Inside Colt's 1911 Manufacture

[August]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psOgqSIHPEM&feature=player_embedded

This video shows the manufacturing of a 1911 Colt's Pistol from raw forgings (receiver, slide, barrel) to finished pistol.

Enjoy.

[PJ Hardtack]

August - thanks for posting that video! Very informative. I had no idea about the amount of hand fitting still being done in this day of CNC machining of investment castings and forgings. Watching those Colt workers with their flying files almost made me cringe at times, but they obviously know their trade.

Forgings still rule! I have a new appreciation of my Series '70 Gold Cup now.  Having said that, I recently swapped an 'as new' Series '70 Gov't Model for a great S&W M29 4". The Colt rattled like a GI model and had a tooth gritting trigger pull. I replaced it with a Remington R1 1911 that I'm quite happy with. It even has a good trigger for a standard grade pistol (getting better with use) and is well fitted.

The current 'Handloader' magazine has an article on the Ruger 1911 and the enhanced R1 1911. Ostensibly guns assembled in the USA with foreign made parts can be legally marked "Made in USA". The Remington is said to be "built/assembled in the USA", so take your best guess ..... at least the parts are most likely US made.

The Ruger makes their 1911 barrels and slides. Raw frame castings are done by Pine Tree Castings (Caspian Arms) before being CNC machined by Ruger in Prescott, Arizona.
The R1 has the Colt Series '80 type firing pin safety whereas the Ruger uses a lightweight titanium firing pin, obviating the need for the extra linkage.

Looks like the 1911 is getting off to a good start in it's second century!

[Hedley Lamarr]

The Ruger makes their 1911 barrels and slides. Raw frame castings are done by Pine Tree Castings (Caspian Arms) before being CNC machined by Ruger in Prescott, Arizona.

Partially right, Pine Tree is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ruger, and makes frames for the parent company (Ruger), Caspian, and others that must remain nameless.

[Hedley Lamarr]

Oh, and great video!

[Slowhand Bob]

Really enjoyed the video.  You need to post a link to it over on the SASS Wild Bunch forum, they could certainly use the action.