Argentine Colt 1911

[gunsby_blazen]

I have a colt 1911 made for Argentina. It has no finish left but all the serial numbers match. It seems a lot of them are like this, with matching serial numbers. Its in fairly rough shape and the barrel has not much rifling. It has sentimental value to me as it was a gift from my late uncle so I still don’t want it getting damaged. I don’t want it torn up anyway as it is an old gun and is a collector’s item to me. Its not a Sistema. The springs are worn out and I would like to shoot it just a little bit so I have been holding out on doing this. I have shot it before but it has been years ago.
I don’t reload so my selection of ammo will be stuff from factories.
So I am asking for some advice on shooting it without tearing it up.

I have some Wilson combat buffers but they are not installed as I have heard conflicting stories about the use of them
I have a colt replacement sear spring that I have not installed.

I need to get a complete set of springs and I was considering getting a pack of Wilson Combat brand but I am thinking that maybe I should get colt springs instead.

What ammo would be good in shooting an old gun (made in the 1920s). I don’t want to shoot anything too hot in it.

What parts do you recommend in replacing?

or, should I leave it as is? I don’t know if parts have been replaced on it before I bought it, I assume the springs have been replaced over the years though…

thanks,
-GB
(yeah, its been a while since i posted)

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Why the sear? Is the current one damaged? Don't replace current parts unless you fear failure. The springs are available, the only question is what weight do you want? The heavier ones are for high pressure loads meant to make majors in competition... The rubber buffers aren't needed if your springs are good. You can get GI replacement springs and they'll be fine. Don't get the Wolfe brand over power types, they can be trouble. Ask for a full replacement set and you'll change them one for one. Use standard ammo, perhaps Federal 230 gr ball would be available to you? It's about as good as can be had and close to gov't spec. It's clean...

[painter777]

I have a colt 1911 made for Argentina

Would this be one of the 10,000 made at Colt for the Argentines ?
Model of 1927 ?
Marked Ejercito Argentino ?

If so I have one...
Link here: https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=8031

Similar ?

Charlie-Painter777

[gunsby_blazen]

Would this be one of the 10,000 made at Colt for the Argentines ?
Model of 1927 ?
Marked Ejercito Argentino ?

If so I have one...
Link here: https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=8031

Similar ?

Charlie-Painter777

yes it is.
Mine is slightly ore worn than yours.
nice gun! Have you shot yours?
I have shot my uncles hand loads in it for which he made especially for the gun.
I have also shot some federal ball in it but only one box in the past eight or so years.
I dont shoot it much, i mostly just look at it and wipe it down with oil.

---------- Post added at 08:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 PM ----------

Why the sear? Is the current one damaged? Don't replace current parts unless you fear failure. The springs are available, the only question is what weight do you want? The heavier ones are for high pressure loads meant to make majors in competition... The rubber buffers aren't needed if your springs are good. You can get GI replacement springs and they'll be fine. Don't get the Wolfe brand over power types, they can be trouble. Ask for a full replacement set and you'll change them one for one. Use standard ammo, perhaps Federal 230 gr ball would be available to you? It's about as good as can be had and close to gov't spec. It's clean...

I just have an extra sear from Colt that i bought on a whim just in case. Its just in a box of extra parts. A fella told me a while back that i needed to best get a new sear spring so i bought it. I never installed it as i have never had the need to do so. I was just asking what you guys on here had to say.
i have the Wilson combat buffers but i am not sure i will use them. My springs lack compression and are worn. Like i said before, i heard mixed things about use them regarding increased wear and i got them to prevent that kind of thing.

What springs would you suggest? a set of colt springs? Would you recommend ordering them straight from Colt or ordering through Brownells or something?
(i am from the US)
I usually stick to OEM parts if i can get them. There are so many manufactures out there and i am mostly only familiar with "performance" brands with aftermarket parts.

The only thing i have changed out for aftermarket parts is my Rugers and they are not necessarily collectors items (depending on who you ask). I have put wilson combat springs in those but those are shooters.

[painter777]

Have you shot yours?

Clean and lubed it and shoot the He!! out of it, until the replaced frt sight came loose. I have to figure out how to get the silver solder off the slide top off, then replace the frt site. Currently setting fully apart in a big zip loc.
I removed it and bought 2 or 3 replacements for it but haven't put one on.
Shot pretty much all of the above out of it. New and reloaded, mostly my reloads in 230grn. Doesn't seem to matter eats ball or L-SWC just the same.
Never a issue, same springs, part etc that my Father had in it.
Accuracy ? About a 7 compared to my new 1911's.

Curious if yours has the wood grips?
I've seen these without..... like on the Coolgunsight.com

HTH,
Charlie-Painter777

[gunsby_blazen]

Clean and lubed it and shoot the He!! out of it, until the replaced frt sight came loose. I have to figure out how to get the silver solder off the slide top off, then replace the frt site. Currently setting fully apart in a big zip loc.
I removed it and bought 2 or 3 replacements for it but haven't put one on.
Shot pretty much all of the above out of it. New and reloaded, mostly my reloads in 230grn. Doesn't seem to matter eats ball or L-SWC just the same.
Never a issue, same springs, part etc that my Father had in it.
Accuracy ? About a 7 compared to my new 1911's.

Curious if yours has the wood grips?
I've seen these without..... like on the Coolgunsight.com

HTH,
Charlie-Painter777

mine are plastic grips, not wood

i havent had any trouble with it besides hammer bite. HAHAHA!
but, i know the springs are warn so i dont want to shoot anything in that will cause excess wear.

the rifling is shot in it. accuracy sucks but i can hit water bottles at about 10 yards with it.
My dad shot it once a long time ago and was able to hit clays at 100 yards with it. I have no idea how and i swear it was luck but i saw it. I have it on video too....
Its a good memory.

mine had the original front sight on it and its harder than all get out to see.

but mine has absolutely no finish left on it. I keep it oiled up because of it so it doesn't get rust.

i wish they made modern, reproduction, 1911s with the iron sights like these old ones. Even the reproduction guns have sights that are way too wide.

[browningautorifle]

Order a set of standard factory stuff from Brownells and you'll be fine. You don't need extra power springs.

[gunsby_blazen]

Order a set of standard factory stuff from Brownells and you'll be fine. You don't need extra power springs.

Thanks Jim.
-GB

[Daan Kemp]

Some questions.
1. Which of the springs are worn? How did you determine that? This will lead to better advice.
2. What kind of accuracy are you talking of? Hitting a bottle at 10 yards tells me it is more than accurate enough, irrespective of what you see looking down the barrel. These old 1911 don't have rifling like a brand new rifle and it might be more than sufficient.

[browningautorifle]

1. Which of the springs are worn?

I'd just look at changing them all as they're unknown as to their origin and condition. Then they're all new at once.