USGI Stainless 1911's

[Dustoff '68]

Greetings, new guy here...wondering if anyone could tell me when and if stainless steel was produced for USGI pistols, and if so, who got them first...any fotos of some would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Al

[OD*]

Welcome Al.

No stainless M1911s or M1911A1s.

[Dustoff '68]

When did the first stainless 1911's come out, and I am to assume then, that they were for the civilian market?

BTW, great forum, and outstanding source of information...who would have "thunk" that there were actual Springfield Armory roll marked WW2 1911's...found that info here.

Thanks,

Al

[OD*]

The first stainless 1911 I'm aware of were AMT's in the late '70s. Randalls were the first to "cure" the galling problems of stainless autos in 1983.

The real Springfield Armory (1794 to 1968) made 1911s in 1914-1917. No WWII, M1911A1s that I know of.

[Hawkmoon]

The first stainless 1911s were indeed civilian. Not certain, but I think I recall reading that AMT had the first ... and they didn't get the alloys quite right, and experienced problems with galling at the slide-to-frame interface.

[Johnny Peppers]

One of the properties of stainless steel is that it does not like to work against itself under pressure. This cold welding or galling is irreversible once it happens. The corrosion resistance of stainless steel is decreased when alloys are added to cut down on the galling, which serves to defeat the purpose of using stainless steel in the first place. Also the hotter stainless steel gets, the more likely it is to gall. While not an ideal firearm material, the advertising properties of stainless steel are great.