Historical 1911

Guns Magazine, August, 2005

Q: I read Jeff John's answer to one of the readers regarding shooting a Radom pistol and WWII handguns in general, and I'm a little worried about my old Remington Rand 1911A1 that I gave my son as a keepsake from his "Old Man." It was issued to me in March of '43, as a replacement for a WWI Colt that was completely worn out. We had .50 BMGs and a 75mm cannon in my B-25, so I didn't shoot it much, except as required by the regs and the occasional potshot at a coconut. But, the pistol is 62 years old, and metal fatigue sets in after a while. My son has installed a set of Wolff springs in it, takes it to his deer camp, to the local range, and thinks nothing of shooting today's factory ammo in it.

That was not my intent when I passed it on to him. I had "retired" it over 30 years ago when I bought a couple of Colt MK IV, Series 70 pistols because I thought the old Remington Rand deserved to be retired and become a conversation piece. Is it safe for him to shoot it after all this time? I would hate to see him injured or the pistol destroyed. I'd rather buy him a modern 1911A1 than have either happen, if he'd promise to put the old warhorse back in the glass-topped presentation case I gave him with the pistol, and eventually pass it on to his son, my grandson. I'd appreciate Jeff's or anyone's opinion and comments on continuing to shoot that old pistol.

Thanks again for providing real shooters with two no BS magazines; and for any opinion you may have concerning the old Remington Rand.

Charles J. Payne

Tucson, Arizona

A: I wouldn't worry too much about the ol' Remington coming apart in your son's hands. It sounds like he's done the right thing to keep it shooting well into your grandson's future. Considering the prices these WWII pieces are fetching these days, I think maybe it deserves to go into the glass case and only taken out and shot once its awhile. I'd like to think your son has done no further modifications to your old warhorse beyond changing the springs. Considering your particular piece has a great history, it would be a shame to see it "used up" cavalierly in a deer camp as a plinker, subject to the vagaries of weather and such. I think it would be well worth getting him another .45 for that purpose.

One thing you could do to enhance its value as a family heirloom is to write down your WWII experiences. Just knowing it served alongside you in a B-25 will measurably enhance its value. So many vet's stories are lost to us forever and fewer still have something as concrete as a firearm with which they served left from those days. You write a pretty good letter, so I know the task is not beyond you. Put your story and any pictures into that glass case with any other mementos (uniform patches, rank, etc.) you might have and I think you will hand down quite a legacy to your grandchildren If you don't believe me contact the Rock Island Auction Co. (www.rockislandauction.com) to see some of the prices realized firearms with verifiable provenance. It might knock your socks off.