Ballester-Molina 1911
- Thread starter Big Shrek
- Start date
Bill DeShivs
New member
It's actually a copy of the Spanish Star design, not a 1911.
They are fine guns.
They are fine guns.
I have one in decent shape.
Somebody buffed the hell out of the slide and the markings are pretty washed out, but it shoots fine with ball ammo.
The sights are tiny and hard to pick up when you're used to modern sights.
Few parts interchange with the 1911. Barrel and mags for sure, maybe the recoil spring and plug.
The story (often told by Gordon Liddy) that the pistols were made from armor plate salvaged from the sunken Graf Spee is a fantasy.
Somebody buffed the hell out of the slide and the markings are pretty washed out, but it shoots fine with ball ammo.
The sights are tiny and hard to pick up when you're used to modern sights.
Few parts interchange with the 1911. Barrel and mags for sure, maybe the recoil spring and plug.
The story (often told by Gordon Liddy) that the pistols were made from armor plate salvaged from the sunken Graf Spee is a fantasy.
Aguila Blanca
Staff
Okay guns, generally good shooters -- but NOT 1911s. As already pointed out, very few parts interchange with a 1911, and you won't find parts for the Ballester-Molina at Brownells or Midway. (You might find a few at Numrich, I've never looked.)
Bill DeShivs
New member
I'm not sure what parts you think one would need.
Magazines, barrels, plug, recoil springs and firing pins should swap from 1911s.
Not a lot more could go wrong.
Magazines, barrels, plug, recoil springs and firing pins should swap from 1911s.
Not a lot more could go wrong.
The story about the armor plate is - a story. But the guns are pretty good, though not as hardened or durable as the Colt guns or even the Sistema Colts.
The triggers work differently from the 1911, as does the safety. They can be given a match trigger, but I honestly would not bother. The service trigger is good for any SD use.
Jim
The triggers work differently from the 1911, as does the safety. They can be given a match trigger, but I honestly would not bother. The service trigger is good for any SD use.
Jim
tahunua001
New member
my little brother has one.
down side, they were a little crude, most require special fitting for all parts, including grips, bought him some new grips since his are rotten, the screw holes don't line up. the 1938 does not have a grip safety, some people love that, personally, it's discombobulating when you're used to 1911s. otherwise they are just as accurate and reliable as other military 1911 variants.
down side, they were a little crude, most require special fitting for all parts, including grips, bought him some new grips since his are rotten, the screw holes don't line up. the 1938 does not have a grip safety, some people love that, personally, it's discombobulating when you're used to 1911s. otherwise they are just as accurate and reliable as other military 1911 variants.
I've always been interested in them and for that price I'd likely be tempted as well. They are inexpensive but have a pretty good reputation. They lack a lot of features that would make them far more useful, namely standardization with 1911 components and sights. I've heard several people state that the old Colts were capable of surviving approx. 5,000 fires and if that's true, it's likely the same story for the Ballesters. Sarco has been selling them for years with no finish on them for around $300-$350. If it's in good shape I don't think you'll have made a bad choice. Please post a pic or two!
I bought a Ballester Molina very cheap in the mid-1970s. The seller wanted to get rid of it because it was unreliable. A field strip and close inspection didn't turn up anything wrong except a pathetic recoil spring. My Colt recoil spring fit so I bought the gun and it worked fine with the Colt spring so I got another spring. That ugly old .45 sure was a lot of fun!
Today though, there are new 1911s in the $350-400 range that are 100% compatible so you'd really have to want a BM to wander off into the scary land of "no parts".
Today though, there are new 1911s in the $350-400 range that are 100% compatible so you'd really have to want a BM to wander off into the scary land of "no parts".
Bill DeShivs
New member
There is really nothing you can't get for a Ballester.
I'm really curious about everybody needing "parts." Most well made guns never need parts replacement.
I'm really curious about everybody needing "parts." Most well made guns never need parts replacement.
Well, they went and sweetened the deal...tossed in a very nice new leather belt-slide holster...
and dropped the price to $299 because I'm a regular...so I slapped it on layaway,
have another .45 on layaway there and buy around 6 guns a year from 'em...
It looks pretty good, just has some rust pecks on one side
where someone left in a holster/case unattended too long...
Marked "Gendarmeria Nacional", for Argentina's Border Guard.
Firing pin poked out the right amount when tested...
mag dropped free upon button-push, & the one safety worked...so that helps!
I'm not at all worried about parts, for the most part...
have more "discontinued" firearms than I have current models by about 5 to 1
so very used to getting the few important spares one way or another...
Fortunately the firing pin is reportedly a 1911, or a slightly modded 1911 pin...
and the recoil springs & others are reportedly 1911...like to have spares for those,
so its actually easier to get the important parts for than some of my more archaic relics
Heck, come to think of it, nearly everything in the safe is a curio or relic...
wonder if I should modernize one day??
and dropped the price to $299 because I'm a regular...so I slapped it on layaway,
have another .45 on layaway there and buy around 6 guns a year from 'em...
It looks pretty good, just has some rust pecks on one side
where someone left in a holster/case unattended too long...
Marked "Gendarmeria Nacional", for Argentina's Border Guard.
Firing pin poked out the right amount when tested...
mag dropped free upon button-push, & the one safety worked...so that helps!
I'm not at all worried about parts, for the most part...
have more "discontinued" firearms than I have current models by about 5 to 1
so very used to getting the few important spares one way or another...
Fortunately the firing pin is reportedly a 1911, or a slightly modded 1911 pin...
and the recoil springs & others are reportedly 1911...like to have spares for those,
so its actually easier to get the important parts for than some of my more archaic relics
Heck, come to think of it, nearly everything in the safe is a curio or relic...
wonder if I should modernize one day??