Post war M1911A1

[Mikecp@2022]

During Korean War and Viet-Nam and later until the change to Beretta circa 1985. Was US troops used the M1911A1 refurbished par Arsenal or as is? Or both. During the sixties and seventies was all slides hardened to use with new ammunitions?
Thanks for answers

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Johnny Peppers]

Production of the Model 1911A1 stopped with the end of WWII. The pistols continued to go through rebuild as needed until the adoption of the Beretta M9. Beginning with new slide production following WWII all the slides were hardened, but the ammunition stayed the same.

[Mikecp@2022]

Concerning these hardened spare slides made after the war, they was repro by Colt or different Arsenal, or did they have enough M1911 spare parts in stock until the M9 adoption.
Any idea, (I'm sure you do) where all the M1911A1 spare parts gone?
Thanks and congrats for your knowledge.

[Johnny Peppers]

The Colt slides were nor reproductions, and were some of the first commercial fully hardened slides. Several different contractors made the hard slides during the 1960/70 time period. I know I bought spare parts during the time everyone had them, but don't know where the others went.

[INLAND44]

'During Korean War and Viet-Nam and later until the change to Beretta circa 1985. Was US troops used the M1911A1 refurbished par Arsenal or as is? Or both. During the sixties and seventies was all slides hardened to use with new ammunitions?'

Not all pistols got 'hard slides'. In fact, the vast majority did not. If a pistol remained serviceable, it was left in service. If a slide began to crack or otherwise malfunction, it would get a replacement slide, but they simply did not buy enough new slides to fit all the pistols they had. Rebuilt pistols were used along with completely original ones as well as any combination of parts you can imagine, until the pistol was obsoleted.

[Johnny Peppers]

During the 1960's time period I was in a shooting club, and virtually everyone got every small arm offered by the NRA/DCM. Most everyone got a 1911/1911A1 pistol, and the vast majority were Model 1911 pistols that were unissued after rebuild.

[INLAND44]

Wow, Johnny, I would have loved to have seen the faces when the boxes were opened. What looks better than a fresh pistol from the arsenal? Personally, I think the rebuilds on an M1911 frame are the best.