Update: Just ordered a Ballester Molina from SOG

[ByronF]

Since Century was temporarily out of the VG Turk Mausers, I sated my mania with a BM from SOG. Cruffler budgeting is a science all its own. When you can't get a $60 rifle, go with a $200 pistola. Of course, when the next shipment of Turks comes in I'll probably order one of those too. Guess it's time to haul my old 30-06 deer gun down to the gunshop. Gotta pay the bills somehow, and Rem 700 BDL leaves me cold.

Anyone receive a Ballester Molina from SOG lately? Please post a review, even though the horse is already out of the barn. Just make sure it's a stellar review of how the SOG BM quality rivals Wilson Combat and top end Kimbers.

Byron

[ February 28, 2002: Message edited by: ByronF ]

[Russ]

Cruffling is really right their with Falwecsogism as dangerously addictive.

Got a BM a couple years ago and I can tell you the urge to buy a 2nd one was something awful. Condition was --predictable for a 70+ service weapon. No scratches, blueing maybe 60% but still very nice looking, evenly worn, except right under the tail where it was obvious that the officer-o carrying this thing had a fondness for walking around with the v of his thumb and hand resting on the top of the grip just under the tail.

Barrel was worn but serviceable. Internals all in good shape --and nooooooooo grip safety--yeah! Accuracy was surpisingly good. Reliability was very good although very occasionally the hammer would hang up and stick with the back recoil. I think with more current use that goes away --had the same minor problem with a brand new Chas Daly. Marked 'Argentino Ejercita' -- I think that makes it army. Definitely a worthwhile cruf-buy.
Russ

[medicmike]

Ordered 3 BM's for a customer from SOG back in the 80's when they first showed on the market. He gave me one for payment for handling the paperwork. All 3 functioned flawlessly, all had worn finish and some slight pitting. The wife still carries that BM and I have shot it quite a bit. Really great pistol for the money!

[Muggzy]

I got mine January 2nd good looking but when we test fired, every round keyholed. Checking the barrel, it was badly pitted, barrel and chamber. bushing to barrel fit was sloppy. Two weeks later I finally fitted a new barrel ($45 from The Dealer Warehouse) then installed a new bushing from Brownels, polished the feed ramp so it would feed hollow points, tweeked the extractor, and beveled the ejector. Now it is shooting 1-5/8" group to POA at 17 yards. Paid $300 for the gun + parts $362 oh and a $35 for Pistolsmithin book by George Nonte, another good investment (that's what I told the wife) I'm a happy .45ver now and yeh, no grip safety. Fitting the barrel gave me fits but that's because I was'nt sure what I was doing. Lots of emery cloth and I even dragged out the "Dremel" man thats slow, I think GaryJeter must be part dentist :D I am happy with it though. Now I'm reloading for it. 4.7gr Bullseye pushing 230gr ball seems to match American Eagle ammo. Thats what I'm going to practice with for awhile.
Glad to hear you got one that shoots decent, for the price ya can't beat it with a stick.

[ February 26, 2002: Message edited by: Muggzy ]

[skfullgun]

I got one of the arsenal refinished BM's from SOG back in December - paid $220 delivered to my door. When it arrived I was speechless - It was Beeeeuuuutiful! Upon closer inspection, the barrel was well worn, but everything seemed tight.

At the range, it fired tighter groups than my previously favorite .45 (Colt Series 70). It was all I could do to keep from ordering another BM. It functions flawlessy and is a joy to shoot. I hope yours turns out the same!

Did you order the arsenal refinished or the fair-to-good condition?

[ByronF]

I ordered SHG-B45 described as beautiful arsenal refinished in excellent condition for $209.95. Glad to hear there are some nice ones being shipped. The great thing about these pistols is that their barrels and magazines are interchangeable with 1911 models. Spanking new barrels are available for cheap.

byron

[Fred]

I have a pair of these. One about 2 years ago and another in Jan. The 1st one was in good condition but a bit sloppy. A bit of adjustment and all was well again. The 2nd was a CIA fix-um-up model. Only real defect was that the slide was dented and jammed. However, the bluing is completely gone and the barrel to sleeve worn. It is however a deal at $50 even with the effort to put i anew barrel and sleeve. WHen time permist I will Parkerize the finished pistol. All in all pretty good pistols but I have to remember to put it carefully into my hand or the web gets bitten. Maybe this one will have the hammer bobbed a bit to keep it from biting. I also find the pistol is happier with a lighter load, 180gr than the std 230gr. Just my opinion.

Fred

[dirtshooter]

I hope this isn't too dumb of a question.
Is the BM a C&R?
I can't find it on the BATF list.
Am I missing something?

TIA,
Chuck

[ByronF]

Can't recall if the BM is specifically listed, but they do satisfy the >50 yr old requirement. So yes, it is a C&R.

Byron

[KarbineBob]

I,ve had a BM for 2 years now and it shoots great.Had to replace the extractor,which isn't interchangeable w/Colt.Found a parts man in Fla. at www.alexworld2001@hotmail.com (http://www.alexworld2001@hotmail.com) who carries parts for the BM.The barrel was pitted and the mag was a bit worn,so i changed them both and it does pretty good.Can't complain for a $200 pistol. :D

[ByronF]

The BM arrived today so I ran home over lunch to pick it up. I think it was a heck of a deal. Certainly worth $200. My slide and frame sn matched, the overall finish was a matte black, probably 90%+, the wood grips appeared new, and the bore looks like it'll clean up very nicely. Might even turn out minty. Slide to frame fit is a bit loose, just like you'd expect from any service grade 45. Barrel bushing fit had a little play as well, but not as loose as the Colt 1991 compact that I owned for a short time. Locking lugs on the barrel and slide are crisp. Trigger is actually pretty nice.

It appears to have been heavily rearsenaled, as the corners have a meltdown look to them. Heck, that's all the rage with all the big name fancy guns. I'll consider it a $200 meltdown service, and they threw in the pistol for free. Some of the text is faint but it's all legible. Barrel is blued but the chamber area is in the white with no rust. The wide finger grooves look like they might have been pitted, cleaned, and finished over but I don't know for sure. It's hardly a new piece but it's in excellent mechanical condition as far as I can tell.

Oh, and one of my grip screws is chromed. Sort of like a gold toof. Adds some flair. I'll keep it.

Byron

[W.E.G.]

If the refinisher applied the polymer coating to the feed ramp, you will probably need to strip/polish that area. Otherwise you will likely get nose-down malfunctions during the feeding cycle.

I got a great big pointed fang
Which is my Zomby Toof
My right foot is bigger than my other one is
Like a reg'lar Zomby Hoof
If I raid your dormitorium
Don't try to remain aloof...

[ByronF]

Polymer finish? Wow, a $200 meltdown and a $290 Bear Coat finish. This just keeps getting better and better. It didn't appear to be a coating to me, but Bossman doesn't let me keep pistols on my person here at work so I can't be sure. I'll probably shine up the ramp with my dremel anyhow.

Chilly B-lite wif da chrome zombie toof

[skfullgun]

Hey...I couldn't be happier with my BM.

Ballester Molina, that is. I think I still have a few more years in me before I'm happy to have a BM!!!