1911 Picture Thread: 2019 Edition

[Spats McGee]

I was browsing and searching some stuff the other day, and realized that THR hadn't had a 1911 Picture Thread in several years. Well, as luck would have it, I recently went shooting with two old friends. One was a guy that I've known for about 40 years, and the other was my first carry gun, pictured below. Typically, I carry a Glock or a Shield. I have to admit, though, that every time I take this one to the range, I remember just how much I love the 1911. This one started as a Springfield Armory GI model, but it's had a few upgrades. As the old song goes, "she may be ugly, but she sure can cook!"

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Probably my last 1911, so I splurged. 1967 Colt Meuse Argonne Commemorative with Fusion Rosewood grips.

 

[AZAndy]

I have Colts, Sigs, a Springfield, a Ruger, and a couple of Armscors, but this'n is my favoritest. As with Nightlord40K, this is probably my last, so I went as all-out as I could afford.

 

[Jeff H]

 

[Hasaf]

My 1911.


I purchased the Springfield in the late '80s

 

[Bartojc]

Not a great picture. My first, but will not be my last.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I’ve only ever owned one 1911 at a time but I always seem to come back to them. They have all been Commanders.

 

[Mn Fats]

I was browsing and searching some stuff the other day, and realized that THR hadn't had a 1911 Picture Thread in several years. Well, as luck would have it, I recently went shooting with two old friends. One was a guy that I've known for about 40 years, and the other was my first carry gun, pictured below. Typically, I carry a Glock or a Shield. I have to admit, though, that every time I take this one to the range, I remember just how much I love the 1911. This one started as a Springfield Armory GI model, but it's had a few upgrades. As the old song goes, "she may be ugly, but she sure can cook!"View attachment 827546

That's not ugly at all. What beavertail is that?

 

[Spats McGee]

That's not ugly at all. What beavertail is that?

Thank you, and that's a very good question. I don't actually know, but my best guess might be something by Wilson Combat. . . ? Years ago, I sent it to a buddy of mine. This buddy has a business which involves his keeping several gunsmiths on staff. I told him that I needed new sights. He called me up and said, "You need new sights, but you also need a new trigger, sear, beavertail, hammer . . . . I'll have Sam work it over." I know he likes WC 1911 parts, so I'm guessing (& it's purely guessing) that that's what he went with. The only thing I've changed since then is the grips.

 

[Old Dog]

Sometimes, I like some stainless Colt's (Series 70 and an XSE Commander) ... still not sure how I feel about 1911s in 9mm, though -- are they real 1911s?

 

[Rembrandt]

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I’ve only ever owned one 1911 at a time but I always seem to come back to them. They have all been Commanders.
View attachment 827572

The Rugers are tempting. If the right one comes along some day I might snag one.

 

[WVsig]

Not sure who made this one because there is "No Name" on it. LOL





Colt 70 Repro



Dan Wesson Valkyrie 9mm



Dan Wesson CBOB



Les Baer TRS



WWG Custom Colt CCO



Sistema Colt



Colt WWI Repro Carbonia Blue

 

[Mn Fats]

The Rugers are tempting. If the right one comes along some day I might snag one.

You won't regret it. I carry mine all over my farm. I had mine on me while I was splitting wood and feeding the fire so I took a pic. Thought it looked cool.

My favorite, circa 1944: My newest buy, pre series 2 kimber:

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

You won't regret it. I carry mine all over my farm. I had mine on me while I was splitting wood and feeding the fire so I took a pic. Thought it looked cool.
View attachment 827585
My favorite, circa 1944:View attachment 827590 My newest buy, pre series 2 kimber:View attachment 827593

Nice shot of the Ruger, they could use that one in their magazine ads!

Like the GI gun, too. I think the slide and hammer are considerably earlier than '45 though.

 

[Mn Fats]

Like the GI gun, too. I think the slide and hammer are considerably earlier than '45 though.

Why's that? '44 is supposed to have the wide spur hammer. Could be an earlier variation of it I suppose. I'm curious why the slide appears to look considerably earlier than '44... I'll have to dig it out...

 

[Bartojc]

... still not sure how I feel about 1911s in 9mm, though -- are they real 1911s?

Isn't that like asking a guy at the drag strip if his car is "stock" ?

I love mine, lots of fun to shoot in 9mm.

-Jeff

 

[Walkalong]

No longer have this one.

 

[tark]

Why's that? '44 is supposed to have the wide spur hammer. Could be an earlier variation of it I suppose. I'm curious why the slide appears to look considerably earlier than '44... I'll have to dig it out...

Wrong. The wide hammer was dropped with the adoption of the A1. This is not to say that some 1911A1s weren't manufactured with left over wide hammers already on hand, but a gun made in 1944 would have left the factory with a narrow hammer.

 

[Mn Fats]

Wrong. The wide hammer was dropped with the adoption of the A1. This is not to say that some 1911A1s weren't manufactured with left over wide hammers already on hand, but a gun made in 1944 would have left the factory with a narrow hammer.

I was led to believe 1911A1's came with wide spur hammers until 1700000, then they were switched to narrow. Since mine was prior to that, I assumed the wide spur was correct.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Wrong. The wide hammer was dropped with the adoption of the A1. This is not to say that some 1911A1s weren't manufactured with left over wide hammers already on hand, but a gun made in 1944 would have left the factory with a narrow hammer.

You know, since Fats brought it up, Ive been trying to find a concrete source to definitevely say if there is a certain manufacturer or date when the hammer change occured and Ive been striking out. There also seems to be some confusion if there are in fact two wide hammer spur lengths, or if this is just a difference in parts suppliers as well.

I think it is certainly possible that Fats gun left the factory with that hammer, but equally likely it was added later. It could be the angle, but his gun also appears to have the smaller ejection port typical of a WW1 era 1911.

Too bad the we didnt serialize all the small parts like the Germans did, lol.

In any event, it is a very nice pistol.

 

[Mn Fats]

You know, since Fats brought it up, Ive been trying to find a concrete source to definitevely say if there is a certain manufacturer or date when the hammer change occured and Ive been striking out. There also seems to be some confusion if there are in fact two wide hammer spur lengths, or if this is just a difference in parts suppliers as well.

I think it is certainly possible that Fats gun left the factory with that hammer, but equally likely it was added later. It could be the angle, but his gun also appears to have the smaller ejdction port typical of a WW1 era 1911.

Too bad the we didnt serialize all the small parts like the Germans did, lol.

In any event, it is a very nice pistol.

1700000 is the change over on the 1911A1. Concrete proof IS hard to find though, especially with my computer skills. The ejection port is just due to a bad camera angle.

You guys are just trying to give me a heart attack . I'm pulling it out when I get off work...

 

[cfullgraf]

A 45 ACP M1911 I built 18 years or so ago. It has an Olympic frame, a Caspian slide, and optical sights. Lots of Wilson internal parts including the barrel if I remember correctly.

 

[tark]

The A1 was adopted in 1924. Colt began production that year with # 700,001. Mn Fats, is your gun a Colt? Can't tell from the pic.

 

[Mn Fats]

The A1 was adopted in 1924. Colt began production that year with # 700,001. Mn Fats, is your gun a Colt? Can't tell from the pic.

Yes, it's a Colt.