Colt 1911 GI parts source

demesbe

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Where can I get Colt 1911A1 USGI parts? I am rebuilding a Colt 1911 A1 that I got from my dad. He replaced the some of the parts. It needs the USGI hammer, main spring housing,trigger, barrel bushing, spring plug, and barrel. If you have a source that I can contact to get these parts, please direct me to it. Original genuine or reproduction parts will do. I just want it to look as authentic as possible.
 
The short answer is I don't know of anyone commercially that has a stock of genuine USGI parts for sale. I see you already have a WTB ad in the Parts & Bits forum...

Another good source is to keep an eye on the tool boxes at gunshows, you never know when you will spot a few parts sitting about. Usually because someone has "upgraded" or changed out parts over the years, as in the one you already have. Canadian gunshows are hit & miss for this. The larger US gunshows will usually have someone who has USGI 1911A1 parts but expect to pay dearly for them.

The hardest parts to find for a Colt 1911A1 refurb are an original wide spur hammer & milled trigger [for an early WWII model] +/or original barrel that is in decent shape. The latter flat sided hammers & stamped triggers are not too difficult to find.

I did my own "resto" on an early WWII Colt 1911A1, that started out as a bare frame & some misc parts in a brown bag. I had been using it for a platform for a Colt .22 unit for many years before trying to resto it back into something that resembled a USGI 1911A1. However, it took quite awhile to get the parts for the project [including an era correct complete slide]:

DSCN1090.jpg


42Colt03.jpg


42Colt02.jpg


42Colt01.jpg


42Colt04.jpg


42Colt05.jpg


DSCN0297.jpg



2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
NAA,
I don't want to nitpick but you have the wrong magazine pocket on your pistol belt. The one you have is for the 2 15 round M1 Carbine magazines or 2 8 round M1 Rifle clips.
What you want is a M1923 magazine pocket made just for the M1911 magazines.
 
NAA,
I don't want to nitpick but you have the wrong magazine pocket on your pistol belt. The one you have is for the 2 15 round M1 Carbine magazines or 2 8 round M1 Rifle clips.
What you want is a M1923 magazine pocket made just for the M1911 magazines.

Wizzard - It's not nitpicking, it's called being correct. And you are correct here. When I took the pic of my completed project all I had was the 1943 dated M1 mag pouch and that kinda ratty Gratton & Knight model 1916 holster for the photo op.

I've since acquired more stuff but just haven't had a chance to update the pic of the 1942 Colt resto project. Here is a later pic of my 1944 mfg Remington Rand, with a fairly nice 1944 dated Boyt mfg model 1916 holster and correct mag pouch, though... ;)

DSCN3707.jpg


2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
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The short answer is I don't know of anyone commercially that has a stock of genuine USGI parts for sale. I see you already have a WTB ad in the Parts & Bits forum...

Another good source is to keep an eye on the tool boxes at gunshows, you never know when you will spot a few parts sitting about. Usually because someone has "upgraded" or changed out parts over the years, as in the one you already have. Canadian gunshows are hit & miss for this. The larger US gunshows will usually have someone who has USGI 1911A1 parts but expect to pay dearly for them.

The hardest parts to find for a Colt 1911A1 refurb are an original wide spur hammer & milled trigger [for an early WWII model] +/or original barrel that is in decent shape. The latter flat sided hammers & stamped triggers are not too difficult to find.

I did my own "resto" on an early WWII Colt 1911A1, that started out as a bare frame & some misc parts in a brown bag. I had been using it for a platform for a Colt .22 unit for many years before trying to resto it back into something that resembled a USGI 1911A1. However, it took quite awhile to get the parts for the project [including an era correct complete slide]:

DSCN1090.jpg


42Colt03.jpg


42Colt02.jpg


42Colt01.jpg


42Colt04.jpg


42Colt05.jpg


DSCN0297.jpg



2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.

Very nice Colt! Who did the park job?

My very green Ithaca needs the same TLC.:D
 
I have pulled most of my GI 1911 stuff from parts lots at gun shows. If your rebuilding 1911's you need a stash to keep you going! :D Here is my 1911 tickle trunk. I have another one for grips and mags. :D

P1011305.jpg
 
Issue barrels are not great. Even if you could find one, it'd have to be fitted by a smithy. Issue parts aren't better than the hordes of aftermarket parts available anyway. Your da changed 'em for a reason.
 
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