1911 Guys, Step Inside

[BlueGecko]

I have a 1918 Colt 1911 that was given to me by a family member. I want to buy a spare parts kit BUT with prices for full 1911s so low it makes sense to buy a complete gun. My question is, will a Tisas clone be interchangeable?
Model in question:
https://sdsimports.com/1911-army-45-wgpre-pro-blem-45acp/

 

[John Travis]

I have a 1918 Colt 1911 that was given to me by a family member. I want to buy a spare parts kit BUT with prices for full 1911s so low it makes sense to buy a complete gun. My question is, will a Tisas clone be interchangeable?
Model in question:
https://sdsimports.com/1911-army-45-wgpre-pro-blem-45acp/

Probably, but there's no guarantee.

Since the older pistols aren't really suitable for more than light, occasional use, it's doubtful that you'd even have need for spare parts.

 

[pinkbunny]

Probably, but there's no guarantee.

Since the older pistols aren't really suitable for more than light, occasional use, it's doubtful that you'd even have need for spare parts.

Whats wrong with the old ones? The heat treating or metal? Fitting? Or just too valuable to use?

 

[John Travis]

Whats wrong with the old ones?

They're soft. There was no heat treatment at all on the pre-WW2 pistols, and even those only had treatment on the slides at the front, and at the slidestop notch.

The only other hardened part in the slides was done around 1936 with the addition of a hardened insert in the breechface known as the "recoil shield" or "recoil insert" to forestall peening around the firing pin port from the case slamming into it when the gun fired. Most people who spot it think the circle is a machining mark. The rest was dead soft.

 

[GymB]

Buy a “spare” 1911 to shoot.

 

[Dirtydirtysouf]

I'd clean up and keep the older 1911 as a conversation piece and family heirloom. Then buy a new 1911 and shoot the shit out of it.

 

[BlueGecko]

I'd clean up and keep the older 1911 as a conversation piece and family heirloom. Then buy a new 1911 and shoot the shit out of it.

Thats the plan with the bonus of having the shooter as a parts donor [if ever needed].

 

[lowspeed]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember that 1918 was the last year of the "black" Colts. They had a very black finish up until that year and are fairly collectable.

 

[John Travis]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember that 1918 was the last year of the "black" Colts.

1918 was the year of the Black Army Colts. The last of'em were released in March 1919. They've come into their own as collectibles even though they weren't exactly rare, but original and/or correct examples are getting harder to come by, so that's a contributor.

My advice to the OP is to shoot it sparingly...like a magazine full to commemmorate the D-Day landing at Normandy or a WW2 veteran uncle's birthday, etc. I also advise you to have a GO/NO GO headspace check run on it before firing it...and check for a small crack at the top rear of the ejection port on the left side. If it's there, it's a wall hanger. Don't allow live ammunition in the same room with it.

 

[Svt_tactical]

Wise suggestions already made. It's a heirloom, handle it, fondle it, show it off..... but shoot something else

 

[Etruett]

I have a 1918 Colt 1911 that was given to me by a family member. I want to buy a spare parts kit BUT with prices for full 1911s so low it makes sense to buy a complete gun. My question is, will a Tisas clone be interchangeable?
Model in question:
https://sdsimports.com/1911-army-45-wgpre-pro-blem-45acp/

Just shoot it and if a part breaks, replace it then. I’m betting it will outlast you as long as you shoot light Target loads

 

[John Travis]

Just shoot it and if a part breaks, replace it then.

It's not a matter of "if" but "when" something breaks...and with these oldsters, the next round could be the one that cracks the slide. Or..if the slide and barrel lugs have deformed and created headspace far in excess of what is reasonable and safe...the next round could be catastrophic.

Never shoot one that old without getting a bill of health from a competent gunsmith.