Sistema Colt - What would you do to it, if anything?

[Hoppy]

Hi Guys,

Many years ago I had a curio and relic license and this was a pistol that I bought with that license. It's an Argentinian Sistema Colt.
If I remember correctly, the serial dates it to 1951. It's marked Ministry of the Interior so maybe park ranger gun or something?

It has always been a great shooter, I usually just shoot my fairly low power reloads with cast bullets.

The only thing I've done is make a set of smooth rosewood grips for it.

Things I've been considering over the years..
Because of the biting hammer, a beaver tail grip safety, or perhaps a new hammer, or both.

Because of my aging eyes, some update to the sights. Easiest might be filing a flat on the face of the front sight and adding a dot of dayglo type paint.

I'm curious what everyone else would consider and I look forward to hearing your suggestions.

[Dave_n]

Personally, I would leave it "as is". These are now quite rare and were a licenced copy of the 1911. I have the Hafsada variant which is not interchangeable but it does still send bullets where I point it. Dave_n

[Bang]

2nd the emotion.

[Hoppy]

Personally, I would leave it "as is". These are now quite rare and were a licenced copy of the 1911. I have the Hafsada variant which is not interchangeable but it does still send bullets where I point it. Dave_n

I hear you on that. Kind of why I haven't done much with it.

The bite I can live with. The sights aren't too bad as long as the lighting is decent. Sometimes on the inside range I have trouble focusing on that little front sight.

I remember seeing a guy walking around the Monroeville gun show trying to sell one, I think for $600. I had mine shipped to my house for $300. I should have bought several.

[wellcraft]

Leave it as is and find a new/used modern 1911 to tinker with, you can add sites, custom grip, beaver tail or whatever and not diminish the value of the gun.

[abner13]

Another vote to leave it as is. They are gaining in value with collectors of foreign military pistols as well as 1911 collectors.

[RockIsland]

I wouldn't mess with it either, but that's just me.

If an extended beavertail and better sights would allow you enjoy shooting it more, then go for it. Those aren't things you can't change back if you want to later.

It's not like it's an all original USGI in anti corrosion wrap.

[Gunsnwater]

You can't hurt a Rock Island Armory by anything you mentioned. Sarco has great prices. $300

Don't mod your sistema.

[Noah_Zark]

If you want to shoot the Sistema, get a bottle of white or biscuit colored appliance touch up paint and paint that portion of the front ramp that is visible in the rear notch at arms-length. Toothpicks work well for this, better than the brush in the bottle. If white or biscuit doesn't work well for you, then find yellow-green (chartreuse, or construction worker shirt green-yellow) or barring that, fluorescent green as it is the most visible of all colors to humans.

See if that doesn't help.

Noah

[punxsutawneypete]

As a Life Member of the Colt Collector Association, I join with those advising not to do any modifications on this gun. You will be spending money to decrease the value of the gun. Take it out and shoot it occasionally, but leave it as is. This gives you a reason to acquire another gun.