To trick out or not to trick out 1911 Government Model???

[tommy tornado]

Yes, as I stated in my first post the grips were replaced by the pervious owner.  I think my dad might have an extra set of original grips, however, he being a business man, it would cost me.  I think I might look into the RIA 1911 and doing a build up of that particular model.

[TSB]

I would leave it alone.  Clean it up and put in a case for display. 

The 1911 of that vintage is built loosely for a reason, so the GI could take it apart with only it's own components for tools.  The barrel and bushing may make a difference but it's the slide and lower frame that would need the work.  These guns would need some hand lapping to make them tighter along with the shopping list you discribe.  That kind of work is not for the weekend gunsmith.  Modern guns are made to much tighter tolerances and therefor need a break-in period, not so with the old Colts or Springfields of that era...They were designed to hit a two foot wide target at 5 to 10 meters and they performed that particular task quite well.

Great find, leave it be!

T

[twyacht]

Welcome TSB, thanks for jumping in with both feet,  the more knowledge to spread around can only be a benefit.

Tommytornado, ask your dad for a discount if he has parts, grips, etc,.. after all, its family.

Hope it works out to your satisfaction.

[CJS3]

If I was lucky enough to have a Colt .45 made in 1919, I'd leave it as is.

+1

[Walter45Auto]

Since that's an original 1911 I would leave it alone and buy a new A1. You can leave it as is, but if it was parkerized and had G.I grips on it, then it would look like a military museum specimen. But I wouldn't put a lot of parts into it when you can get a whole new gun for not a lot more.

Leave your current piece of history alone, as God and John Browning intended it to be, and Find you a new 1911 that has what you want. 

Also, post pics of the old Warhorse.

[Sponsor]

[tommy tornado]

Look on page two.

[TSB]

I did a little research on the serial number if your interested.  Here's a link to the site..

http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/colt%20production.htm

C1121xxx was a comercial model of 1911 built circa 1919 built by Colt. 

Have fun..

T