…here’s another gun that was featured in a “Preview of coming attractions” post a while back.
Since I’ve written a lot about the 1911 in the past, and plan to write a lot about 1911s in the future, I can make this a somewhat shorter than usual for gun crankery post.
(Also, I think at this point I need a “1911” sub-category under “Guns”. I think a “Smith and Wesson” category was long overdue as well.)
Mike and I were out at Provident Arms in Spicewood a while back, just making the rounds and poking around.
The guy behind the counter (GBtC) said, “Hey, do you want to see something cool?”
“Hey, do you want to see something cool?” is, to my mind, one of the most dangerous phrases you can hear in a gun shop. Especially if, like me, you have Smith and Wesson tastes and a Jennings budget.
Anyway, we indicated our assent, and GBtC pulled this out.
It’s not a 1911A1. It’s a real honest to God Colt 1911.
Yes, it has the four line Colt patent and the US property mark.
And the Model of 1911 stamp on the side, along with the RIA marking.
I realize the differences between the 1911 and the 1911A1 are subtle, especially if you’re not a 1911 aficionado. Your average member of the Colt Collector’s Association can probably recite them from memory: as for me, I have to look them up.
Here’s my CMP gun side-by-side with the 1911:
Not a great picture, but I think you can at least see some of the differnces: specifically, the relief cuts and the shortened trigger.
This particular 1911 isn’t the best example, as it has been modified by a previous owner. I was told the sights had been replaced, and the mainspring housing modified. Also, both the GBtC and I are pretty sure it has been refinished, but whoever refinished it did a nice job. It doesn’t have as much collector value as it would unaltered, but I really like the way it feels in the hand.
(And the CMP gun is sort of a mixmaster anyway. Not that I’m complaining, just saying it probably isn’t a perfect exemplar of the 1911A1 for historians, either.)
Colt has an online serial number lookup tool, which says this one shipped in 1918. I’ve sent off for a historical letter, but have not received it yet.
As I have so often quoted, “You’re not paying for the gun. You’re paying for the story behind it.” The story I got was that the person who brought this in, received it as a gift from his father-in-law. That seems very much like a G.K. Chesterton sort of moment to me. It also feels like, given the modifications, this was owned by someone who knew what he wanted in a defensive handgun at the time, and didn’t value “history” more than he did “practicality”. I kind of like that in a person, and in a gun.
Unfortunately, however, the father-in-law was now the ex-father-in-law. Guy couldn’t stand having the memory of his ex-wife around? He was a Glock aficionado? Just not a gun guy at all, and wanted to convert the gun into some jingle in his jeans? No idea, but his desire to part with the gun was Provident’s gain.
And about two weeks later, my bonus payment from Cisco came through, so…it followed me home, Ma, can I keep it?
Funny story: I asked the folks at Provident if I could have a paper bag to put it in, as I didn’t want to leave it on the floor of my car in the open. The GBtC went into the back, rummaged around a bit, and came out with a really nice Glock pistol carrier that just fit the gun.
“No, no, I wasn’t asking for free stuff. I just wanted a paper bag or something.”
“No worries, chief. Glock sent us a whole box of these as promo items. I figure we can throw one in for you.”
I was a little concerned that putting a 1911 into a Glock carrier would be kind of like mixing matter and anti-matter, but so far nothing has exploded. Yet.
On the other hand, I haven’t gotten out to the range yet. I have to find some time to do that. Perhaps over spring break, as I expect to have a couple of Sunday afternoons free. And I still need to break it down and lube it…time is a flat circle indeed.
Now. Do you have a breeding pair? Careful.
It should be remembered that some of the value of the CMP guns is there’s a huge number of veterans (like me!) who were issued a gun in such a mixmaster state and that makes it an ideal M1911A1 to own.
The story isn’t the only part of the equation. It’s also worth what it’s worth to the buyer. The person who doesn’t think it’s worth it, is not the buyer.
I’ve been keeping the two guns separate from each other, but you know more than I do, McThag. Can a 1911 and a 1911A1 breed? Is it sort of like a mule? You can breed a 1911 and an A1, but the resulting offspring is sterile?
I had a 1911 some years ago, but ended up selling it, due to me not being able to reach the mag release button very well. Plus I went to stocking only the 9mm caliber, instead of the 9 plus .45acp.
The only thing about that 1911 is that I shot it the best of any pistol that I ever have shot, which leads me to my question.
What does anyone think about the low cost options available now in a 1911 in 9mm? I am thinking of Tisas mostly, since at one time you could pick one up for a touch over 300$.
They have one new model called the Stingray, which sells for around 450$. It seems to have everything one wants in a 1911, including an aluminum frame and it is a series 70. Also I think it has what they call Heiny style sights, and several other features that look like they make it worth the extra few dollars for the gun.
Any insight would be helpful. I would have to sell one of my guns, most likely the S&W 3913 that I have. It has less than 100 rounds through it, I believe, and is immaculate. With the Alien Gear IWB holster for it, I expect to get around 400$ from a private individual.
I haven’t handled the Tisas in 9mm or .45, so I don’t have an opinion on them yet. If I get a chance, I’ll ping Karl and see if he has an opinion.
I do know that the CMP recently signed a deal with Tisas to supply CMP branded 1911A1 pistols. I’d like to think there was some vetting before CMP made that deal, but I can’t be sure of that.
The biggest thing I’d say is: before you buy, handle one. Especially if you had problems with the mag release on the old 1911. I know, I’m probably teaching my grandmother to suck eggs (as the saying goes) but that’s my advice to everyone: handle before you buy.
Thanks Stainles,
We have a few gun stores in my area, but they mostly don’t handle this type of gun. With such a small number of people in the area, they seem to stick with the guns that they feel they can move.
Things like the Glocks, M&P’s, Smith & Wesson, etc. I would have to drive to Grand Rapids to find a dealer who stocks things like this.
I am also intrigued by the S&W CSX, their version of a compact gun similar to the 1911, but without the grip safety. I have heard both good and bad things about it, so I might try and get to Silver Bullet firearms in Grand Rapids, and see if they have any of the afore mentioned guns or something that strikes my fancy.
As always, thank you for your response. I really am grateful for your wisdom in the areas that you share with me.
Mike and I had a chance to handle a Tisas at a gun show over the weekend (the “Tank Commander” model). It was the only one I saw, but the new gun dealer tables had lots of folks standing in front of them and were hard to get a look at.
The one we handled seemed solidly put together, didn’t rattle much, and the fit and finish looked okay. We weren’t able to try the trigger pull as the gun was secured with zip ties and an anti-theft cable.
For what it’s worth, I just got an email from GrabAGun offering a Tisas for $399. You’ll also have to pay a transfer fee and have it shipped to your dealer. I don’t know if that’s a better alternative for you than driving to Grand Rapids.
Keep in mind that the one thing I know about guns is how much I don’t know about guns.