No Randall fans?

[TexasRedneck]

Howdy, folks!

New member here....but long-time lover of the 45 in general, and Randall 45's in particular! Spent 30 years putting together my personal collection of the 10 .45 models Randall made (in excess of 100 of, anyway), including the 3 Southpaw models! Got on here, a quick search turned up NO discussion I could find of these guns....could that be??

I've got about 88 non-Randall's in my collection, including several very limited-run Colts, etc....but those Randall's are my personal favorites. Growing up, all four of my kids could spot a Randall from 3 aisles over in a gun show...LOL

[TexasRedneck]

Oops - sorry, forgot the "family portrait"....

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[Robinson]

Welcome to the forum.

Are you talking about the cast stainless 1911-style pistols made back in the 80s? If I recall, they were one of the first companies to offer an all-stainless 1911.

This section is more about the technical aspects of pistols than aesthetic qualities or collector value. That said, please tell us more about your Randall pistols. Also, we have a Gallery section with a 1911 thread, it would be great if you can post some close-up pictures there.

[TexasRedneck]

Welcome to the forum.

Are you talking about the cast stainless 1911-style pistols made back in the 80s? If I recall, they were one of the first companies to offer an all-stainless 1911.

This section is more about the technical aspects of pistols than aesthetic qualities or collector value. That said, please tell us more about your Randall pistols. Also, we have a Gallery section with a 1911 thread, it would be great if you can post some close-up pictures there.

Oops! Sorry....one of the things I hate about a new forum...newbies understanding the posting flow - and I just proved I ARE one!:o I'll post up better pics in the Gallery over time - I've got 1911's from current to 1918, Briley to Aeronautica - so there's a few we can toss up!:cool: One nice thing about 1911's - about the time you think you've got all you want, ya find another...and another - just ask my long-suffering better half! LOL

[Robinson]

So here are some questions about your Randall 1911s:

Do you shoot any of them regularly, and is there any concern over the stainless steel galling? I've heard that was a potential problem with Randall's guns, but you know that could just be internet rumor.

Also, do the Randall guns have any non-standard parts or specifications?

Finally -- if one owns a Randall in good condition, is it wise to use it or better to just keep and admire it for its collector/historical value?

[TexasRedneck]

So here are some questions about your Randall 1911s:

Do you shoot any of them regularly, and is there any concern over the stainless steel galling? I've heard that was a potential problem with Randall's guns, but you know that could just be internet rumor.

Also, do the Randall guns have any non-standard parts or specifications?

Finally -- if one owns a Randall in good condition, is it wise to use it or better to just keep and admire it for its collector/historical value?

Several of them see as regular a range time as can be expected given my collection - usually 3-4 times/year. I routinely carry my LeMay, which I had modified by Briley's in Houston to feed JHP. Being a Milspec gun, they work best when fed hardball. Many folks forgot that aspect, which led to a number of them being sold off because "they won't feed my SD rounds..." As mentioned, they're Milspec, and as a result I've never encountered someone having issues (other than the usual fitment required of most 1911 parts).

As far a "use it or keep it"....well, there's not a one in my collection that hasn't been shot - including one of the Southpaw's I got about 8 years ago from a fellow collector who hadn't shot it since he bought it new.

The galling? It CAN happen, but in my experience, it's when someone ran them too dry. I grease my rails on EVERY 1911 I run, but especially the SS ones. It's always been a potential issue with any SS firearm, but I've never run into the problem on any of the SS 1911's I own - and I attribute that to my being anal about using grease for the rails.

[Robinson]

Several of them see as regular a range time as can be expected given my collection - usually 3-4 times/year. I routinely carry my LeMay, which I had modified by Briley's in Houston to feed JHP. Being a Milspec gun, they work best when fed hardball. Many folks forgot that aspect, which led to a number of them being sold off because "they won't feed my SD rounds..." As mentioned, they're Milspec, and as a result I've never encountered someone having issues (other than the usual fitment required of most 1911 parts).

As far a "use it or keep it"....well, there's not a one in my collection that hasn't been shot - including one of the Southpaw's I got about 8 years ago from a fellow collector who hadn't shot it since he bought it new.

The galling? It CAN happen, but in my experience, it's when someone ran them too dry. I grease my rails on EVERY 1911 I run, but especially the SS ones. It's always been a potential issue with any SS firearm, but I've never run into the problem on any of the SS 1911's I own - and I attribute that to my being anal about using grease for the rails.

Is your LeMay the one shown in the picture with what appear to be stag stocks? I can't quite tell, but the stocks are lighter color and have some figuring.

[TexasRedneck]

Is your LeMay the one shown in the picture with what appear to be stag stocks? I can't quite tell, but the stocks are lighter color and have some figuring.

Yessir. They're fairly heavy/thick, and fit my hand like a glove.

[HCM]

Oops - sorry, forgot the "family portrait"....

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These are cool. I recall Randall 1911’s being a staple of the action novels I read as a kid in the 80’s.

As Robison alluded to, while there is interest in older guns here, even in that area this is more a pistol shooting / shooting performance forum than collecting.

In the spirit of enabling, there is a shop in San Antonio which current has (or had recently) a 5” Randall. I have no affiliation but l’ll message you the name of the shop if you’re interested.

[TexasRedneck]

These are cool. I recall Randall 1911’s being a staple of the action novels I read as a kid in the 80’s.

As Robison alluded to, while there is interest in older guns here, even in that area this is more a pistol shooting / shooting performance forum than collecting.

In the spirit of enabling, there is a shop in San Antonio which current has (or had recently) a 5” Randall. I have no affiliation but l’ll message you the name of the shop if you’re interested.

If you're speaking of the Powderhorn, I actually got to see them all a couple of months ago when Dave first got them in - he knows my love of 'em! BTW - you know he closed as of April 1st, right?

If it's NOT the Powderhorn, I'm all ears - ya just never know, they might have one of the really rare ones - thanks!!

[HCM]

If you're speaking of the Powderhorn, I actually got to see them all a couple of months ago when Dave first got them in - he knows my love of 'em! BTW - you know he closed as of April 1st, right?

If it's NOT the Powderhorn, I'm all ears - ya just never know, they might have one of the really rare ones - thanks!!

Not the Powder Horn. My understanding is the Powderhorn is now defunct.

The owner of The Powder Horn had been trying to sell the business and retire for the past couple years. He was unable to find a buyer for the business so he took advantage of the 2020 panic buying to liquidate his inventory.

On an unrelated note there is a recent thread in the revolver section about a PPC revolver built by Dave’s father.

[TexasRedneck]

Not the Powder Horn. My understanding is the Powderhorn is now defunct.

The owner of The Powder Horn had been trying to sell the business and retire for the past couple years. He was unable to find a buyer for the business so he took advantage of the 2020 panic buying to liquidate his inventory.

On an unrelated note there is a recent thread in the revolver section about a PPC revolver built by Dave’s father.

Bob was a really good guy. I was priveleged to know him for a number of years before his plane crash, and even have one of his pistols he built while he was armorer for the USAF for one of their shooting team members.

[Doc_Glock]

Ha! Thanks for the edumacation. When I clicked on the title I thought you were talking about Randall Knives... Never heard of these beautiful Randall 1911s.

[Archer1440]

The only Randall I have personal experience with belonged to a friend, and he would run a bit of copper-anti seize grease on the rails to avoid issues.

[Inkwell 41]

I remember reading about the LeMay in Guns and Somethingorother back in the day. Didn’t Randall off a fully mirrored, left hand 1911 as well?

[BillSWPA]

Although I am right handed, I am really surprised that not many companies have offered left handed semi autos. Since a significant portion of the population is left-handed, why would these not be desirable as compared to trying to make a right handed pistol work left-handed?


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[Archer1440]

While 10% is indeed significant, it is significantly more expensive to make a left-handed anything when economies of scale are applied. Most left-handed hard goods are subsidized by the sales of right-handed gear.

It’s simply a matter of economics and margins.

[TexasRedneck]

I remember reading about the LeMay in Guns and Somethingorother back in the day. Didn’t Randall off a fully mirrored, left hand 1911 as well?

Yessir - 3 of 'em (that they made more than 100 of)....they were the last 3 I added to my collection.

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[TDA]

That is super cool, I think I’ve seen one Randall in a gun store case ever, and it wasn’t even a lefty one. It’s interesting to see good photos of an assortment of these kind of obscure guns.

[Mark D]

Forgive my ignorance, but I've never heard of Randall 1911's. Based on the thread, I'm guessing...

1) He/they built high-end 1911s?
2) Specialized in stainless pistols?
3) Circa 1980's?

Feel free to school me.

[Robinson]

Forgive my ignorance, but I've never heard of Randall 1911's. Based on the thread, I'm guessing...

1) He/they built high-end 1911s?
2) Specialized in stainless pistols?
3) Circa 1980's?

Feel free to school me.

1) Not sure they were considered high end in the same way custom and semi-custom 1911s are viewed today. Maybe high end for the time, but the stainless alloy used was inferior to today's stainless.
2) Yes. I don't think they made any carbon steel guns.
3) Yes, and they were only made for a couple of years.

I don't know if any shooters were putting hard use on the Randall guns back in the day, or how they would hold up. In my opinion, the Randall guns are attractive and an interesting piece of 1911 history. For serious use there are better options today in a 1911, so I view the Randalls more as collector guns.

[LtDave]

The crime lab identified a Randall .45 as the murder weapon in a whodunit homicide I investigated. I was shocked at how many Randalls were registered in Southern California. Still an open case AFAIK.

[Mark D]

1) Not sure they were considered high end in the same way custom and semi-custom 1911s are viewed today. Maybe high end for the time, but the stainless alloy used was inferior to today's stainless.
2) Yes. I don't think they made any carbon steel guns.
3) Yes, and they were only made for a couple of years.

I don't know if any shooters were putting hard use on the Randall guns back in the day, or how they would hold up. In my opinion, the Randall guns are attractive and an interesting piece of 1911 history. For serious use there are better options today in a 1911, so I view the Randalls more as collector guns.

Thanks Robinson, I appreciate the background info.

[Cajunoilfield4321]

I got the a112



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