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Does anyone own one or have any of you guys used one as a base gun. I got to play with one yesterday and it seems like a very nice base gun. Any thoughts.

I recently bought one used (NIB) and it is a GREAT candidate for a subtle retro custom gun, especially with the fit and finish that Colt is turning out. I have always liked the look and minimalist efficienty of the WWI / Early Commerical type 1911's which were carried close and warm in the early years. The problem had always been the cost of and reluctance to taking a good early 1911 into a custom pistol.

Now we have the best of both worlds and can enjoy the look and feel ... even if we tweak them a little .... of these wonderful guns. Almost 100 years later, they are re-issued as retros which are in many cases even better than ever before. John Browning must have a smile on his face.

I will add posts and pictures as I proceed in the future with this project.

Best regards and good luck,
Bernard

We've done a few - they come out really nice. The original "retro" gun!

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

TR

Have you done any full house jobs or are they slightly tweaked retro packages?

I just got my WWI, although I was planning to leave it as is. They are great pistols if you can find one.

Hmmmmm, I don't have a fine Ted Yost pistol in my holster yet!

By the way, the only fault I found in the whole presentation with the replic of the box and all and a very small one at that is that the magazines should really have been only half blued and should have a small lanyard loop on the bottom or atleast the Colt imprint ( too expensive a process for the retro, I guess ), as the real ones would have been.

Hint : I recently took a blued 1911 mag of little value and dipped it three times in Naval Jelly (Pink stuff). The first dip was just the tip of the mag, waited 1 minute and wiped it off away from the bottom of the mag with a clean paper towel. Then the next dip was just a bit further down, half way to the middle of the mag, 1 minute and wipe up. The final dip was to the half point with a final wipe and full cleaning to remove all Naval Jelly and proper oiling.

The mag now looks just like the WWI originals, kind of a fun touch to a so-so mag from Colt without the lanyard loop or pony.

I have built a couple of guns on them and think they are THE BEST Colt in production today.

I was so impressed with the fit and finish that I bought two of them personally.

I rate the new series 70 guns as nicer made than the NRM 80s, and the examples of the WWI guns which I have had my hands on are much nicer yet.

The frame to slide fit, barrel fit, and consistency of the lines are the best which I have seen out of Colt.

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http://www.harmscustomdesigns.com

Yes, the mags are pretty lame. I couldn't believe that they didn't even put a Colt logo on them.

I agree with Ray on the fit and finish. The trigger on mine is also really good. All things considered, I wouldn't be upset if I had to carry it.

Where the heck do you guys find them? I have called 10 Colt dealers here in NJ and each one said they couldn't get them in the past.

I checked the major online dealers and they don't have any either. I trolled gunsamerica, gunbroker and auctionarms and came up empty. I can't even get someone to quote me on one.

To date I have no clue what a NIB repro would cost me. I'll assume it is north of $1000 just how north I have no idea.

On the plus side the director of Colt marketing siad they plan to double their 1911 production this coming year so hopefully it wont be like pulling teeth to find one.

Here's a number for you to try, Badger.

972-315-9086 - Sporting Arms Co.

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CT Brian Custom
'Blending Art With Firepower'

The best part of the on line gun community is that we're enablers.

Want to spend you money? Someone will find a way to help you do it.

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Jeff

Ted needs the work...........

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CT Brian Custom
'Blending Art With Firepower'

Thanks for all the replies. While I haven't made up my mind just yet it looks like i'll have Ted and his guys build a full house on a Repro some time in the next year. That is of course I can find one when my number comes up.

Just picked up a NRM 1991 and a Springer GI (on layaway) with my tax return. My dealer in NY has a NRM Series 70 (899) and a WWI Repro (959?-999). You guys got my noggin turning again....maybe I should put the Springer money into the WWI repro. That Springer was ready to go to Ted......

Get the WWI Repro AND send the GI to Ted. By the time the GI is ready, your piggy bank will have been refilled.

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Jeff

Does that mean Colt will continue to produce the WWI Repro? I thought they were only doing a run of only 4000 pistols....

Come on Ted, we need pics.........

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"Walk softly and carry a big stick."
Theodore Roosevelt

I have yet to see one in the PRK which is hardly surprising! But I do have or should say Ted has since its in his shop an original all Colt from WWI that is damn near perfect well except that someone did an excellent reblue on it sometime in the past so as its lost all of its collector value it is going to get the Yost Sleeper treatment at some point this year ~ not really sure where in the line it is at this point

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I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them. - John Bernard Books

I was just wondering as I read this thread, has anyone used an old original 1911 that was less than collector quality, maybe some miss matched parts and little or no finish remaining and done a, to use a car term, retro-rod. What I envision is keeping the 1911 outside looks but upgrading and tuning the internals for smooth reliability.

Yes, take a look at the post immediately above yours and you will see that Ted is doing that to my gun currently

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I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them. - John Bernard Books

............yeah..........I read this thread last week before your post and again today without going all the way through............answers my question..............I have a 1911 like that.........all there but kinda rough.........I like to keep everything visible original and use what ever it takes inside to make it work............good luck with yours.......hope you post some pics when it is done.......