Differences between WWII 1911 and low serial # Argentine

[johnpend1]

My question - what are the differences, if any, between
1) a WWII Colt 1911A1, ser. 813xxx (1942 - my father's sidearm which I have inherited - all matched #'s, etc., I have put about 800 rounds through) and
2) an Argentina 1911A1, serial number 3xxx (1926-27, one of the 10,000 made by Colt in the US for Argentina, all ser. #'s match, all of 50 rounds by me).
Specifically, for the Argentine, I will be getting an STI .22 conversion kit for my wife, while I will use it as .45. My father's WWII will be gradually retired as a shooter. I have put a recoil buffer and an 18lb recoil spring in the WWII model, and had the trigger pull reduced. Hope to do the same with the Argentine. Any advice on how to treat the Argentine to improve accuracy. We're talking the 1911, not me - lot's of work to be done there.
Two other remarks - I am very fortunate to have these, esp. my father's, and what a great web/forum site.

Thanks - John

[clughog]

Welcome to the Forum, John. I'll have to let the experts give you the "official" answer, but I believe the two are very, very similar. I also have one of the Hartford built Argentine pistols, and love it. However, I've "retired" mine as it has more sentimental value to me than some of my others. I'd recommend your getting a newer Colt, like the Series 70 Reproduction, if you plan to make modifications to it, though. Post some pictures!

[johnpend1]

Thanks! I will (eventually) post some photo's but probably not for a couple of weeks - it is in the shop for a check up. Two difs that I have seen so far: the slide stop plunger is longer, preventing the slide stop from easily being snapped back into place, and the barrel ramp is slightly different - don't know if it has been ramped or was manufactured that way.
And I may eventually get a third 1911 - we'll see how the STI .22 conversion works out...

[bgiven]

Ths biggest difference that comes to mind, without the benefit of pictures, is the finish. The M1911A1 was originally parkerized, and the 1911A1 Argentine was blued. Additionally the Argentine will have Colt's commercial rollmarks which are different from military WWII era rollmarks.

[texagun]

These guns were produced within 5 years of each other. The Colt is from 1945 and the Sistema is from 1950:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/w5lx/WWIIColtRightSide-2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/w5lx/SistemaRightSide.jpg

[clughog]

Nope, I believe he's talking about the Hartford produced Argentine contract pistols, not the Sistemas. http://www.sightm1911.com/

Colt M1911A1 Argentine Modelo 1927: S/N 1 to 10,000 = July 28, 1927 to Feb. 16,
1928 ( Marked on slide with " COLT CAL. 45 MOD. 1927" and S/N's stamped on
top of slide in Colt's italic numbers.) SYST. COLT pistols made by Argintina under
licence from Colt marked on right of slide with "EJERCITO ARGENTINO / SIST.
COLT CAL 11.25 mm. Model 1927". Other M1911A1 pistols made in Argintina at
Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles, Rosario, Argintina S/N 10,001 to 112,000

M1911-A1 Modelo 1927
After adoption of the M1911A1 in the United States, the Argentine government purchased the pistol from Colt as the Model 1927. The order to Colt was for a run of 10,000 guns for the Argentine Army. These guns were serial numbered in their own range from 1 to 10000. The original finish of these guns was blued with a brush blue finish and they had checkered walnut grips. The Sistemas were made in Argentina. The Modelo 1927 was made in the U.S. by Colt.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f290/clughog/ColtModel1927.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f290/clughog/Sistema5.jpg

[texagun]

Nope, I believe he's talking about the Hartford produced Argentine contract pistols, not the Sistemas.

Right, I knew that. Just pointing out some obvious differences between Colts and Argentina guns.

[johnpend1]

Hi, thanks for the replies, and i will post pictures, etc. eventually. It is a Hartford Colt, and it does appear to me to be blued (with a fair amount of wear) and not parkerized as is my WWII Colt...