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How is the quality of Colt 1913 Military guns? I have a Bob Chow pistol ser. # is in 23000 range. Are they safe to shoot? How is the metal on those guns?

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AP

Well, having lasted only 93 years, I'd say its quality of materials and durability is rather speculative, wouldn't you? If it falls apart tomorrow, It was more durable than the vast majority of 1911's ever produced.

Safe to fire? Not the kind of question you ask of people who have not seen and inspected the gun. Not a question for amateurs, and any professional who'd risk his business to hazard a guess probably deserves to lose it anyway

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
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TR

Thank You . What I mean by safe to fire is if the gun is in good mechanical condition. Also I heard that the metal on those was soft. Any truth to that?

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AP

I would imagine that the steel is softer than todays' simply because most steels used then were deemed OK at a softer level than we use today. But "Too soft?" For what? Assuming it is safe to shoot, yes it would not last as long as a modern gun. When would it quit? There is no way of telling, It could be good for 30,000 rounds, or 90,000.

If it has any finish left at all, it is far too valuable as-is to be taking it out and shooting it on any kind of a regular basis. Get a competent gunsmith to look it over. If he says "Yes" then shoot it at annual get togethers, but don't carry it, don't use it in matches, and don't feed it +P ammo. With that kind of routine it should last another 93 years, easy.