What Would You Do With An Unshootable but Beaut of a Special Edition Colt 1911?

2343 Views 18 Replies 7 Participants Last post by gvf, Sep 8, 2013

gvf

Discussion Starter · Sep 7, 2013 (Edited)

I've had this gun sitting in my brother-in-law's huge safe for two years now. Before that in my small and crowded safe home. It's a Special Edition "Colt Silver Star 45" I wrote about here number of years ago. "Colt Silver Star 45" is stamped on it and it looks really sharp, Bright Stainless, a head-turner at the range and some would really salivate, not because it's a sought after Special Ed., but because the stamp and look of the gun together are so unusual. A run of a thousand were sold in the 80s to celebrate Colt's first use of Stainless in 1911s (or maybe any Semi-Auto, probably the former, can't really remember.) Had a Presentation Box too, wood and felt-lined green. Sold that awhile back. Gun and case were used. It was also a great shooter but alas just for a bit: the slide was chamfered in the lock-up area and it is not repairable, you can't put back worn away metal. It has a new barrel so I stopped using it when again it began to fail to fire, I stopped at 1 out of 10 failures so as not to use the new barrel in case of parts-sale but if used much the gun will just get worse again and destroy the barrel in the process. But I rebel at selling it for parts - like selling the Mona Lisa for parts - so what the hell should I do with it? Just leave it in the jumbo-safe and wait for death?

The dandruff in the Presentation Box is NOT For Sale in case anyone's getting any ideas.

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1 - 19 of 19 Posts

elliotf

· #2 · Sep 7, 2013

Beautiful gun, or should I say paper weight.

If it were mine, I would start by contacting Colt. I know it is out of warrenty, but I know they have bent over backwards before to make things right.

gvf

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 7, 2013

elliotf said:
Beautiful gun, or should I say paper weight. If it were mine, I would start by contacting Colt. I know it is out of warrenty, but I know they have bent over backwards before to make things right.

Thanks but been all thru that - it's from the 80s, the stamp was done by a third party no longer in existence and it was a used gun. They were very nice, new barrel for free etc but they declared it dead as did other Smith's where I live.

gvf

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 7, 2013

Now THIS is a total rip-off: I paid $800 for that Silver Star used, probably go for about $1200 new - think I've seen them posted for that. Just for the heck of it I just looked on Gunbroker: one for sale, new: $4000. It's just a Colt Government under the pretty exterior, that's an outrageous price!

keystonearms

· #5 · Sep 7, 2013 (Edited)

Sure is but if you want to take it away from my Daughter that is what it is going to take!

They regularly sell for $2500-$3500 Like new with the display case and box.

Mine not only is new with the box and display but the outer shipping container as well. Never seen a more complete offering.

Yours would sell for $2k if it weren't "Dead"

P.S. The Silver Star production number was 1000 and they never had green interiors they were all Black.

P.S. You refer to your gun as a "Beauty, Special Edition", compare it to the "Mona Lisa", at the Range the Crowd Gathers 'Round but mine is a Glorified Government.....Hmmm

Reactions: 2

elliotf

· #6 · Sep 7, 2013

"Sure is but if you want to take it away from my Daughter that is what it is going to take!"

Any chance you would adopt me? You are a great dad.

keystonearms

· #7 · Sep 7, 2013

You're to old and full of gristle!

PonyLover

· #8 · Sep 7, 2013

New slide?

chaosrob

· #9 · Sep 7, 2013

GVF, I tried to send you a pm but your box is full

gvf

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 7, 2013 (Edited)

keystonearms said:
Sure is but if you want to take it away from my Daughter that is what it is going to take! They regularly sell for $2500-$3500 Like new with the display case and box. Mine not only is new with the box and display but the outer shipping container as well. Never seen a more complete offering. Yours would sell for $2k if it weren't "Dead" P.S. The Silver Star production number was 1000 and they never had green interiors they were all Black. P.S. You refer to your gun as a "Beauty, Special Edition", compare it to the "Mona Lisa", at the Range the Crowd Gathers 'Round but mine is a Glorified Government.....Hmmm

Where does your daughter live that I can commit a non-violent burglary? 2 or 3 Thousand! My Heart Bleeds and I Cry to the Gods in Vain!

gvf

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 7, 2013 (Edited)

chaosrob said:
GVF, I tried to send you a pm but your box is full

OK, I'll empty it - (won't be back home til late though)

gvf

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 7, 2013 (Edited)

PonyLover said:
New slide?

Yeah I could do that. Colt said they'd do Bright Stainless 80s Gov slide and even put a star on it for $400- so I suppose I'll do that eventually (But Iwanmy SLIDE, [cry weep, full tantrum...] )

Major Dad

· #13 · Sep 8, 2013

One of the most beautiful Colts I've ever seen. Seems a bit odd to me, but in reading many of the Forum posts the proud owners would never think of shooting this weapon; instead they would keep her locked up in the safe for special occasions. You, on the other hand, GVF, seem to have been dealt a lethal blow here; you'd love to shoot her but don't dare for fear of further damage. THAT is a crying shame. My heart goes out to you!

KMKCOLT

· #14 · Sep 8, 2013

Do you want the true solution? I would buy a slide from Colt if you want clear on the side where the star is but thy can place their markings on the right side. Take the slide to a machine shop where they make dies and such. Have them look at th old one model a new stencil and recut it for you exact. Then polish it o your desire. Can be done if you are hung up in getting it the way it was. I have the guy for you if you want it pm me.

keystonearms

· #15 · Sep 8, 2013 (Edited)

Gun Firearm Trigger Revolver Airsoft gun

gvf said:
Where does your daughter live that I can commit a non-violent burglary? 2 or 3 Thousand! My Heart Bleeds and I Cry to the Gods in Vain!

Well she is 1 so I doubt she will be living anywhere but right here with mommy and daddy for a long time.

There is just something creepy about mentioning a burglary even when joking.

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gvf

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 8, 2013 (Edited)

majdad93 said:
One of the most beautiful Colts I've ever seen. Seems a bit odd to me, but in reading many of the Forum posts the proud owners would never think of shooting this weapon; instead they would keep her locked up in the safe for special occasions. You, on the other hand, GVF, seem to have been dealt a lethal blow here; you'd love to shoot her but don't dare for fear of further damage. THAT is a crying shame. My heart goes out to you!

Thanks Ed, yeah what a waste! It had been shot so I decided to go ahead and keep using it. Did the same with a Python I bought used about 5 years ago - it had never been shot. Paid $449 for it, the price on the tag! I shoot it but not much. Fact, I haven't shot it since my hands got painful from arthritis, but the gun is so substantial and well-balanced I think I could handle 25 rounds. . .

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gvf

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 8, 2013

keystonearms said:
View attachment 42096 Well she is 1 so I doubt she will be living anywhere but right here with mommy and daddy for a long time. There is just something creepy about mentioning a burglary even when joking.

Sorry about the joke. And I'm sure you will be free from thefts. Yes, that looks beautiful the Silver Star. Whoever designed that at Colt knew what they were doing! I still can't believe that Gunbroker seller is asking $4000 though. Have to watch that one and see if someone Buys it at that price - more than most Pythons!

keystonearms

· #18 · Sep 8, 2013

gvf said:
Sorry about the joke. And I'm sure you will be free from thefts. Yes, that looks beautiful the Silver Star. Whoever designed that at Colt knew what they were doing! I still can't believe that Gunbroker seller is asking $4000 though. Have to watch that one and see if someone Buys it at that price - more than most Pythons!

Lol no worries on the theft Joke. Between underground alarms, 24 hour survelliance, our 2 125 lb. guard dogs and a Locked and Loaded Daddy who doesn't sleep I don't think anyone is getting anything anytime soon.

P.S. I AM the Gunbroker seller!!!!

gvf

Discussion Starter · #19 · Sep 8, 2013 (Edited)

keystonearms said:
Lol no worries on the theft Joke. Between underground alarms, 24 hour survelliance, our 2 125 lb. guard dogs and a Locked and Loaded Daddy who doesn't sleep I don't think anyone is getting anything anytime soon. P.S. I AM the Gunbroker seller!!!!

I don't think the Chinese Army in an Invasion would be getting anything anytime soon. I had something almost as good: 24/7 protection by the US Marshall Service of my residence and another who lived there. Very secure feeling: couple of huge black SUV/Tank-like vehicles, black tinted windows all around with several barely discernible guys inside. Long story and confidential even though a number of years ago. Protection was for residence and the person, thought to be the target of shooter who had "assassinated" - as Feds called it - an associate with a high-powered rifle as he was sitting with his family at dinner, the shooter outside. The person they were protecting in my residence was thought also to be a target. Protection went on almost a year. This all involved something beyond a personally motivated killing and continued threat to another. That's why it was Federal. But when the person in my residence would frequently stay elsewhere followed by the black SUVs - I was there alone, a shadow behind the curtains easily mistaken as the target since the shooter, or another, may not have personally known their targets. Police had suggested in the beginning I stay elsewhere for awhile but like a stubborn Irishman I didn't. I had no permit then but sure wanted one! - though what a Colt Detective would have done against a long-distance-away shooter with a high-powered rifle is questionable. But when the black SUVs were on premises, very secure feeling!

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