Colt 1911 Mag Fit Problem (Sistema)

rballi

I recently acquired a 1927 Argentine Contract Colt Sistema 1911 Semi Auto .45acp. It's a great gun, GI all the way, matching serial numbers date it to 1951. It was in desperate need of a trigger job. The gun groups great now, but shoots about 2 inches high; I guess I'll just aim lower or at deep 6 o'clock for that problem.

It came with one mag and it works fine with the occasional failure to lock open on the last round. I tried some other mags I have and they did not fit, but, the mag from the Sistema fits in my other 45's. I tried a factory Kimber, Wilson, and Pachmayer mags and they won't fit in the old Colt; one just gets by the feed lips, one goes about half way in and is really hard to get out, and the other goes about a quarter of the way in. I don't think the grip screws, or grip screw bushings are rubbing, otherwise the other mag would not fit.

Any ideas?

Nighthawk

You have an Argentine .45 they were licensed by Colt during WWII to make a limited run to help Colt meet demand. There were two models made I own the Ballister Molina, which is identical to a 1911 except it has no grip safety. I liked mine so much I put new grips on it, then I had some trigger work done and had it reparkerized. I think the one you have may be a little different, if so it was made for the Argentine Police. They are modestly priced and good guns.You can buy parts,grips from Numrich gun parts in New York the no. is 914-679-2417 or you can buy nice finger grove grips from CDNN at1-800-588-9500 I use USA 1911 mags and they work great.

Good Luck.

Rugster

JBBooks

This may sound really stupid, but it
fixed the same problem for me at one time.
Untighten the grip screws a little. On
the one I had the screws kept some mags
from going in.

JBB

I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them.

Jody Commander

Remove the grips and try to install other magazines, this will allow You to see if it is a grip or grip screw problem and if not, you should be able to see what the problem is.

101AIRBORNE

RB,

I also own a Systema 27. Purchased years ago from SOG w/
an adder for select and matching numbers. Believe the price was
$360.00 delivered. Original 98% blue, small import mark on mag well.
Did not fffunction worth a darn w/original mag. I installed an after an after market mag, no problem. Good or better than my collector 11 and 11 A1's. My Systema had a loose grip/stripped bushing. I replaced it. Had nothing to do w/malfunctioning. Is your gun a rebuilt/parked gun? Perhaps, not likely, too much park in mag well. The Ballister is pure junk. Bad metallurgy, etc. A dangerous .45. Probably Judge Colt would answer your question.

rballi

I got my gun from a local dealer who took it in trade for $200. The gun is from the other importer, JLD? Overall it's in good shape (solid 85% or better), it had a bad extractor and that was taken care of for free. It's not what I would call a parkerized gun, the slide is blue, but the frame looks matte??. It shoots one ragged hole at 10yds with 180gr wadcutters about 1.5 - 2 inches high. There is a gun show coming up next weekend; I'll try and find some mags there. This gun will probably end up being my truck gun and experiment for the 45 Mec-Tec Carbine.

azgunnut2@yahoo.com

rballi :
These are good basic shooters , I have one that functions great , if you could put a red square brick in the mag - it would feed it.......
anyhow , they can be a real pain : parts and the "mag fit" problems ,
but as I said - great plinkers , anyhow , we will attempt to "fit &
fix" mags if needed or will buy if you decide to sell ....anyhow ,
contact us if needed..............................................
azgunnut2@yahoo.com
d.a. stearns
gunsmith
sweetwater , tn
423-351-7571

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