.45 needs work

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optiontrader

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I just found this site tonight. Wonderful!!!

About 20 years ago I bought a 70 series .45 at a gun show in Tulsa. One night at a shooting range the gun misfired. The bullet lodged in the barrel and swelled it to the point that I had to use a dowel to beat the barrel out of the slide. The magazine was blown out of the frame (thank God the other rounds didn't cook off!) and the frame cracked. I only got a few minor cuts and scratches. Later I found out that the slide was from a 70 series and that the frame was made of pot metal. The gun now has an Essex frame. At the time I thought the problem was that I had errantly double loaded a round with powder.

The last time I fired the weapon was several years ago and I noticed that the slide was not going all the way forward. I now believe the problem occurred because the slide didn't go completely home but the next round managed to fire. The gun has been worked on by a local gunsmith but it did not operate any better.

I suppose the next thing I need to do is find another gunsmith to look at it but I'd prefer to find someone who specializes in .45's. How do I do that? Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
For one thing, 70 Series Colt frames were definitely not made of pot metal (cheap cast iron); they were made of forged steel.

At this remove, it is hard to say what caused the original problem, but it is possible there was some damage to the slide as well as to the frame. It is also possible that fitting the new barrel was not done properly so the slide does not go into battery. There is really no way to diagnose a problem like that without seeing the gun.

To find a gunsmith, I suggest asking around at gun shops; most stores have someone who does their work, and they know his capabilities. The yellow pages are another good place to start. If nothing local turns up, try a Google search; there are a number of pistolsmiths who specialize in 1911 type pistols and should be able to help. As to whether the gunsmith knows his stuff, the best bet is to just ask. The job doesn't sound very difficult or one requiring a lot of knowledge. You aren't asking anyone to build a super target gun, only make a repair.

Jim
 
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I guess I should have said I thought I was buying a 70 series .45. The slide was from a Colt 70 series but apparently the frame was not. It was a "parts gun" that a guy pushed on me at a gun show. Now I know to take a magnet to check the frame to see if it's the real thing or not.

More to the point, based on past experience any gunsmith I take it to will say they can work on it. I'm trying to find someone who specializes in Colt .45 automatics. How do you find someone like that? I heard that someone like "Guns and Ammo" had a list of best gunsmiths by type but haven't been able to find it. Any ideas on finding someone who is really good with this type of firearm would be greatly appreciated.
 
You say the frame was made of pot metal.
May I ask who the manufacture was of the pot metal frame?
Could the frame maybe have been an aluminum alloy?
I'm also curious as to where the frame was cracked?
There's a lot of good 1911 smith's; there may even be one close to where you live.
Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
There is - or was (not sure where that frame ended up) - no name on it. It cracked along the left side and by the trigger guard. I'm pretty sure it was "pot metal" or aluminum since a magnet wouldn't stick to it.
 
I'm pretty sure it was aluminum since a magnet wouldn't stick to it.
Click to expand...
Aluminum is not pot metal. Many reputable manufacturers, such as Colt, have made 1911s with aluminum frames.
 
Maybe if the barrel engages the slide with them both off of the gun, the link might be the problem. Or the barrel might not be fitted to the slide so that it can go full up at the rear. I assume the slide will not go full forward with an empty chamber? I am also assuming you replaced the bulged barrel. EDit: or did the barrel bulge at all? That will make a shadow appear in the bore if you can't see the bulge on the outside. Then maybe it was never fit to the slide correctly to begin with. Sounds like your original purchase was a tossed together "t*rd". That leaves everything in question, I think.
 
Guys, plain and simple, this was a "parts gun" put together by an unscrupulous dealer at a gun show. He used a slide from a 70 series and a frame from who knows where. I was naiive and bought it, and if I had it to do over again I wouldn't.

Yes, the barrel swelled in the slide. I beat it out using a dowel and hammer, tossed the old barrel, and put in a new one along with the Essex frame.

The problem I notice now is that after firing a round, the slide sometimes (not always) doesn't go fully back home.

With all of this considered - including my stupidity in buying this piece of junk to start with - I'd like to find a knowledgable .45 gunsmith who can look at it and tell me what needs to be done now to make it a reliable, working firearm if that's possible.
 
Well, for starters, why don't you post your location?

If you were in my area I'd make a recommendation or two. If you post your location, someone local will make a good recommendation.
 
I would highly recommend you have your gun checked. Using a new barrel and frame it's best to make sure everything is fit properly.
If the barrel timing is wrong it can ruin the slide and barrel; there's many other things that should be checked.
Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
Why not send it to Mr. Keenan or Mr. Hunter?

They know a lot about 1911s. And they were kind enough to respond to your question. ;)
 
Ive never known any 1911 frames to be potmetal, regardless of maker. To be honest, the Essex you have know is pretty low on the quality scale. The Essex will most likely work, however.
 
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