1911 Pros: Gun Show Gun

NO! Avoid "gun show specials" like the plague. The typical one is a mix of parts thrown on top of an Essex frame, sold for about $400. They're not worth bringing home.

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D. Kamm
USGI M1911/M1911A1 Pistols Website
http://www.geocities.com/M1911_M1911A1

I agree with DSK. Unless you know exactly what you're doing and what you're looking for, stay away from gun show "specials." With $425 for the gun, then $200 to $300 for a slide, then $200 for a new barrel, plus the cost for fitting, etc., you could buy a nice new gun. Old Colts with aftermarket parts -- especially slides and barrels -- aren't much worth much.

Sometimes you can find a good deal with one of these gun show specials, if you know what your looking for and if the seller doesn't know what he has. Recently, I've found much better deals at gun stores rather that at gun shows. And yes, sometimes the gun shop won't know what they have. You never know where your going to run into a good deal. The secret is to recognize what really is a good deal, and recognize the original configuration of the gun and know your serial numbers. The more you specialize in an area of interest the better you'll get at recognizing the good stuff from the bad.
Regards,
Sam

I have had good luck buying used for many years. I usually try to buy "original" NIB or LNIB or LN without a box, etc. On the few occasions that I tried a fixer-upper, I wound up with more money than a nice one would have cost. I could elucidate several instances.

Stick with something in as near top shape as possible.

Think about it this way. You are an honest guy. If you buy a pistol and learn that it is a POS what are you going to do with it? Cheat someone else? Of course not! You have to either fix it before selling at a price, sell it to some one at a DEEP discount and tell them about the problems, or just throw it away and take the loss. What a pain!

Buy quality. Even then you will have problems enough unexpectedly.

PigPen

Sometimes yes somtimes no each is it's own
deal.

I really would not consider it, for all the reasons I just read on this forum because they're all correct. Go get yourself a new 1991A1 or a Springfield MilSpec for the same money....even less if you're careful about picking the dealer. In the long run, you'll be much happier with a good shooter that you're in for a lot less than the grand you would probably spend on that "mixmaster."

I also think no is the answer. Would you pay for a car that did'nt run, interior gutted, roof collapsed, axles bent and, sand in the gas tank? For $450 get a gun that shoots and looks good. Don't get burned man. PS also would you buy a car that the heads are warped and the speedometer is disconnected?

pardon me,

What is an Essex frame?

byron:

Essex makes aftermarket frames and slides for the 1911A1. You can either buy the regular GI slide and frame, or one can be had with all the goodies already done: .250 radius cut for beavertail, undercut frame; the slide will be cut for the BMCS sight, and will have a dovetail front. In addition, the ejection port will be lowered and relieved.

An Essex frame and slide can be had for right around $400.00, from:
www.brownells.com

or you can order direct from Essex. Bear in mind, though, that while simple, assembling a .45 from scratch takes some time and care. E-mail me for more info.

Recent production Essex frames aren't bad. They're investment cast, but still good enough to build a low-cost project gun out of. That's the problem with gun show .45s though. Somebody has a bunch of spare .45 parts, and they hang them all on an Essex frame just so they can sell a complete firearm. You're not buying a factory gun, only a cobbled-together mixmaster.

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D. Kamm
USGI M1911/M1911A1 Pistols Website
http://www.geocities.com/M1911_M1911A1

So people by the cheapest frames available and adorn them with parts from God knows where and sell them for $400? I'll pass.

$200 and I might sniff around. LOL. This sounds like a situation where these things might not work or ,even worse,might be dangerous.

Thanks for all the great information guys. I've decided to take your advice and stay away from the "gun show special" no matter how appealing it looks on the outside. You are the guys with the experience and I only hope that someday I'll be able to pass on the valuable information as you have done here.
Regards,
Pike