“This is my late Grandfather’s (1898-1969) carry as a cattle and horse rancher,” Colin reveals in his, well, his grandfather’s, everydaycarry.com pocket dump. Colin’s gramps was rocking an Ithaca 1911A1 — and not a whole lot else. What’s that, you ask? Here’s some insight from Chuck Hawkes’ First Look:
Enter Dave Dlubak and his team of talented machinists at Ithaca Gun Company. Ithaca, already having a rich history of building 1911’s (and another John Browning-designed gun, the M37), took a look at the current crop of 1911 models and found that many were simply assembled from parts made by outside suppliers. (The S&W M1911, for example. -Editor)
They thought they could produce a superior, made in USA product. Ithaca makes their own frames, slides, sears, triggers and hammers at their plant in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, giving them what appears to be complete quality control over the most critical elements of the 1911. This gives Ithaca quality, uniformity and interchangeability that cannot be accomplished by sourcing vital parts and constructing “parts guns.”
I’ve had an opportunity to test an Ithaca 1911A1 classic military style prototype and I can tell you that it doesn’t rattle, it doesn’t jam, has a crisp and light trigger, is easy to shoot and more accurate than I can hold. So far, most of my shooting has been off-hand at 20 yards, out in the snow . Ithaca reports two inch or better accuracy off a Ransom rest at 25 yards in their initial testing.
So a better than before 1911 if-you-will. Which Colin’s grandpa willed to him.
And while you can buy a new Ithaca 1911 for around two grand, the older pieces go for just as much if not more. Do you or have you ever carried a high-quality heirloom handgun for self-defense?
Old Winchester 1885 .22 left by my great great grand father, multiple remmy 700s in various calibers over the past 100 years of my grandpa and Dad hunting, not to mention my favorite a miroku 12ga over/under made before the browning buyout
That appears to be a WWII contract M1911A1 made by Ithaca but refinished in nickel. The new-made Ithaca 1911s are really nice, though, and right in RF’s price range.
nice of them to add the word sandusky. the ones you speak of were made in new york. guess which city.
Of all the guns I stand to inherit, only one (a Savage 16ga bolt action) will see almost no use. Everything else will be cheerfully carried, shot, hunted with, and used as often as I please.
Dad knows this too and is probably why he insists he’ll have to be properly dead before I get any of them.
đź¤
My first thought when I saw the picture was “Hipster”
Glad to be wrong. I’ve never carried a inheritance handgun, I’ve hunted with inherited rifles often
The thought of my uncle’s 1911 rusting in a evidence locker makes me queasy.
A cool EDC from back in the day. Although dated I would say not under equipped for the era.
Smith&Wesson Model 36. Belonged to my father and his father before him who carried it as a guar at the local horse racing track.
guard
My dad had a Chief’s Special and a German PPK, but they’re gone now thanks to my late mother. And now I’m even sadder than I was earlier.
Not a carry piece, but my Great Grandfather’s Fox double barrel 20ga.
I have carried (and will again) my late Uncle’s S&W M&P Hand Ejector made in 1905-1907.
He bought it during the depression from a friend in need of cash for $5.
It’s nickle is badly tarnished but it shoots well.
I have a later model Hand ejector made in the 20s that was my grandfathers. It lived in my truck during college. Smooth and slick.
My grandfather left me his Glock19 that he got from his grandfather, he said it was used to kill Custer at the battle for Little Bighorn
Did many times great grandpa count his coups by writing them down in his field notes?
What a gorgeous piece.
Why wait until you’re dead to pass on a family handgun. Unless you still need it, pass it on to someone who will appreciate it and enjoy it.
Gave nephew, Austin LEO, his grandfather’s Colt MK IV series 80, 380, year ago. He was thrilled to have it and I don’t have to list in my Will. It’s listed as given to him in a program I have on now retired IPhone 4s, it has all info needed to identify the particular handgun. Ruger GP100 357/38 Special WC Model,my sister in law loved shooting it and asked me to leave in my Will for her. Thought about it later and just went ahead and gifted it to her to have with her walking their small dogs to protect from cayotes bobcats grey fox on a ranch where she and my brother live. That one I did replace, a different frame color to distinguish between the two. Both have 6 rounds and 4.25” barrel revolver.
To me just makes sense to gift a handgun to someone to use and enjoy instead of being sad you are no longer around.
I’d be tempted to get one. As I grew up in Sandusky (which is north of Upper Sandusky – I know weird right?)
I wonder how they compare to a Les Baer or a Dan Wesson.
i’ve wanted to see a ttag review of this pistol for years (ohio based).
i have written to them inquiring of other calibers and was told they have no plans to chamber it otherwise.
it also appears that they have removed the “coming soon” ar bcg from their website.
My son, though usually not a gun guy, is a pragmatist. He loved my recently “lost” CCO ( me too). Times have whittled down the collection, still, Paul will get the early Kimber Gold Match. He “gets the 1911”. Power, relibility, stability, accuracy, carry-ability, and that sniper rifle trigger, and why that makes it a “ perfect one gun man’s one gun” for protecting home and family. I would have loved to inherit the families old sweet 16s, Ithaca 37 PSDS, Colts, Stars, M1 carbines or well, many others
Carried a 1950s (thinking 1958) Beretta Jetfire .25 for a while as a BUG.