molena 1911 clone parts interchangeable

nearly · January 12, 2002, 08:35 AM

Are the the Argentine molena 1911 clones and US made 1911 colt, remington etc parts interchangeable are they exact copies, same barrel, slide, extractor etc.
Thanks

James K · January 12, 2002, 02:06 PM

The Ballester-Molina is not a true 1911 clone; it resembles the Colt, but only a few parts interchange. I think the barrel, bushing, plug, spring and guide will interchange; nothing else will, and even with those, fitting may be required. Internally, the gun is quite different, with a pinned trigger and no grip safety or separate mainspring housing. The safety works very differently.

Jim

Jim V · January 12, 2002, 06:43 PM

Magazines interchange. I think the barrel links are different so the barrels don't interchange but I'd have to tear down my Ballista Molina to check though. Heck, the stocks are even different.

George Stringer · January 13, 2002, 09:36 AM

Jim V, not to put to fine a point on it but the barrels will work you just need to change the link and they might require a little fitting. I've changed the barrels in a few of these over the years. George

Jim V · January 13, 2002, 06:52 PM

Thanks, George, I've never tried to replace the barrel on my Molina. It just stuck in my mind that the link and legs were different.

johnwill · January 13, 2002, 08:35 PM

The Argentine Sistema 1927 is the one that is a true Colt 1911 clone, those parts interchange with stock 1911 parts just fine.

jjk308 · January 14, 2002, 07:39 AM

Barrel, bushing, plug, spring and guide will interchange easily, slide stop with a little fitting (also needed on 1911s) and GI spec 1911 magazines usually work better than the Ballisters. You should be able to get 1911 links that will work in a Ballister.

Primary advantages of the Ballister: Low cost, and simplicity. Internally the Ballister is simpler than the 1911, it lacks the useless and annoying grip safety, and the trigger pull is inherently smoother without the intervention of an expert gunsmith.

Primary drawbacks: Lack of the neat aftermarket parts available for the 1911 and the huge body of experience in accurizing and customizing the 1911.

James K · January 14, 2002, 05:01 PM

Ballesters also tend to be on the soft side and while reliable, are not usually recommended as a base for a target pistol which will get extensive use.

Jim

January 12, 2002, 08:35 AM	#1
nearly Junior Member Join Date: August 26, 2001 Location: fl Posts: 7	molena 1911 clone parts interchangeable Are the the Argentine molena 1911 clones and US made 1911 colt, remington etc parts interchangeable are they exact copies, same barrel, slide, extractor etc. Thanks

January 12, 2002, 06:43 PM	#3
Jim V Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 1999 Location: SE Michigan - USA Posts: 4,038	Magazines interchange. I think the barrel links are different so the barrels don't interchange but I'd have to tear down my Ballista Molina to check though. Heck, the stocks are even different. __________________ *MOLON LABE* If it ain't metal, single stack & single action, it ain't a 1911 no matter what it looks like. 1911 Forum THE TUBBY CURMUDGEON

January 13, 2002, 06:52 PM	#5
Jim V Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 1999 Location: SE Michigan - USA Posts: 4,038	Thanks, George, I've never tried to replace the barrel on my Molina. It just stuck in my mind that the link and legs were different. __________________ *MOLON LABE* If it ain't metal, single stack & single action, it ain't a 1911 no matter what it looks like. 1911 Forum THE TUBBY CURMUDGEON

January 12, 2002, 02:06 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The Ballester-Molina is not a true 1911 clone; it resembles the Colt, but only a few parts interchange. I think the barrel, bushing, plug, spring and guide will interchange; nothing else will, and even with those, fitting may be required. Internally, the gun is quite different, with a pinned trigger and no grip safety or separate mainspring housing. The safety works very differently. Jim

January 13, 2002, 09:36 AM	#4
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Jim V, not to put to fine a point on it but the barrels will work you just need to change the link and they might require a little fitting. I've changed the barrels in a few of these over the years. George

January 13, 2002, 08:35 PM	#6
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	The Argentine Sistema 1927 is the one that is a true Colt 1911 clone, those parts interchange with stock 1911 parts just fine.

January 14, 2002, 07:39 AM	#7
jjk308 Member Join Date: August 26, 1999 Location: Oldsmar, FL Posts: 16	Barrel, bushing, plug, spring and guide will interchange easily, slide stop with a little fitting (also needed on 1911s) and GI spec 1911 magazines usually work better than the Ballisters. You should be able to get 1911 links that will work in a Ballister. Primary advantages of the Ballister: Low cost, and simplicity. Internally the Ballister is simpler than the 1911, it lacks the useless and annoying grip safety, and the trigger pull is inherently smoother without the intervention of an expert gunsmith. Primary drawbacks: Lack of the neat aftermarket parts available for the 1911 and the huge body of experience in accurizing and customizing the 1911.

January 14, 2002, 05:01 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Ballesters also tend to be on the soft side and while reliable, are not usually recommended as a base for a target pistol which will get extensive use. Jim