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Colt Service Model Ace: Carbine Williams Makes a .22 1911 (Ad-free)
🕑 Added 2024-07-17 12:00:02 +0000 UTC"Carbine Williams", aka David Marshall Williams, has a reputation as the designer of the M1 Carbine, and a very colorful history. He was a moonshiner who pled guilty to second degree murder of a sheriff's deputy and served time in prison. He gained a reputation as a gunsmith in prison, fixing the department's guns in the prison shop, and was eventually allowed to work on his own firearms designs. Eventually released, he patented a design for a gas tappet system. The system was used for the M1 Carbine (that was really the extent of his contribution to that design) and a related "floating chamber" system was used in a .22 rimfire conversion of the 1911 pistol and the M1919 Browning machine gun.
The Colt Service Model Ace used William's floating chamber concept to improve their previous Colt Ace .22 1911 conversion. The first prototypes were ready in 1932, and production ran from 1935 until 1945 (plus a reintroduction from 1978-1982). Most sales went to the US military, which bought 13,808 complete pistols and a bit more than 2,000 conversion kits. They were used for marksmanship training, as .22 rimfire ranges could be built in many more places than ones safe for full-power .45 ACP.
Comments
Grumpy Conquistador
Ian, I'm a bit dubious about advertising Guns dot com at the moment. With ATF's new rule, selling even one firearm can be considered being "in the business," and cause huge legal trouble for your viewers if they actually sold something that way. Even just INTENDING to can be a violation. The Armed Attorneys have a good explanation of just how dangerous it is to sell even one firearm right now unless you're an FFL holder.
Guido Schriewer
HarHar
Martin Morehouse
I wonder how the 1919 conversion dealt with ammunition feed - was it belt fed, or did it use a magazine in the feed block?
Martin Morehouse
In the 80's we did our annual rifle qualification in the Army National Guard with .22 subcaliber devices, since the army ammo budget was really tight.
Mark H. Smith
I also often fill in the "Let Me Show You It's FEATURES!" (Ha ha ha!) my own self.
IguanaDon
How am I expected to sleep tonight knowing there's a .22 M1919 out there, and I don't have it?
GaryG
That is very kewl. I think I want one.
Rick Notkin
It would probably be "felony murder" as he was present during illegal activity when a murder occurred.
Guido Schriewer
always wait to hear the joerg sprave trademark "let me show you its features"😂 wonder why.
Guido Schriewer
cool. looking for a 1911. likely a gsg or ciener convertion for that later. one ca sometimes find a colt conversion but.. rare. but it was a (gen usaaa) james steward movie. not the worst one. those do accept colt ace magazins ONLY, don't they.
