Colt 1911A1
 

Hi I am interested in buying a original WW2 Colt 1911A1 rig but I do not know alot about them and would like to get some details on what should I be looking for to be sure it is all original rig and not a put together rig. I also would like to take it to the range once in a while. The year range I would like to get is 42--45. Thanks for any advise or information on this. :cheers: Ron

FYI, pre98.com has a few listed.

Strictly speaking, there is no such animal as a correct 1911A1 "Rig". Gun, holster, web belt, magazines and magazine pouch could have come from any number of sources, WW1 or WW2, marked and unmarked, (in the case of the magazines).

Simply acquire the pistol first, then try to date match the holster, web belt and magazine pouch to the pistol, regardless of manufacturer. 1918 dated gear is also correct for early war and it is what was mostly issued. I see a lot of 42 and 44 dated web gear. 1943 seems rarer. Earlier magazines are usually stamped with a two letter code on the forward protruding upper surface of the magazine baseplate. A little internet research will give you the codes for your year.

Ron,

You mention Colt as the manufacturer of the Model 1911A1. Is there any reason you want a Colt, rather than any of the other Big three, i.e. Remington Rand and Ithaca? I've left out the rare ones who made guns but not in production quantities.

I say this because you want to shoot it and Remington Rand made better guns and since the slide was not SNed to the frame as Colts were until late 1943, it is easier to get a correct gun. And they made many more than Colt so prices are a little less for comparable quality guns. And if you do get a slide failure, it is easier to replace and still be correct.

Your point about the rig has been covered but all rigs were put together, There is no such thing as a factory issued rig. You got your gear by passing down a line and someone grabbed a web belt and gave it to you. Same with first aid pack, canteen, magazine pouch, holster, or if you were going to carry a carbine, ammo pouches for that. Pretty much production line and you got whatever was in the barrel or bin.

But you can assemble your own rig to match the date of the gun you buy as previously suggested. Not the hardest thing in the world to do. There were dozens of manufacturers of web gear in WWII.

Hope this helps,

John

On the other hand a 1911A1 made before November 1943 ought to be be more accurate than those made after the increase in manufacturing tolerances.

Ronald

Since in the past I used to collect 1911, and I still am a "1911 fanatic" :-) I wonder why would you prefer a 1911A1 Colt, have you ever considered starting up with a WWI Colt 1911, even a commercial one would be a bit cheaper.
Anyway as far as 1911A1 Colt made about 605K of them, REMINGTON RAND 878K, ITHACA 335KM US&S 50K and Singer made only 500 pistols out of an original contract of 5K.

If I can give you a good advice try to get this booklet: "U.S.PISTOLS & REVOLVERS 1909-1945" by J.C. Harrison published by The Arms Chest
and as I always advise young Luger enthusiasts read a lot, on the Net there is an awful lot about the glorious 1911, and at least a couple of good forums where you can learn really a lot.

Then I would end up with my signature (with a 1911 forum):
Don't fall into the trap of wanting to replace everything on your 1911 to make it "better". Know what you're changing out, and why. You may spend money fixing things that weren't broken to begin with. Vintage 1911's should NEVER be refinished because it ruins any value they have as a collectible firearm.

Sergio

Lots of folks don't understand the US custom of periodic upgrades or modifications.
An "original" would have been stolen off the assembly line.

Guns get pulled off racks periodically for these changes, or were in older times.
Many having little or no use.

I would want a Colt just because it fits the original profile.

I brought a RR home from VN, because I carried it.
Traded off the Black Market for a Swedish "K."

I had a minimal trigger job done on it and it shoots as well as I could want.

I like the 1911A1, carried one about 2/3rds of my MP career

I have a particular like for Remington Rands, no idea why. I have a WW1 Colt I got from a friends estate and picked up a couple of Rem Rands at auction this spring. One a nickle or chromed one with military markings taken off, but it shoots nice and that was the price I paid. The other is a fairly correct Rand.

Ed

BBQ gun
 

Ed, do you still have the Colt 1911/ RR nickeled, engraved BBQ pistol I sold you back a few years ago?

I agree with this statement. A number of years ago I purchased a 1914 Colt 1911, and later a 1943 Colt 1911A1 "Lend-Lease" in 90+% condition, including a correct dated holster. I shoot both, but I am a handloader so I load "soft rounds" for them both. They are a hoot to shoot, and if only they could talk!!

I also have a fascination for the 1911.
When I went looking for info on these guns,I came across this website for all US martial guns.:thumbup:
http://coolgunsite.com/
He has a wealth of info and pictures of the various types of 1911 pistols and pictures of the different parts.
Plenty of eye candy as well. At least for me!:evilgrin:
Bob

Thank you all for your comments and ideas this gives me lots of roads to investigate. This the greatest forum for help and no flaming just honest ideas. Thanks again!!!!! Ron

Ronald

Surely you have already found several forums dealing also with 1911, but to me the two best 1911 forums/sites where you'll probably find a lot to read and learn from are the following:

forums.1911forum.com
www.m1911.org

Sergio

Thank you Ron for that... the moderators and members here work hard to keep this forum a safe place to visit, with factual information, no matter what your age, or interest.

:cheers: