Another Newby, with a question also

[Reese]

Hello everyone, I am new to the site and have a question. I have a m1911 (?) that was my stepfathers, fathers gun and I have shot it only a few times now. The last time I shot it it actually came partially apart. The barrel is worn down to a smooth bore so it has seen some action for sure. My current thinking is that I will buy a government surplus top end kit with barrel ( and possibly slide ) so I can continue to use the gun once in a while but still keep the original parts locked away. So I guess I have 3 questions.
1. Will the gov surplus parts "drop in" or will it require work by a gunsmith ?
2. Should I get a surplus slide also ?
3 .Is the lower ( frame ) able to be damaged or is it capable of taking on the new parts ?

I don't need it to be a daily or weekly shooter, just once in a while ( maybe 2-8 clips worth per year).

[boehlertaught]

Hi Reese, I am new here also... but I will offer my opinion as I have an old 1911 (1917 vintage) I want to rework; I need a hamer and have had a lot of trouble matching the one if have... feet are too short and the pistol is not safe. I don't want to weld them up but I may have to. I am like a sponge for new info and like to hear of new ideas... and to help out if I can. I have had some training on 1911's and have built a few myself...so here goes my help to you. #1. many parts can be purchased as "drop ins" and will work great. Particularly if you just want a new barrel and bushing... you should also go for a new recoil spring; standard is 18#. For #2, it relates a lot to #1... the 1911 is an incredible pistol... very strong. It is doubtful you need a new slide. And, if you buy a surplus slide from a gun show you may not get one that is as good as what you have... and it may not have the same patina as the rest of your pistol. Same goes for #3, the frame is strong also and almost impossible to wear out by shooting it... of course the slide and frame could have been damaged. A local gunsmith you trust can easily check the slide and frame for correctness and install your needed parts... and can help maintain the originality of your pistol. I "befriended" my local trusted gunsmith and he ended up teaching me by making me rebuild my own pistol. I can never repay him for that.

[TattooPaul]

Hello everyone, I am new to the site and have a question. I have a m1911 (?) that was my stepfathers, fathers gun and I have shot it only a few times now. The last time I shot it it actually came partially apart. The barrel is worn down to a smooth bore so it has seen some action for sure. My current thinking is that I will buy a government surplus top end kit with barrel ( and possibly slide ) so I can continue to use the gun once in a while but still keep the original parts locked away. So I guess I have 3 questions.
1. Will the gov surplus parts "drop in" or will it require work by a gunsmith ?
2. Should I get a surplus slide also ?
3 .Is the lower ( frame ) able to be damaged or is it capable of taking on the new parts ?

I don't need it to be a daily or weekly shooter, just once in a while ( maybe 2-8 clips worth per year).


If it came "partially apart" it was either not reasembled correctly (slide stop maybe not put thru the link) or it is not safe as is. It needs to be stripped, inspected, and properly reassembled by someone who knows 1911's and how to assess them before anything else is done. The rest of your questions are based on a visual, hands on inspection. If the barrel is worn smooth, chances are much of this pistol is well worn. Again, a hands on, visual inspection by a knowledgeable 'smith is needed to determine if this is a safe firearm and whether any parts need replacement to make it a safe shooter. I'm sure that the springs are way past their service life as well. All the parts need to be cleaned and inspected with an eye loupe (magnifier) for any wear or cracking in known areas of this platform.

This pistol needs a thorough inspection - not just a part or two as the entire piece needs to be reaffirmed as safe. Also, new parts, even those marked as "drop-in" do not necessarily do that. A pistol self-destructing in your hand and in front of your face is not a good thing.

Post some good detail pictures here and we can help you start to evaluate what you have front of you.

[Reese]

Hello boehlertaught, I tried to respond last night but the post did not stick for some reason ( most likely operator error ...)
It sounds like you have definitely found a good gunsmith and are on the way to becoming experienced yourself. I called the place that has the drop in parts but they are not Gov surplus, just someone's surplus:) They do offer a few kit options where I can do a makeover in most parts for around $ 300 which is the way I am leaning unless the pro's here make me think otherwise.

TattooPaul, I agree, after that thing came apart I thanked my lucky stars and put it back in the gun case. "I think" I want drop in parts so that the cost to rebuild is kept low. I'll most likely try and clean it good and reassemble it but will definitely have the local gunsmith look it over before I fire it.
I took some pics but it says I can not post attachments. I'll get back on again when I get some more time and figure out how to post them.

Quick question. Can I ask if someone has had luck with parts from a specific company on here ( naming them ) ?

[TattooPaul]

One thing to keep in mind, "drop in" may/usually requires a bit of filing or fitting though not as much as rougher parts. Good luck!

[Reese]

OK, attempt # 1 at adding pics. Well, looks like links instead.


http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv271/Reeses771/Colt1911.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv271/Reeses771/Colt19117.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv271/Reeses771/Colt19112.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv271/Reeses771/Colt19113.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv271/Reeses771/Colt19114.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv271/Reeses771/Colt19115.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv271/Reeses771/Colt19116.jpg

[Joni Lynn]

If you're going to shoot it, you would be wise to replace the springs with new ones. A 16 pound recoil spring would be about right. Also lube the old gun up so it can run as it should be able to.
Drop in parts quite often aren't and quality could be iffy.
Have a gunsmith check it out for condition and safety and go from there.

Welcome to the forum.

[TattooPaul]

For posterity's sake (not for future use), I'd save the original springs but would definitely replace them all (including sear, mainspring, plunger, firing pin and recoil) before shooting again. Give everything a cleaning and inspection before lubing and reassembling.

Here's a guide from elsewhere in this forum which is a good guide for where to start with inspection:


http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o138/TattooPaulie/1911wearareas.jpg

[Reese]

Hello Joni Lynn, TattooPaul. I think I am going to buy a rebuild kit from Sarco and have the local shop assemble it. I'll be kid free this weekend so I'll clean it up and look at the areas that TattooPaul indicated.

Good site for info and help.
Thanks.

[TattooPaul]

Good luck! You'll have an interesting and fun shooter when you get 'er back.

[garrettwc]

I may not be paying full attention here, but did anyone else notice something missing. The pics posted by Reese show a stripped 1911 and all the parts, except the recoil spring plug. Is this what was meant by it came partially apart?

Did the recoil spring plug fail and go flying away or is it just not in the picture?

[1saxman]

Good point. To me, the recoil spring also looks short and kind of bent. Wow, what if he really was trying to shoot it without the spring plug!!!!!!

[Reese]

It is there, just not in the pics. Looks like I left the barrel bushing out of the pics also, it was still in the slide. I didn't strip it all of the way because I have never done that before but thanks to this site I now have pics to go by. I'm going to clean it later today and try to reassemble it (so I don't have loose parts laying around). Once I order and receive the Sarco kit I'll take it to the gunsmith and let assemble it correctly.
The day it came apart I had just had the shop owner take a look at it to try and get a magazine out that was stuck in it. He might not have re pinned it correctly ? I don't know and I'm not accusing.
I think it's fair to say this one has been used heavily and is not a collector item, mostly sentimental value. I will not have it refinished, I want to keep the original look ( as I received it ) if possible. Hopefully a good tune up will get it in line and it will be a fun one to pull out and fire once in a while.

[garrettwc]

OK, thanks for clearing that up. Keep us posted on how the overhaul goes.

[Reese]

Mini update.

I pulled it apart and cleaned it a bit ( attempted to anyway ), oiled it and put it back together. The slide action was about 1000% better and it seemed to be working properly but when ( the wife ) turned it horizontal to rack the slide
( I was bragging ), the slide pin dropped out ( yes I quit bragging at this time).
I went to another range the next day and showed the pistol to the owner and he said that the slide stop is not original, it should have a dimple in it that the pin will engage.
Is that true ? Not saying he is lying, just that I have been looking but have not seen any pics of slide stops that show a dimple in them where the pin would go into but it makes sense. I thought the pin was maybe fitting into the slot on the piece.

[Joni Lynn]

Not all slide stops have a dimple in them.
I'd advise taking to your gunsmith and have him check it out and see that it's all there, assembled correctly and safe to fire.
While you have his attention ask him to show you how to take it apart/put it together if you have any questions concerning that.

[Reese]

Thanks Joni Lynne, but that raises another question. Take it to who in the Houston area ? Two places have looked at it now and the suggestions were 100% different from both people. Have any suggestions on someone that really knows Gov M1911's in this area ?

[Joni Lynn]

Sorry I don't who might be in that area.
Asking the people at the range probably isn't a good solution, I doubt they are schooled in 1911's and most people that are not trained gunsmiths or 1911 addicts don't know much about them.

[TattooPaul]

The plunger tip may be worn and it's spring may be weak or the slide stop worn. No matter what, unless you know someone who's well versed in 1911's find a 'smith who is.

[Scott Gahimer]

While some members who read and post here in the Collector's Corner might be fairly knowledgeable about resolving gunsmithing issues, it's probably best to post an inquiry on the Gunsmithing forum of the site. That board is intended for such purposes.