1911 .45acp

[Nuclearcricket]

Gary, mine is a few years older than yours, I think I picked it up around 80 or maybe 81. I did call S&W and they told me it was made in the mid 70's. I got it used and at what I felt was a good price. Heck I even got a holster with it. I have no idea what the original owner had in mind for it. I know that I have run between 5 and 10,000 rounds through it and the only mark on it is where the slide lock rubs on the slide, the blue is warn away. I think that the 41 and 52 are probably the finest things S&W has ever made.
Sam

[Lumpy Grits]

Been a time since I fired my 52. Got it when I bought the 41.
Got'em both at the same time, via the PD I work'd for.
Agree with what you say about the 41 & 52. BUT-Don't forget about the K-22. Finest double action S&W I'll ever own.
Gary

[Old Jim]

Gary,

My old K-22 is from the 1960s, don't remember the date. Plain grips, non-target trigger and hammer. The box contains the oil-paper and the information card.

Nice old guns, oops, better say something about 1911s ... I got one!

Jim

[Kurt]

I sure would like to buy a second 52 S&W for the $200. I gave for the first The 41 Was for less then that.

[Nuclearcricket]

I think that any of us would jump on a 52 at $200. I just looked at the S&W site and didn't see the 52 listed but I may have missed it. I would think that perhaps the performance center might be able to build you one. I did look at the listed price on the 42, not quite to my liking but they want $1600+ for one these days. And to think that I picked mine up about 35 years or so ago for maybe $120 or so. Kind of looks like maybe it was a good investment.
Sam

[Kurt]

Sam.

I told my Wife once that these guns are like money in the Bank, better then a bank. You will get more in return then what the Bank pays in interest.
My .44 Colt Anaconda has greatly increased in value.

[J.B.]

Having had my dream of a Colt New Frontier .44 special die away... I've now got my eyes on a Colt 1911. I purchased a Colt 45 XSE a few years back and it was a great handgun. Well finished, reliable and accurate. Unfortunately, due to our handgun regulations, I had to part with it. Now of course this model has been dropped and I'm looking at the Colt Competition model in 45 ACP. Not a fan of the optic sights ( prefer a white dot Novak ) but I can live with it in the short term and obviously swap it out later if needed. Does anyone have any experience with this model or know of someone that does ? I'm guessing the matte finish helps keep the cost down and it has the standard guide rod vs the full length of some of the other models. Is this really an issue ?
rgds
J.B.

[Dan Cash]

...I'm guessing the matte finish helps keep the cost down and it has the standard guide rod vs the full length of some of the other models. Is this really an issue ?
rgds
J.B.

A matte finish does keep cost down for the manufacturer but I am not sure that they are passed on to the customer. A standard guide rod is, in my opinion, a plus. In using and carrying a 1911 since 1964, I have never found a problem with the standard guide rod and have surely had some frustrating moments with the various extended/full length contraptions.

[J.B.]

Thanks Dan. The 45 XSE model I had a couple of years back had the full length guide rod and was my first experience with this set up as all my previous 1911 had the standard length . The XSE was a work of art out of the box and shot remarkably well and was just wondering if this was by virtue of the rod or just closer tolerances all over ? I'm closing in on a Competition model but household money is going out faster than my 'toy' money is coming in . At $1900 aud ( ie. $1370 use ) ..they aren't as well priced over here...but then nothing is . Appreciate the feed back.. thanks.

J.B.

[Lumpy Grits]

The tighter fitting is why it shot so well.
JMB, used the short spring rod so the slide could be cycled one handed by push'n the gun against a boot heel or whatever.
The key to accuracy in 1911's is the bbl's 'foot' fitment to the takedown pin, and the bushing fitment.
LG