A century has passed since John Moses Browning created the legendary 1911 single-action pistol. In that time a whole sub-industry has developed to supply parts and accessories for 1911-style pistols. Among the myriad grip options available today, we were impressed with the lastest generation of 1911 Lasergrips from Crimson Trace (CT). If you want a laser-equipped 1911 grip, you’re no longer limited to an ugly, spongy rubber grip. CT’s new “Master Series” 1911 Lasergrips come in a variety of materials including Wood, Laminated Wood, Micarta, and the popular G10 compound, a laminated composite of woven glass fabric, carbon graphite fibers and epoxy resin. G10 is impervious to common solvents.
Honey, I Shrunk the Laser
Crimson Trace’s engineers have down-sized the laser module so it can be fitted to normal-thickness, standard-profile 1911 grips. And the smaller laser has been mounted further forward so there is no interference with ambidextrous safeties. We like this upgrade, and we predict these grips will become very popular with 1911 shooters. The new Master Series 1911 Lasergrips will be offered in a range of sizes and profiles to fit Full-size, Commander, Officers’ Model, and Bobtail 1911 frames. CT hopes to have the Master Series Lasergrips on the market in May, 2011, with an MSRP of $359.00.
In the GunsAmerica video below, Top Shot Champion Iain Harrison (now CT’s Media Relations Manager), explains the features of the new Crimson Trace Master Series 1911 Lasergrips:
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Michael Bane of Downrange.TV traveled to the Gunsite Shooting Academy this week to sample new products from Colt, Crimson Trace, and Sig Sauer. Bane reports that Colt is returning to the consumer pistol and rifle markets in a big way. In 2011, Colt will roll out an extensive line-up of 1911 pistols, plus new AR-platform rifles. Bane also reports that Sig Sauer may introduce a new Sig 556 rifle, chambered in 7.62×39, which will take standard AK47 magazines. With the rugged Eastern Bloc magazines, the new Sig 556 could set new standards for reliability among “Sport Utility Rifles”.
Michael Bane’s Weekly Video Podcast
NOTE: Short Advertisement may precede the video. Loud firing noises are in the video’s second half.
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On January 12, 2010 the New York Times “At War” Blog focused on the combat performance of the M4 Carbine, one of the preferred weapons of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.
There has been some concern that m4s used in sustained fire-fights are overheating the barrel. It’s no surprise that guns firing magazine after magazine of ammo can over-heat the barrel. In a video found on the N.Y. Times site, Testers for Colt Mfg. recently shot an m4 in full-auto mode, loading magazines as fast as possible. The point was to test the gun to the point of catastrophic failure, something that occured after about two minutes.
This is a pretty amazing video. As the NY Times author notes: “Watch the video closely. After several magazines, the barrel smolders. Then it becomes red hot. After 1 minute and 20 seconds the barrel begins to droop between magazines — like a piece of warm licorice. Then comes the catastrophic ending, at 1 minute and 51 seconds and after the 535th round, when the barrel ruptures.”
We hate to see any firearm abused like this. On the other hand, we’re glad a manufacturer testing the limits of extreme performance. Lessons learned can help improve the m4 design. The U.S. Army is considering fitting a heavier-contour barrel that may not heat up so quickly. A second video on the same NYT Blog page shows an m4A1 carbine with a heavier barrel. This second gun delivered 911 rounds before the gas tube ruptured. Note, in both the video demos, the m4s were modified to shoot full auto (not 3-round bursts like most m4s). This allowed a much high sustained rate of fire than would be possible with weapons limited to 3-round bursts.
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Better save your pennies boys… there is a huge firearms auction coming up December 4-6, with over 2700 lots of merchandise. Conducted by Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC), this auction will feature many superb 19th-century target rifles, plus large collections of 20th-century sporting arms. Colt collectors should celebrate, as RIAC’s December auction will include over 200 Single Action Army revolvers plus the largest selection of Colt long guns ever brought to auction. In addition to scores of Winchester lever guns, the auction features the largest collection of revolving rifles ever put up for bid.
Overall, this is an exceptional auction, with most items unreserved. Auction items are displayed in a full-color, two-volume catalog, which can be ordered through the mail ($60) or viewed online at RockIslandAuction.com. The auction will be held in RIAC’s Moline, Illinois auction hall. You can bid on-site, by advanced sealed bid, or via telephone.
From early flintlocks to WWII vintage rifles and handguns, this December auction offers something of interest for virtually every firearms enthusiast. Shown in the photo below is an octagon-barreled target rifle, circa 1885. It features an extra fancy walnut stock with a finger spur and scroll trigger guard. There is a single set trigger, and the rifle comes with a 32″ tubular scope on custom mounts. Lot #260, this R.R. Moore rifle carries an estimated price of $2,500 – $3,750.
If you’re interested in a 20th-century piece with a fascinating military history, consider lot #1496, a J.P. Sauer model 30 drilling (triple barrel) shotgun/rifle, complete with case. This “survival rifle” was produced by Sauer for the German Luftwaffe in 1941. It has two shotgun barrels and one rifle barrel chambered for 9.3X74R. The Luftwaffe procured a limited number of these drillings in 1941 for issue to bomber crews stationed in North Africa. The drilling is complete with the aluminum storage case, rarely seen “Drilling M.30″ manual dated “Juni 1941″, factory target serial numbered to the gun, cleaning equipment and belt buckle. Also included with the group is the original capture paper issued to S/SGT C. C. Moorland on April 23, 1945. How much for the Luftwaffe Drilling? RIA estimates this unique gun (with accessories) will draw $27,500 – $35,000.
There is a special grouping of Sharps long Arms in this auction. The rifles, muskets and carbines are comparable to those RIAC sold from the famous Sharps collector Frank Sellers. Two examples include an extremely rare Sharps ultra heavy barrel special order Model 1874 target rifle (photo below) with factory letter ($25,000 – $37,500) and a rare Berdan Sharpshooters Sharps New Model 1859 rifle ($10,000 – $16,000). Such model 1859s were issued to the 1st and 2nd U.S. Sharpshooter regiments (Berdan’s Sharpshooters).
Shotgun collectors won’t be disappointed. Over 200 shotguns will be offered including superb examples from Holland & Holland, Purdey, and Westley Richards. An engraved, gold inlaid, consecutively-serial-numbered pair of Holland & Holland exhibition grade hammerless game bird set shotguns with factory letter is estimated at $35,000 – $65,000. Photo below.
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The Indian Army has introduced a new Modern Sub-Machinegun Carbine (MSMC) that shoots an interesting new round, a shortened version of the 5.56×45 (.223 Remington). According to The Firearm Blog, “The [MSMC] chambers a round developed in India called the 5.56×30mm. This round is sometimes referred to as the ‘5.56×30mm INSAS’ after the first gun to chambered the round, the INSAS Carbine.”
This is an interesting cartridge, reminiscent of the 5.56×30 MARS cartridge originally developed by COLT for its Mini Assault Rifle System (MARS) project (see below). The MARS gun never went into full production, and the 5.56×30 cartridge remained an orphan. But it was an interesting cartridge. As designed, using just 16.8 grains of commercial ball powder, Colt’s 5.56×30 cartridge could launch a 55gr FMJ bullet at 2600 fps.
We are intrigued by the new Indian 5.56x30mm cartridge because it would seem very well-suited for varminting, either in .22-caliber form, or necked down to .20 caliber or even .17 caliber. We already have a similar cartridge, of course, the 221 Fireball, but right now there is only one manufacturer of 17 and 221 Fireball brass, namely Remington.
If the Indian 5.56x30mm cartridge is produced in large quantities, perhaps we could see budget-priced 5.56x30mm brass exported for sale in the American market. That would be a boon for high-volume varminters. Also, if the Indian 5.56x30mm is standardized internationally, perhaps one of the European brass manufacturers (Lapua, Norma, RUAG, Wolf?) would consider producing it as an alternative to the 221 Fireball. We can only wish that a 20-cal or 17-cal version of the Indian 5.56x30mm cartridge might be produced some day as inexpensive factory ammo. Many varminters are now looking at centerfire options to the 17 HMR cartridge, as 17 HMR ammo prices continue to climb. A 50-round box of 17 HMR can now cost $14.00 or more.
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Colt Mfg. has announced a RECALL of its popular 1911 and 1918 WWI Replica pistols, and other 1911-style firearms. Colt states: “Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC has determined that the Slide Lock Safety and the Recoil Spring Guide Pad in certain Colt model pistols were not manufactured to Colt specifications and must be replaced. All of these Colt models were sold after March 2007″. Serial numbers affected by the product recall are:
1911 WWI Replica (O1911) From: 4597WMK To: 5414WMK
1918 WWI Replica (O1918) From: 1001WWI To: 3431WWI
New Agent (O7810D) From: GT01001 To: GT04505
Combat Elite (O8011XSE) From: CG10000E To: CG11293E
Defender (O7000D) From: DR33036 To: DR35948
Talo Night Defender (O7000NDF) From: NDF0001 To: NDF0400
Free Shipping Offered by Colt
If you log on to the Colt Recall Page you can obtain a FREE FedEx shipping label to return your O1911, O1918, New Agent or Combat Elite, or to receive a replacement part for the Defender Models.
The recent multi-trillion-dollar orgy of federal spending has many economic experts worried about the “I word” — inflation. As the government borrows more and more money, these experts caution we can expect the dollar to fall and prices to rise. Are there “safe havens” in inflationary times? Real estate is depressed, the stock market has been devastated, and as for bonds… well if interest rates rise in the months ahead, you have to be very careful about buying low-return bonds right now.
We are NOT qualified to hand out investment advice, particularly in these troubled economic times when all the “conventional wisdom” has gone by the wayside. Nonetheless, it appears that demand for fine firearms remains high. In particular, “classic” high-grade revolvers have been appreciating even while stocks tumble and home values sink.
Colt Python — An Appreciating Asset
Among the most desirable of double-action revolvers is the Colt Python, preferrably with Colt’s famous high-polish Royal Blue finish. Pristine blued Pythons sold for $800.00-$900.00 just a few years ago. Now the same revolvers are fetching up to $1900.00 at auction. The mint-condition 1977 6″ Python shown below sold for $1850.00 just last week on Gunbroker.com, and there were 15 bidders! (See Completed Auction 125683644.)
Would a Python be a good short- or long-term investment? You have to decide that for yourself. But consider this: Colt stopped producing Pythons in 2005, so the supply is fixed. And the recent Pythons are not (yet) considered as desirable as Pythons made in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. So the price of the older Pythons keeps rising. Pythons were produced with 2.5″, 4″, 6″ and 8″ barrels. All lengths are popular, but the 6″ Python seems to be the most sought-after currently.
If you’ve ever carefully inspected a Royal Blue Python, and worked the action, you’ll understand why they are so popular. The liquid-like ultra-smooth blued finish is simply the best ever offered on an American handgun. Chuck Hawks writes: “Colt’s Royal Blue is the ultimate polished blue finish for steel guns. No other blued production revolver can compare to the beauty of Colt’s Royal Blue Python.” And the Python’s double-action trigger is considered by many to be the smoothest ever made. The triggers on S&W Performance center revolvers are very, very good, but the trigger in a 60s or 70s Python is better — right out of the box. Typically, Pythons are extremely accurate, shooting sub-inch at 25 yards. Ergonomically, Pythons are a pleasure to shoot because the bore axis is lower than on most other large-frame revolvers. Chuck Hawks agrees: “Subjectively, this finest of all DA revolvers is a soft shooter… most shooters feel that the Python kicks less than other DA magnum revolvers of comparable weight.”
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Colt Mfg. has announced a 
