It’s your gun so you’ll determine what is best for you. But I know this about Colts because I’ve had a few. They are very sharp, their edges and corner can make you bleed. Their sights are pretty tiny and aren’t much help in any serious kind of shooting. All the Colts that passed through my hands had to have their edges dehorn. A friend of mine had this old Colt turned into what he called “working man’s carry gun”. Serrations on the front strap, total dehorn, Retro rear sight by YoBo/Harrison, front post sight with a gold bead and several other things. Here is what his piece looks like.
Several comments/jokes about my mother-in-law came to mind, but I will refrain. Sounds like you have a good one. Congrats.
I have heard Ken make those statements and have heard his comments about those American’s that do not own a 1911.
For the most part I am not a fan of large rollmarks and the slide being used as a billboard. Nevertheless, for some reason that does not apply to most Colts and the large rollmark series 70 Colts are one of my favorites.
Let me caution you though, those things multiply just like Glocks. However the problem with that is when they multiply the hurt your pocket book much worse.
What a great piece of family history and a great gift for your son down the road. I would keep it just as you received it personally… It was setup the way his Grandfather liked it. Keep that heritage alive through his pistol.
unless you have ape hands the beavertails and hammer bite issues are greatly exaggerated- the one thing the older colts do suffer from is small crappy sights that is for sure. I’d vote to keep it stock except for sights. I am also a BIG fan of the 1911A1 length trigger over the long one everyone seems to like- it gives more room in the tg for shooting with gloves (it’s pretty much winter 8 months a year here) and if your fingers are short it allows for a better control of the trigger.
To set the record straight on the second half of that statement that Ken has made. About 10 years ago, Ken came to GA to do a class for us. During the class he referred to the 1911 as the world’s finest CQB pistol, then a student that is not a fan of the 1911 chimed in and said “and the king of the feedway stoppage”. Ken got a good laugh at it and from then on he joking added the second part. That’s how the legend grew.
And to this day, that student that made the statement, doesn’t own a single 1911. He loves his G-lock and S&W revolvers. I believe he sometimes posts here.
I kinda thought that’s what your reward for living to “midlife” was, an excuse to go buy a Harley and a 1911…
Not at all a bad thing!
The more I look at the picture or this 1911, the more I’d be tempted to leave it as is. The more you had done to it, the less it’d be “grandpa’s gun” as it was passed down to your son.
