my first 1911
i traded for my first 1911 today and would like a little info. it is a colt goverment mk IV 70 series............... . It has COLT 45 AUTO NM on the breech..i was told that NM stood for national match ????????? it also has etched in the breech in very little letters best 4-86 917 any ideal what that would be???? it has adjustable rear sites was that original?????? 70 to 76 is production date.....You guys amaze me with your knowledge of guns!!!!!!! more questions...this gun being built by someone...is that a good thing, should the gun shoot better than original or at least as good???? does it add any value to the gun???
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Sounds like you got a National Match.
Pictures and serial number would make sure.
EDIT, Your pictures tell a lot [;)]
Very nice 1911. Like said below, it is one someone built. Could be a Jack Best or Aramnd Swenson gun.
Post a close-up picture of the front strap. Is it stippled or matted [?]0 -
the serial number is 70g87917 it dose not say national match any where on the gun.... 0 -
you have an 'up-graded' colt m-1911 a1 series 70 with S&W rear sight (a common practice back in the day). it should be a very good 'shooter'. The numbers are probably the rebuilders markings (April, 1986; pistol #917 ??). 0 -
Most likely a pistol built by Jack Best in the 4TH month of year 1986 it could have been the 917TH pistol built or 917 may be the last 3 numbers of the serial number of the frame the top half originally went on. J.Best was a master PISTOL-SMITH that came to Camp Perry and set up shop there for PISTOL WEEK . The rear sight is a S&W revolver transplant . Not uncommon during this time frame stippling on grip strap is also common The Frame is NOT a gold cup frame and the barrel most likely is aftermarket and fitted to the slide. A colt Gold Cup NM barrel has a narrow hood and would not work well. Your pistol looks like more of a carry piece then target MATCH pistol because the profile of front sight is Carry style. Should be a good Shooter Jack best did very good work. Just hope someone has not messed with it.
editHello Robert The sights are better then the original The Barrel is Better then original "IF FITTED TO THE SLIDE" . The treatment to the grip frame is better then the original . Jack Best built match grade guns so it will shoot smaller groups and have a better trigger pull then ORIGINAL. All of this is IMHO a plus unless some jerk decided to work on it between April 1986 and now. As to Value ANY MODIFIED series 70 will be a hard sell unless you can Prove to a buyer it shoots better then a STANDARD model. I have a collection of Match pistols but their is a VERY SMALL group of people that like Match 1911's Shoot and enjoy your pistol it is not a COLLECTOR item. YMMV0
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