Colt Service Model ACE .22 LR 4 3/4″ 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1978
SOLD FOR: $1325
LSB#: 211001DC02
Make: Colt
Model: Service Model Ace
Serial Number: SM15869
Year of Manufacture: 1978 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Action, Floating Chamber, 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. / SM15869”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “D” and “VP” in triangle, the right is marked “F”. The chamber is marked “COLT / CAL. .22 L.R.”.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a flat-topped square-notched 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. The grips have minor handling wear with no notable damage. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in 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 96% of its metal finish. There are a few scattered minor nicks and scratches. There is some minor surface oxidation, mostly in the grip areas of the frame, but there is also some in the frame’s hammer slot and on the chamber. There is some minor operational wear. The screw heads are mostly sharp, the grip screws have light wear. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Fine 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 black plastic box with a single 10-round magazine and a manual. The magazine is marked “COLT / CAL. 22 L.R.” on the floorplate, showing minor operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring.
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. The model was discontinued at the close of WWII, but was reintroduced by Colt in 1977. This example was produced in 1978 and is in about Fine condition with a little bit of minor oxidation and light operational and handling wear in its beautiful Colt blue finish. This is a nice specimen of a Service Model Ace, sure to take a prized place in a Colt or US Military handgun collection or to be a fun plinker out on the range. Please see our photos and good luck!