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Thread: Pawn Shop Purchase

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    6th November 2014
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    Pawn Shop Purchase

    New member but came across this site trying to get some info on my new purchase.

    I own/owned several 1911s. They have always had a soft spot in my heart. I've always wanted to do some gunsmithing on them but I've always paid so much that I was too scared to mess them up. So I was in my local pawn shop today and I was pursuing the gun case and they had just put out this little gem. I thought it would be a great project to get to know my 1911s a little better. Price tag on it was $325 and I talked them down to $200. You know, front sight is broken, finish worn off, gonna cost a lot to restore. Turns out they only paid $100 for it so I think we both got a good deal.

    IMG_1886[1].jpgIMG_1884[1].jpg

    It's an early West Hurley, AOC39XXX serial number, but you could probably tell from the pics. Can anyone tell me the approximate DOM? Also, anything I should look for?

    The comp is a basic bushing comp that will go. It will also need to be refinished. I'll probably take it to a gunsmith to replace the front sight since it's broken off. The trigger and safety is mushy compared to my other 1911s. Those will be replaced. It looks like there may be some new parts on it since they're really shiny. But, that could have just been a dremel. Is there any upgrades that I should concentrate on or make sure I do? I'm not really looking to sup it up and make it into something special, I just want to work on something that I'm not afraid to mess up. If it turns into something cool then great.

    Any advice and insight is certainly appreciated. I'm going to try and hit the range with it this weekend to see how it runs. Will report back when I do.
    Last edited by schmittychris; 6th November 2014 at 14:46. Reason: misspelling


  2. #2
    Join Date
    5th July 2014
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    My first thoughts would be to replace the barrel and bushing, the firing pin, the extractor, and all the springs. If you want to get it blued or re-Parkerized, contact Loren Fogle (foglesgunsmithing.com). He could probably install a new front sight for you, too.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    16th August 2014
    Location
    Missouri jungle
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    That sounds like a really neat project. I hope it goes well!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    21st September 2008
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    Before you spend another dime on it, go to a range and see if it runs. Then take it from there.
    Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold.
    M. Setter

  5. #5
    Join Date
    29th May 2004
    Location
    Athens, Greece, Earth
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    Go read our "Poor Man's trigger job", here: http://www.m1911.org/technic20.htm

    That will fix your mushy trigger issues.

    The comp has to go and then follow Spyros advise, shoot it and then decide what needs to be changed. The old horse may surprise you. Definitely change the springs though.
    John Caradimas SV1CEC
    The M1911 Pistols Organization
    http://www.m1911.org

  6. #6
    Join Date
    6th November 2014
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    Thanks for the advice. I took it apart last night to see what it looked like inside. Someone definitely did some dremel polishing.

    Ramp and front rails:
    IMG_1889[1].jpg

    Back rails:
    IMG_1894[1].jpg

    There was also some polishing done on the bottom of the slide that I didn't get pictures of. I'm going to stop by the range on my way home from work and see how it runs.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    6th December 2013
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    Congrats. I find the finish to be perfect. Hope it runs well for you.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    6th December 2013
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    This thread may be helpful for determining DoM. http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.ph...-and-date-made

  9. #9
    Join Date
    6th November 2014
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    Thanks I found that thread and have an email out to find out.

    I took it to the range after work today and it performed better than I thought it would. I ran about 100 rounds through it; a mix of 230gr ball, 200gr flat nose and hornady xtp. I only had a couple failures to feed which I think is due to a weak recoil spring since I could just push the slide forward with my thumb and it would go into battery.

    There was a serious issue with blowback though. I think due to the compensator. It was almost unbearable constantly getting peppered in the face. So the bushing will definitely be a priority.

    In all I'm pretty happy. I'm excited to start ordering some parts. I'll keep you guys updated in the process. And the finish is growing on me too. It would almost be a shame to take away all of the history that it's gone through.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    14th April 2009
    Location
    Mendocino, California
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    WOW . . . . Thanks for sharing this from the beginning.
    Good luck and I am looking forward to learning more from your experiences.
    I kinda like that "polished, worn look" . . . . but time will tell what it really needs and where to go from here.

    Thanks again . . . .

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