Whatever happened to all the surplus 1911s

[SouthronBoy]

when the military switched over to the Beretta?

I'm getting ready to buy my first 1911, and I've been researching like crazy, but I've never seen any reference to what happened to all the surplus pistols when the services switched over.

I carried a 1911 when I was in the Army in the 80s, and loved it.

[RickB]

Lots were sold to the public in the '60s. I have two that my dad bought, for something like $27 each. Thousands, maybe tens of thousands, were torched or sheared into little bits, at taxpayer expense, during the 1990s. Those that escaped, are again being issued to the troops. Irony of ironies, two of the guns most sought after for combat in Iraq and Afghanistan are the M1911A1 and the M14, and they are in short supply, as the government has turned large numbers of them into scrap.

[vikz]

sad really sad...i wish i can get one also...

[pa_guns]

Hi

There's about 25,000 of them still siting in government stock. All in need of a rebuild, but in stock.

Bob

[exitwounds]

About two years ago, when I lived in Virginia, a friend worked for TACOM (Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command) at Ft. Belvior and she was part of the 1033 program, Law Enforcement Support Office. They had about 11,235 1911A1's, 8,654 M14's, 217 .38 Revolvers, and 11,014 M16A1's (less than 2,000 onhand in a short time)available to LEO. The stock number on the 1911A1's was 1005-00-726-5655. She had said that the unsold weapons would likely be demilled. Sad but true.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Your typical gun show $500 GI 1911 is probably in a lot better shape than anything the government still has in stock. If you really are after one check out the gun shows.

Bob

[lemppa]

I'm happy to hear that the M1911A1 and M14 are both presently very much sought after by the US Armed Forces.

I have both of them.

M1911A1 is unfired lend-lease pistol given to the Soviets during WWII and recently (early 90's) sold to the West.

M14 is a Winchester made rifle and in the fine original composition.

Plus one M16A1 in used but fully operational original condition.

Regards,

lemppa

[pa_guns]

M1911A1 is unfired lend-lease pistol given to the Soviets during WWII and recently (early 90's) sold to the West.

M14 is a Winchester made rifle and in the fine original composition.

Plus one M16A1 in used but fully operational original condition.


Hi

PICTURES!!!! WE NEED PICTURES !!!! :D :D :D :D

Bob

[cliff731]

Yes... pictures!!! Photos!!! More "Gun Porn"!!!

Hurry!!! We need a "fix" right now! ;)

[John]

M14?? You got an M14 in Finland??

Maybe I should move north after all.

[lemppa]

Hi!

Pics of my M1911A1. The serial # is 1612xxx which dates it to 1943.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e270/lemppa/M1911A1leftsidenew.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e270/lemppa/M1911A1rightsideopen.jpg

And holster made by Sears in 1942, unissued, I think.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e270/lemppa/M1911Sears1942holster.jpg

Regards,

lemppa

[lemppa]

Yes, John.

It is possible in Finland, at least.

Can't post pics because this is strictly M1911 forum???

I know the Greek Army has used M14's but did they ship all of them to the US?

Regards,

lemppa

[John]

Sure you can post pictures of your M14, that's why we have the Non-1911 Firearms forum. As for the Greek army, I ' ve never seen an M14 here, plenty of M1 Garands, but no M14. Who knows?

[lemppa]

Probably I made a mistake.

I have heard about the "Greek Garands".

Perhaps, not M14's.

lemppa

[OD*]

Your typical gun show $500 GI 1911 is probably in a lot better shape than anything the government still has in stock.
I would disagree with that Bob, we have several LEOs (Kosciusko County & Whitley County Deputies) that come into the shop that have been "loaned" M1911A1s by Law Enforcement Support Office at the staggering sum of $14.95 a piece and are very nice arsenal reworks.

[exitwounds]

I would disagree with that Bob, we have several LEOs (Kosciusko County & Whitley County Deputies) that come into the shop that have been "loaned" M1911A1s by Law Enforcement Support Office at the staggering sum of $14.95 a piece and are very nice arsenal reworks.

I would agree with OD on that as well, the King George County Sheriff's office acquired a few 1911a1's and m14's as well that were in very good shape. There are also some 36,000 or so 1911a1's mothballed in the DOD inventory according to some sources at Quantico MCB.

[Hawkmoon]

Probably I made a mistake.

I have heard about the "Greek Garands".

Perhaps, not M14's.

lemppa
The U.S. has recently gotten back a load of M1 Garands from Greece, and they are currently being sold off through the Department of Civilian Marksmanship. Those are probably the ones you are thinking of. They are "rough" -- no Collector" or "Correct" grade among them, only "Field" and "Rack" grade.

[pa_guns]

I There are also some 36,000 or so 1911a1's mothballed in the DOD inventory according to some sources at Quantico MCB.

Hi

I was going on what the guys in KY were reporting on the ones they pull from DOD inventory. They had to rebuild them all. The number they saw on the screen was down to 25,000.

Bob

[exitwounds]

One good thing is Demill has not been an option in several years....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A good thing that's happened since the Republicans came into the majority in the House in the 90's is the DOD Authorization Bills had in every year since 1997 is Sec. 8020 or so is....

"Sec. 8020. None of the funds available to the Department of Defense may be used to demilitarize or dispose of M-1 Carbines, M-1 Garand rifles, M-14 rifles, .22 caliber rifles, .30 caliber rifles, or M-1911 and A1 pistols."

This act is the savior of the remaining models of those weapons in inventory. Every year it's in the DOD authorization. However not every year it is 8020, but it is very close to that number. In the past it was 8019, and I believe in recent years it's been 8020 or so you can look it up every year to see if it's still law. It will be interesting to see what the new Democratic majority does with it.

Seems as though there was a program on the History channel or Discovery that spoke of unissued 1911A1's still in storage, and I can't recall if it was in Indiana or Maryland.

[exitwounds]

Hi

I was going on what the guys in KY were reporting on the ones they pull from DOD inventory. They had to rebuild them all. The number they saw on the screen was down to 25,000.

Bob

Thanks for the update I had not heard anything recently as to their disposition. ;)

[lemppa]

OK!

One pic of my M1 Garand (purchased long time ago) and M14.

I wish the moderator will let this go through...

Thanks.

lemppa

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e270/lemppa/M1M14rightside.jpg

[pa_guns]

OK!

One pic of my M1 Garand (purchased long time ago) and M14.


Hi

Boy, those are a very nice pair of rifles.

If we keep this up I may have to post pictures of the Finn M39's I picked up recently. Then we *both* can be in trouble for off topic posts. :D :D :D

Bob

[exitwounds]

Is the selector switch on the M14 still intact (operational)?

[lemppa]

Yes, exitwounds.

If I only had the correct knob.

Regards,

lemppa

[littledoc]

Nice rifles to go with your 1911A1! I admire your taste.

[lemppa]

Thanks, littledoc.

I like them very much.

Regards,

lemppa

[exitwounds]

Yes, exitwounds.

If I only had the correct knob.

Regards,

lemppa

You may be able to get the correct selector through www.gunpartscorp.com they do sell internationally. :)

[lemppa]

Thanks, exitwounds!

In case that I decide to get the selector knob, I'll be in trouble, Here in Finland.

I have decided, I don't need the the selector.

I like the rifle as it is.

Regards,

lemppa

[lemppa]

But, finally,

Where did they all go?

Who can tell us where did the lend lease and other alliance pistols go?

Any idea?

[exitwounds]

But, finally,

Where did they all go?

Who can tell us where did the lend lease and other alliance pistols go?

Any idea?

Some lend lease pistols were sold on commercial markets especially in England, some Russian ones were exported to other satellite countries and China, while some are still believed to be sitting in warehouses over there, some were liberated in private collections, others have been imported back into the US in the past, and some were likely destroyed/lost.

[NightVision]

I have been shooting this 1911 for thirty years now. This gun was manufactured in 1918 by Colt for the Army SN# 26316X. In perfect condition and accurized. All tolerances have been measured and reduced to obtain maximum accuracy and reliability. Tens of thousands of rounds I have fired from this weapon reliably every time. This vintage WWI will blow away any of the new Colts or clones on the market today. Ask anyone who owns one like the 1911 Tuner and others here and they will tell ya there is no finer personal defensive weapon on the planet. This weapon has saved my life on numerous occasions. Some say "In God We Trust", I say in "My 1911 I Trust". So what is the value of this gun you ask? PRICELESS.