[Cascade]

Although I own a couple of 1991A1s, tomorrow I am picking up a Post War 1911A1 (made in 1956)from the original owner. This gun has been fired a bit, fewer than 500 rounds, does not have the box -he threw it away in 1956 darn it, and has a couple of small scratches on the slide up near the front sight. All in all, it is 90% or better. I grew up in the 50's and this gun reminds me of the days of Ike, Edsels, and summers spent learning to shoot. In short, my intent was to shoot and enjoy the gun. In talking with a couple of friends, I was warned not to shoot this gun because these 50's vintage Colts are becoming valuable and should be preserved with no further wear. I would appreciate comments and advice from this knowledgable group with regard to this matter. To paraphrase the Prince of Denmark, "To shoot or not to shoot, that is the question". But what is the answer?

 

[dsk]

If it were mine, I'd shoot it in moderation but not alter or abuse it. Since it already has a couple of scratches you're not going to hurt anything, just as long as you don't put it in a stiff holster or constantly lay it down on a sand-covered shooting table.

My first experience with a Colt was with my dad's 1966-vintage Government Model. It made me want one bad enough that I eventually found a minty 1969 specimen complete with the box, which was made the same year I was born. Probably the two most valuable post-war, pre-70 Colts are the late-40s transition guns (which used a lot of leftover GI parts) and the 1970 "BB Transitionals". The latter were the last of the pre-70 marked guns, but I believe they used the Series 70 barrel and bushing in them.

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

[This message has been edited by dsk (edited 08-01-2001).]

 

[Ken Neal]

Once again I find myself in agreement with dsk. Its OK to shoot the Colt, leave it as is and take care of it. They dont make "em like that anymore.

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No man is above the law and no man is below it. Nor do we ask any mans permission when we require him to obey it.

 

[JoeMc]

Shoot a couple boxes threw her and return her to the safe. Shoot or carry your other 1911s.

 

[shoepop]

Shoot it. They are not rare. Chances are it won't be very accurate @ least in my experience. Then you can put it away, sell it, or use it as a builder.

 

[dsk]

Originally posted by shoepop:
Shoot it. They are not rare. Chances are it won't be very accurate @ least in my experience. Then you can put it away, sell it, or use it as a builder.

A, gulp, BUILDER?!?

How dare you?!? Sacrilege! A plague on your gun collection! Heresy!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I got just a little emotional there...

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

 

[shoepop]

dsk,I understand the emotion. I'm sure I have a little age on you and I have had my hands on a lot of the old girls. I have a 98%LW Commander pre 70 series 9MM that I have been swearing to build for 15 years can't quite bring myself to do it. Those damn emotions get you.

 

[ferretray]

Cascade, I recently acquired an original Lwt. Commander manuf. in 1950. I am almost a nut about weapons maint. This pistol will be a duty/ccw carry weapon. I'm going to have modern Colt sights installed and change the grips. This pistol will be passed down to my son when I let loose this mortal coil. JM2Cents Ray Rinehart

 

[Cascade]

These replies were really fun to read. I picked up my gun tonight and I have spent the last hour gazing into that deep blue finish. I'm sure I will shoot it, probably very soon, but I will certainly maintain it to the very best of my ability. I got both a set of wood colt grips and a set of "coltwood" (read plastic) grips with the gun. The previous owner thinks that the plastic grips are the ones it came with but his memory is a bit unclear about that. I know Colt was using "coltwood" at various times after the war on both revolvers and semiautos. Thank you all for your input. I am deeeeeelighted with my gun and my Son is already checking my will to make sure he gets it someday. Regards.

 

[PigPen]

I think I commented on this very same subject only a few days ago.

This is a frequent problem for many of us. It seems to me that it is imperitive to decide whether you are a collector or a shooter. If you are a collector, is it for your own enjoyment of the pieces or for profit.

To me it boils down real quickly. I'm a shooter. I think guns are a poor investment for the most part and particularly right now. I truly believe that the UN or some one who looks alot like them will soon confiscate all of these firwarms and burn them. Others agree and still others are just out of love with firearms for various reasons. The bottom line is that there are fewer of us wanting these pieces every year. They will soon go the way of good birddogs, rabbit hounds and hunting pants....no demand!
That being said, I shoot'um

I do enjoy shooting, looking at and yes fondling beautiful firearms. I enjoy the history associated with them too. If I can't enjoy these aspects of ownership, then why own them.....I already said that I'm not a believer that they will have a good ROI.

Clean'um, lub'um, handle them gentle so that they stay beautiful but use'um all and enjoy them.

You know the most important ,think about the firearms that I have from my father and grandfather? It's not that they are like new. In fact the really used ones are my favorite! The most important thing to me about those firearms is that my father and grandfather "USED" them and the many GREAT times I have with them while they were using them.

Won't your kids feel the same about the firearms that you leave them?

PigPen

 

[Cascade]

Pigpen, thanks for your thoughts. You make a lot of sense. I made a discovery today that might interest those of you who were kind enough to respond to my question. The original owner told me he bought this colt in 1956 so I assumed it had been made either that year or in 1955. This morning when I looked up the serial number I found it was actually made late in 1950. Since he said it was new in box when he bought it, I'd like to know where it was for that six years or so. I put the wood grips on it today and put the "coltwood" grips away in the safe. The gun will be shot this weekend so I guess that makes me a shooter just like you Pigpen. Regards.

 

[dsk]

Cascade-

A word of warning about those plastic "Coltwood" grips. They have a known tendency to shrink! Lots of folks put them back on after years of having them off, only to find they no longer fit.

Personally, I like the looks of those grips and I keep my two pre-70 Colts with the Coltwood grips on.

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

 

[Redzone]

Oh interesting input dsk, my pre 70 NM has the Coltwood grips. And I have kept them on as I like to keep them in original configuration. But they are the worst looking and your hands slip on them even when dry. PS this is my closest birthyear gun 68 and i'm a 69er too March 15 to be exact.

 

[Cascade]

dsk, that is valuable information. I really don't mind the look of the coltwood grips but I expected that the plastic would be brittle after all these years and was afraid they would crack.My goal is to keep them as perfect as they are now. I Certainly had no idea that safely storing them would cause another problem. I think I will put the wood grips on when I shoot the gun and then store it with the plastic grips installed. Hopefully that will keep everything intact and properly sized. This is exactly why I posted my question on this board. Thank you for the information.

 

[gyp_c]

You know...it's a good thing to use things...People take old things out of circulation and let 'em sit in the dark somewhere for years and years protecting them... and, then sometimes they die. Then a lawyer or judge or little known relative gets to decide what happens with that thing you took such good care of...Makes you wonder what you were saving it for...I realize it's the owners' choice. I never cheat myself out of the enjoyment of using my things. Life is just too short and there aren't enough happy moments to go around to waste any...

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>>>>>>>>>>g2<<<<<<<<<<

I Like The Shade Too!

 

[gunny6]

I don`t have to shoot em to enjoy em...Think I`ll get my 70 series Govmt and Commander, both in electro nickle, out of the vault and just check them out. Like visiting with old friends........