Sight Installation on old 1911

[jigman586]

my dad has a old argentine made 1911 copy my grandfather brought home as a war trophy.he uses it for his nightstand gun but in is older age he cant see the sights real well.my bro and i talked about sending it to have some sites installed.looking for info on a good reasonable priced gunsmith.any help would be appreciated. Hes already ruined what collector value it may have had he had it refinished. Also will a new std 1911 barrel fit this gun

[Brickboy240]

There are two different types of 1911s that were made in Argentina. The first was the Sistema Colt, which was esentially a Colt 1911 made in Argentina on Colt machinery. It is in every sense, a real 1911 and almost all parts are interchangeable. I own one of these that was made in 1953 and has Buenes Aires Policia markings. With a ramp-polish and new springs, it makes a great shooter.

The second 1911 made was what you show here: the Ballister-Molina. These were based on the Colt 1911, but had several features that were different. First, it has no grip safety. Also, the internals on the B-M were more like the Spanish Star autopistols than the Colt 1911 or Sistema. I am not overly familiar with the B-M, but some parts ARE interchangeable with Colt 1911 parts - namely the magazine, barrel and barrel bushing. I am not sure about the rest of it.

Sistema Colts were made from about 1927 until the late 50s/early 60s. The Balister-Molinas came along later on. Both are fairly common on the surplus market...neither is considered super rare. Most Agrie 45s you see are like any other military surplus arm from South America...well used.

Sights? Well, the rear dovetail may be able to be matched with a better rear sight, but the front is staked on and the tenon might not match up, but a front dovetail can be cut to adapt a new 1911 aftermarket front sight. Dovetailing can get expensive. Check around before you do it, as the sight upgrade might run more than the total value of the pistol.

I am curious as to how your father picked this up as a "war trophy"...was he a British soldier during the Falklands conflict? Otherwise, I don't know how or where he could have picked this up. Interesting.

- Brickboy240

[jonny04srt4]

did anyone else notice how it doesnt have a slidestop takedown notch either? from what i can see it does have a thumb safety. if the sight and slide dimentions are the same as the colt govt. then you can get colt govt. replacement sights and have them installed by almost any local gunsmith. i have a SA GI and the front stake is smaller than the colt govt., but they still were able to install trijicon colt replacement sights on mine. best thing ive ever done to that 1911.

[Brickboy240]

I see a notch in the slide, right under the word "Argentina"...looks like you could get the slidestop out through that notch...otherwise, what else is that notch for?

Do a Google search for "Ballister-Molina"...you'll find a few pages on this pistol and some others than know exactly what parts of a Colt 1911 ARE innerchangeable and what is not. As I remember, its not a long list and it was like the barrel, barrel bushing and magazine.

The Ballister Molina is not really a true 1911, even though it looks very similar. The M1927 Argentine Sistema IS a true 1911, as I have one and have swapped several parts with Colt and Wilson parts and they dropped right in.

- Brickboy240

[jigman586]

Originally Posted by Brickboy240

There are two different types of 1911s that were made in Argentina. The first was the Sistema Colt, which was esentially a Colt 1911 made in Argentina on Colt machinery. It is in every sense, a real 1911 and almost all parts are interchangeable. I own one of these that was made in 1953 and has Buenes Aires Policia markings. With a ramp-polish and new springs, it makes a great shooter.

The second 1911 made was what you show here: the Ballister-Molina. These were based on the Colt 1911, but had several features that were different. First, it has no grip safety. Also, the internals on the B-M were more like the Spanish Star autopistols than the Colt 1911 or Sistema. I am not overly familiar with the B-M, but some parts ARE interchangeable with Colt 1911 parts - namely the magazine, barrel and barrel bushing. I am not sure about the rest of it.

Sistema Colts were made from about 1927 until the late 50s/early 60s. The Balister-Molinas came along later on. Both are fairly common on the surplus market...neither is considered super rare. Most Agrie 45s you see are like any other military surplus arm from South America...well used.

Sights? Well, the rear dovetail may be able to be matched with a better rear sight, but the front is staked on and the tenon might not match up, but a front dovetail can be cut to adapt a new 1911 aftermarket front sight. Dovetailing can get expensive. Check around before you do it, as the sight upgrade might run more than the total value of the pistol.

I am curious as to how your father picked this up as a "war trophy"...was he a British soldier during the Falklands conflict? Otherwise, I don't know how or where he could have picked this up. Interesting.

- Brickboy240

My grandfather got it.my mom inherited we he died.i read up on it and it was built on a contract for great britain.i also read that they were issued to some british special force that was pretty much wiped out.they also made it to north africa for some service too.im not sure how he got it but i did see one time the documentation on it being a "war trophy".my grandfather died when i was young so i didnt get to talk to him about it.
the old gun shoots like a top.it does need a new barrel the existing one is pitted real bad.functions perfect though. i wouldnt mind having one of those type surplus pistols.are they common at gun shows?