The Army 45

[GOPAPA]

I heard that the Civilian Marksmanship Program recently updated its website with the requirements, guidelines and background checks needed to purchase an Army surplus 1911 .45 pistol in fiscal 2018.

They are estimating they will be priced between $800 - $1,000 and go up from there base on condition.

This I did not know .. Here are some names of who made them ,, Colt, Singer, Ithica, Remington Rand and Remington.

I owned a Colt 45 a few years ago ,,but knowing it was a colt made me think right out of the get go it had to be a great gun ,,but one made by a typerwriter company?? not so sure ,,how about any of you's ,, got one made other than Colt or say Remington ? And what do you think about the Prices?

[CG]

My dad had a Colt back in the 70's. Had a pretty cool leather holster. It had something tooled in to the holster but I don't remember what it said.

Im pretty sure its the only handgun Ive ever fired. I guess if Singer can make sewing machines that are still around and useable from back in the early 1900's they probably made a pretty stout 45, still sounds weird.

If you were showing off your collection would you rather say you have a Colt 45 or a Singer 45 ... Um well the Singer is my wife's lol.

[Ironhorse]

Had not heard that bit of info. Will have to look into that. Would LOVE to have a nice example the ol slab sided .45 auto. I have a WW2 M1 Garand .30/06, Oct '43 date and a WW2 M1 Carbine .30 Cal dated Sept '44. The .45 ACP would be a nice addition. Carried a .45 auto while I was in Viet Nam in '69 / '70. It's heavy but it is a stopper to be reckoned with for sure.

The $800-$1,000 seems a fair price from what I have have seen in the gun show world. Just have never had the $$ to break loose at the time. Found one .45 at a gun show several years ago for $600, nice condition and bluing. Wouldn't you know it, didn't bring the $$ in hand at the time. Didn't expect to find one for that amount so didn't bother bringing some mad money with me.

[GOPAPA]

Originally Posted by CG

My dad had a Colt back in the 70's. Had a pretty cool leather holster. It had something tooled in to the holster but I don't remember what it said.

Im pretty sure its the only handgun Ive ever fired. I guess if Singer can make sewing machines that are still around and useable from back in the early 1900's they probably made a pretty stout 45, still sounds weird.

If you were showing off your collection would you rather say you have a Colt 45 or a Singer 45 ... Um well the Singer is my wife's lol.

Ha ha probably say Colt ,,but of course you are correct about the singer machine ,,I have my mothers and it's retired her along side of my wind up phonagraph, I wonder,, did Brunswick make 45 also ?

[QUOTE=Ironhorse


The $800-$1,000 seems a fair price from what I have have seen in the gun show world. Just have never had the $$ to break loose at the time. Found one .45 at a gun show several years ago for $600, nice condition and bluing. Wouldn't you know it, didn't bring the $$ in hand at the time. Didn't expect to find one for that amount so didn't bother bringing some mad money with me. [/QUOTE]

I remember at one time them carbines were going for a round $30 way back when.......................as for the army surplus 45 for sale now..I think they will be sold by the condition as some would rattle when shook I Imagine.

[Ironhorse]

Got a bit curious about the Singer and other builders of the .45 and had to Google search. Came up with this:

Singer Sewing machine company built-500 total Rarest of 5 suppliers.

Union Switch & Signal built-55,000 Second rarest of 5 suppliers.

Ithaca Arms Company built-60,000 Third rarest of 5 suppliers

Colt Arms Company built-629,000 Second largest production of 5 suppliers.

Remington-Rand Typewriter company-built 878,000 Largest single supplier.

Total built for WW2 production adds up as 1, 622, 500 . Believe these were ALL 1911A1 variants with up grades from the older 1911 models previous to WW2.

[Desert_Eagle02]

I've been following the CMP 1911 sales for quite some time. It has been a couple year progress. It's a fair price, I was hoping for a bit lower lol. And of course I'd prefer a Colt or Remington.

I'm sure the other manufacturers are just as good. International Harvester made M1 Garands in WWII. The M1 Carbine had some interesting manufacturers as well.

[tristan]

Here are a couple not made by Colt - a WW1 Remington UMC (made by the "real" Remington, not the WW2 version made by the typewriter company) and a WW2 Union Switch & Signal. Both are low-production variants by military standards, and are quite difficult and expensive to obtain.

The upcoming CMP 1911 sale will look like the OK land rush. Most of the pistols available will probably have been rebuilt multiple times, but at a grand even the ones with little collector appeal would be a very decent buy.

[truckster]

The Singer 1911 is the rarest and most desirable - there's talk that those will be auctioned individually.

I like the 1911, and I was sad when we had to give our up for the M9 Baretta, but for that much money I can buy a couple of really nice handguns brand new.

[Grumpy old man]

I'll play ... 1911 .45 Modified for competition , compensated , Clark barrel , point and shoot the most accurate handgun I've ever owned And I've had a few .

[68C15]

that much money?! I'll stick with my Rock Island Armory 1911. I paid $545 with shipping. it has all the bells and whistles you dont get on a GI. Yes, the slide to frame fit was a little loose but after I Cerakoted it the fit is damn near perfect. I can hit a 12 gauge shell at 15 yards now, I'm happy.

The gov't had many companies making stuff for the wars. If you dealt with metal you could get a contract pretty much.

I recently picked up a 99 year old Springfield 1903 made by Rock Island Arsenal with sporter stock. I've got $10 into it so far. It's such a smooth accurate shooter it may be my new favorite deer rifle. I just have to bed the action and work the trigger. That'll cost me about $75

[Killer Bee]

been following this for quite a while.. not much chance of getting anything rare or unusual from CMP without a hefty price tag..

from Jan 29 email;

Status of the CMP 1911s, 1/29/2018:

The CMP has been authorized to receive 8,000 1911 type pistols from the United States Army.

The 1911s have been received by the CMP. A complete inventory will be conducted over the course of this week. The pistols will then be securely stored until the Army-approved 1911 building and armory infrastructure is completed. That completion is anticipated to be approximately 60 days from now. Once the 1911 armory is completed, inspection, grading, repair, and ultimately test firing of the pistols will begin. (Please be aware that the CMP was led to believe that we were ready to move forward, but three weeks ago facility requirements were changed, and we are now fulfilling those requirements.)

The CMP 1911 order packet will be posted 90 days prior to the order acceptance date and opening sales date. No orders will be accepted prior to that date. Please visit www.thecmp.org, click on the Sales icon then 1911 Information, for the latest. CMP customer service has been inundated with calls and emails concerning the 1911s and no further information is available at this time.

The CMP will keep everyone posted as we move through this process.


Mark Johnson
Chief Operating Officer
Civilian Marksmanship Program
www.thecmp.org

Singer, US&S, RR, etc. will be culled out and sold separately and accordingly..

I'm hoping to see a few Navys, current market is $7k - $15k for one of the 15k or so that were Navy roll marked..

bit of trivia, only the first 50 Colt 1911s were made in 1911, just before Christmas break at the plant.. the rest 1912-

and the first 500 were Model of US Army and the second 500 were Model of US Navy..

due to the expense and myriad of authenticity factors, I've held off from on-line shopping for any of them..

once I'm retired and have the time to attend the right auctions, I'll shop in person..

I carried 1911s in the military, rough and clunky but accurate and reliable enough..

my first PWC with a 1911 at NWSSB early 90's I beat the GMC through the course but he outscored me..

I'll check out the CMP offerings and may even pick up a decent Colt Army if the price is right..

these are my two favorite 1911 pistols in my collection;

1976 Colt CLW [Commander Light Weight]



2010 Springfield Professional PC9111

[Desert_Eagle02]

One thing that sucks about the 1911s from the CMP is that it's mail order only. You can't go to either of the CMP stores and pick one out.

[GOPAPA]

Originally Posted by Desert_Eagle02

One thing that sucks about the 1911s from the CMP is that it's mail order only. You can't go to either of the CMP stores and pick one out.

that Right there would keep me away for the amount of money that is wanted to sell them.. There fore sure will be some that rattle like heck and then some that are nice and tight ,,but you cannot tell that unles you have it in your hand to feel it out..

[Tom]

Love to have one, but I'm not paying $1000 for it. I'd prefer a non-colt original us issue 1911 myself. Don't forget GM came up with the M3 grease gun. When in war, everyone contributes.

[kingsolver72]

It's cool handgun but, "side arms are for getting you to your riffle".

[tristan]

To each their own. The more people who don't participate, the better the lottery odds for those who do. The CMP's forums are full of "I'm out" announcements from civil libertarians, the penurious, etc. Works for me, ya either pays your money and takes your chances or you don't.

[B. W.]

Not historic in any way but here are mine. Retired the officer's model in 2011 after carrying for 25 years. It's a 150th anniversary year, nothing special just has "150" medallions in the stock grips. My new daily carry is a "100 Year" series 70 gov't.

I'd love to collect 1911's but, like everything else, it takes money!

[truckster]

Originally Posted by kingsolver72

It's cool handgun but, "side arms are for getting you to your riffle".

True enough when you're in combat. In fact, I quit carrying my M9 when I was in Iraq, because the M4 was just so much more reliable and useful. But my AR15 and M1A are really tough to concealed carry.

[Boog]

I wanted to qualify with the 45 auto when I was in basic training, way back when, but I don't remember why it wasn't offered.
I have often thought I might like to own a 1911 model but at today's prices it's not nearly as important as it used to be.
We have a nice indoor firing range and we can shoot anything they have for the cost of shells.

[yuccales]

Couple of my favorites. Wrong grips on the Rand. Will get around to swapping them out someday.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by Boog

I wanted to qualify with the 45 auto when I was in basic training, way back when, but I don't remember why it wasn't offered.
I have often thought I might like to own a 1911 model but at today's prices it's not nearly as important as it used to be.
We have a nice indoor firing range and we can shoot anything they have for the cost of shells.

Basic training only allowed qualification on the basic infantryman's weapons - the service rifle (M16 when I was in basic) and grenades (but those are now in the past too). We had familiarization on the M60 and LAW. Only officers and 1SG/CSM types generally got the 1911.

[kingsolver72]

Originally Posted by truckster

Basic training only allowed qualification on the basic infantryman's weapons - the service rifle (M16 when I was in basic) and grenades (but those are now in the past too). We had familiarization on the M60 and LAW. Only officers and 1SG/CSM types generally got the 1911.

Same here in regards to the m16, gernades, m60 which I loved and the m72 law.
The side arm comment is by no means original to me, I just like the saying.

[Boog]

Yeah I believe you're right.

[Ironhorse]

As I mentioned previous, I carried a 1911 while in 'Nam in 69/70. Basic training was in summer of '67 and qualified on the M14. Qualified as a Sharpshooter, missed Expert by two rounds. Familiarized also on the Browning M2 .50 Cal heavy machine gun. Would "almost" give my left one to get on the back side of a fifty again.

Mid '67 it was almost a given as to where you would wind up after basic. Went to Germany for 14 months first, then 12 months "Sunny South East Asia" deluxe tour all on my Uncle Sam's credit card.

[GOPAPA]

When I googled the 911 sale from the Goverment I found this Comment to Share with you all ,,curious of your opinion of the Comment

Wordell Jan 6, 2018
If these are are in the condition to the one I qualified with as an "Expert" while in the Navy in 1972......if you want to hit where you're aiming the weapon....you'd better put 200 practice rounds through it as I did, before I was tested for my ribbon. I purchase 200 rounds of ammunition myself and practised before I took the test, and scored well enough to be awarded the "E" pin to attach to my ribbon. These weapons will be worn mechanically, and the barrels will definitely be worn out, and although most were probably cleaned after use by the person firing it........don't count on it. There could be corrosion and metal fouling (lead, copper) of the barrel rifling and barrel itself. There are companies that provide replacement parts for these .45's...so you can refurbish your "classic" 1911 if you want at a relatively low price. The "gubmint" isn't going to give these away and you can be sure some bureaucrat that has no idea what the market will bear on the price of these pistols....................will attach a very "LAUGHABLE" high price to these pistols. Remember this: If you're buying it to shoot, forget it. You can buy a Turkish made Girsan brand 1911 that exceeds the physical quality and shooting accuracy of a Colt or Remington or trendy "Inland" .45 (made in Dayton) .45 1911. If you're buying it for the nostalgia of having a WW 2 1911 .45 (if you're able to select the year of the weapon prior to purchase...don't count on ANT cooperation from these government bozo's on your weapon......been there done that as a licensed firearm dealer ALLOWED to purchase their overflow)..........well then go for it, Skippy. In reality...save your money for a better buy somewhere down the road............................