Colt Service Model ACE .22 LR 4 3/4″ 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1980
SOLD FOR: $1719
LSB#: 210904DJ27
Make: Colt
Model: Service Model Ace
Serial Number: SM31217
Year of Manufacture: 1980 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT”, “SERVICE / MODEL”, “ACE” in diamond, “.22”, “LONG / RIFLE” and with a rampant colt. The right side of the slide is marked “ACE” in diamond. The right of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A. / SM31217”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “M” and “VP” in triangle. The chamber is marked “COLT / CAL. .22 L.R.”.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with an orange insert fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a flat-topped square-notched white-outlined leaf in a fully adjustable base pinned to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with gold Colt medallions. There is some verdigris on the right medallion. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are some light rubs on the matte portions. There is a faint takedown mark on the left side of the frame and the left side of the slide. There is some standard operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are mostly sharp, the grip screws have light wear. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The trigger pull is crisp and there is a barely perceptible amount of side-side play between the slide and frame. The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a faux-wood cardboard Colt box with a serial matching label, one 10-round magazine, and an assortment of factory paperwork including a manual.
Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. Yet it could be expensive to train thousands of soldiers to use the 1911 while feeding it .45 ACP, moreso at the outset of WWII when the US Military would see the greatest expansion in its history. The Colt Ace had been introduced in 1931 as a .22 Long Rifle version of their Government Model, but it was dimensionally different and had significantly less recoil than the real thing. David “Carbine” Williams adapted his floating-chamber design to intentionally increase the recoil of the .22 LR cartridge to the point that it was similar to that of .45 ACP, even allowing the use of the same recoil spring. This became the Service Model Ace and allowed for drastically reduced practice costs when training GIs to use their 1911s. This example was produced in 1980 and is in about Excellent condition with light operational and handling wear in its beautiful Colt blue finish. This is a fantastic specimen of a Service Model Ace, especially with its box, manual, and magazine, sure to take a prized place in a Colt or US Military handgun collection. Please see our photos and good luck!