Need advice please, Been offered a COLT Model ACE SERVICE TRAINING PISTOL. in .22rf dated to 1935. What should I look out for if there are any issues. :help:
Thank you in advance.
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Need advice please, Been offered a COLT Model ACE SERVICE TRAINING PISTOL. in .22rf dated to 1935. What should I look out for if there are any issues. :help:
Thank you in advance.
There's actually lots to that question...lots of info. If you want something to shoot, I might steer away from them as I had two and neither one functioned as they should. Other guys had them and sang their praises. There's different types, Colt Ace, Ace conversion... Sounds like you have the whole pistol coming and it should be a beauty. Polished and blue and beautiful walnut scales. You're asking what to look for as a collector's piece?
Early examples with the smaller slide are very rare to find, the regular Colt ACE is not known for accuracy and does foul-up rather fast. The floating chamber get dirty. If you collect Colt 1911's you should have a ACE.
Years ago I made some ACE barrels from Winchester Model 52 barrels that were new but cut-up in random lengths by the military salvage Accuracy was improvedAttachment 106151
Thank you for the replies,
I had read that they can foul quickly the seller said it should get through 200-250 rounds of quality .22rf before need cleaning. I don't mind cleaning. We have Colt's as part of a collection 1 x 1911 .45acp a 1903 .32acp & revolvers, so thought another 1911 would fit in nicely.
Hi Jim yes as a collectors item what should I look for, it is in mint condition from the pictures I have seen. It has a 4 digit serial number, which does date it to 1935. It would not get shot very often.
Thanks again. :thup:
I have the conversion unit. I like it. The floating chamber does need cleaning after use. I can shoot 200 + rds with no trouble.
I find that amazing, I had two and neither one worked worth a hoot. They would plug solid and the floating chamber would be jammed... I tried all nature of ammo too. Like I had to strip it every few mags.Quote:
Originally Posted by johniv
I have a postwar Colt Ace that I really enjoy shooting. I use only standard velocity ammo and have not had any fouling problems of ant note.
A High Standard, it is not.
It is my understanding that the pre war Aces' are worth a lot of money. Not the expert though.
That may have been my problem from the start, poor information. I was using newer stuff, HV.Quote:
Originally Posted by 25-5
I had one of the newer conversion kits that were sold as a match set with a Colt National Match .45ACP Enhanced Gold Cup. I found that after about 150 rounds the floating chamber would start to malfunction. I put the conversion kit on a stainless Steel Caspian frame. I stuck with the High Standard Military Citation which is better gun.
Glad it wasn't just me...Quote:
Originally Posted by fjruple
Due to the Covid-19 issues I have a long time to think it over should I buy or not. The seller also has a COLT 1911 COMBAT COMMANDER .45acp dated 1979 which he is also selling and will do a deal on both.
So now should I buy and just keep the Ace to look at. Advice please.
Thanks so far guys for the comments and advice, stay healthy over there.
I think the solution for reliable function was given, if you used some of that lovely Eley ammo it might just run perfectly. Lower velocities and all...but can't say for sure. The Colt Commander would be just gorgeous too. If you can get a deal, why not? You won't regret the Commander... I know that's no help.
I hope everyone on this forum is safe and healthy.
I have decided not to buy the Colt ACE at this time, because of the issue facing everyone, even though the offer of the Colt .45acp Combat as well was an interesting option.
Thanks to those that gave advice.
Can't wait for the ranges to reopen.
I first built a Caspian frame for a 1950's .22 ACE conversion unit, and found, much to my chagrin that it fouled badly after only 20-50 shots. The floating chamber got lead clogged. After some trail and error, I found that CCI mini mags, with the copper plating, help a lot. I can get at least 100-200 shots with no issues. It does shoot very well and is accurate. The project was not for the faint of heart. Only after a great deal of work was it good. Swapped a lot of springs and other parts. I guess that is par for the course when you start with a box of junk.
After that, found an exceptional pre war ACE. This is the smaller slide, kind of a 3/4 scale 1911 with no floating chamber. This has all sorts of special machining to reduce weight in the slide. The sort of thing that could never be reproduced today. The fit and finish is stunning. It is 100% reliable, and accurate. One of my favourite things on this earth.
I have a Colt .22 Conversion Kit. It is installed on a Norinco (sorry) frame. Great shooter!
I have an early conversion unit. Ser #U-159. It shoots fairly well if I do my part. Unfortunately
it won't go to slide lock now. It actually fits best on a US&S frame and not a Colt 1911a1 frame. I have two Colt 1911's that might accommodate it. I also have a newer conversion circa 1947 but it really does not function as well as the earlier model. Thanks.
There's a specific slide stop for them. Also the notch in the slide could be rounding out...Quote:
Originally Posted by Skidsteer1
On the earlier pinned base magazines, the alloy follower also wears and or breaks so there is nothing to contact the nub on the slide stop to hold the slide open.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Don't think I ever saw those, we don't have many around here commonly. Mine was a steel mag, don't remember the follower material.Quote:
Originally Posted by Garandy
I have a conversion unit made in (I think) the 60’s. I get 150 to 200 rds before I have to clean. Doesn’t seem to matter what ammo I use. I don’t think they were ever ment to be a target pistol or “stand alone” pistol. Just for occasional cheap practice.
Being outside lubricated, 22LR residue will always build up. Need to clean every now and then.
It wasn't lube though. I had a solid amount of lead that had blown in between the floating chamber and the barrel where it "Floated"...and it would be solid so it couldn't do it's job of actuating the slide movement.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daan Kemp
You can Colt Ace is a really nice gun and it shoots well.
I put a complete Ace slide together from single parts from Numrich back in the late ‘70’s and fitted it to my ipsc match 1911 pistol. Nowhere near as accurate as my Woodsmans but I used it as a practice gun for ipsc. 22s were dirt cheap then compared to reloading .45acp. A complete pistol would be a cool 1911 variation to add to a collection.
Update reference the ACE with Covid and everything here in the UK, we decided not too buy the pistol, so we found something else, still a Colt & a 1911 but in 9mm a Series 70 Factory 9mm version dated to 1972 its in mint condition, and as we already own other 9mm's it fits in well with the 9mm collection.
That should handle any ammo you wish to feed it and give flawless accuracy and performance.Quote:
Originally Posted by bnz41