What were these holes drilled in my 1911 for?

[confederatescott]

Hello everyone, I am a new forum member. I found this website while trying to find info about a used .45ACP model 1911 that I recently purchased. I was told that my new used gun once belonged to an amateuer gunsmith that used it to shoot competition. The frame is an Essex Arms and the slide is marked Colt Mark IV. It shoots very well and has been tricked out with extended mag release, custom trigger, ambidextrous safety, etc. But apparently while he was customizing it his attitude was "looks be damned". For some reason he drilled a row of five (5) holes along the frame underneath the slide on both sides. They run from right in front of the slide release to the front end of the frame and are approx. 1/2inch apart. They appear to be threaded and very poorly done at that. It honestly just looks like someone took a hand drill and just drilled away. What could the reason be for the holes? They are very ugly.

 

[Jolly Rogers]

Scope mount.
Joe

 

[mesinge2]

Something like this probably

http://www.jackweigand.com/sm3.html

 

[Jim Watson]

Agreed, drilled and tapped for an optic sight mount.

A friend has one like that and the holes look ragged although I know the gunsmith and they would have been RIGHT when originally drilled and tapped. But some thousands of rounds of recoil pounding the base screws in their holes, Loctite and all, battered them up noticeably.

 

[ExtremeShot]

Use the gun for what it was built for...competition. Put a scope mount and C-More on the gun and the holes won't bother you anymore.

 

[confederatescott]

I'm not at all into competition. What could I do to make them less unattractive? What about if I got small torx head screws that fit the holes and trimmed them until they were so short so as not to extend past the inside of the frame. Then I would have a row of small screw heads along the side of the frame instead of the ragged holes. Any problem with that? Where would I find the small screws I would need and since I'm no gunsmith how can I find out what size screws I need for the holes? Are such accesories like the afforementioned scope mount attached usually with a standardized or uniform sized screw?

 

[ExtremeShot]

You could do that. If I were in your shoes, I would put screws in the holes, leaving them slightly long on the outside, then peen the heads a little to blend the screws in with the frame. Sand it flush, then have the frame refinished.

If you dont want to peen and refinish, just do what you described and loctite them in.

All the scope mounts I have use a 5-40 screw.

D

PS: When I say peen the heads, I would first cut the screw (effectively removing the original head).
PSS: It is NOT recommended to weld up the holes since it will weaken the steel.

 

[ExtremeShot]

On another note, why in the world would you NOT be into competition?!?!?!?

"Competition" adds a level of stress that you won't get just going out plinking. "Competition" will make you a much, much, much better shooter.

Don't let the word "competition" scare you off. I shoot with a lot of guys that don't care where their name ends up on the list. They shoot competition to become a more accurate shooter and to acquire better gun handling skills. Their improvement over time is the proof that it works.

 

[rcmodel]

Plug screws.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=792/Product/PLUG_SCREW_KIT

rc

 

[ExtremeShot]

That would work but is more expensive than necessary. Also, make sure you know what thread you have before you buy those plug screws....5-40 was not one of them that was available.