So my grandad just passed away last week and it seems (at least it would be logical) that I will be inheriting his gun collection. Included in this collection are several shotguns; browning a5, ithaca pump, and a fias over/under but most significant is his colt 1911a1 from ww2. This piece still has cosmoline in it and other than it’s light use throughout the war (he was a b17 radio man) it has been unfired. Its a long story but he was afraid of the gubment confiscating it if he tried to have it registered.
Anywho, my first feeling is to shoot the shit out of it but given its condition would it be prudent to preserve this piece of history?
I love history so I’ll just say, preserve it the best you can if you shoot it or if you don’t!! great find man, congratulations.
Save it.
Buy a piece of crap Springfield if you want a range blaster.
I’d go through or have a gunsmith go through the gun before firing if that’s what you want to do. If it were me I’d delegate it to a safequeen due to it’s history though. Even if you do shoot it, I wouldn’t make it a ‘shooter’. That’s just me though.
I guess it depends on how you want to enjoy the memory of your Grandfather. You’ll likely never sell it, so preserving it’s value is a non-issue. Preserving his memory is, so do whatever helps you accomplish that.
Mine has given me a 1959 Winchester M70 in 30-06. In it’s current state, I’ll probably never use it. So I’m sending it off to be rebarreled/rebuilt. I figure, if I use it more, it would please him more.
Shoot it
I concur 100%. Not because of monetary value, but sentimental value, I’d want it to remain in the same condition as he left it. I’d probably even have it mounted in a nice display case.
SHoot it.
You know what its like driving by that house that has the badass car in the front yard, he wont sell it, it just sits there…rusting away, while NO one can enjoy it.
That gun was MADE to be shot.
Im not saying holster it and run drills…but it deserves to be taken to the range and shot once in awhile.
I’d have to shoot at least a few rounds but preservation would be more important.
post pics first.
I personally would not shoot it, and that is something I do not say often. But if it is as nice as it sounds it would be worth not shooting.
What would he have wanted you to do with it?
I say at least, clean it up, give it a good function test, IF gtg, then at least say, “Hey grandad, what say we got out and run some rounds thru your ol 1911 together”. It’s not like shooting it now and then will hurt it, it’s shooting it and NOT cleaning it when done, that could hurt it. I’m not saying shoot it quite a bit, just shoot it in memory of.
But never get rid of it. Only pass it down generations to come, and give it some documentation too.
My vote would be to shoot it. You don’t need to run it through your next high speed ninja operator course or anything like that but why wouldn’t you?
My uncle owns my Grandad’s 1911 from WWII right now and it will be passed on to me at some point in time, hopefully not soon. My uncle shoots it occasionally now and I will when it’s my turn. My Grandad was a tough old codger and I can guarantee he’d rather his guns were being shot and appreciated rather than just fondled and collecting dust.
His Grandfather just passed.
Thats how he aquired it
Another vote in the “shoot it once in a while and take good care of it” crowd.
But DON’T “preserve it” by trying to make it look new. That’s not preservation and I cry every time I see people do that. Preserve it by keeping it functional, lubricated, and don’t allow any more rust than might be on it to develop.
My vote would be to find a smith that specializes in the 1911. Have the gun brought up to the standards of a modern combat 1911, while still preserving the original WW2 heritage that the gun has. Then you will have a go to shooter if you fancy the 1911, that carries a great deal of uniqueness and sentiment for you.
Just my 2c.
Don’t screw with it. Yes, they made a lot of them, but not many are still unmolested after all these years. (I should know.) No reason it shouldn’t be shot now and then with hardball or target level ammo, but a WWII gun is getting on to 70 years old now. I got mine at 17 years of age, a long time ago, and I take it out once a year and run one or two magazines through it for nostalgia’s sake. (And that’s with a replacement recoil spring so it won’t beat itself to death.)
If you feel compelled to run one hard, get a new gun with no history and do whatever you want with it. If something breaks it’s no big deal. The old timers, men or guns, have earned some consideration.
Do what makes YOU happy and not what a bunch of people on the INTERNET tells you!
Everyone here has different PREFERENCES.
Do you what you want buddy. Im sure your grandpa would be happy with your decision either way;)
This.
If it were me, I would get it checked out and then take it out once a year and shoot it in his memory. Maybe you could make a tradition out of it on his birthday every year or another date that was important in his life. Take care of it and make a tradition that you can pass on to your kids.