This is an Argentine manufactured cross between the Colt 1911A1 [produced under license as the Colt 1927] and the Star model .45 caliber semi-automatic. The Ballester is basically a slightly modified Colt .45 M1911A1. Its loading, firing, and functioning are the same as the US model pistol.

The gun weighs empty 2.25 lb; its length is 8.5" and the barell length is 5 inches.  It feeds from a single stack 7 round detachble box magazine.   Muzzle velocity is 830 f.p.s. for ball just like the standard US .45   (1402)

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The Ballester–Molina was designed to offer the Argentine police and military a less-expensive alternative to the Sistema Colt Modelo 1927, which was itself a licensed copy of the Colt M1911A1, built under the supervision of Colt engineers. Production of the Ballester–Molina began in 1938 and ceased in 1953. Ironically, the Sistema Colt 1927 was manufactured until 1966As the Ballester–Molina was designed to serve alongside the Modelo 1927 that was currently in Argentine service, it bears a striking resemblance to the Colt M1911A1. The Ballester–Molina and the M1911 share an identical seven-round magazine, barrel, recoil spring, and barrel bushing. Although many other parts appear identical at first glance, they are not; only the barrel and magazine are interchangeable. The Ballester is also known as the "Hafdasa", after the initials of the company that made it .

The trigger mechanism is unlike the 1911, and actually pivots, rather than slides like the trigger on the 1911. Even though it looks a lot like a 1911, the only parts that are easily interchangeable are the barrel, operating spring, and the magazine. All controls are very similar, except for the absence of a grip safety. Disassembly for cleaning is the same.

Major Differences between the Ballester and Colt 1911A1: a) Hammer Strut: The hammer strut is much smaller that that of the 1911A1. It is .75" in length and 0.158 inches in diameter. b) Firing Pin Stop: The firing pin stop is not recessed on the sides as it is on the US Models.c) Safety Lock: The safety lock is redesigned and the pin is larger in diameter than that safety lock pin on the us Model.

Field Stripping: Disassembly is the same as the M1911A1 except that the pin for the hammer and the sear must be driven out.  The trigger is held by the trigger pin.  Upon removing the trigger and the trigger extension, the disconnector can be removed downward.  After the sear has been removed the main spring can be removed.

The grips are the highly recognizable striped Argentine .45. The magazines are interchangeable with the M1911A1. The magazine catch is located in the same place as the catch on the US Model and works identically.

The Graff Spee Legend has it that upon the scuttling of the German Pocket Battleship the "The Graff Spee" in the River Plate estuary in December 1939 a Uruguayan salvage firm (which was really a front for the British MI6) the Germans believing the ship completely destroyed sold the salvage for the equivalent of $67,000.00.

The Ballester family attempting to build additiona .45 cal based on the Colt design needed steel that was not cut off from its German supplier needed the Kruppstahl.

There was only a very slight difference in dimensions; the Ballester being just a hair longer overall and weighing in at about 36-ounces unloaded while the Colt made inspiration came in at 38-ounces. The trigger pivots on a roll pin, rather than slides which is different from the 1911 and was borrowed from the Spanish-made Star Model B 9mm.

Ballester Molina pistols, caliber 11.25 mm (or .45 ACP) were built by the factory called (HAFDASA), which means: “Hispano - Argentina Fábrica de Automóviles Sociedad Anónima” (Hispanic - Argentina Automobile Plant Corporation), which was actually a subsidiary of the famous Hispano - Suiza car factory (a factory known for manufacturing very expensive and exclusive cars in Europe) ... Dedicated at first to those things, manufactured in Argentina several engine models (for trucks, cars and marine use) and some models of tractors, trucks and cars ...

Colt did not supply machinery, they did supply blueprints and technical advice. The machinery was bought in Germany and was made by Fritz Werner. While not a Colt, it's a D.G.F.M Sistema Colt 1927 clone and combination of the Spanish Star. It would appear that the combination of improvements on the original M1911A1, the Sistema Colt 1927 and the Spanish Star would give us a significantly improved gun.

Many changes, including the trigger, does make it a better shooter but the intent was to stream line production and control costs. With their chief engineer, Rorice Rigaud, Ballester, and Molina started with an old imported Model 1916 Colt and reverse engineered it. Each individual part was looked at, simplified for ease of production, and set to the side. The result was a gun that looked like a 1911, felt like a 1911, field stripped and shot like a 1911, but in the end wasn’t.

The Gendarmería Nacional = Gendarmerie Nationale (Frontiers Guard)  There are no import marks.The Ballester–Molina was used by Argentina's security forces. The Argentine Army adopted this weapon in 1938.  C.A.I. Georgia VT is the import mark for Century Internation Arms warehoused in Georgia, USA.

The gracefully curved backstrap is solid, without the grip safety or separate ahmmer spring housing as found on the Colt M1911.  Its rear tang is pronouced affording good protestion against "hammer-bit" - no need for the now-fashionable beavertail.The Ballester–Molina is a very well made and rather accurate pistol, which can successfully compete with any other .45 manufactured at the time.

Showing honest holster wear (same size as US M1911A1) and offered over the counter with the reservation that the gun may be sold before being posted as such on the internet.We reserve the right to sell any internet offering to a direct sale and no not warrant the availability of any firearm that does not have a physical deposit. This gun may be withdrawn without notice for in-store sale. Call for availability. Any questions to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.co