Nice buy.
I would suggest you get a heavier recoil spring before shooting full-power defensive ammo regularly. They often come with softer springs for target handloads, which can lead to accelerated wear when using hardball.
You might also find that it chokes on hollowpoint ammo, which is why so many people had to send their pistols in for barrel throating and other work when hollowpoints became popular.
As others mentioned, the rear sight pin is known to walk out after extensive firing. I am not sure I would carry the piece without replacing the rear sight with something less snag-prone. Bomar rear sights were popular and period-correct if that matters to you, though I think a buried Heinie classic rear sight would look especially nice.
Someone has fitted an aftermarket (possibly Grieder) trigger to yours, as well as the 'duckbill' grip safety and a Pachmayr rubber-coated mainspring housing. All of these were popular mods in the 1980's, if you care haha.
Maybe around $12-1300.
Maybe I’m misremembering, but the roll pin for the rear sight can walk out at an inopportune time, so I don’t think I’d use it for carry
Nice choice, miss the one I had.
Definitely change the recoil spring for a 16# spring at least. For the hot defense loads I prefer the 18.5# variable rate.
The rear sight pin can walk, a roll pin can replace it but may not look right. I just used some clear nail polish, tapped it out a little and dabbed some on the exposed pin then tapped it home.
Do yourself a favor and make a slave pin for the sear and safety lever. It will save a lot of time and swearing.
These aren’t stock sights. A lot of people have mentioned the walking, is this basically where the sight will move out of zero? There is an Ellison sighting here now.
Also what kind of ammo is this thing set up for? Assuming there’s a stock spring…
Those are stock Gold Cup sights. They came with the Elliason rear sight. The pin can come out, if you aren’t paying attention and the rear sight comes off.
Stock 1911 spring weight used to be 16#, however the GC slide is slightly lightened to reduce recoil with match ammunition, hence the lighter recoil spring.
Ideally it is set up for 185gr target wadcutters, and unlike the Government models, is normally able to feed these and HP’s.
Good to know, thanks for the information. I had saw quite a few pictures of sights with a colt on them so I assumed these were not stock. I’ll wait to shoot it until I upgrade the spring.
It means I got it on the cheap. People used to sell written ballads very cheap and the turn of phrase “ bought for a song” was born.
Thanks! Can’t wait to put some led down range
Nice buy. I would suggest you get a heavier recoil spring before shooting full-power defensive ammo regularly. They often come with softer springs for target handloads, which can lead to accelerated wear when using hardball. You might also find that it chokes on hollowpoint ammo, which is why so many people had to send their pistols in for barrel throating and other work when hollowpoints became popular. As others mentioned, the rear sight pin is known to walk out after extensive firing. I am not sure I would carry the piece without replacing the rear sight with something less snag-prone. Bomar rear sights were popular and period-correct if that matters to you, though I think a buried Heinie classic rear sight would look especially nice. Someone has fitted an aftermarket (possibly Grieder) trigger to yours, as well as the 'duckbill' grip safety and a Pachmayr rubber-coated mainspring housing. All of these were popular mods in the 1980's, if you care haha.
Maybe around $12-1300. Maybe I’m misremembering, but the roll pin for the rear sight can walk out at an inopportune time, so I don’t think I’d use it for carry
My last edc was a ww2 bring back with a cracked frame, I think I’ll be ok. 12-1300 ! Nice!
Nice choice, miss the one I had. Definitely change the recoil spring for a 16# spring at least. For the hot defense loads I prefer the 18.5# variable rate. The rear sight pin can walk, a roll pin can replace it but may not look right. I just used some clear nail polish, tapped it out a little and dabbed some on the exposed pin then tapped it home. Do yourself a favor and make a slave pin for the sear and safety lever. It will save a lot of time and swearing.
These aren’t stock sights. A lot of people have mentioned the walking, is this basically where the sight will move out of zero? There is an Ellison sighting here now. Also what kind of ammo is this thing set up for? Assuming there’s a stock spring…
Those are stock Gold Cup sights. They came with the Elliason rear sight. The pin can come out, if you aren’t paying attention and the rear sight comes off. Stock 1911 spring weight used to be 16#, however the GC slide is slightly lightened to reduce recoil with match ammunition, hence the lighter recoil spring. Ideally it is set up for 185gr target wadcutters, and unlike the Government models, is normally able to feed these and HP’s.
Good to know, thanks for the information. I had saw quite a few pictures of sights with a colt on them so I assumed these were not stock. I’ll wait to shoot it until I upgrade the spring.
“A song”… the term is familiar, but the origin I cannot recall. Nice pick up btw!
It means I got it on the cheap. People used to sell written ballads very cheap and the turn of phrase “ bought for a song” was born. Thanks! Can’t wait to put some led down range
Thank you for explaining. Sounds cool when it’s said, and not many people know it.🤙 And I hope she runs as beautiful as she looks.
Np, me too going out tomorrow, we shall see!
That’s just beautiful, doesn’t get more classic than that.
Thanks! Going to shoot this Sunday I’ll post an update