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1911 World War One Repro

4.1K views 28 replies 14 participants last post by  Hobie  
#1 ·
Gents (and/or Ladies),

Waiting on the arrival of a NIB 1911 WW1 Repro. Am getting "back into" 1911's after a serious buying spree of S&W's and this one is the one I chose to get first. My question is to those who own them. Or want to own them...Or just want to sound off and continue a discussion.

How are they working for you? And...is anyone using this as a daily carry or "nightstand" gun? I manage several retail outlets and usually there is a backpack under my counter carrying my piece de jour. Mainly I pack either various models of S&W .38 snubs and .357 4"'ers or a 1954 .38 H/D 4". Have CCW permit in TX but don't always pack on person. Backpack however is always in vehicle or in store I am at for the day. (it has a quick detach back with a built in velcro inner holster and is slicker than penquin poop to get to) .


Wanted to upgun to the .45 for a while but I definately prefer the old school in both appearance and function. Have had several 1911's in the past (oddly enough Kimbers and Springfields but no Colt's) but what are the groups opinion of the one above for the role as specified? Seems like if it was good enough to survive WW1 (and WW2 for that matter) and generate the reputation it did then it ought to be more than adequate for the specified role. But what do you think?

Let em rip.

Tim
 
#2 ·
You asked for it so here goes!

Why buy a collector's item as a "using" gun? The WWI M1911 repros were created as collector's items, but, of course, are functional as firearms, and can be used for traditional roles, such as defense, either as a carry gun or house gun. The question is not can they, but should they?

Why spend the extra money for the "collector" character of the WWI M1911 when the same (or better if you prefer M1911A1 features) functionality can be secured in a standard production stainless Colt for less money? To me, a stainless gun is a preferable "user" gun over a blue gun anyway, and I would buy a current stainless Colt for use instead of the WWI repro. Keep the WWI repro to remind you where the line originalted.

In the alternative, buy a real M1911 with some character wear and carry it instead.

My $.02. Next.
 
#3 ·
Judge,

Thanks for the reply. Might have added on the original post that I got the WW1 for under $750.00 shipped NIB. That puts it squarely in the "user" catagory in my book (and I am way more of a shooter than a collector, or rather a collector of shooters /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). Like you said, and I am paraphrasing, the functionality is the functionality of any gun and that, along with the "old school charm" was the reason I chose this one. Will get a lot more use at the range than as a carry piece but I don't think I am going to lose sleep over packing this in my pack.

There will be other 1911's coming my way (just like the look of the .38 Super in bright stainless) but the bag I use for carry is in essence, a large gun rug. So no real wear like side carry in leather or Kydex should accrue.

I did ask to let em rip and thanks for the response. Others?
 
#4 ·
What you paid for the gun is irrelevant to the fact that the gun was produced as a "collectors item" and not as a "shooter," even though of course it will shoot. Using that rationale, I should use my long-dead grandfather's D Grade Parker as a truck gun since it did not cost me anything, whereas my Mossberg M500 I bought at Woolco 35 years ago as a truck gun cost me $70.

I still say find something else to use as a "using" gun. Cost is irrelevant.
 
#5 ·
What do I think?
I think that collector gun, shooter gun, or whatever, once you pay for it, it becomes YOUR gun and you should use it for whatever you sweet please. But while you point out these pistols survived the wars, I've yet to see one that couldn't be improved by some pistolsmithing, particularly a trigger job and on the older ones, better sights.

As for bright stainless Super .38s, I think every aspiring pimp should have one. Here's mine.
Image
 
#6 ·
Biblio,

Gracias Amigo, nice Dillon 1930's style rig there as well. Just pouring gas on the fire eh? Was playing with one of these with fixed sites last night and added to the "gonna get" list. Nice to see you here too, I am .357magger on the S&W side. Got interested in the .38 Super when I was doing some reading recently about Baby Face Nelson and his penchant for the Super and its ability to get deep into the innards of 1930's cars. A number of the eras bandititos were fond of this round for that reason and down here close to the border it has a certain following with Gringos and the Federales alike. I have been told that this is due to restrictions in Mexico on "military calibers" but do not know if that is the reason or if it just great longer range ballistics. You see some pretty fancy carved and plated jobs down here from time to time, both current and originals. And yeah, this one, after I receive it on Monday, may get some internal upgrades to improve functionality if needed.

Judge,

Thanks again for your opinions (cause I did ask) but there is a great deal of difference in my mind from using an ORIGINAL D grade Parker as a "truck gun" (which would normally mean one that will get banged and dinged) rather than the Mossberg, or a REPRODUCTION 1911 using modern metallurgy as a basis for a carry piece as opposed to an original 1911 NIB (which would be worth more than I want to think about) for the same purpose. So in my mind, cost does have relevance. In fact, I would not be suprised if my 1911 REPRO even ends up being nickeled and ivoried to replicate some the original 1930's "Auto Bandit" guns I have been studying about lately. Several I have seen or seen pics of started off as military models stolen from armories and then were personalized by the gangster(s) in question. This one will definately remind me of the "lineage", particulary when I shoot it often.

What originally started this train of thought off and "made" the purchase decision was a project gun by Larry Vickers that was profiled in one of the gun mags a while back. In that project he was preparing a 1911 for a services member who wanted a "meat and potato" 1911 but upgraded internally as a carry piece. Vickers used STI and Capsian components then rollmarked them as an original would be but this was before the repro became available. In this case, it made a lot more sense to just start with the original Colt toolings/rollmarks/etc. and then internally upgrade from there as needed. So in that instance, I am regarding a NIB $750.00 Colt platform as a bargain.

Anyone else chiming in? I was told that a member here (told by another member who had seen the posts) was using one of these as a daily carry but search of the topic did not reveal those posts. So...again...let em rip.

Tim
 
#7 ·
My friend shoots his but doesn't carry it. He's usually got a S&W 625 when not on school property. Always says something about leaving brass around...
 
#8 ·
The WWI repro has a number of plastic parts in it that I would replace pronto before I used it. Particular the trigger. Original 1911 long milled steel triggers aren't that hard to find and while occasionally collectors pay a lot more for them than they are worth, they usually can be had in the $25 to $40 range which isn't bad. They are a lot better than the plastic/nylon two piece variety the repro has. There is also a two piece steel variety that can be found which Colt used in the WWI battle commemorative series and also the late 70 series Combat Government and those are good and can be found. I suspect that the spring guide is also nylon or plastic and if so would look for a steel one of those. I'm not fond of nylon or plastic parts in guns especially when I'm beting my life on them. Since you have carried a 38-44 HD then you're aware of what carrying a high value, potential collector gun is all about. You own it, enjoy it.
 
#9 ·
[ QUOTE ]
The WWI repro has a number of plastic parts in it that I would replace pronto before I used it. Particular the trigger. ...

[/ QUOTE ]

My WWI re-pro does not have a plastic trigger. It is steel. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Also, I shoot mine but do not carry it. It was made to shoot and I am not a collector.
 
#10 ·
Hobie,Flint,Bill,

Thanks Gents. Not sure about the "plastic" parts either. The ones I have looked at prior to purchase had steel triggers but you can bet that will be one thing I look at first tomorrow when I pick it up.

Since Flint caught the part about the H/D I would like to mention that sweet puppy. Got recently here in Houston. 4" and letters from Smith to the Louisiana State Police in 1954. All matching, including grips and man, does that sucker shoot. With a 125 +p JHP it will easily outshoot me at any sane range (and some insane ones too). It was a nickel gun from the factory but the previous owner (I am a former LEO from Louisiana and am currently researching who got this one gun shipment to LSP from Smith) had it bright chromed some time in it's life. The job was really well done though and from carrying daily for 15 years I do understand why this finish was chosen. You can clean it almost completely with a rag soaked in Hoppes. Sorry to digress from the topic at hand but that shooter is one of my favorites due to it's history and it's shootability and I just wanted to brag a little.

Regarding the WW1 repro. Am receiving tomorrow (if FedEx's website is accurate) so will give a little range report later in the week when I wring her out a little. If any others want to chime in, please do.

Thanks again for the responses so far.

Tim
 
#11 ·
I fine that I enjoy my money spent on me is a lot more fun. With that in mind I (ME) hardly can wait to fire off any newly acquired gun . New or used . A new Colt SAA is very pricy for my funds, and the last one came with a memo that it had been made as a collector gun. The first one came with a test target. Both shoot about the same. I love beauty but I have always been too old to collect firearms. Maybe coffie mugs or something, but I use them too. What ever gun I can afford I shoot and carry at times. This or that rifle, this or that handgun.......Just my .02 ..........MUTT








/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
#13 ·
Mutt,

I HEAR YA. Got it in on Monday, going to "crank" it out today. Will advise a range report sometime over the next couple of days. Have some hoarded variety of old and new .45 to put the pony through it's paces. Will advise and might even get a pic or two back as well.
 
#15 ·
Gents,

Got "her" in and she is a beaut. Did not make the range as the better half had list of things for me to do prior to Turkey Day (bummer but I do have this bad habit called eating so...). Could not be more pleased with the appearence, fit and function of my example. Will still do the range report and pics in the coming week. THANKS to all sharing info. MUSTANG-Nice set of WW1ers going on there man.

Tim
 
#17 ·
JudgeColt: I find it a depressing thought that you are somehow ”morally forbidden” to shoot a brand new Colt firearm. I agree however that you can choose not to use a firearm because you want to collect rather than shoot.

It will be a sad day when the only guns leaving Colt is marked “This gun is not build to shoot – it is build for collection only”.

HardBaller: Best of luck with your project. Looking forward to seeing your new “toy” all pimped up.

Happy shooting.
 
#18 ·
[ QUOTE ]
JudgeColt: I find it a depressing thought that you are somehow ”morally forbidden” to shoot a brand new Colt firearm. I agree however that you can choose not to use a firearm because you want to collect rather than shoot.

It will be a sad day when the only guns leaving Colt is marked “This gun is not build to shoot – it is build for collection only”.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. My WWI would not appreciate enough in my lifetime to make it a sensible investment. I cannot afford to have it be a "safe queen". In fact, I shot it yesterday and it's damn close to being the best of my herd. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
#19 ·
Dane, you miss my point and must be easily depressed. The gun in question was built by Colt as a collector's item, even though it will of course shoot just like any other new Colt. Who would buy it if it were not a functional copy?

I just thought it illogical to buy a gun built as a collector's item to shoot and modify when there are better candidates for that use for the same or less money. It has nothing to do with a moral issue, and no gun will ever leave Colt with instructions not to shoot it. Colt has built commeratives for decades and the only ones that have retained their value are those that remain unfired and complete in their original packages. To shoot or not to shoot is the decision left to the owner, with only financial consequences, not moral ones.

To put the issue on a different level, what if instead of a current commerative Model 1911 the original poster was instead going to modify an original WWI Model 1911 in the same new condition, probably one of only a handful left in the world in such condition?

What if the owner of the Mona Lisa decided she should have a new hairdo or dress?

While it is a matter of degree, aren't the issues the same? Would you agree that the owner should do the modifications in either or both cases? Would it then be a moral issue at this level?
 
#20 ·
I agree with JudgeColt. If I were buying a new Colt 1911 type firearm for the purpose of strictly a shooter, it wouldn't be the WWI repro. They are beautiful firearms, but there is a reason Colt and other manufactureres have modified them since the 1920s. The 1911A1 had changes that the military and other felt were necessary. The WWI repro is made more for collector purposes. While they still make great shooters, if I were to modify a Colt for strictly shooting, this wouldn't be the one I would start with. There are better candidates at less money.
 
#21 ·
M2HB: I can easily understand the technical reason for not using a WW1 repro as a carry gun. And I think that it is a good input to HardBaller to point this out.

However if HardBaller wants a WW1 repro as a shooter – He wants a WW1 repro as a shooter.

How should we judge all the Colt black powder repros? As collectors items? Or as shooters?

Or how about Colt SAA´s? Can we shoot them?

JudgeColt: Comparing a Colt WW1 repro to Mona Lisa. Well you are right it is a matter of degree. If Colt was making Mona Lisa repros – I think it would be all right to “repaint” them :)
 
#22 ·
To quote The Bard, "Once more into the breech"...

Mona Lisa? Whadafrig? At the start please note that the culture I favor the most is yogurt. Or maybe that's flavor the most. Whatever. The problem with that extreme is that you are attempting to compare world class master works of art (or a Grade D Parker) with a functional tool that has a "retro" look/feel to it. Your point is sound but will not change anyone's mind, including mine. Perhaps this is why we all enjoy this hobby so much, just fun to "go at it". I don't feel that my "shooter" is any less valuable to me when shot rather than kept unfired, unracked. To me this is like having the Mona Lisa, but never looking at it because it might get damaged by light.

Following the thread I started and decided to jump back in. It seems to me that the use, by several posters, of "better" is highly, repeat highly, subjective. Ditto the posts regarding "collectors items". As I posted, I am a collector of shooters (and no, I would not modify a vintage original piece, neither am I interested in buying one either). You want to keep your guns for your purposes, fine by me. Ditto for me as well but I did ask for opinions as this is the "fun" of these types of forums.

The WW1 1911, earned an AWESOME reputation in the dirtiest, grittiest, type of fighting, the trenches of WW1. It went on, in the 20's to garner the same reputation among goodies and baddies alike seeking a reliable, hard hitting manstopper.

I like my "shooter" WW1'er as I took it out this week and kicked out about 200 rounds, all ball but various makes and handloads, without a hiccup. Still a super tight and very accurate shooter. Rapid fire drills (moving target with the target approaching at various speeds) at 10 yards and in put a half a clip inside of the head of a sillhouete ALL night long. It does print approximately 2 inches low at 25 yards and I will be loading to correct this issue (and searching out "the" brand she likes the most). This was not a comprehensive range session but just a break in tour as it were. Groups were in the 2.5 to 4 inch range at 25 yards, MORE than enough for it's "purpose".

I also agree with Bill, Dane, and others. This was NOT an investment, other than a fun shooter that I would not feel hesitant to also use in a defensive role. The experience to date, nor the posts above, have not changed that goal. And I still would not, will not,might not, hesitate to wrap this pony in nickel and ivory up her shoes because I like the era (roaring 20's/AutoBandit 30's) and it's banditos. The weird thing here is I also just got a 1995 vintage Gold Cup in polished stainless and this WW1'er will shoot groups just slightly larger than those of the Cup.

Not for carrying? Not hardly, won't lose one second of sleep on this choice. Especially it if also shoots JHP's and +P's a well as it has ball. Shoot em ALL man, and I keep promising to post the pics, will have to find time this week or next. Saved some targets to show the grouping and also have range notes on what loads were liked the best. Just not at that point to post em yet.

So, c'mon, keep the thread rolling. Anymore?
 
#23 ·
About a week ago I posted a question as to the value of my unfired,in box Series 70 Gold Cup was worth.After reading all the above replys,I think I an going to go out this weekend and shoot the hell out of it! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
#24 ·
Heavy,

To quote the 70's song, "go on and do it, do it, do it til you're satisfied, whatever it is, do it, do it til your satisfied". From my "research" before jumping back in to the "pony pool" I see that relatively recent Colts are ALL desireable and collectable. They seem to retain value pretty well and to the collectors among us, unfired is an added bonus. The other side of that coin is the fellers like me who can't stand the thought of a gun unfired (just slightly exagerating) i.e. SHOOTERS. Whatever floats yer boat man. Haven't had a chance to put over 400 rounds thru either my WW1 or Gold Cup yet (this is just a personal level I want to hit regarding dependability before I will "pack" a piece) but am slightly ahead on the WW1 at a 200 round count. Shot some JHP recently and the WW1 is definately a "baller" only. No ramped throat and it does make a difference, at least in my example. Okay by me, ball was the goal anyway as I feel this is "stopper" enough (that is another argument for another day perhaps). Shoot it man, you will LOVE it and those 70 series have also caught my eye of late. Seems the reintro of these don't match up to the polish and fit of the "originals".

Anyone else ?
 
#26 ·
[ QUOTE ]
JudgeColt: I find it a depressing thought that you are somehow ”morally forbidden” to shoot a brand new Colt firearm.

[/ QUOTE ]


I believe the Good Judge was merely voicing his opinion that paying a premium for an old style collector's piece did not make sense when a modern rendition (with user-friendly sights, etc.) can be had at a lower price, if the purpose is to actually use the firearm.

Nothing hinting at morality was indicated in the Judge's response to the inquiry.