I received my CMP 1911A1 today.  I selected a Service Grade, and expected one that was in good condition... but after disassembling and inspecting it... I think it's unissued!  There isn't so much as a wear mark on the entire pistol.  The Parkerizing looks brand new!!!  The barrel has the sharpest rifling I've ever seen.

It was also bone dry, so I oiled it. 

I'll post some pictures as soon as I upload them

Sounds great! I doubt many will be able to claim the same prize.

Congrats. Can't wait to see pictures.

I'm real partial to the 1911 having shot many for years next to Ken Hackathorn, one of the biggest advocates of 1911s. Fantastic history they have.

(Pictures from Ken's 100 year anniversary of the introduction of the 1911 to the world.)

---

Congratulations Paul!

You sure did get a good one. I hope you are not leaving the Krag rifle matches and going over to the dark side, CMP service pistol matches?

CAT Man

I hate when this happens! Now you have a "Safe Queen" and won't want to play with it.  :'( :-/ :'(

Maybe your Dad will get a 'Beater' and you can trade with him!  ;D

Cat Man wrote on Jun 14^th, 2019 at 2:11am:

Congratulations Paul! You sure did get a good one. I hope you are not leaving the Krag rifle matches and going over to the dark side, CMP service pistol matches? CAT Man

Not to worry... I ain't goin' no where!

Hey... BTW Jeff, are you coming to Perry this year?  I know you missed last year!

butlersrangers wrote on Jun 14^th, 2019 at 3:11am:

I hate when this happens! Now you have a "Safe Queen" and won't want to play with it.  :'( :-/ :'( Maybe your Dad will get a 'Beater' and you can trade with him!  ;D

Nope!  No "Safe Queens" for me!

LOL I told dad I'd bring it by when I got it and we'd go shooting.  I also told him with his back issues (being hunched over), he'd only be able to hit the floor...  LOL   

Ok, let's try adding a few pictures:

---

Paul that sure looks nice. I'm not sure I've ever seen a Parkerized finish quite the same. Looks a little on the light side. I see Colt is on the slide but I don't remember a serial number on the slide like that. Do the internals look all good too? What make barrel does it have? I don't usually see all of the parts Parkerized along with the frame.

What a nice firearm you got thanks to Uncle Sam and your savings! I'll bet it will shoot nice. It does look like it needs lots of oil and breaking in. Is the slide tight on the frame? How tight is the bushing up front?

Congratulations.

All good questions... and since this is my first 1911 (shot 'em many times, but never owned one), I wasn't sure of what to look for beyond the fact that it was bone dry.  I think the bushing was quite tight.  The bushing, frame, slide, barrel, etc. all had the same parkerizing which is why I think it's unissued.  It may have been re-parked... but normally, the CMP doesn't do that to Service Grade sales.  And again, I see very little indications of wear.  I'll have to disassemble it again, and check everything out very closely, but in initial inspection, it all looks amazing. 

Back when I was on the carrier and part of the ship's security force, you could shake our 1911's and hear 'em rattle, LOL!

I'm not an expert on Parkerized service firearms but Parkerization is generally reserved for the frame, not the internals. The barrels have never been Parkerized, as far as I know. No need to do that to internals or the barrel. adding the additional layer of finish actually makes for tight fitment which can pose some problems.

I wish someone who knows a lot more than I do about that finish could chime in. Something is a little unusual with the finish that needs some 'splainin!

But, it should be tight and probably shoots well. Remove the extractor and firing pin and make sure those channels are clean and oiled well. Gunk gets stuck in those areas that can alter functioning.

But, take her out and put some 45s through her for a good testing.

Paul,

If the serial number is 933079 it was manufactured by Colt in 1943 (   (You need to Login; and I expect was surely issued during WW2. I believe the FJA stamp on the left side indicates it was refurbished by Springfield Arsenal. It is also very likely it was refurbed at a later date  possibly at Anniston given the "Fresh looking" park job. Very nice 1911A you got in the lottery.

From what I'm reading the FJA inspector mark was Frank J. Atwood. Found on Remington Rand and Ithaca 1911A1s (entire production).

  (You need to Login

So it appears the frame maybe Remington Rand or Ithica made?

Typical military mix master.

Allow me to take that abomination out of your hands! ;)

"Parts Gun", send it back!

Back when these soldiers were using these pistols regularly, they would all gather around a table and strip their guns and put the parts in hot water bins on the table. Then, they'd reach in and grab a part and put their pistols back together after cleaning the barrel well. So, the pistols rarely match if they have seen any action.

I think you have one of these kinds of mixmasters. (I'm only 56- I don't speak from direct experience!)

But, it's great and should shoot real well. Blast away!

FWIW - I was imagining 'Paul's Prize' was taken apart, parts inspected and refurbished, and parts randomly assembled, as a 'serviceable arm'.

"IRAN" - IMHO

Uh Oh.  The parkerizing is damaged on the trigger.  Don't shoot it or anything else.  Send it to me for proper disposal.

I can't believe you were sent such a dangerous gun.  Good thing I am here for you and don't want you to come to any harm.

Culpeper wrote on Jun 14^th, 2019 at 7:00pm:

Uh Oh.  The parkerizing is damaged on the trigger.  Don't shoot it or anything else.  Send it to me for proper disposal. I can't believe you were sent such a dangerous gun.  Good thing I am here for you and don't want you to come to any harm.

LOL Yeah Right...  In you (wet) dreams Culp!!!

Zgun wrote on Jun 14^th, 2019 at 3:30pm:

Paul, If the serial number is 933079 it was manufactured by Colt in 1943 (   (You need to Login and I expect was surely issued during WW2. I believe the FJA stamp on the left side indicates it was refurbished by Springfield Arsenal. It is also very likely it was refurbed at a later date  possibly at Anniston given the "Fresh looking" park job. Very nice 1911A you got in the lottery.

938079 actually.  Remington Rand frame and Colt slide.  I agree that it was probably re-parked when it was arsenal rebuilt.  I do however thing it was never reissued, as the finish shows absolutely no wear!  Serial puts in 1943 manufacture.

Great Pistol, Paul. Congrats. It seems like a lot of the CMP 1911s were in pretty good condition, but this one looks especially, remark or not.

I’m with you on the no safe queens rule. We need photos of the targets as soon as you take it out.