nenoshi....

779 refers to the first three numbers of military arsenal repair parts. The parts number stamped on a 1911 slide will be 7790314, the part number stamped on a 1911 barrel will be 7791193. The slides are exceptional and the barrels that I've seen are chrome lined.

Hopefully dsk and others can shed more light on this for you.

Regards,
Sam

 

are they only barrels and slides? no small parts? is it then safe to assume that since the .45 was 'retired' in '85 (or '86), production of 779 parts were stopped then or earlier than when the trials(for a new service firearm) were held? thanks a lot for your insights...

 

nenoshi...

The only small parts that I have seen with a number stamped on it (not a 779) are the the match bushings on the government issue national match pistols. I have a military arsenal barrel, unused and it is stamped 90 under the 779 number. I assume that new barrels were made up to and possibly beyond 1990 for the military 1911.

Regards,
Sam

 

thanks for the info...

 

If I am remembering correctley, and without going to look it up to make sure, a book I have by Ken Hallock stated that these are Colt NM parts that were made for the Air Force Marksmanship Unit or maybe it was just military marksmanship units in general.

I have a slide with the 7790314 markings and a barrel with the 7791193. I used them to build a beater on an Essex frame and this is one of the best shooters I own. No telling what it could do on a real good frame and new quality parts set up by a real pistolsmith.

 

If I am remembering correctley, and without going to look it up to make sure, a book I have by Ken Hallock stated that these are Colt NM parts that were made for the Air Force Marksmanship Unit or maybe it was just military marksmanship units in general.

I have a slide with the 7790314 markings and a barrel with the 7791193. I used them to build a beater on an Essex frame and this is one of the best shooters I own. No telling what it could do on a real good frame and new quality parts set up by a real pistolsmith.

Ken...
I have a new barrel and slide ( as numbered above) with all new arsenal parts that I've put on top of a Series 70 Colt frame. Everything fits very nice, with no slop whatsoever. Barrel came with the link and pin already attached. Perfect fit. Haven't shot it yet but do intend to. This slide also has five Rockwell hardness test dots on the left side of the slide. I'd be interested to know if these parts are of match quality for military rebuilds. Do you know?

Regards,
Sam

 

Sam,,,
Its my understanding that these are in fact match grade parts for the military. I will go to the shop and see if I can find the Ken Hallock book and look it up to be sure.

The one I'm shooting is tight and accurate and I could not be happier. I just wish I had it all on a better frame. I have not had any real issues with Essex quality but I'm not as picky as some folks are.

Ken

 

Ken, what you should probably do is get one of the new Caspian GI-spec frames.

 

dsk,

I didnt know what I had when I built the 779 parts up on the Essex frame untill after I had read Ken Hallock's book. The parts are alleged to have been built by Colt for the military. The 779 slide that I have came with and older Bo-Mar rear and a very tall ramped front. It was obvious that it had been on some sort of target type gun. That front sight was way high, too high for use in a holster. The Essex was an oversize frame, and I fit the frame to the slide, not the other way around so the slide still has it orig specs. Someday I will come up was a good GI frame and I will make the necessary changes. It will still be a parts gun no doubt, but the parts will be such that they belong together, ie: GI slide and GI frame.

 

Ken....

Here's some more info about this slide: 7790314 part number on the left side of the slide. Right side of the slide 1/4 inch to the right of the slide serrations the letters TZ. On top of the slide about 5/8 inch from the front of the rear sight the letter M. On the left side of the slide Rockwell hardness test dots above the dust cover, the slide stop notch, the slide stop removal notch, and to the left and right of the serrations. Five "dots" total.

The barrel is stamped:

.45 AUTO
-7791193
----90

Regards,
Sam

 

Ken....

Here's some more info about this slide: 7790314 part number on the left side of the slide. Right side of the slide 1/4 inch to the right of the slide serrations the letters TZ. On top of the slide about 5/8 inch from the front of the rear sight the letter M. On the left side of the slide Rockwell hardness test dots above the dust cover, the slide stop notch, the slide stop removal nothch, and to the left and right of the serrations. Five "dots" total.

The barrel is stamped:

.45 AUTO
-7791193
----90

Regards,
Sam

Well, I'm going to answer my own question having done some more research. The 7790314 slides are specially hardened slides made for Army National Match pistols. Colt initially made Colt marked slides, then they produced slides for these pistols simply with 7790314 on the left side of the slide.

So Ken, if you're wondering why your 779 pistol is such a good shooter, this could be the answer.

Regards,
Sam

 

Sam,,,
You beat me to it, I found that info and procrastinated yesterday about getting back to you.

Truth-My wife caught me in the shop and made me get the tiller running!! Then whipped me until I used it on her flower beds.

Yes Dear,,,, What ever you say dear,,,,, I was wrong and I apoligize dear.

Ken

 

Ken....

Sounds like the familiar "Ken do list," that all us married folk seem to have (even if our name isn't Ken ).

You're going to cringe when I tell you I got the 779 slide with 779 barrel, link and pin already installed and all slide internals and a trigger, plus two sears, two disconnectors, one extra extractor, 4 grip screws and bushings, one extra firing pin stop, and one ejector all GI and all new for $100. I'm a happy camper.
(Forgot to mention the checkered slide stop and thumb safety also came in the deal.)

Regards,
Sam

 

Sam,,,
I am in cringe mode, that is absolutley criminal, people have gone to jail for things like that, its the same as stealing, man I know you feel bad about this.

Ken

 

Here is the procurment history for barrels from Jun1978 to Aug 1989:
DAAA0989C0736 0001AC 9V970 AMCCOM Aug 1, 1989 $20.1667 12,000 $242,000.40
DAAA0989C0736 0001AC 9V970 AMCCOM Aug 1, 1989 $20.2917 12,000 $243,500.40
DAAA0989C0736 0001AC 9V970 AMCCOM Aug 1, 1989 $20.5000 12,000 $246,000.00
DAAA0984C0390 0001AD 9V970 AMCCOM Nov 1, 1988 $19.4300 9,409 $182,816.87
DAAA0989C0034 0001AB 0S2G7 AMCCOM Nov 1, 1988 $19.1286 21,000 $401,700.60
DAAA0989C0034 0001AB 9V970 AMCCOM Nov 1, 1988 $19.1286 21,000 $401,700.60
DAAA0989C0034 0001AB 9V970 AMCCOM Nov 1, 1988 $19.1500 21,000 $402,150.00
DAAA0989C0034 0001AB 9V970 AMCCOM Nov 1, 1988 $19.3967 21,000 $407,330.70
DAAA0989C0034 0001AB 9V970 AMCCOM Nov 1, 1988 $19.4300 21,000 $408,030.00
DAAA0989C0034 0001AD 0S2G7 AMCCOM Nov 1, 1988 $18.0137 9,809 $176,696.38
DAAA0989C0034 0001AD 0S2G7 AMCCOM Nov 1, 1988 $18.0902 9,809 $177,446.77
DAAA0989C0034 0001AD 9V970 AMCCOM Nov 1, 1988 $18.9783 9,409 $178,566.82
DAAA0989C0034 0001AD 9V970 AMCCOM Nov 1, 1988 $19.4300 9,409 $182,816.87
DAAA0989C0034 0001AD 9V970 AMCCOM Nov 1, 1988 $18.0902 9,809 $177,446.77
DAAA0989C0034 0001AD 9V970 AMCCOM Nov 1, 1988 $18.1463 9,809 $177,997.06
DAAA0989C0034 0001AD 9V970 AMCCOM Nov 1, 1988 $18.9783 9,809 $186,158.14
DAAA0984C0370 0001AB S3140 CCOM Mar 1, 1984 $21.8800 72,000 $1,575,360.00
DAAA0984C0390 0001AB 73677 CCOM Mar 1, 1984 $41.6074 19,006 $790,790.24
DAAA0980C4646 0001AB 73677 CCOM May 1, 1980 $29.7008 16,295 $483,974.54
DAAA0980C4646 0001AC 73677 CCOM May 1, 1980 $29.8953 10,543 $315,186.15
DAAA0980C4646 0001AD 73677 CCOM May 1, 1980 $29.5455 6,296 $186,018.47
DAAA0980C4646 0001AE 73677 CCOM May 1, 1980 $26.7302 453 $12,108.78
DAAA0979C4634 0001AB 55085 CCOM Mar 1, 1979 $27.3226 24,094 $658,310.72
DAAA0979C4634 0001AC 55085 CCOM Mar 1, 1979 $27.2983 3,510 $95,817.03
DAAA0979C4634 0001AD 55085 CCOM Mar 1, 1979 $27.3267 3,437 $93,921.87
DAAA0978C4794 0001AB 26584 AMCCOM Jun 1, 1978 $21.3527 7,769 $165,889.13

 

Wizard....
Where'd you find all that good information? What does AMCCOM & CCOM stand for? Are those all the records? Was my barrel made in the last shipment and marked 90? The barrel is really nice. Nothing has been done to it and it will accept empty brass, FMJ and JHPs without a problem. Haven't shot it, but I have tried feeding various rounds from the magazine.

Ken Neal...
I didn't feel like I got a super deal because I thought it was just a standard replacement slide and barrel. Not a big deal. I feel much better about the deal now that I know what I got.

Regards,
Sam

 

This is it.

 

the plot thickens...you guys are walking treasure troves for information!

anyway, here in the philippines i've heard and seen samples of 779 parts (but never handled them that close as they were wrapped in a funny looking greasy brownish/greening shrink-wrapped packaging sort of thing.

is it safe to assume then that all genuine 779 slides contain the 5 rockwell dots, the letters 'TZ' and 'M' and the number '7790314' legend? or is it possible that somewhere out there are 779 slides with a different set of markings on them.

again, thank you guys for taking time out to share your knowledge.

 

There were two seperate runs of 7790314 slides as SamColtFan stated. The first run had all the numbers and markings etc, the second run was just marked with the # 7790314. Either way they are match grade.

 

thanks very much guys...best regards

 

Picture of my "National Match" built on a Caspian SS frame. Slide is marked "NM7791435" on the left side. Note the "slanted" serrations as on the Gold Cup. It is my understanding, those parts marked "TZ" were manufactured by the Isreali, IMI? These slides were called "hard slides", this slide also has Rockwell test marks, and I understand made for the military marksmanship units during the late 60's & 70's. This pistol has a Kart NM barrel and is a "one-holer" at 25 yards.

 

In case you're interested.....

There's one of the "779" slides up for bid on ebay right now.
Run a search on Item # 1812610971. IIRC it's at around $26.00
Let's see who ends up with it.
ChefBob

 

.

 

Re: Sam, NM slides should have that prefix.

Well, I'm going to answer my own question having done some more research. The 7790314 slides are specially hardened slides made for Army National Match pistols. Colt initially made Colt marked slides, then they produced slides for these pistols simply with 7790314 on the left side of the slide.

So Ken, if you're wondering why your 779 pistol is such a good shooter, this could be the answer.

Sam, National Match slides are marked NM7791435 on the left side. Produced by Colt from 1963 to 1968, with the exception of 1964 when the manufacturer of National Match slides was Drake. The manufacturer name is roll marked on the right side and the slide serration is slanted ala Gold Cup. National Match barrels would have NM prefix also. Listed below are the drawing numbers and the years they were used:

1955-1958 NM7267717
1959-1960 NM7790429
1961-1962 NM7790313
1963-1968 NM7791414

Slides with drawing number 7790314 are regular replacement slides. They are not the slides used by Springfield Armory for the National Match pistols intended for use by competitors in the annual National Matches at Camp Perry.



Ben, here's what I found regarding National Match Pistols:

"History of the National Match Pistol"

"In 1954, the Army began to experiment with Match grade pistols. As they learned what improved accuracy and what the shooters preferred, changes were made. Some of the early Army National Match Pistols had variations such as plastic triggers or rubber front strap covers. Large fixed rear sights were standard with micro adjustable sights as an option by 1959. Hard slides were made for these pistols. The early slides were made by Colt with normal Colt markings. Colts second Match slide was unmarked on the left side except for part number 7790314. The third type slide had serrations like the Gold Cup and the part number was 7791435. This slide was made by the Drake manufacturing Co. These pistols were periodically returned to the armory and updated."

Source: http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/nm.htm

This info says the 7790314 was a hard slide made for the Army Match Pistols. The five Rockwell test dots on my slide would indicate that it is a Hard Slide.

Regards,
Sam

 

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