Newby needs help-Shooter or not??

[High Country Guide]

Hi all,

Here's another of those newbie questions. I carried M1911A1s in the military, but when I got out I stayed more into rifles. My father in law has been a dealer and collector for over 40 years, but declining health has him parting out his collection to family members. He gave me a Colt 1911 last week with ser# 284XXX. It's on good shape to shoot, but I don't want to ruin it by too much shooting. The "U.S. Property" stamp has been removed from the frame, looks like a good amateur job, and the "Model of 1911 U. S. Army" on the slide is intact. Grips look to be brown checkered plastic (bakelite or such?), mainspring housing is rounded, not flat. Bore is good, bright with strong rifling.Holes are present for the lanyard loop in the base of the mainspring housing, but the loop is missing.

I realize that without pics it's impossible to be sure about anything, but I'm just looking for a general opinion. Wife's out of town with the camera, so I can get pics next week. In the meantime, I'm dying to take it out and shoot it, but I wanted to check with someone more knowledgeable first.

TIA,

Kevin

[Johnny Peppers]

You won't devalue the pistol by shooting it, as it sounds like it has had several modifications that take it out of the collector category.
There is always the slim chance that the slide or frame may crack, so just depends on what you intend to do with the pistol. If he gave you a worn $20 gold coin would you cash it in, or keep it because he gave it to you?

[High Country Guide]

It's not going anywhere, irregardless of condition or value. It's a collectable to me, just because of the little bit of history I've found out, but I still want to shoot it a bit.

I talked to him today and got some more background. This one came to him along with a modified S&W .38. The gentleman he got them from had no family and was going into an assisited-living home. He had been an F4U Corsair pilot with the USMC in WWII and these were the two pistols he was issued during the war.

Now I need to get my hands on the S&W. Original shoulder holster and even two packs of the .38 tracer for signalling, still in the wrappers.

[Johnny Peppers]

Hi all,

It's on good shape to shoot, but I don't want to ruin it by too much shooting.
I realize that without pics it's impossible to be sure about anything, but I'm just looking for a general opinion.
TIA,

Kevin

From your description it is easy enough to tell that it's collectibility has been ruined. If you are going to shoot it anyway, it really doesn't matter how much you shoot it. If something breaks, you will still have it.

[High Country Guide]

OK, a shooter it is. Now I need to get a modern 1911 for a general carry/everyday pistol. I'd forgotten how well they fit the hand.

[Joni Lynn]

If you're going to shoot it I would recommend doing so sparingly. If the slide or frame were to crack there's no easy fix.
If you are going to shoot it, I also recommend putting proper new springs in it first.
In the end, it's your gun do with as you will, enjoy owning it but get a modern one to shoot all the time.

[Sgt. Quincannon]

Shoot it with factory milspec ammunition only. If you shoot it in moderation you should be fine. If it was a pristine collectable, that would be different.

[bricktop]

Are the old Colts prone to cracking?

[Johnny Peppers]

Are the old Colts prone to cracking?

That is a known hazard of shooting the old pistols, but those dedicated to shooting the old pistols think the risk is worth the satisfaction derived.

[jwenum]

From what I've read the cracking problem stems from the old heat-treating methods not being as good as today's methods.I'd go along with using nothing but the lower powered loads.