Newbie question - 1911 US GI HELP

[Pocketfisherman]

Hello All,

I just purchased a 1911 US GI that is in need of total resotration. The frame is good and dates from 1943. I am very anxious to bring this old soldier back to life.

My problem is that some misguided soul drilled the slide and filled the firing pin hole with lead. The barrel is also filled with lead. Arrgh! I purchased this diamond in the ruff for the small sum of 250.00 US here in Kanuckistan.

Does anyone have any idea how hard it would to be to find a suitable slide for it? If any one has a line on a slide I will pay top dollar and a finders fee as well as comply with any US paper work for export. So I am calling out for a US GI slide around the 40's time period. I have sveral 1911's but this one seems important enough to restore.

I really want to bring this piece of history back from the dead.

Thanks,

Shawn

[OD*]

Shawn,

Send it to Bill Adair;
http://www.restoration-gunsmith.com/

[Pocketfisherman]

Thank you!

Browsing his site now. the only issue is the border. I may call him direct though. Thank you for the link.

Shawn

[OD*]

You're welcome sir.

bgiven has a slide for sale;
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=15968

[bgiven]

Anybody talked to Bill lately..... he's at least 6 months out..... so that probably means 8 or nine.... But certainly worth waiting for.

[1911Tuner]

If the slide and barrel are filled with lead, it can be removed pretty easily. I don't recommend cookin' it as hot as you would to cast bullets, but if it's soft plumber's lead, you don't have to.

[OD*]

Anybody talked to Bill lately..... he's at least 6 months out..... so that probably means 8 or nine.... But certainly worth waiting for.
Bill did a slide for me a few weeks ago.

[Gladius]

Greetings!
You may be able to remove the lead and save the cost of both. Most any gas stove or range can be used to melt the lead. Just don't let it set any longer than it neeeds to to remove the blockage. You may be surprised at how clean that part is when done. Without some sort of flux, you can melt it out without harm. BE CAREFUL! there may be other reasons why this was done! the pistol may have other issues that are not so easy to address. Do to the low temp needed to remove the lead, you should not have to worry about drastic changes in the temper of the steel. Do not dunk it in water or oil. Let it cool on its own. Cool air is the best I have found. If you were here I would do it for you.