Need advice re: used 1911 purchase

H

hemlock0013

New member
A indoor range here is closing, and are putting all their rent-a-guns on sale. Among the pickings are two 1911s: a Springfield mil-spec and a stainless Series-80 Colt Govt. Both seem in decent mechanical condition, though each is dirty and have obviously seen some very hard use. The finishes are not so good, and the Colt has quite a few dings and scratches. However, each only cost $200.

I considered buying one (or both) and just having a good 'smith take a look at them and then have a coat of Robar or some such applied. The price seems real good, but I am hesitant about buying guns that were no doubt fired an awful lot. If it were just a matter of putting in $100 or so to get one of the guns in top shape, that would be no problem, but I don't want to buy a money pit.

Or maybe I'll just wait and buy a new SA mil-spec later.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
hemlock0013
 
Take a real good look with a fine-tooth comb and a microscope. Chances are the only thing that may be worn is the barrel, which can be easily replaced, along with some springs and such. But for that price I'd grab 'em both!:eek:
 
Hemlock: Look at the barrel lugs and see how much they are used, then look on the frame for cracks, look around the entrance of the slide stop for cracking and look on slide for cracking, if they still look good buy it. As to the dings and scratches, Wilson Combat can remove those then apply a good armor tuff coating.

Now, if you wouldn't mind giving me the phone number of the dealer, I might be interested in the gun you don't get.

My email is: solomansousana@home.com

Thanks
 
Pass on them

Used 1911s really need a good gunsmith to look them over. A range gun rental has seen so much abuse you may be putting a few hundred bucks more into it than you think - even if you do the work yourself - parts aren't cheap.

From the voice of someone(me) who did something similar because it was a screaming deal: Don't waste your money. Buy something new or that has a history you know about.
 
Thanks for the advice, but it's all for naught. The place closed up and all the guns were sold.

This may sound like sour grapes, but I'm not too disappointed. The guys who ran the business gave me a weird vibe--can't explain, just instinct.

Guess I'll wait on joining the 1911 club, and remain a Glocker for a while yet!:)

Thanks again,

Hemlock0013
 
hemolock, I think I would have passed on the both of them anyway, but if you plan on being happy with a 1911, stay away from the mil-spec guns. Getting a plan-jane 1911 and then putting on all the bells and whistles on it will cost a whole lot more than getting a "loaded" Springfield or a Kimber. And when you do welcome to the family.:D
 
I disagree. Buying a milspec and having those QUALITY parts installed by a QUALITY gunsmith will produce a pistol far better than any badly fitted factory gun full of crap MIM parts.
 
well said mr. Brian

gunsmiths can be damn expensive though.....

im debating using one or not...
usps dont need reliability jobs. but then again, they are not 1911s either.

1911s are a tricky proposition.
my first two were a les baer pII and a wilson 2 tone protector.
my third was a sistema.
even though the sistema couldnt come close, it was still fun to shoot.
the others just cost too much.
ergonomics on a 1911 are impecable and its trigger done up cant be beat.

dont worry youll get one soon enough and youll be addicted.
have fun!
 
1911a1 hunt

As I am new to a lot of the info.
presented in this forum, I am also amazed at the amount of people ready to share that info.
I am interested in whatever info. I can get on Essex 1911a1's. I recently purchased a "bench built" Essex due to the apparent quality, fit, finish, and price. The story was that the previous owner traded it for a lighter CCW.... a Glock, I think. I had a smith check it out and it passed muster. Can anybody tell me about Essex? Thanx



-----------------------------------
the future's uncertain and the end is always near.
 
I believe Essex makes a large majority of the 1911 frames out there and OEMs them to most of the major manufacturers. I'm sure someone will let me know if I am wrong on this ;)

I have seen Essex frame buildups by several people and they were all great shooters. The proof, of course, is in the shooting.
 
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