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View Full Version : Got my Ballester Molinas Today (sorry, no pics yet)


RetVet
08-29-2002, 10:11 PM
Ordered Tuesday, delivered Thursday. Here's what I got:

First one. Looks pretty good. Serial number places it as being made between 1944 and 53. Well worn, but still retains a fair amount of the original finish. Just a few spots of light rust, but nothing significant. I'd estimate it at 60%. Metal edges are sharp and the lettering is crisp. Grips are well worn, but not cracked or broken. I'll probably replace them anyway. Bore looks ok, but not real strong. I'm not familiar with these so I'm not really sure how pronounced the lands/grooves should be. Doesn't compare to my other pistols that's for sure. Functions fine. Parts fit together nice and tight. Springs strong. Came with two clips. Packing slip noted a pair of those cheap chinese gun locks, but none were in the package (no loss).

Second one. Not sure about this one. Definately not jumping for joy over it. Very worn. Dates between 1942-44. Almost zippo on the finish. Maybe 10%. Metal surfaces are very worn with edges smooth and nary a sharp edge to be found. Almost like it was buffed along the edges everywhere. No rust of significance. Functions fine, though the slide when pulled back doesn't have as much resistence as the other. Could probably use a new spring? The slide had a wee bit of slop in it, but nothing to cry over. Only thing that bothers me about this one is the slide, just below the ejection port, has a ding in it. Nothing major, but when looking down at the slide from the top, it does appear indented a bit. Probably will function ok, but it bothers me still. Grips are about the same as on the other, just more worn. Bore about the same too, maybe a little weaker. I'll probably keep it, but wouldn't mind having one closer to the condition of the first. The dented slide is probably reason enough to send it back, but I'll have to think about it some more.

Jericho
08-30-2002, 04:27 PM
They are verw sweet guns... The one that I had parkerized for a friend also did not have very deep rifleing, but after I refinished it and rebroke it in I took it out to see how accurate it was... It shot a 1 5/8" group 5 shots at 30', and 4.5" rapid fire 10 shots at 30'... They are quite accurate for the cost... Make your own mind up on the second one, and enjoy them :bye:

cwalker3
09-01-2002, 08:19 AM
Congratulations. Now aren't you glad you took the plunge? Where else you gonna get two 45's for $300? And I bet you find they great shooters, bent slide or not. One of mine has a slight bend on the very tip frame. It doesn't seem to affect the function and is imperceptible visually unless you're looking down the barrel.

As far as the finish is concerned, a little buffing and some Oxpho Blue paste will take care of that nicely. The first two I got I refinished. I'm debating on whether or not to do the second pair I got.

Pa.Patriot
09-01-2002, 09:56 AM
Century is really pissing me off :mad:

I ordered MONDAY and still didn't have a tracking number by FRIDAY :mad: :mad: :mad:

I'm going to have to call on Tues. and bitch, my sales rep is clueless,(new) Guess I'll have to talk with management as I have called him every day looking for a tracking number and he "doesn't know why he hasn't received one yet".
They billed my CC on MONDAY however. :mad:

How much you want to bet they didn't process the order fully and I wont get the pistols now that they are since out of stock?

Century Arms is on my black list as of now, pending what they tell me tuesday, may be I just need a new rep ...:confused: :mad:

SalBO
09-01-2002, 04:05 PM
PaPatriot, I hope you get your order as you wanted. The Reps at Century do seem to make a big difference. Good luck with it.

I was torn whether to order two more or not and didnt. Now you guys are making me regret it already......hehe.......I did end up with two from century and a rearsenaled one from SOG and I am happy with all three. I kind of wish I had ordered two more but I have a feeling something new is going to hit the market soon and I will be ready for what ever it is...........at least I hope something new comes out soon........A man can never have too many pistols............

cwalker3
09-01-2002, 06:00 PM
RetVet, how did you determine the date of manufacture?

RetVet
09-03-2002, 09:35 AM
cwalker3, The dates are rough ones based off of info found on Redstars pic of the week thread. Here's the link to it.

http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59547

I'm keeping the one I got with the ding in the slide. The guns functional and well within its grading of Fair condition. I just need to get some ammo now so I can try it out.:D

RetVet
09-21-2002, 09:54 PM
Here they are. I put new grips on the top one with the better bluing. This one I'm leaving as is. The bottom one I plan on buffing down and doing a parkerized job on. The grips will be replaced with a pair of hand carved ones. I'm still looking through the wood pile for some nice stuff (either burl or a perfectly clear piece of red oak that I will carve a Falklands war scene of some sort on later this winter).

http://album.gunsnet.net/data/retvet/293_p4167.jpg

lpspinner
09-24-2002, 03:13 AM
Retvet,

Sounds like you'll have fun. Hand carved? I would love to see that when you do it! If it hard to do?