Which old school Colt 1911 can handle hollows?

[HMMurdock]

Let us get something out of the way, we are talking about real, pony-wearing Colts. I have Springfields and Kimbers. I'm looking for an old school, either WWI or WWII -style Colt for collector's piece. Even though it is just for collection, I would like it to be able to eat some decent self-defense ammo (hollowpoints).

I wouldn't mind an older Series 70 Colt, but I am not sure if one of the WWI reproductions or new Series 70 repros would be any better?

I understand the originals were designed only to feed military ball ammo. Is anyone aware of what my best route is if I plan to fire some JHPs out of a historic-styled M1911 or 1911A1? Thanks.

 

[Jed Carter]

I use Federal Expanding Full Metal Jacket vs hollow point ammunition in my nonramped barrel 1911s. The EFMJ will consistantly expand no matter what material it passed through first. Glasser / Corbon Powerball is another alternative choice to get reliable feeding in nonramped barrel 1911s. The 1911 is a fickle beast, what works in one, may not work in another of the same model.

 

[JTQ]

i believe the Series 70 repros have the dimple on the lip of the chamber (as do most current production Colt's) designed to improve feeding of "odd" profiled bullets. I'm not sure if the model 1918 has the dimple though.

http://www.m1911.org/prodte26.htm

 

[loadedround]

I once owned a 1911 made in 1916 that was original and would chamber and fire any tpe of ammo you fed and on the other hand I had a Series 70 pistol that would fire only FMJ before having a throat job. This leads me to believe that each 1911 is specific in what it likes or dislikes and it's best to test this theory before depending on it. BTW, every Colt Gold Cup I've handlied had fired anything you fed it especially wad cutter ammo.

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

As stated before, it just the luck of the draw. If you find on you like, try the SD flaver of your choice, if it works, your lucky, if it dosn't, find a good smith. Becuse you will be buying used, unless you get a repro, it might of already been throughted, make sure that the smith wasn't over enthusastic about it.

 

[rklessdriver]

The Series 70 Repro has the new "dimpled" feed ramp on the barrel. It will both feed hollow point ammo 100%.

An orginal Series 70 may or may not. Mine does with correct hybrid lip real COLT or Metal Form mags. Also works good with Wilson mags. Not everyone will however. Keep in mind many a Series 70 has been screwed up by kitchen table gunsmiths trying to fix the feed ramps and they are all over the place on the used market.

A number of folks in the 1911 community have reported good feeding with the WWI Repro... however it has a the orginal small narrow feed ramp barrel and I wouldn't take bets on every one feeding 100%.

An orginal M1911 or M1911A1 is indeed luck of the draw.

The basic M1991 Govt Model could also be what your looking for. New dimpled barrel, quality hybrid lip mags and pretty close to the orginal in appearance.
Will

 

[Red Cent]

My National Match will digest anything you feed it.

 

[Drail]

With the correct magazine (not G.I.) and a throat job any G.I. 1911 can be made to feed just about anything except maybe the old Speer Flying Ashtrays. In the early days all they had to work with was standard barrels and learned how to make them feed wadcutters. It can be done. Red Cent, I love your leather rig. Old school rules.

 

[Red Cent]

Drail, I still have some ashtrays around here somewhere. The National Match would digest them with no trouble and other than grips and a mag funnel, it has never been touched/tuned other than cleaning.

 

[HMMurdock]

About how much could I expect to pay to have one throated? Thanks for all the info, by the way!

 

[S&Wfan]

What's wrong with the old-style Speer Flyin' Ashtrays. I still load 'em up myself, along with Federal 150 primers. They feed quite well in this .45ACP handgun of mine!!!

As to the OP's original question . . .

If it is going to be a safe queen I'd just shoot the authentic type of ammo that the gun was made to shoot. IIRC, it did a pretty good job for many decades on the battlefields and on the streets.

If you must shoot some hollowpoints, try a few of the more modern ones by the various makers that are designed to feed in just about everything and find one that works.