What to do with an Old Colt 1911

[Marvel Shooter]

I recieved from my father, who got it from my grandfather a Colt 1911 made in 1917. It has a lttle wear to it, but not too bad. I rarely shoot it because of its age.

My problem is I have it just sitting there and I use my Colt Commander frame to mount my Marvel Unit One for competition. Do you think it would be crazy to use that old 1911 with a Marvel Unit One. If I did I would have my Colt Commander back. I'd never sell the old 1911 but for now its just sits there and I would like to put it to use by setting it up as my bullseye gun. What do you think?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

There was a time when I would have said, "Put it to work." After seeing what collectible guns can bring, my view has evolved and I would not alter such a gun in any way, nor shoot it extensively (though I would still shoot it occasionally).

 

[Autolycus]

What did your father do with it? Did he shoot it?

What would your father and grandfather wanted you to do with it?

 

[Marvel Shooter]

My Father shot it very little, I'm not sure how much my Grandfather shot it. My idea was to replace the internals and fine tune it for bullseye shooting. So really, all I need is the frame. Store all the original parts. I do not want to part with the gun itself and would never sell it, probably pass it on to my nephew as a keepsake. Just Wondering if I should leave it alone and just buy a frame and build one specifically for my Marvel Unit One.

 

[rondog]

NEGATIVE! If it's all original and in good shape, it's quite valuable. Besides, it's a family heirloom! Please don't bastardize it just to make a shooter out of. Shooter guns can be had far too cheap to ruin that 1911 over. Go to www.m1911.org and www.1911forum.com for some real good advice about those old warhorses.

Can you post any photos here? They'll want photos at the other sites too.

 

[CWL]

rondog said all that needed to be said.

 

[absolute0]

Treat it as the treasure that it is.

Were it me...I'd run a couple boxes a year through it at the range, clean it well but not excessively when done and provide it with a place of honor in the gun safe.

I'd also make sure that all trusted family members knew what a special gun it is.

 

[paul45]

You don't mention if it is a commercial or a US Property marked. Doesn't matter though......

You want to put a Marvel unit on a possible 2,000 dollar treasure?

Go to a mirror, stand in front, look at yourself...............and slap yourself VERY hard.......:banghead:

 

[theNoid]

Now I am never a promoter of safe queens, but I would like to add to this thread, just to say what I would do with such an heirloom.

I would clean it up and oil it as necessary. I would build a nice shadow box for it, maybe with a picture of your father and grandfather in it. Maybe you have some of your grandfathers military memorabilia to add to the shadow box.

From there, I would take this wonderful piece to the range or the likes once a month or so and run a couple of clips through it, and enjoy every round that is sent downrange. Then take it home, clean her off, oil as necessary, and put her back in the shadow box for all to see and admire.

Just my thoughts...

Noidster

 

[Loomis]

Uh...would you take a good running bone stock all original model T ford and turn it into a hotrod drag racer with an aluminum block hemi and mickey thompson slicks?

I wouldn't. But you go ahead and do whatever stupid thing you want. It's your little antique heirloom to treasure, not mine.

 

[thunderstorm]

Personally I too would leave it as is, and pass it down as a family heirloom, making sure that they know the history behind great grandpas 1911.

 

[Mortech]

I'm with the rest do not mod it , to me that would be like using the Constitution for toilet paper . THe Colt has family history , YOUR family history .

 

[Marvel Shooter]

I'm sold. I did not think about the shadowbox. My grandfather won the DSC in WWI and my Father a Silver Star in Korea. It would look good next to those decorations even though its a civilian model. It's well cared for, it's clean, oiled and in the safe. And just for the hell of it I will stand in the mirror and slap myself for even thinking about making it into a bullseye gun.

 

[theNoid]

Marvel, I am a really big fan of shadow boxes which is why I suggested it, good luck and hopefully we can see some pics when done.

Noidster

 

[burningsquirrels]

clean it, protect it, and save it for future generations. it's an heirloom.

if you want to shoot, get another 1911.