Ballester-Molina 1911

[alleydude]

So we go to the local gun shop, just for the heck of it. There in the case is this 1911 that looks just a bit different from any other 1911. I as to look at it. The price tag is $499. I get talking to Ted the gun guy at the shop and he says he knows little about it, except he believes it was an Argentinian service issue gun.

The markings on it are:

Pistola Automatica 45ACP
Fabricada PCR "HAFDASA"
Patentes Internacionales
"Ballester-Molina"
Industria Argentina

Other than the serial number, that is all that is stamped on the gun.

Ted the gun guy said I could have it for $350. Not having the money on me, I utilized the "Can I put it on layaway" clause. Done!

So now I have this Ballester-Molina 1911 on layaway. When I got home I did some research and came up with this on it:

Mine looks just like this one, by the way: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballester-Molina

Here are some crappy camera phone pics of it...

[Delbert]

Looks like you found quite a storied pistol there Ken. Some of those S.American pistols are quite reliable and well made---Bersa, Taurus and now Ballaster-Molina. VIVA de REVOLUTION!!!
I like it and it seems to be just one of those guns you always seem to find out of the blue.
I found a Norinco 1911 at my local Pawn Shop, but at $400 I let them keep it. If they drop price down around to $325 I'll snatch it up.
Del

[gnepig]

Very cool... a person can never have to many 1911's in there collection. I wonder how easy it is to get extra mags for it or if others will work in it?
Do you already reload 45 acp?

[alleydude]

(09-25-2010 09:57 PM)gnepig Wrote:  Very cool... a person can never have to many 1911's in there collection. I wonder how easy it is to get extra mags for it or if others will work in it?
Do you already reload 45 acp?

From what I understand, any single stack Colt of Colt clone 1911 magazine will work in it. Even so, there are a bunch of Ballerina Molester magazines on GunBroker.com so getting them shouldn't be an issue.

Don't reload .45 ACP yet. I do have the dies, but still need primers and a suitable powder, and of course, boolits.

[gnepig]

(09-25-2010 10:05 PM)alleydude Wrote:  

(09-25-2010 09:57 PM)gnepig Wrote:  Very cool... a person can never have to many 1911's in there collection. I wonder how easy it is to get extra mags for it or if others will work in it?
Do you already reload 45 acp?

From what I understand, any single stack Colt of Colt clone 1911 magazine will work in it. Even so, there are a bunch of Ballerina Molester magazines on GunBroker.com so getting them shouldn't be an issue.

Don't reload .45 ACP yet. I do have the dies, but still need primers and a suitable powder, and of course, boolits.

I like it, can't wait to read a shooting report and to see the lovely Mrs Alleybabe modeling with it ( but be careful man, remember what happen to the Mosin ).

[alleydude]

Brought it home today. I feel it is in great shape, the grips being the least attractive part of the gun. Here are some pics. Enjoy!

[Delbert]

Man, that pistol is in quite excellent shape for it's age. You and the Mrs. have some fun. I know many parts will interchange with other 1911's, but do you know who's Company manufactured these pistols for the S. American market?
Del

[alleydude]

(09-30-2010 02:52 PM)Delbert Wrote:  Man, that pistol is in quite excellent shape for it's age. You and the Mrs. have some fun. I know many parts will interchange with other 1911's, but do you know who's Company manufactured these pistols for the S. American market?
Del

Actually, very few parts will exchange with standard 1911's. From what I understand, the barrel, the recoil spring and recoil spring plug are about it.

It was made in Argentina by Hafdasa.

[gnepig]

Quote:
"Ballerina Molester"

---

(09-30-2010 12:11 PM)alleydude Wrote:  Brought it home today. I feel it is in great shape, the grips being the least attractive part of the gun. Here are some pics. Enjoy!

I like it!

[alleydude]

Well, I have put a couple hundred round through it and it shoots every bit as accurate as My Rock Island 1911. I am really happy with it.

After shooting it I tore it down to clean it, and decided to take the grips off as well. Upon doing so I niticed several cracks running vertically along the grips, so I used some super glue to stiffen up the grips, but I was a little nervous about using them again, for fear they would break completely. So I made some new ones for when I want to shoot it.

These are dark Walnut. Gotta admit, they are very comfy.







This way I can keep the originals intact and still enjoy shooting my Ballerina Molester.