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Abilene Single Action

MichibayMichibay Member Posts: 816 ✭✭
edited February 2007 in Ask the Experts
I just put one of these in lay-away. It has an 8 1/2" barrel in .44 mag. It has one of the best blue jobs I have ever seen on a gun...highly polished! It has a low 1500 serial range...made in Riverhead NY I think in the mid 70's.

The gun is at about 90% and the price was $275. It seems like a real nice gun! Is there anyone out there who can tell me more?
Appreciate in advance...
Michibay...
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Comments

  • TWalkerTWalker Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You just bought one of the best single actions ever made. It is a chapter in the history of United Sporting Arms Company of NY, Arizona, and North Carolina. Guns made by the company include the Seville, Eldorado, and the Abilene. Below is a link telling about the history of these fine handguns. Read it to appreciate the history and quality of your "new" gun. I hope you enjoy it. You got a great price, by the way.
    www.Singleactions.com/Seville.pdf
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    +1 on TWalker made by the same people "KART" that made the Kart conversion unit for 22LR in 1911 Type pistols and today make the best 45acp Wadcutter barrel for 1911 type pistols.
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  • MichibayMichibay Member Posts: 816 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    To: TWALKER...thanks! I read and printed off the article. Lee Martin was a help to me a few years ago...he is also an expert on the Virginian Dragoon made by Interarms. I have two of those...this Abilene though has a much nicer finish...I am glad I found it. My local dealer (in business since 1919) has not seen too many of them.
    Thanks again...I need another gun like a "hole in the head"...but you made me feel GOOD about this one...
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  • usarmscollectorusarmscollector Member Posts: 31 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I just bought a Kart Conversion Unit. Now I have too find the frame.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Everyone needs at least one full size 1911 my suggestion is either buy a springfield frame they have cosmetic seconds that they sell cheap at Camp Perry each year and may do so all year. any full size frame will work but there are some brands I would avoid pin holes out of spec's on many hard to get good trigger pull . go with good internal parts from brownell's or fusion stay away from MIM PARTS or investment cast hammer and sears.
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  • usarmscollectorusarmscollector Member Posts: 31 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    remember you are talking to a revolver guy. 1911 frames are greek to me. Any advice on brands to stay with and ones to avoid would help a lot. I thought anout a whole gun like in 45 and then just switching the slides. I thought about buying a frame and the parts kit and doing it myself but I am not sure I can do it.
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  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,179 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are as many opinions on what makes a good 1911 as there are brands & models. I think you're best off buying a book that explains the 1911 in depth so you can judge for yourself.

    Having said that, you'll need to decide what you want it for - general target shooting, bullseye, run & shoot? You wouldn't buy a fixed sight 4" Model 13 for target work, you'd get the K38. Same thing applies with 1911. Some generalities though.

    Stay away from the "Made in PI" brands. I suppose they go bang and are probably serviceable, but they aren't suitable for good target work. Stay with the solid brands of Kimber, Springfield, Para, Dan Wesson and the custom guns (if you want to spend more $$$) of Les Baer, Ed Brown, Wilson & such.

    For my 1st 1911 I wouldn't buy a gun that has been worked on by someone else and since it's hard to tell, going with a new gun is your best bet. If you do go the used route have an experienced person check it out.

    Decide what you like - fixed or target sights, stainless or blued, who has the better trigger pull - plus all the options such as serrated front strap, ambi safety or not, full length recoil guide rod - and I'd say test fire at the range before you buy.

    You'll probably find 1911s in general to not have the best trigger pull around out of the box, especially if you're used to shooting a revolver. A competent gunsmith should be relied on to clean it up. Some 1911s have a trigger acctuated firing pin disconnect and this is not helpful to a good trigger pull.

    I'm sure others will jump in to give some suggestions.
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