniversary), there's been a surge of renewed interest in the original USGI guns that didn't exist even a few years ago. It's very sad, but the WWII vets are dying off rapidly and I'm sure the guns will continue to turn over.
 
Hey Army Vet!

Thank you for your service.

Keep your eyes pealed and check around your local gunshops. Wouldn't hurt to get in touch with a veterans group or two in your area and ask some of the other vets. I've come across several 1911's in the past few years I've been looking. One Remington Rand, and two Colts. I passed up the Remington, but couldn't pass on the Colts.

Do your homework on what to look for. There's several web sites that are dedicated to the M1911, and they can show you what to look for. Like batex said, this being the 100th aniversary and all, there's going to be a lot of people pushing 1911's.

Good luck and happy hunting.

"Blessed are those who, in the face of death, think only about the front sight." - Jeff Cooper
 
+1 on thanks for your service, every now and then there will be one at the shops arround here, if I see one I will let you know.


















that erea
 
thanks for the replies, I appreciate your posts.

But no one has answered my questions.
what wording do I use to search for them?

I've recently seen mention of Colt 70 or 80 series.
What defines them as such, when were they made & is there a number like that to designate the US gov models?
 
This is what I typed into google:

us government issue 1911's for sale

It resolved a bunch of sites. This one in particular. Others the listings have closed, but if you keep up with this search or one that is similar you should have no problem finding what you are looking for. Good luck and thanks for your service!

http://www.auctionarms.com/closed/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7492961.0
 
Hondo,
Any series 70 or 80 by definition is recent production (70 series beginning in the 70's I would guess and the series 80 that incorporates a firing pin safety mechanism (still used today).

I assume you are looking for one of the original US government contract military 1911's. Try some of these works in your searches

Original USGI 1911 or 1911A1
WWI or WWII
Colt, Remington Rand, Ithaca, USS or Union Switch and Signal, etc.
Military 1911 or 1911A1 or M1911 or M1911A1
United States Property (all usgi guns are stamped as such and a search may turn up this phrase.)

I'm no expert, but the original gun was technically Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911. Then, in 1924 or so, the gun was slightly redesigned (arched mainspring housing, short trigger, longer safety tang, cutouts behind the trigger guard, changes to sights, plastic grips, etc.). The new gun was designated the M1911A1.

There's lots of resources online to learn more about identifying the specific makers and models. Hope this helps.
 
If you look through gunbroker you can find many of them. Just search for 1911 US in the semi auto pistol catagory or just 1911 in the collectable firearms section.
 
The Colt 1917 revolver in top original shape can be had for $700+/100 and in .45ACP I might add. Plenty of charm for much less money then equivalent 1911 auto.
 
COLT Series 70 and 80 are Commercial COLT Government Model pistols. Neither were ever issued to the Military.

There are many USGI 1911 and 1911A1's for sale on the used market. DCM sold them legally to NRA members (and others) in the 1960's. Many lend lease 1911's were re-imported in the 1950's and then sold as well. Yet more were simply taken home by the soldiers that they were issued to and traded or sold as the years went by.

BE CAREFUL buying on Gunbroker or Auction Arms or Guns America. These pistols are HIGHLY collectible if orginal/in good conditon and VERY expensive (compared to a new commercial COLT). They are also often refinished and mismatched... Such USGI 1911's are often "faked" to command more $$$.

A Type III Remington Rand is the cheapest of the USGI M1911A1's. A really nice and orginal one will set you back $900-$1500.

Other orginal or correct pistols like a COLT, Ithaca or US&S go up from there.... I recently saw a very nice Type II Remington Rand sell for $2300 and it was a good buy at that price. Recently the holy grail of USGI 1911A1's, a Singer sold for $166,000.00 (that is NOT a typo).

By comparison a marked RIA or AA Govt rebuild will set you back $650-$1000, depending (on more things that I cite here).

An unmarked USGI mixmaster is worth much less but keep in mind MOST of the people selling them don't know that... nor do most of the people buying them.

As with anything it pays to know what your buying. Espc if your going to put down the kind of $$$ these pistols are bringing. Knowing what your buying with a USGI 1911/1911A1 is a full time job.... There are many books on the subject but the best is Clawsons collector guide (usually $100+ itself).
Good luck
Will
 
Just look on Gun Trader, or guns america, you will find one. But be prepared to pay up for them, as you will see some crazy prices. If you are going to soot the thing, then just pick up a Rock Island mil spec or Gi gun for $400.00 and you have a very similar gun that you don't have to pay 5 times the price for.
 
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