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11 Posts
Lets Talk Model 1911\'s
Before we start, let me first say, I am not a collector, and I tend to give collectors heart burn or worse. I'm a shooter. So that said, I will understand that some will skip this post.
As a new member I have been reading past posts and am extremely happy with this forum. But, yup a "But".
I own a Model 1911 in 45 ACP. According to Colts pocket handbook of Serial Numbers mine dates to 1917. Front sight, patent dates, etc. all point to this being true. I got it in the middle 1970's, believe it or not, in Massachusetts. Well, anyway I have seen some posts telling people to hang the older ones up and not shoot them. Now mine had a lot of miles on it when I got and I have put a few on. It has been to the pistol smith twice over the years for a through going over and checking for cracks was on the menu. Yes, it is worn, yes, the finish is gone, but, remember this firearm was designed to live and work in the most hostile of enviroments, with minimum care by prople who were stocking shelves in Woolworths before being issued a Colt 45 ACP. So, if your firearm is in good condition, mecahnically, and you don't shoot loads that will drop a Rino, I don't see any reason not to shoot it. Use common sense. It is, in my case, almost 90 years old, don't push it. I reload a mild load and enjoy shooting the old girl. If you you want to collect, collect. Closet Qweens hold thier value better, but, I prefer to use the firearm for what it is designed for, shooting.
Hope I didn't offend anyone.
Before we start, let me first say, I am not a collector, and I tend to give collectors heart burn or worse. I'm a shooter. So that said, I will understand that some will skip this post.
As a new member I have been reading past posts and am extremely happy with this forum. But, yup a "But".
I own a Model 1911 in 45 ACP. According to Colts pocket handbook of Serial Numbers mine dates to 1917. Front sight, patent dates, etc. all point to this being true. I got it in the middle 1970's, believe it or not, in Massachusetts. Well, anyway I have seen some posts telling people to hang the older ones up and not shoot them. Now mine had a lot of miles on it when I got and I have put a few on. It has been to the pistol smith twice over the years for a through going over and checking for cracks was on the menu. Yes, it is worn, yes, the finish is gone, but, remember this firearm was designed to live and work in the most hostile of enviroments, with minimum care by prople who were stocking shelves in Woolworths before being issued a Colt 45 ACP. So, if your firearm is in good condition, mecahnically, and you don't shoot loads that will drop a Rino, I don't see any reason not to shoot it. Use common sense. It is, in my case, almost 90 years old, don't push it. I reload a mild load and enjoy shooting the old girl. If you you want to collect, collect. Closet Qweens hold thier value better, but, I prefer to use the firearm for what it is designed for, shooting.
Hope I didn't offend anyone.