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drshame
3rd December 2005, 17:05
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d13/drshame/ReproColt2.jpg

Took Colt WW-1 Repro 31XXWMK out for it's first break-in: Roughly 100 rounds.

Cleaned it up from shipping, lubed it liberally with a fine oil including disconnector, firing pin, hammer pin, magazine catch as well as barrel lugs-barrel bushing. It cycled like a tight, new gun that needed to work-in a bit.

Started with Handloaded 230 Gr. RN under 4.2 grains Bullseye in WW-Match Brass, Winchester Large Pistol Primers.

Ignition, cycling crisp, no failures to ignite, extract or eject....no feeding issues at all.

Moved into 200 Grain Lasercast SWC's under 4.2 Grains Bullseye, same Brass , Same primers.

Fed fine, ignited fine, cycled fine.

Overall pistol felt very crisp, the trigger was excellent for an out of the box...no creep, weigh acceptable, but a pleasure to use. Felt like fireing a very finely tuned and elegantly finished 1911. Since my handloads weren't beating anything up...there was very acceptable control without the thing trying to jump out of my hand.

Sighting was a bit of a challenge with the GI-Spec tiny sights. But once you get use to the thin front blade..it presents a very precise sight picture.

Good News, I got very good groupings at 20 yards, the stock Colt barrel looks like it's good with sharp lands & grooves. I think it should be capable of tight groups, and in fact did print some nice tight 3-5 shot groups.

BAD NEWS is with both loads, it shot consistently 6-8 inches LOW with the exact same sight picture and ammo that printed "Center Black" with my Springfield GI Repro.

The Colt grouped nicely, centering was fine, but the ammo shot waaay low.

I'll try some factory hardball to see if my reloads are just "soft" which I suspect they are...and want it that way for 100 yard paper punching. But both my fixed-sight GI Springfield and Custom Classic Target Kimber print just where they are aimed with the same loads.

If it stays low, even when sighted in correctly....what can I do about it short of seeing if Colt can do anything to bring the point of aim UP.

Or it is just a 5-10 yard gun, Thankyou Very Much?

OD*
3rd December 2005, 17:16
Good report & read sir.

what can I do about it short of seeing if Colt can do anything to bring the point of aim UP.

Do what the original "shooters" did, use Kentucky elevation. Also, I'd recommend shooting full-power loads of 230 grain.


What the heck, here's my ol' girl;
http://mysite.verizon.net/od45/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/1913l.jpg

drshame
3rd December 2005, 18:15
Old Gal looks great....Grandma's Aging Well!

Assure her that her Great-Great (?) Grandaughter's in good hands and continues the Family's Good Looks and affinity for brass, lead and saltpeter products......their favorite diet food.

Up Next: First Cleaning and "Fear of Scratchs".

Be Well!

OD*
3rd December 2005, 20:46
Thank ya sir. ;)

desertmoon
13th December 2005, 11:04
The 4.2 Bullseye load is pretty soft. Try hopping it up just a bit or try a couple different powders depending on how you want to treat the gun. I can't blame you for being soft with it, those new 1911s are gorgeous.

Me? I'd just barely hop the loads up a bit and shoot it at ten yards.......one handed!!!! :)

drshame
13th December 2005, 11:10
Already took your advice. Great Minds think alike!

Bullseye 5.0 grains under a 230 FMJ Winchester RN to try and duplicate a ball load.

At 15 and 20 yards still shot way low. Functioned fine, felt great. The Repro sights were small but precise.

Could be me, but it'll be off to Colt after New Years for some small issues and I'll see what they say about the point of impact.

The 5,0 Bullseye load had a bit more kick, but the Colt took it fine and was a pleasure to shoot.