Ballester Molina rebuild?

[skinewmexico]

I'm looking at buying a Ballester Molina, and was thinking about having it refinished and/or rebuilt. What parts are easily replacable? Any recommendations on where to purchase a barrel, or sights, trigger, hammer, etc? I'm not really doing to as a collector, this will be shot extensively. Thanks for the help.

[Hawkmoon]

I'm looking at buying a Ballester Molina, and was thinking about having it refinished and/or rebuilt. What parts are easily replacable? Any recommendations on where to purchase a barrel, or sights, trigger, hammer, etc? I'm not really doing to as a collector, this will be shot extensively. Thanks for the help.
The Ballester-Molina was designed to accept standard Colt barrels, so finding a barrel should not be a problem for you. Beyond that I can't offer much information.

[Idaho John]

To: skinewmexico
Hello, I am the proud owner of a Ballester Molina (with argentine air force markings) and am in the process of buying another one (evidently a civilian issue). Your gunsmith can alter the hammer and make it look like a commander hammer and also some gunsmiths can make an ambidextrous safety for the ballester. Some cosmetic work can be done on the frame to make it look somewhat like a 1911 rather than an 1911 A1. Barrels, cross pin, bushings - basically from the barrel forward, it's a colt. As you can see, I am somewhat obsessed about them. I enjoy mine very much. Good luck with yours. Idaho John

[skinewmexico]

Well, I had found two in one day, and they both sold before I could buy them, so I guess my Ballester plan is off.

[Sgt. Quincannon]

Keep looking- not only will another come along, but they are worth waiting for. They are an excellent, reliable .45, at a fraction of the cost of a Colt. I have owned about six of them at one time or another, and have one now- I'm keeping it.

[skinewmexico]

Picked up my arsenal rebuilt Ballester today. Shoots pretty well, slide seems kind of loose. I have got to get new sights, what's up with that skinny blade in the front?

[Hawkmoon]

Picked up my arsenal rebuilt Ballester today. Shoots pretty well, slide seems kind of loose. I have got to get new sights, what's up with that skinny blade in the front?
It's basically just like the skinny GI 1911 sight it was copied from.

[skinewmexico]

Will King's Gun Works sights fit one of these?

[Idaho John]

Skinewmexico: glad you got your ballester. A good 1911 gunsmith can help you with the slide issues. I didn't like the sight picture on one of my ballesters and had a bomar rib put on it that I had accumulated. This has made shooting fun for me as I am one of those guys that like to see how small of a group I can shoot. Good luck to you and I hope you get years of enjoyment with the ballester. Idaho John

[pat86323]

the one thing that i wonder is whether the recoil spring/guide rod is interchangeable. The one that i am looking at the recoil spring is pretty much shot out and id hate to buy it only to damage it by shooting it with a worn spring in it.

[John]

Will King's Gun Works sights fit one of these?
Most probably yes.