1918 colt 1911 refinish and shooting

[Taeverling]

Hello all, I recently purchased a 1918 colt, it was nickeled at one point but still has deep markings. The nickel is now stripped and I'm going to reblue it. My biggest concern is I'm reading about not shooting them do to the mild steel slides. It's seems like everything is still very solid. Was just wondering if anyone had any input? I really want this to be a shooter...

 

[Creedmoor]

When your pistol was built the 230 grain load was 21,000 psi and around 850 FPS, its still the same today, 21,000 psi at 850 FPS
Shoot it and have fun.

 

[Taeverling]

When your pistol was built the 230 grain load was 21,000 psi and around 850 FPS, its still the same today, 21,000 psi at 850 FPS
Shoot it and have fun.

Great to hear. Know anything of why they cry about the slide cracking so much? I know the metal is softer but surely not that soft.

 

[Creedmoor]

Great to hear. Know anything of why they cry about the slide cracking so much? I know the metal is softer but surely not that soft.

Not that I'm truly aware of, we have a few 1911 and A1 GI pistols. We shoot them on occasion, but we baby them when we do. Original parts in good condition are getting hard to find and more expensive.

 

[Taeverling]

Not that I'm truly aware of, we have a few 1911 and A1 GI pistols. We shoot them on occasion, but we baby them when we do. Original parts in good condition are getting hard to find and more expensive.

Very true on the parts. But the gun will definitely be okay to shoot without worry? I'm a clean freak so it will be well maintained.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Very true on the parts. But the gun will definitely be okay to shoot without worry? I'm a clean freak so it will be well maintained.

IF you are concerned, reload on the lighter side for it.

And if you dont reload, INGO advertiser Bobcat Armament in Shelbyville will do custom loads. Last time I had him do competition loads for me he only charged a $35 setup fee per run on top of his regular cost. (50 or 50,000 rounds)

 

[Taeverling]

IF you are concerned, reload on the lighter side for it.

And if you dont reload, INGO advertiser Bobcat Armament in Shelbyville will do custom loads. Last time I had him do competition loads for me he only charged a $35 setup fee per run on top of his regular cost. (50 or 50,000 rounds)

Alrighty, I will look into some lighter loads. I've just been running 230gr jacketed ball thru it. I'm not to concerned about it breaking to much. I know it's worth money but on the other hand it's far from its original condition. Parts appear to be correct though. Will probably get another barrel so I dont have to shoot out the old one.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Alrighty, I will look into some lighter loads. I've just been running 230gr jacketed ball thru it. I'm not to concerned about it breaking to much. I know it's worth money but on the other hand it's far from its original condition. Parts appear to be correct though. Will probably get another barrel so I dont have to shoot out the old one.

And Kimball is great to work with. You give him the specs and he'll make it happen. (specific bullets, powder, loads, OAL, etc.) I didnt feel like pulling the lever on my press 2,000x so for barely more than retail cases, his motorized Dillon cranked them out for me the same exact load I would do at home. Even the oddball flat points I use.

 

[Creedmoor]

Alrighty, I will look into some lighter loads. I've just been running 230gr jacketed ball thru it. I'm not to concerned about it breaking to much. I know it's worth money but on the other hand it's far from its original condition. Parts appear to be correct though. Will probably get another barrel so I dont have to shoot out the old one.

Just shift over to cast lead bullets, you will never wear it out then.

 

[Max Volume]

I have no experience with them but always trust some of these people with anything 1911 related. There are very intelligent people there who can instantly discern the originality of any old one with decent pictures.

https://www.1911forum.com/threads/wwi-1911-slide-steel-is-how-soft.1034890/

 

[Taeverling]

And Kimball is great to work with. You give him the specs and he'll make it happen. (specific bullets, powder, loads, OAL, etc.) I didnt feel like pulling the lever on my press 2,000x so for barely more than retail cases, his motorized Dillon cranked them out for me the same exact load I would do at home. Even the oddball flat points I use.

I will have to check him out. Been wanting some better 45 rounds for it.

 

[Taeverling]

Just shift over to cast lead bullets, you will never wear it out then.

I'm trying to get some, haven't had a chance too yet.

 

[Taeverling]

I have no experience with them but always trust some of these people with anything 1911 related. There are very intelligent people there who can instantly discern the originality of any old one with decent pictures.

https://www.1911forum.com/threads/wwi-1911-slide-steel-is-how-soft.1034890/

Thank you for the link. I will check it out soon as I get a chance this evening.

 

[Creedmoor]

I'm trying to get some, haven't had a chance too yet.

Summit City Bullets

45 acp

45 acp

summitcitybullets.com

 

[indyartisan]

Who removed the nickel plate?
How was it removed?

 

[Taeverling]

Who removed the nickel plate?
How was it removed?

I'm not sure who removed it but It was stripped in a electrical bath, as far as I can tell atleast....

 

[Leadeye]

Nothing wrong with a nickle plated Black Army and like Creedmoor said, a steady diet of cast lead bullets is great for 45 ACP stuff.

 

[Taeverling]

Nothing wrong with a nickle plated Black Army and like Creedmoor said, a steady diet of cast lead bullets is great for 45 ACP stuff.

Sure isnt, if it's plated properly then it looks good. Yours looks great, definitely a good looking firearm. I will definitely go get some cast bullets for it. Any idea what they are worth after they have been refinished like this? I'm going to give it a good blue.

 

[Leadeye]

Sure isnt, if it's plated properly then it looks good. Yours looks great, definitely a good looking firearm. I will definitely go get some cast bullets for it. Any idea what they are worth after they have been refinished like this? I'm going to give it a good blue.

Even a refinished Black Army is going to be well north of $1000.

 

[Taeverling]

Even a refinished Black Army is going to be well north of $1000.

Good to know, I spent 900, so I don't feel so bad now.