WWII 1911 in rough shape. Should I leave it or try and make it pretty?
I acquired a WWII 1911 that was in horrible shape. It was rusted to the point that nothing functioned.
You could not cycle the slide and everything was stuck.
I was able to disassemble it and get most of the rust off but there is serious pitting and the thing is ugly. But I do like how it looks since it is a WWII 1911 and I live on Guam where this gun may have seen action even though I do not know for sure.
The serial number says the frame is a 1942 Colt and the slide it an Ithaca which could be from 1943. But the trigger looks to be WWI vintage. And the barrel is post WWII.
After cleaning it up I had several gunsmiths take a look at it and they both thought it could be fired although one recommended replacing the recoil spring, which I did.
The thing ran like a champ. I ran around 50 rounds through it and it ran flawlessly. Better then a 1911 I am currently tinkering with.
Because I was able to get another 1911 with feeding issues pretty cheap, I am thinking I will retire the WWII 1911 so I don't risk damaging it, especially due to the poor cosmetic condition. But because the poor condition I am asking if I should do a sandblast and Duracoat to try and make it look like new?
Or should I just maintain the firearm the way it is?
Looking forward to hear members thoughts.
David
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clean it good and enjoy it is a mix master
6 -
Clean it up and shoot it. It's not like it hasn't been shot before
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I would do no farther cleaning if I owned it. There are plenty of shiny 1911's in the world, but that one has some history. I would keep her lubed and happy. I would shoot it.
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Kroil & fine steel wool to get the crumbles off. Then appreciate it, shoot it & enjoy it.
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For comparison, here’s a 1911 that I lightly sandblasted and made into a cutaway,,,,,,,occasional light wipe down with a suitable oil prevents any rust ,,,,
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The frame IS the gun; you have a 1911A1 with mixed replacement parts.
I would replace the Viet Nam era USGI barrel, then have a professional sandblast the gun & parkerize it. That would make it look like a USGI arsenal rebuild.
Neal
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I would invest in a Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner (online $6). It works as advertised. If that does not cut thru what I call "crusty rust" then I would try a fine or very fine wire wheel. If that removes too much finish then I would use a Dremel tool wire wheel. Removing the "crusty rust' will leave pits underneath. Deep pitting is almost impossible to polish out. But it will look better than the rusty surface it has now. I hate rust. My personal opinion is to clean it as much as possible and leave as original. If you want it pretty, then do as nmyers says. A piece of sharpened brass or copper will scrape the rust off and not scratch the surface (hopefully). The pitting underneath will have to be cleaned out with a fine wire or brass brush. Good luck.
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The majority think I should just clean it as much as possible and still shoot it but not to go the restoration route.
That is what i was thinking.
Thanks navc130. I had never heard of Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner but I have ordered it and look forward to seeing what it can do.
Thanks everyone for all the comments.
David
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Big 45 is a really good cleaner.
If you want the same thing, only cheaper, go to a dollar store or Walmart and buy a generic pot scrubber. Not the copper one, but the silver one. It is the same material as Big 45, aluminum I believe, it works as well, and it costs a lot less.
I also go to O'Reilly and buy brake parts cleaner. It works as well as Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber for less money.
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i really like a product call EVAP O RUST. take the grips off and put all the parts in a plastic container. you can leave it in for as long as you like but overnight usually does a good job. ive never needed to scrub with any abrasive. by the way they have this stuff at wal mart and their house brand of brake parts cleaner is as good as anyones. i usually by it by the case. read the reviews of evap o rust on line if you want more info.
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The 45 I was issued in 1970 didnt look much better than yours and like yours it functioned when needed.
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I would get the active rust off of it and just oil it up. The Big 45 is ok, or real Chore Boy copper. I would not use Evaporust, it leaves a very unnatural appearance.
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Yup, evapo-rust will get the rust off, but the metal will have a weird gray color.
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