WWI 1911 advice

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WWI 1911 advice

Postby Hammer99... on Mon Jan 30, 2012 2:54 pm

So my buddy recently acquired a WWI 1911 from a family member. The gun was used by his great grandfather so it's priceless to him. From the SN, that is in the 421xxx range, it looks like it dates back to 1918.

He would like to shoot it. It seems to be in very good working order. Looks like it just needs a detail strip and some lube. This gun probably hasn't been shot 80-90 years. So, should he have a smith look at it first or just throw in some 45 ACP and let'r rip?

Anything else he should know?

Here's a crappy pic...

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Re: WWI 1911 advice

Postby Stradawhovious on Mon Jan 30, 2012 2:56 pm

It looks pretty trashed. Tell your buddy I'll give him $50 for it. :?

Well since I'm sure that didn't work.......

Unless you are really familiar with the 1911 platform I would have a smith look at it first. Better safe than sorry. Wouldn't want to risk an injury to shooter or gun. This one would be pretty damned hard to replace.

He should also seriously consider getting this professionally appraised before pulling the trigger. If the right number comes up he may just reconsider taking it to the range.

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Re: WWI 1911 advice

Postby rukwikenuf on Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:54 pm

I agree with Mr Hoovius, have that thing gone over by a smith, and I'd get it appraised for insurance purposes, but I'd want to shoot it too!
If I got my Grandpa's M1911 from WWII, id shoot it. If it possibly saved Grandpa, id fill it with 230 grainers and have some fun
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Re: WWI 1911 advice

Postby Seismic Sam on Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:57 pm

No point taking it to a 'smith if it's worth so much that you're not going to shoot it! Appraisal first, then the 'smith if you're going to shoot it.
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Re: WWI 1911 advice

Postby rugersol on Mon Jan 30, 2012 4:01 pm

If yer gonna leave it with a gunsmith, choose wisely! :?

Ya should at least learn how to field-strip it. At that, I'd swap in a new recoil-spring ... store the original in a safe place. I'd do the same with the recoil-spring plug, too.

If ya know how to detail strip ... 'er at least, remove the mainspring housing, I'd replace the mainspring, as well ... again, store the original in a safe place.

Some "drop-in" bbl's, aren't. The ones I've gotten were close 'nuff. If it was me, I'd save the original bbl, as well.

If not fer replacing them things, I wouldn't shoot it.

YMMV.
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Re: WWI 1911 advice

Postby Hammer99... on Mon Jan 30, 2012 4:44 pm

Wow. I think this is the fist time I've received such consistent advice. I'm going to pass this info along.

Can anyone recommend a place to appraise it?
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Re: WWI 1911 advice

Postby tman on Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:12 pm

I wouldn't dare shoot it.

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Re: WWI 1911 advice

Postby FJ540 on Mon Jan 30, 2012 6:47 pm

I wouldn't shoot it either. Get a decent current production gun and have some 1911 range love, but that trophy would be cherished as-is and never see live ammo.
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WWI 1911 advice

Postby Ken on Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:01 pm

Guns are made for shooting! I try to take my circa 1914 Colt out at least once a year. There's a certain satisfaction in shooting a firearm that's nearly a century old. As far as monetary value goes, the more common manufacturers seem to go for around 2k, give or take a few hundred depending on the condition.
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Re: WWI 1911 advice

Postby brado on Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:04 pm

I wouldn't shoot that gun.
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Re: WWI 1911 advice

Postby Countryfried Frank on Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:28 pm

rugersol wrote:If yer gonna leave it with a gunsmith, choose wisely! :?

Ya should at least learn how to field-strip it. At that, I'd swap in a new recoil-spring ... store the original in a safe place. I'd do the same with the recoil-spring plug, too.

If ya know how to detail strip ... 'er at least, remove the mainspring housing, I'd replace the mainspring, as well ... again, store the original in a safe place.

Some "drop-in" bbl's, aren't. The ones I've gotten were close 'nuff. If it was me, I'd save the original bbl, as well.

If not fer replacing them things, I wouldn't shoot it.

YMMV.
This, then some 230 gr. ball.
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Re: WWI 1911 advice

Postby crbutler on Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:12 pm

The appraisal is worthwhile for insurance purposes. I really doubt that anyone with something like that in the family would want to sell it. Most of the value would be sentimental, after all. Most of the really rare oddball guns were WWII manufacture, anyhow.

If it was a family heirloom like that, I would make sure I got some good target ammo, like Federal Gold Medal Match with the 230 gr FMJ bullet and shoot it gently.

Putting new springs and lubing it up would be important, but unless you are that rare breed of collector, not using it would be shame.
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Re: WWI 1911 advice

Postby CraigJS on Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:37 pm

Appraisal, inspected, shoot it one time, dedicated to your Grandpa... Love it forever!
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Re: WWI 1911 advice

Postby tman on Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:26 pm

The steel these guns were made with might not hold up.

A cracked frame would make me cry.

You should check out http://www.1911forum.com.
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Re: WWI 1911 advice

Postby selurcspi on Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:37 pm

tman wrote:The steel these guns were made with might not hold up.

A cracked frame would make me cry.

You should check out http://www.1911forum.com.


Modern .45 ammo is about 5 to 10 % lighter than that of 100 years ago, a cracked frame is pretty unlikely.
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