I guess I've been damn lucky. Each and every firearm I've ever bought has been trouble-free. And I've only bought a "new" firearm maybe twice, or three times in my life - the rest were used, or military surplus. That is, until now ...
I bought a used (but not abused) Charles Daly Superior EMS 1911 a few weeks ago. For those who may not know, this is the model that CD discontinued a couple of years ago, I presume due to slow sales (the other models are more popular, I guess). It's all stainless, but has a "black oxide" slide, extractor, sights, thumb & grip safeties, mainspring housing, and slide stop. The trigger and hammer are of a two-tone finish, half stainless, half black oxide. The rest of the pistol is a bright, matte stainless. The EMS model is the "commander" sized one, only it's more like the Kimber's and Springfield's, with a 4' barrel. The two-tone look is pleasing to me, especially since I know it's all stainless under there. Mine is a bit different than current production models, as the thumb safety, grip safety, and other small details are different. Actually, in this regard I like the new models better - but those who get good deals cannot be picky!
Of course, I couldn't fieldstrip (let alone detail strip) the pistol before I bought it - I don't know of a single dealer that will let you do so - so I couldn't be sure of the condition of certain parts before I plunked down my cash. But, it looked good, with little wear, and it passed the safety and function checks, so I bought it. As I have a CWP for my home state of Florida, I took her home the same day. Now, here's where the story really begins...
Of course, the pistol was filthy. Story of my life - each and every used pistol I've ever bought has been filthy. Don't people EVER clean their guns? Anyway, I had to detail strip it and give her a thorough cleaning and lube job. As I do with every new acquisition, I took it completely apart, scrubbed her with acetone & gun scrubber, rinsed her, and began inspecting prior to reassembly and lube. There were the usual marks from use, parts moving against each other. No problem. I turned to the extractor: HORROR! It looked as if a 5 year old had taken a rat-tail file and a Dremel with a saw bit in it to the extractor's claw! Why is it that people with no earthly business or knowledge about firearms insist on "tweaking" them?!? GRRRR!
It was a wreck. The extractor wouldn't hold a case against the breechface to save it's life, no matter how much "tuning" and tension was applied. The claw was just too big now. So, I had to whip out the Mastercard and pay a visit to the Brownell's website. A few minutes later a new stainless extractor was on its way to me. I also placed a call to Wolff's and had a new factory strength recoil spring (w/ the usual XP firing pin spring) sent to me, along with a reduced power mag catch pak - the factory spring was WAY too stiff for me, as I needed two thumbs to push it in enough to release a loaded mag. No problem - I routinely replace certain springs in just about every pistol I buy, so this is nothing new.
While waiting for the parts to arrive, I went to the range just to see if the thing would fire (I also had two other pistols that needed function firing, as one had it's springs replaced and the other I had done a fluff n' buff to). It jammed on each and every round of the one 8 round Mec-Gar factory mag I had for it. Each malf was a failure to fully eject - the cases would either smokestack, or lay flat in the ejection port and jam against the barrel/ejection port edge, and split the case mouths. The extractor held the cases so loosely (or not at all) that the empties would slide off to the left, out from under the extractor, and pretty much lay there. Well, I knew it wasn't perfect now. After function firing my other two pistols, I collected my brass and my 92 rounds of UMC 230gr. FMJ .45 Auto, and went home.
I looked and looked, but I couldn't find any evidence of a date of manufacture on the inside of outside of the CD's factory plastic case. Ditto on the paperwork inside. I know that CD only started the "lifetime warranty" around 2000, so I couldn't be sure if it was under warranty still, or not. Besides, I doubt the factory would honor the warranty for something a previous owner screwed up.
Something else odd about this pistol: It has evidence of, what I suspect is, gunmithing. It has a polished feed ramp, a throated barrel, dimpled slide stop and thumb safety. Now this is stuff the previous owner could've done, but I doubt it, as the throat job is TOO well done for that hack job artist. The polishing isn't very well done, but that's easily fixed (many smiths polish too little rather than remove too much metal - a good thing in most cases). As I got it locally, I suspect it was probably worked on locally, too. However, I don't know who could've done it...
OK. I had a problem pistol, and for the first time in my life. What to do? I needed it to WORK, and work well, as I wanted to use it for a CCW pistol. I didn't want to attempt it myself, as tuning an extractor on a 1911 can be tricky if not done just right. To make matters worse, I didn't know a gunsmith! The only one I knew of locally, had retired a few months earlier, and had closed his shop.
On a hunch, I decided to take the pistol and the new extractor (it has arrived the day I went to the range, of course AFTER I got back to the house) back to the dealer I got it from. If all else failed, maybe they could refer me to a shop, I figured.
After the long drive (it's a 34 mile drive, each way, to this shop), I brought it in and asked them if they could help.I got lucky! They had just hired a gunsmith on a part-time basis - one that works at Accurate Plating and Weaponry, no less! The new 'smith told me that since I bought the pistol there, and supplied the new parts, he would do the work for me ASAP, and at no charge. He said that he'd take it to APW the next day, test fire it (they have their own indoor range over there), and go over the enitire pistol, to make SURE it worked - after he did the extractor work. I couldn't believe my luck! He's a pretty nice guy, to boot. After a little research (I wanted to know how good the guy working on the weapon that might be called upon to save my life someday), I found out that this guy is one of the best 1911 smiths in the area, if not THE best.
Not bad for a bargain 1911... !
I didn't get crap for buying a Charles Daly, either - he said they're a very good deal, and he likes them. He prefers Springfields, of course, but for the money, you get a lot. I know that many gunsmiths won't even work on a CD/Armscor/Rock Island, so it was refreshing to have a respected gunsmith tell me this.
I don't have the pistol back yet, though. As I only took it in on Monday (it's Thursday as I write this), I don't expect to hear from him until tomorrow, at the earliest (from what he told me). For a busy guy that works two jobs (or more, from what I hear), that's pretty fast - if I get it even some time next week. And, I didn't have to pay for shipping it off to CD or some other 'smith, and the return shipping, FFL receiving fees, and the like.
I got very lucky - I highly doubt anyone else would be as lucky as I did, especially with my first trip to the gunsmith. However, even considering that I got a jamming pistol straight out-of-the-box (even though it was used), I'm very happy with my pistol, and especially the service from my dealer. Considering that I first met them and put the deposit down on the pistol at a gun show, that's great!
If you're ever in the Central Florida area, I highly recommend you pay a visit to AAA Firearms of Pinellas County. They're usually at most of the central Florida gun shows, too. They have what I'd call a "interesting" inventory of pistols and revolvers, with no junk at all.Of course, if you're not a FL resident, you can't buy a firearm from them (unless you follow the loopholes in Federal Law), but it's they're still worth a visit if you're in the area - say on vacation down here or something - and they have a good selection of holsters, and other accessories. They're also the only shop I've seen around here that carries FP-10, the best gun lube around, in my opinion.
Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to relate my experience with an excellent dealer and gunsmith. I hope the rest of you can find a dealer with as great customer service! In this day and age, it's a rare thing, to be highly prized. Thanks for reading!
I bought a used (but not abused) Charles Daly Superior EMS 1911 a few weeks ago. For those who may not know, this is the model that CD discontinued a couple of years ago, I presume due to slow sales (the other models are more popular, I guess). It's all stainless, but has a "black oxide" slide, extractor, sights, thumb & grip safeties, mainspring housing, and slide stop. The trigger and hammer are of a two-tone finish, half stainless, half black oxide. The rest of the pistol is a bright, matte stainless. The EMS model is the "commander" sized one, only it's more like the Kimber's and Springfield's, with a 4' barrel. The two-tone look is pleasing to me, especially since I know it's all stainless under there. Mine is a bit different than current production models, as the thumb safety, grip safety, and other small details are different. Actually, in this regard I like the new models better - but those who get good deals cannot be picky!
Of course, I couldn't fieldstrip (let alone detail strip) the pistol before I bought it - I don't know of a single dealer that will let you do so - so I couldn't be sure of the condition of certain parts before I plunked down my cash. But, it looked good, with little wear, and it passed the safety and function checks, so I bought it. As I have a CWP for my home state of Florida, I took her home the same day. Now, here's where the story really begins...
Of course, the pistol was filthy. Story of my life - each and every used pistol I've ever bought has been filthy. Don't people EVER clean their guns? Anyway, I had to detail strip it and give her a thorough cleaning and lube job. As I do with every new acquisition, I took it completely apart, scrubbed her with acetone & gun scrubber, rinsed her, and began inspecting prior to reassembly and lube. There were the usual marks from use, parts moving against each other. No problem. I turned to the extractor: HORROR! It looked as if a 5 year old had taken a rat-tail file and a Dremel with a saw bit in it to the extractor's claw! Why is it that people with no earthly business or knowledge about firearms insist on "tweaking" them?!? GRRRR!
It was a wreck. The extractor wouldn't hold a case against the breechface to save it's life, no matter how much "tuning" and tension was applied. The claw was just too big now. So, I had to whip out the Mastercard and pay a visit to the Brownell's website. A few minutes later a new stainless extractor was on its way to me. I also placed a call to Wolff's and had a new factory strength recoil spring (w/ the usual XP firing pin spring) sent to me, along with a reduced power mag catch pak - the factory spring was WAY too stiff for me, as I needed two thumbs to push it in enough to release a loaded mag. No problem - I routinely replace certain springs in just about every pistol I buy, so this is nothing new.
While waiting for the parts to arrive, I went to the range just to see if the thing would fire (I also had two other pistols that needed function firing, as one had it's springs replaced and the other I had done a fluff n' buff to). It jammed on each and every round of the one 8 round Mec-Gar factory mag I had for it. Each malf was a failure to fully eject - the cases would either smokestack, or lay flat in the ejection port and jam against the barrel/ejection port edge, and split the case mouths. The extractor held the cases so loosely (or not at all) that the empties would slide off to the left, out from under the extractor, and pretty much lay there. Well, I knew it wasn't perfect now. After function firing my other two pistols, I collected my brass and my 92 rounds of UMC 230gr. FMJ .45 Auto, and went home.
I looked and looked, but I couldn't find any evidence of a date of manufacture on the inside of outside of the CD's factory plastic case. Ditto on the paperwork inside. I know that CD only started the "lifetime warranty" around 2000, so I couldn't be sure if it was under warranty still, or not. Besides, I doubt the factory would honor the warranty for something a previous owner screwed up.
Something else odd about this pistol: It has evidence of, what I suspect is, gunmithing. It has a polished feed ramp, a throated barrel, dimpled slide stop and thumb safety. Now this is stuff the previous owner could've done, but I doubt it, as the throat job is TOO well done for that hack job artist. The polishing isn't very well done, but that's easily fixed (many smiths polish too little rather than remove too much metal - a good thing in most cases). As I got it locally, I suspect it was probably worked on locally, too. However, I don't know who could've done it...
OK. I had a problem pistol, and for the first time in my life. What to do? I needed it to WORK, and work well, as I wanted to use it for a CCW pistol. I didn't want to attempt it myself, as tuning an extractor on a 1911 can be tricky if not done just right. To make matters worse, I didn't know a gunsmith! The only one I knew of locally, had retired a few months earlier, and had closed his shop.
On a hunch, I decided to take the pistol and the new extractor (it has arrived the day I went to the range, of course AFTER I got back to the house) back to the dealer I got it from. If all else failed, maybe they could refer me to a shop, I figured.
After the long drive (it's a 34 mile drive, each way, to this shop), I brought it in and asked them if they could help.I got lucky! They had just hired a gunsmith on a part-time basis - one that works at Accurate Plating and Weaponry, no less! The new 'smith told me that since I bought the pistol there, and supplied the new parts, he would do the work for me ASAP, and at no charge. He said that he'd take it to APW the next day, test fire it (they have their own indoor range over there), and go over the enitire pistol, to make SURE it worked - after he did the extractor work. I couldn't believe my luck! He's a pretty nice guy, to boot. After a little research (I wanted to know how good the guy working on the weapon that might be called upon to save my life someday), I found out that this guy is one of the best 1911 smiths in the area, if not THE best.
Not bad for a bargain 1911... !
I didn't get crap for buying a Charles Daly, either - he said they're a very good deal, and he likes them. He prefers Springfields, of course, but for the money, you get a lot. I know that many gunsmiths won't even work on a CD/Armscor/Rock Island, so it was refreshing to have a respected gunsmith tell me this.
I don't have the pistol back yet, though. As I only took it in on Monday (it's Thursday as I write this), I don't expect to hear from him until tomorrow, at the earliest (from what he told me). For a busy guy that works two jobs (or more, from what I hear), that's pretty fast - if I get it even some time next week. And, I didn't have to pay for shipping it off to CD or some other 'smith, and the return shipping, FFL receiving fees, and the like.
I got very lucky - I highly doubt anyone else would be as lucky as I did, especially with my first trip to the gunsmith. However, even considering that I got a jamming pistol straight out-of-the-box (even though it was used), I'm very happy with my pistol, and especially the service from my dealer. Considering that I first met them and put the deposit down on the pistol at a gun show, that's great!
If you're ever in the Central Florida area, I highly recommend you pay a visit to AAA Firearms of Pinellas County. They're usually at most of the central Florida gun shows, too. They have what I'd call a "interesting" inventory of pistols and revolvers, with no junk at all.Of course, if you're not a FL resident, you can't buy a firearm from them (unless you follow the loopholes in Federal Law), but it's they're still worth a visit if you're in the area - say on vacation down here or something - and they have a good selection of holsters, and other accessories. They're also the only shop I've seen around here that carries FP-10, the best gun lube around, in my opinion.
Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to relate my experience with an excellent dealer and gunsmith. I hope the rest of you can find a dealer with as great customer service! In this day and age, it's a rare thing, to be highly prized. Thanks for reading!
