JakeBrake
Silver Member
When I was in the USMC in the early 1960's we used the 1911A1. I don't remember seeing one manufactured by Colt. The 1911A1 has a curved main spring housing. I was told that the USMC did not purchase any new 1911A1's after the end of WWII in 1945. Most that I saw were well-worn veterans. If you held them in your hand and shook gently, they would rattle. All the parkerized finish was worn off.
When I had a craving for one a few years ago, I bought the Springfield Mil-Spec, which seems to be very similar to the 1911A's from my USMC days, except that it doesn't rattle. I did opt for the stainless steel version. Most of the 1911A1's I saw in the USMC had all the parkerized finish worn off so they almost appeared to be stainless.
When I had a craving for one a few years ago, I bought the Springfield Mil-Spec, which seems to be very similar to the 1911A's from my USMC days, except that it doesn't rattle. I did opt for the stainless steel version. Most of the 1911A1's I saw in the USMC had all the parkerized finish worn off so they almost appeared to be stainless.