[SFC Rick]

So in the big scheme of things did I get a nice Service Grade Colt and document it's recent digital travels? It was at Guantanamo Naval base for sometime, like 33 years. The Navy says no actual paper records are available before 1977. Would you consider this one would be as fine as I do?
I did pay $1250 to the CMP and feel very happy with what I got. I feel like it could bring a lot more now with it's history but I wouldn't even want to let it go. It's my dream pistol come true. We all know at this time its a once in a lifetime purchase rule at the CMP.

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[SFC Rick]

More... It's been through many rebuilds during it's service and it didn't get any Arsenal stamps on those trips to and from. However the slide is a Colt slide serialed behind the firing pin plate to 1943 production. It is a true mixmaster but most are anyway.

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[hoya74]

Congratulations on your very nice 1911A1! These CMP pistols are often going for in excess of $2000 on the auction sites. You did well!

 

[Todd]

I dig it in general as what I have always known to be a 'standard' surplus 1911 - I firearm I am still amazed to hear many 'gun guys' don't, and never have, owned.

I particularly like those chrome-lined contract barrels in a shooter.

Congratulations in general and on getting that Navy documentation in particular. Excellent score on both counts. I sure do miss the days when that would have had guys whining for being priced at $400.

I know that they've been as cheap as $19.00 but my entry into the market had them something like $185 and watching fellas say "What the hell?.... I'd NEVER pay more than $* for one of those rattle-traps!"

 

[theprofessor]

Looks like you have a very nice pistol with a good history, if only it could tell some stories.

 

[rock185]

Looks like a nice pistol to me. I acquired my first 1911 type pistol, a 1911A1, back in the mid '60s. I don't know serial number range or manufacturer. Back then they were just "45s". A few year later in RVN, I was issued a 1911A1 as an Armor TC. Decades later, the PD where I was employed had three 1911A1s in the armory, courtesy of the DOD 1033 program. I appreciate the military history associated with these guns, but am not a collector, just a guy who carried similar guns in military and LE. I've enjoyed a long association with these pistols, but never got around to acquiring another surplus 1911A1. Enjoy yours.

 

[JohnnyP]

Depending on where the rebuild/refurbish was done, the pistols did not always get marked. Normally only the arsenals or armories marked theirs, with the lower echelon rebuild facilities not marking theirs.

 

[Vintage Racer]

I prefer the modern 1991A1 as the modern tool making machinery can fit the pistol to a tighter degree.
I always thought a 1911A! was an update of the original Colt 1911 (made in 1911). I think it came in around the time of the Vietnam War.

 

[Portugeejn]

Nice. I hope the one I end up with is as interesting and good looking-only 1100 numbers to go! I’d say you did ok in the CMP lottery… 😀

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

I prefer the modern 1991A1 as the modern tool making machinery can fit the pistol to a tighter degree.
I always thought a 1911A! was an update of the original Colt 1911 (made in 1911). I think it came in around the time of the Vietnam War.

Not sure what you're getting at. The 1911A1 was approved in the mid 1920s. No 1911A1 pistols have been made since the end of WWII. Anything beyond that was arsenal rebuilds and new replacement parts but not complete pistols.

 

[SFC Rick]

I prefer the modern 1991A1 as the modern tool making machinery can fit the pistol to a tighter degree.
I always thought a 1911A! was an update of the original Colt 1911 (made in 1911). I think it came in around the time of the Vietnam War.

I'm not sure if you know what you're talking about here. These Service grades are fresh off the Army Rebuild Arsenals (though stored for decades) and arrive as tight as any new production 1911A1 made since. This one is as brand new and no rattles or loose fitting. If you like a 80's series 1991A1 with extra parts on the inside, that's fine cause I've had one long time ago.

But you can get only ONE of these in your lifetime from the CMP.

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[SHOOTER13]

An Excellent Specimen of an Old Warhorse Sarge...

Given the lineage...you did extremely well Sir !!

Congrats !!

 

[azshot]

I'd be happy with that one, being in the Navy when it was owned by them. It points out several interesting things. The Navy continued to use the 1911A1 long after the other services had gone to the 9mm Beretta. I got out in 89, we still had them on all the ships in our fleet, probably for another 10 years too. Hence you see 2010 as the last year the Navy owned it, probably in storage for a decade while they made sure they received enough Berettas. I thought it was pretty cool that all the ships had WWII handguns, 50 years old when I was in.
Another thing is it goes against the common misassumption that shipboard (or shore station) Navy guns will be in worse condition than Army. Not true. The Navy kept their .45s very well maintained and oiled, and they were seldom out in the rain or mud. Usually in a roving patrol's or gate guard's leather flap holster, turned in every few days to a Gunner's mate who would oil them down.

 

[Agarbers]

I got mine a year or so ago. It most likely isnt one I used in the USCG but who knows? My buddy was the GM on our ship and I envied his shop, except when it was rough seas.

 

[po18guy]

It is a true mixmaster but most are anyway.

"There are many mixmasters, but this one is mine..."

 

[Vintage Racer]

Not sure what you're getting at. The 1911A1 was approved in the mid 1920s. No 1911A1 pistols have been made since the end of WWII. Anything beyond that was arsenal rebuilds and new replacement parts but not complete pistols.

I'm not sure if you know what you're talking about here. These Service grades are fresh off the Army Rebuild Arsenals (though stored for decades) and arrive as tight as any new production 1911A1 made since. This one is as brand new and no rattles or loose fitting. If you like a 80's series 1991A1 with extra parts on the inside, that's fine cause I've had one long time ago.

But you can get only ONE of these in your lifetime from the CMP.

It's my confusion. I didn't really understand that you guys were talking about the original Colt 1911, and it's next update. No doubt, as those are very rare and very valuable. It's hard to find one in excellent condition.

Here is a modern Colt 911 1991A1 according to my opinion:

I've owned several different ones in the last 35 years. All of my current Colt 1911's are mostly replica's of the original ones.

 

[inspcalahan]

View attachment 827120

What is this?

 

[Vintage Racer]

What is this?

It's a Colt 1911 Anniversary made in 2011.

It goes back to 1911 as an "100 Anniversary". It's a Tier III and not a special Tier I.

Does it shoot well? Hell yes. The Colt factory took some extra time to build them. Is it a collector 1911? No way; it's just a Colt 1911 with some extra engraving stuff and special factory treatment.

I actually bought this one NIB and unfired. The box includes a lot of extra stuff. I liked the look and, I bought it and took it to my range to fire it. It worked well. It's #515 of the many that were made by hand.

 

[SFC Rick]

Looks like you have a very nice pistol with a good history, if only it could tell some stories.

More than likely it would be about standing Mid Watch while aboard the many ships as I stood watch on in a holster with a coffee cup in one hand. I have done my time at sea as a Marine Sergeant assigned as Master-at-Arms in the Atlantic and Med cruises. While it wasn't in my hands during the first transit of Us Naval ships down the Suez Canal after the Six day War I did stand on the flight deck armed with a 1911A1 and 7 rounds to keep the entire Egyptian Arab onlookers on each side of the canal on their toes(RLOL) so there's that.

But I can say without a doubt it and I were on the same side of the Earth during those days.