1911 problem. Update on posts #21 and 33.

[phil conrad]

I have just purchased a Colt 1911 pre series 70 in 38Super. I purchased this off gunbroker. To say the least I am pissed. When it took it apart I found these two issues. The rust under the grips and there is a piece of wire under the slide rails. I have asked for my money back from the seller. Any how here are the pictures of this "gem". Is this thing even safe to shoot ? Sorry, I just had to vent.

[TKM]

$215 piece of wire.

http://www.acc-u-rail.com/

Rust can be dealt with in the usual way.

[phil conrad]

$215 piece of wire.

http://www.acc-u-rail.com/

Rust can be dealt with in the usual way.

Thanks for the link. I have never seen this before. Is this something that is commonly used ?

[pdaddy]

Many will opine OP...just want to ask the obvious question- how much did it cost you? Thanks for sharing. No matter, it is still a Colt.

[SkyHawk]

As soon as you saw the two tone thumb safety/hammer/beavertail grip safety in the auction - you should have been saying to yourself ‘Bubba was here’.

No matter, it is still a Colt.

Has the frame been ground to blend that beavertail grip safety? Because more like ‘was a Colt at one time’ if so. Doubt that finish is original either. And is that even a Colt barrel?

Looks like it was sporting an ambi-safety at some point too, from the rub marks under the right grip.

[javaduke]

This may be just a surface rust, see if you can clean it with some scotchbrite and Hoppe's #9. Clean the gun well, re-lube and reassemble, it should be fine. Worst case, replace the grips with a new ones.
As others said this gun has Accurails installed, so the slide to frame fit must be pretty tight. If the barrel is properly fitted, the gun should be able to shoot some very tight groups.

[SkyHawk]

You go sanding on it, it’s yours. I doubt anyone is taking it back after that. So before you start rubbing on it with a penny or scrub pad, be sure you want it. Inspect it for cracks, be sure the slide/barrel lugs aren’t worn to heck, etc.

I guess it depends on what you paid and what you expected. If you thought you were buying an original Colt, then I can see where you’d be very disappointed indeed.

[pdaddy]

...just saw the serial number. Soon enough, someone will comment on it and question whether or not it is a Colt.
I bet someone is checking it now.

[SkyHawk]

...just saw the serial number. Soon enough, someone will comment on it and question whether or not it is a Colt.
I bet someone is checking it now.

I already did. 1966.

And I questioned the frame since the Colt markings are not there, but it does have a Vp roll mark on the left trigger guard so I am guessing it is a Colt frame, albeit one that has seen better days.

[CifaldiPrecision]

[phil conrad]

Thanks for all the advice. I paid $965.00 with shipping. I knew that the gun had been modified. It has a Kart barrel and Novak sights. Those were mentioned in the auction. I bought this to shoot,not collect. I just wish the seller had been more up front. I was worried that I bought a paper weight. I have not heard back from the seller. Hopefully this thing will shoot well.

[ar15barrels]

Thanks for the link. I have never seen this before. Is this something that is commonly used ?

Only on guns that people want to make more accurate by tightening up the fit of the slide and frame.

[smoothy8500]

Thanks for the link. I have never seen this before. Is this something that is commonly used ?

Back then 1911's were notoriously loose and sloppy. This was one way to "upgrade" 1911's in the late 80's and 90's when I first started shooting IPSC. The other was peening/swaging the rails or "squeezing" the slide. Either peening or squeeze method had drawbacks, but the rails were "High-tech".

As to the rust under the grips, that's pretty common too with older 1911's. I think you got a decent value but others may disagree.

[CifaldiPrecision]

Fixed it for you. I see this all the time. Moisture gets trapped under the grips and this area is neglected often when it comes to cleaning the gun.




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[smoothy8500]

Yeah, I always assumed it was due to everyone using WD-40 exclusively back then...