Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this awesome semi-automatic pistol today for a penny-start auction; this is the Colt 45ACP Kit Gun 1911!
Colt’s “Kit” Gun program offered a target-grade pistol with all components fully finished but shipped unassembled and without sights, which reduced factory assembly and testing costs that would otherwise be passed on to the buyer. This approach gave owners or gunsmiths a precision platform they could finish and tune to personal specifications. Approximately 1,050 of the .45 ACP Kit pistols were produced, making them a scarce and highly sought-after item among collectors and competitive shooters.
The owner states that this example remains New Old Stock, never being assembled, and we see no evidence to indicate otherwise.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 45ACP Kit Gun
Serial: 01242B
Date of Manufacture: 1964-1970
Caliber: 45ACP
Finish: Blued
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: No Sights
Stock/Grips: Checkered Synthetic Grips w/ Colt Emblems
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt .45 ACP Kit Gun (1911) is a niche, target-oriented variant of the 1911 concept built to be a precision platform rather than a finished carry pistol. Rather than delivering a fully assembled, sighted firearm, Colt shipped these as a factory-finished parts kit: slide, frame, barrel, and components were machined and fitted to tight tolerances but left unassembled and without sights so the buyer or a gunsmith could complete final fitting, sighting, and tuning to their exact preferences. The idea was to offer a near-match grade foundation at a lower out-of-the-box price by deferring the last steps of assembly and proofing to the end user. Technically, Kit Gun parts are more carefully finished and fitted than standard production 1911 components: barrels and throats were machined for match performance, slides and frames were worked to close tolerances, and the fire control parts were often delivered in a state appropriate for a tuned trigger. Because the pistol was intended to be finished by a gunsmith or serious owner, magazines, feed ramps and timing often received special attention during the final build, and sights were selected and fitted to the owner’s intended use (target, bullseye, or slow-fire stages). Rarity and collectibility are important to understanding these pistols: approximately 1,050 of the .45 ACP Kit pistols were produced, making them uncommon compared with standard 1911 production runs. That relative scarcity—combined with the fact many surviving examples were later assembled, modified, or completed by independent gunsmiths—means truly original, unassembled kits or expertly documented factory-finished builds are particularly prized by collectors. Condition, completeness (original parts, box, and paperwork), and whether the pistol was finished to factory standards or heavily modified all strongly affect desirability and value. For shooters and collectors who encounter one, key points to check are provenance and configuration: verify serial ranges and factory markings, confirm whether the parts were ever assembled or altered, inspect bore, timing, and magazine fit, and look for original documentation showing the kit origins. As a working pistol, a correctly finished Kit Gun can be an exceptional target 1911; as a collectible, an original or well-documented Colt kit or factory-finished example represents a rare slice of Colt history that bridges factory quality and gunsmith craftsmanship.
Contents:
Model: 45ACP Kit Gun
Serial: 01242B
Date of Manufacture: 1964-1970
Caliber: 45ACP
Finish: Blued
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: No Sights
Stock/Grips: Checkered Synthetic Grips w/ Colt Emblems
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt .45 ACP Kit Gun (1911) is a niche, target-oriented variant of the 1911 concept built to be a precision platform rather than a finished carry pistol. Rather than delivering a fully assembled, sighted firearm, Colt shipped these as a factory-finished parts kit: slide, frame, barrel, and components were machined and fitted to tight tolerances but left unassembled and without sights so the buyer or a gunsmith could complete final fitting, sighting, and tuning to their exact preferences. The idea was to offer a near-match grade foundation at a lower out-of-the-box price by deferring the last steps of assembly and proofing to the end user. Technically, Kit Gun parts are more carefully finished and fitted than standard production 1911 components: barrels and throats were machined for match performance, slides and frames were worked to close tolerances, and the fire control parts were often delivered in a state appropriate for a tuned trigger. Because the pistol was intended to be finished by a gunsmith or serious owner, magazines, feed ramps and timing often received special attention during the final build, and sights were selected and fitted to the owner’s intended use (target, bullseye, or slow-fire stages). Rarity and collectibility are important to understanding these pistols: approximately 1,050 of the .45 ACP Kit pistols were produced, making them uncommon compared with standard 1911 production runs. That relative scarcity—combined with the fact many surviving examples were later assembled, modified, or completed by independent gunsmiths—means truly original, unassembled kits or expertly documented factory-finished builds are particularly prized by collectors. Condition, completeness (original parts, box, and paperwork), and whether the pistol was finished to factory standards or heavily modified all strongly affect desirability and value. For shooters and collectors who encounter one, key points to check are provenance and configuration: verify serial ranges and factory markings, confirm whether the parts were ever assembled or altered, inspect bore, timing, and magazine fit, and look for original documentation showing the kit origins. As a working pistol, a correctly finished Kit Gun can be an exceptional target 1911; as a collectible, an original or well-documented Colt kit or factory-finished example represents a rare slice of Colt history that bridges factory quality and gunsmith craftsmanship.
Contents:
The owner states that this example remains New Old Stock, never being assembled, and we see no evidence to indicate otherwise. Additionally, this example will ship with the original box, magazine, and all the Factory-Original Colt parts you see pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
