CMP 1911 Slide Swap?

[101st Airborne]

If you receive a mismatched frame and slide, would you swap slides with someone to have a matching frame and slide pistol?

What's you opinion? If both slides were in similar shape, fit, form and function not and issue, would you leave it the way it was shipped or match it up?

There's a thread on the CMP forum regarding this. Some interesting responses.

"I was in the Air Force, 1958-1964, serving as a Air Policeman. Every now and then, I was assigned to our Arms Room to help the Armour clean our weapons. When we cleaned our 45 pistols, we would field strip them and put the slide and other parts in a solvent oil bath. We then assembled them back together without regard to match the frame and slides."

One guy said he swapped and regretted it.

I'm picking mine up tomorrow. Ithaca frame and an RR slide.

[SkyHawk]

I can tell that mine is in (likely) essentially unissued condition since last rearsenal. The park crystals inside and out are all sharp with no wear. No way I am splitting it up. Plus I have a 1950s era Colt contract hard slide.

If I had one that was not refinished (like some of the field grades that were being shipped) or the slide/frame finish just didn't match then perhaps I would consider it. But likely still no. These are valuable if left in the condition and configuration they were discharged from the Army and with the CMP provenance.

[101st Airborne]

I can tell that mine is in essentially unissued condition since last rearsenal. No way I am splitting it up. Plus I have a 1950s era Colt contract hard slide.

But you got a matching frame and slide, correct?

[SkyHawk]

But you got a matching frame and slide, correct?

If you mean matching finish because they were finished at the same time and place, then yes. But my frame is wartime RemRand with a post-war Colt contract slide. So not matching mfg or even era.

[Xsteelrain]

This does not apply to CMP 1911A1's but years ago I picked up a Ithaca frame 1911A1 with a Remington Slide. After a year or two of looking I eventually found an Ithaca slide that was close in year of production and condition. Have no regrets here. Now if the 1911 was an arsenal rebuild I would prob leave it as is.

[CessnaDriver]

If you receive a mismatched frame and slide, would you swap slides with someone to have a matching frame and slide pistol?

What's you opinion? If both slides were in similar shape, fit, form and function not and issue, would you leave it the way it was shipped or match it up?

There's a thread on the CMP forum regarding this. Some interesting responses.

"I was in the Air Force, 1958-1964, serving as a Air Policeman. Every now and then, I was assigned to our Arms Room to help the Armour clean our weapons. When we cleaned our 45 pistols, we would field strip them and put the slide and other parts in a solvent oil bath. We then assembled them back together without regard to match the frame and slides."

One guy said he swapped and regretted it.

I'm picking mine up tomorrow. Ithaca frame and an RR slide.

That's exactly what I got and I would leave it unless you owned the swap gun as well so you always can put them back.

They are what they are. Piece of history and my thoughts are to leave them as they came into possession.

[Wheellock]

I'm the same as the above for a CMP pistol. It is as it left the DOD, so that was its last "in service" configuration. If it was something I found in a pawn shop, then swap away.

Ultimately, it is yours and you can paint it purple if that tickles your fancy.

[JoyfulJoker]

Bumping this. I got a replacement slide, and while most seems to have gotten a nicer pistol than me, I am starting to feel lucky to have one at all. For fun, there is no harm in making / buying a matching replacement slide AND keeping the USGI issue replacement slide. If I decide to sell it, it would be a nice package combo. I vote for keeping the CMP slide and getting one that suits your fancy although they are pricey$$$$.

[Spyder]

Mine is in fantastic condition since it was rebuilt last. I wouldn't likely do it by mail, but would be interested in swapping with someone in person, if they had an Ithaca slide and wanted a Remington slide. I'd want to inspect both and preferably shoot it before deciding, which makes it pretty unlikely to happen.

[k1dude]

I would look to buy someone's complete CMP 1911 with an Ithaca slide and RR frame.

That way you'll have 2 complete 1911's with matching frames/slides. If you should ever decide to sell and the buyer wants one or both the way they came from CMP, you could quickly swap back.

[swiftone]

I am in the same boat except need a type 3 RR slide.

Anyone want to trade my TZ slide for a Remington? Or just sell one outright?

[CalifEd]

I got a Service grade RR frame with type 3 RR slide.
The s/n dates to the week of Remington's restart in 1942.
The FOIA first entry as being logged in to system in 1978 at Anniston Munitions Center and then onto Germany in 1978, then Japan in the 90's and back to Anniston DLA from 1999 to 2018.
I would love to find a RR type 1 slide but both frame and slide are parker'd and since I feel I hit the lottery with this, it is too much to expect but I would only swap if both matched.

Are there any other resources that I could use to track the history of this from 1942 to 1978?

[JoyfulJoker]

No.
You may be able to find the crate number and where it was initially shipped to.

I received an Field Ithaca frame and a Numax 1979 slide. I bought an Ithaca slide via the CMP forum. If I don’t like it I can return it. If I find a better one , I can buy a new one and sell the other. I plan on shooting the replacement and having fun with the WW2 slide. To return it to the condition I got it from the CMP, all I need to do is change slides.

I had 9 offers on what I thought was a beater and I did not put it up for sale . It’s a decent shooter.

[Danodog]

You bet your ***!