To Shoot Or Not

M

Mike Webb

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I recently picked up my first 1911, it's a 1944 Remington Rand. As far as I can tell by research online it is all correct from a historical standpoint.
Do you guys think it's wise to take it to the range where it's a 65 year old pistol and has some collectability? Or should I pick up a Llama, Norinco or maybe a Sistema if I have the urge to bang away with a .45?
 
It is sooo wild... I will not own a gun that I cannot shoot. Even if you only put a mag or two through it once a year. Its made to shoot! Just don't compete with it... but more damage is done through improper storage or holster wear than shooting it. Also go easy on the cleaning... do not clean it like your going to town on yourself... be gentle!
 
Mike Webb said:
I recently picked up my first 1911, it's a 1944 Remington Rand. As far as I can tell by research online it is all correct from a historical standpoint.
Do you guys think it's wise to take it to the range where it's a 65 year old pistol and has some collectability? Or should I pick up a Llama, Norinco or maybe a Sistema if I have the urge to bang away with a .45?
Click to expand...

Pics would be cool to see....

But on the question, unless it is an "as new in the box" specimen some judicious shooting probably won't hurt it. Put in a new 16-18 lb recoil spring for shooting [don't use the one in it, especially if it looks like it hasn't been changed out in 65 years]. Keep your loads right around what it was designed for [i.e. 230 gr FMJ at 850 fps] or under as to not batter up the frame & slide.

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NAA.
 
I have one of those, too, but I haven't shot it recently. You shouldn't have any problems if you keep to 230 gr, standard GI loads, no high velocity stuff.
 
I'd wouldn't hesitate to shoot it - on special occasions.

Limited shooting and careful preservation is indicated. (Ideally, the pistol should be kept as close to original condition as is possible, including keeping it's original finish. If you shoot it a lot, and any parts break, it may be difficult to find replacement parts that are correct and which match the finish.)
 
That's what I was worried about. The experts on some of the American 1911 sites seem to think the risk of cracking the frame or the slide is not worth it.
Just asking a question, Charles. I thought everyone knew what a 1911a1 looked like.
 
Hi

I agree more or less with other who have that "have it, shoot it" attitude. But I do see you problem. I have my grandfathers 3030 Winchester that he used when logging along the north shore of Lake Superior in the 1920's. Since it's the gun is around 90 years old I too was concerned with damaging it. But after thinking about it for a quite a while I decided to take the gun to a trusted gun smith for a look over. After being given a clean bill of health, it was off to the range with it. Now I have pick's my my 15 year old daughter shooting it.

But I will only do this about once a year.
 
Good condition military 1911's in the US can be worth considerably more than they are here so as collectors pieces they are babied. That said, the issue is due to the fact that there is no way to know the round count or how much stress the pistol was subjected to. Military pistols are typically fairly low in round count, especially those that are all original and correct. Unfortunately, metals fatigue can be a devious creature.

If you can tell if the slide has been hardened at the front and the slide stop (major stress points) usually indicated by a slight change in the metal colour that ofter shows through the finish it should be ok to shoot as long as you stay away fr9om hot loads and don't run thousands of rounds a year thoruhg it.

If you want itfor collectible value, put it in the safe. Otherwise, unless it has some sentimental value that might be compromised if it breaks, I'd shoot it and enjoy.
 
To shoot or not to shoot.....

That all said, why not pick up a Norc 1911A1 [not the enhanced model with the ambi safety & forward slide serrations just the plain vanilla 1911A1] or an Auto-Ord GI 1911A1 model as a "shooter" and keep the 1944 mfg Remington Rand USGI 1911A1 as your "occasional shooter" more of a collector piece? :confused:

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NAA.
 
A nice collectable piece should be preserved or at least conserved, if possible, but unless it is literally "never fired", it would be a shame not to enjoy shooting it once or occasionally. If you want to shoot a 1911 regularly, get a Norinco copy and wear that out instead.
 
The new recoil spring and sticking with regular loads should go a huge way towards avoiding any shooting damage.

I'm with the others that say shoot it occasionally just so you can feel what the GI's used. A couple of hundred rounds a year through it certainly isn't going to hurt it if properly sprung. But just as importantly be it this RR or any other 1911 you'll want to learn about the telltale spots to check when cleaning to see if it's impacting at points it shouldn't be impacting. If such are occuring then you'll want to consider whether to fix the issues and continue shooting occasionally or just keep it as is.
 
Ironspike, If it were a 94 I would have no qualms about shooting it but a 1911 has a lot more slam bang when it is being fired. I'm a rifle guy and haven't much experience with handguns. But I think I will go with the general consensus and get a new spring and put a few rounds thru it.
 
Keep in mind that when properley cared for as we've been describing there's no issues with easily putting many 10's of thousands of rounds out of these guns without any issue or any signs of serious wear. Spring it correctly and then ask on one of the 1911 forums for specifics on spots to watch and what to watch for when cleaning. If you don't have any of those issues then you'll also get many thousands of rounds without issue.
 
I wouldn't shoot it. Not if you value it like a collector. If you don't care about then by all means. Why not get something that you can easily get original replacement parts/service for should something break. They aren't making them anymore. I certainly don't shoot my collectibles but that's just me.
 
Danny makes a good point...

I don't shoot or plan to shoot any of my "Big 4 of WWII"

1942 mfg Colt, 1943 mfg Union Switch & Signal, 1944 mfg Remington Rand & 1945 mfg Ithaca:

WWIITop4i.jpg


But I'd shoot this refinished/reworked 1944 mfg Remington Rand that I have:

RR03a.jpg


RR03e.jpg


And I'd consider putting a few rounds down range with this 1944 mfg Remington Rand that has lost most of it's original finish, although mechanically it is still top notch:

RR01d.jpg



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NAA.
 
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