Posted: 3/13/2004 6:39:12 AM EDT
| I own an all original WW2-Era Colt Gov. Model M1911A1 with an RIA (Rock Island Armory?) stamp, and a serial no. in the 149XXX range. The gun has one completely original magazine. The pistol was originally purchased by a relative at an early 1960's gov't. auction for six dollars. Its history up to that point is not known. I have had the occasion to fire the pistol once or twice every few months for the last 4 years. Each time I have fired no more than 50 rounds of .45 ACP, always 230 grain round nose FMJ or HP. The gun has performed admirably, with not a single FTE or FTF that I can recall. The gun's accuracy has always been excellent, even with its poor sights. I could destroy cans, shotgun shells and plastic bottles with ease out to unreasonable distances. I had once, with my father present, hit a human silhouette target from a picnic bench five times out of seven at 130 yards.The gun was clened and oiled thoroughly each time before storage. Recently, accuracy of the gun has faltered. Over the last 3 months, the gun has been fired twice, about 75 rounds total. Each time, the accuracy has been terrible. Firing at paper targets from 10 yards produced inconsistent results, poor groups and the like. Inspection of the barrel revealed no problems, no jacketing, no fouling, excellent lands and grroves. This gun has stymied me to no end, and I would like to fix this problem with as little a headache possible. So before I spend a few hundred on a new barrel for no apparent reason, I humbly ask for any and all advice you guys may have on this subject. All input is greatly appreciated. Thanks as always. - Chris Cheng |
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Sounds like a broke part somewhere. The gun is no longer locking up correctly or at least not consistently. Check the slide rails, the bushing, the swinging link and its pin, the locking lugs on the barrel as well as the recesses they mate with inside the slide. Check the slide stop itself as well. Probably somewhere there you will find the problem...it only takes a hairline crack. If you're lucky it's the slide stop...replace it and go. There are a few other things it might be, but one or more of these are more likely to be the culprit. |
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What ikor said... and cease fire. If you can't find anything obvious, a qualified gunsmith should be able to figure it out for you. A new recoil spring may be overdue too, after all these years, once it's sorted out. Good luck and I hope your 1911 gets well soon. Keep us posted as to what was found too. |