Heirloom M1911

[bigbearbear]

This is a follow up post of mine in the Off Topic forum, "New Citizen, new gun". Long story short: I've applied for US citizenship and just passed the naturalization interview, looking to buy a gun to commemorate this important occasion and keep it as a heirloom.

The M1911 comes highly recommended by many, and also to have it engraved (good recommendation!), I think I'll engrave the date of my Oath Ceremony on it.

My first question: Which 1911 should I select? I took a look at Colt's website and they seems to have a wide array of models to choose from. I don't really mind the caliber since this need not be a regular shooter but I guess the .45 is the "traditional" choice for the 1911? That aside, there seems to be plenty of options available. Any recommendation where I should start?

My second question: Is about engraving. Does the manufacturer do this or do I need to take the weapon somewhere to get it done? Also, on the 1911, where would be the best choice to engrave a date on it?

Thanks.

[Lead Waster]

If you are getting yourself a 1911 to commemorate your US Citizenship, it should be in .45, and it should be a Colt. I am very brand agnostic, but if it's for this specific purpose, I think it has to be a Colt .45. This is the only time I would buy a Colt .45, and believe it or not, I've thought about the exact same thing. If/when I go and get my US Citizenship, I'm buying myself a Colt .45, I don't care if there are better guns out there for the money.

[bigbearbear]

If you are getting yourself a 1911 to commemorate your US Citizenship, it should be in .45, and it should be a Colt. I am very brand agnostic, but if it's for this specific purpose, I think it has to be a Colt .45. This is the only time I would buy a Colt .45, and believe it or not, I've thought about the exact same thing. If/when I go and get my US Citizenship, I'm buying myself a Colt .45, I don't care if there are better guns out there for the money.

Thanks, I have the same thought and hence Colt was the first site I went to.

However, which one should I get? Even when narrowed down to .45, there are plenty of choices. Any recommendations?

[bug_eyedmonster]

Before you base your decision on which model Colt to buy, I would cross-reference the models you are possibly considering with the California Handgun Roster. This will eliminate getting your hopes up and then having California's laws shoot them down. Congrats on passing your test, a friend of mine is in the same boat and just bought a pistol, rifle, and shotgun for the same reason.

Jerry

[SMR510]

X2 Check the roster now before you select something, I bet it will narrow down your choices for you.

For your purpose I would just go with something basic, something that could have been made many years ago.

[wash]

If you want something special and engraved, check out the price of engraving first.

With a good engraver and ~full coverage, I think you are talking $2,000+ maybe +a lot.

If you spend like that on engraving, you should probably start with something custom made by a good 1911 smith starting with a sterile slide so that all the engraving will tie together stylistically.

If your budget doesn't stretch that far and you want machine engraving, you still might want to start with a sterile slide. That probably means a colt frame or maybe Caspian and an SSE conversion to get it in the state.

It's a lot harder to get what you want because of the laws these days.

[Press Check]

If you want an Heirloom, have one built by Heirloom Precision.

On a side note, there's a substantial difference between a M1911 and a 1911-A1.

[bigbearbear]

Before you base your decision on which model Colt to buy, I would cross-reference the models you are possibly considering with the California Handgun Roster. This will eliminate getting your hopes up and then having California's laws shoot them down. Congrats on passing your test, a friend of mine is in the same boat and just bought a pistol, rifle, and shotgun for the same reason.

Jerry

Thanks, that is a good idea. I did a quick check and the good news is that many of the colt models are on the roster. Helps narrow down things a great deal.

[wash]

Before you buy anything on the roster, think about the firing pin safety BS.

The basis of most quality custom 1911s is a ~series 70 style 1911 which means no firing pin safety BS.

Unless you plan on dropping your heirloom 1911 from great heights on to a hard surface, you don't need that crap and 1911s without it are more desirable.

You can get nearly any 1911 you want in to California by the dimensionally compliant single shot exemption, so your options are open.

[opie4386]

Series 70 gold cup, im sure you can find a new to like new condition one. They are no longer in production so that would make it even better.


Also remington produced more 1911's during the war than colt did.

[wash]

Well actually that's Remington Rand. Instead of bubbaing a complete original Remington Rand, you could buy a used Remington Rand slide from me, have it refinished and engraved, then have it built on a Colt, Caspian or other frame, then SSE it in to the state.

[SCZ]

I'd like to offer up another suggestion... don't buy a new 1911, instead find one that has some history to it already.

To me that seems like a good symbolic parallel of your naturalization, as you'll be taking personal responsibility for an established tradition.

Anyway... just food for thought.

[Dreaded Claymore]

This thread brings tears of pride and joy to my eyes. I love this country so much, because this really is a nation for anybody and everybody. Bless you both. I really hope you'll post photos of your pistols when you finally have them.

[ghettojet]

do like my brother did. original WW2 1911 and send it off to Ted yost to be spruced up

[MA2]

Congrats!!!

Dan Wesson 1911's has the most billboard to work with.

Good Luck