Thoughts on the Ballester Molina vrs Sistema 1911

[boogalou]

I own 3 of these pistols (B/M) and they have all been reliable with 185 grain SWC to 230 grain FMJ. My Father has a Sistema.


Ballester strong points -

Simpler design
No grip safety
inexpensive


Sistema strong points -

better trigger
More aftermarket parts
inexpensive

The nice thing about the B/M is that accuracy can be improved by buying off the shelf 1911 parts. Also, with a little polishing/stoning of the sear & hammer, a nice trigger pull can be realized on this pistol, although I don't think to the standard of an 1911. Spare parts can be a problem, but the simplicity of the gun helps out in that regard. There has also been questions about the quality of metal in the B/M, but I can't believe it could be any worse then the Sistema or other early WW2 1911's ( Do you think Argentine engineers were standing around 60 years ago and saying " Let's make the Sistema out of good steel and put the crappy stuff in the B/M.)


Anyways, I think Argentina was trying to "improve" on the 1911 style and in a lot of ways, I feel they succeeded. Except for the superior trigger of the 1911, (and I know that means alot) I don't see any other advantage the 1911 has, and the B/M is "better" then the 1911 in other ways mentioned above.

Let the flames begin!

 

[Walt Sherrill]

You address this, but I think the fact that the B/M is no lnger made is a disadvantage, too -- as parts are going to be a problem over the long haul. As you note, after-market parts are hard to come by; I suspect other parts will get that way, too. Try to find grips for a B/M. Good luck.

(I noticed, by the way, that CDNN has Argentine factory made grips on their web-site this week...)

The Systema, on the other hand, is factory-stock "Colt," and anything that fits a mil-spec 1911a1 will work with the Systema. I think that's a big deal -- not just that after-market parts are available.

(Of course, they're both of WWII era standards, and things like
sights need a lot of improvement.)

None of this makes the Systema a superior gun -- your point -- but it does make the Systema a bit more attractive to the casual shooter.

(I saw a comparison test of the two a year or so ago in Shotgun News, and the B/M came out ahead in terms of accuracy. But that may have been a function of the individual guns, and not solely a "design" issue -- as the barrels and slides are very similar.)

 

[JBP]

I have one of each. My Sistema is a bit more accurate than the B/M but not by much. I only fire 230 gr LRN and FMJ through them and neither one as ever hiccuped. From an asthetic point of view I prefer the pure 1911A style of the Sistema.

 

[boogalou]

Walt - I don't see parts being as much of a problem as other older gun designs, the business end of the B/M is identical to the 1911. As far as the trigger group, there are still sources for those parts. The most critical parts IMO are the slide stop & extractor, and I have spares. Compared to the Spanish Star 1911 clones, the B/M is much more compatible on parts.

I do agree that to a casual shooter, the Sistema would be more attractive.

As far as grips, well..... theres a certain guy in Norway who just finished a pair of grips for me.

 

[beemerb]

Need parts for the BM?
Tower Armory Corp.
12286 SW ave
Miami FL 33186
PH-305-254-7309

He has all the parts for them and ships fast.I have used him for parts for mine.
Bon

 

[Kahr carrier]

I like the Sistema 1911 you get usually get them at a fair price ,makes a nice entry into the 1911 realm.