Colt WWI versus WWII Reproduction 1911's

[Balrog]

Within the last few years, Colt made reproductions of both the WWI and WWII 1911's. I happen to own both and am considering selling one. Does anyone know the relative numbers that each were made in? I would like to hold on to the rarer and sell the other I think.

 

[rellascout]

Avoid the WWII get the Colt WWI Carbonia Blue. It is a custom shop gun and much nicer than the black oxide version.

 

[rondog]

I also have one of each. I don't know what everybody dislikes so much about the WWII repros, other than that uglyashellwtfweretheythinking trigger. I put a WWII vintage trigger on mine, and it's so much better now. Looks great, looks accurate, shoots great. Mine is from the first run, it has the Colt address rollmark instead of the United States Property

But my 01911 WWI Carbonia is truly a joy to behold! That one ain't NEVER leaving me! Yet the purists still snivel about those pistols too, "the rollmarks are too proud, they should have been polished before bluing". Jeezus. If they were identical to the originals, then they're REALLY be bitching.





Looks much better with the vintage trigger.



And what's not to love here....

 

[rellascout]

There were a lot of finish and function issues related to the WWII repos.

There was also a recall on the WWI but it has been handled quickly and efficiently.

 

[Balrog]

What was the recall on the WWI about?

Also, I was thinking the WWII repros were less common... do you know if that is true?

 

[rellascout]

http://www.coltsmfg.com/recall.aspx

Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC has determined that the Slide Lock Safety and the Recoil Spring Guide Pad in certain Colt model pistols were not manufactured to Colt specifications and must be replaced. All of these Colt models were sold after March 2007 and the range of serial numbers affected by this product recall is as follows:

1911 WWI Replica (O1911) From: 4597WMK To: 5414WMK
1918 WWI Replica (O1918) From: 1001WWI To: 3431WWI
New Agent (O7810D) From: GT01001 To: GT04505
Combat Elite (O8011XSE) From: CG10000E To: CG11293E
Defender (O7000D) From: DR33036 To: DR35948
Talo Night Defender (O7000NDF) From: NDF0001 To: NDF0400

I am not sure on the exact numbers of the WWIIs but they are not collectible IMHO

 

[Balrog]

So if I was to sell the WWII repro, how much should I ask? It is in new condition, fired about 2 mags or so when I first got it, then put in the safe.

 

[rellascout]

$700 Or So

 

[mec]

Rela scout, That's a great picture of a ww1...Wait, I took that picture for the gunblast article.

Here's another:

 

[Walkalong]

I happen to like Parkerized guns. Just look right to me, as well as looking good. That said, I have blue1911s, and well as a SS one. They are all purty in their own right, but Parkerized just says "Army 1911" to me.

As to the original question, I have no idea. Sell the one you like the least.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I can see where the early version got its "hand biter" reputation from.

 

[mec]

Both can do a wood pecker routine on the web of your hand-whacked by the hammer on the 11 and the tang on the 11A1. This seems to be worse for people with fleshy hands and less so with skinny ones. I can minimize the problem by resting my thumb on top of the safey. My hands are medium to large. Shooting high thumb, I can get off quite a number or rounds before a red spot appears. Before bevertails became common, shooters would develop a callus between thumb and forefinger and wear it as a badge of honor.

 

[Oro]

Balrog,

I think Colt made 4,000 of the WWII guns. They made the same number of the first WWI repro run, but it was so successful they added another 4,000 run. For some reason the market loves the WWI repro but not the WWII. I think a lot of it has to do with the finish issues the first WWII guns had.

 

[gc70]

I guess I need to start saving my nickels and dimes since the folks who tucked away the WWII models are beginning to become disillusioned with them.