Ballester Molina: The Underrated Argentine .45

[@pirucho33]

I used it in Patagonia, with dust and sand it never jammed and always shot. Noble as a horse and faithful as a dog.

[@pirucho33]

@@jamesellis2784 Amen

[@pirucho33]

@@jamesellis2784 I never used a CZ40, but I assure you that the old Ballester-Molina will never leave you defenseless.

[@gaston01000]

Amen, pibe.

[@pirucho33]

@@gaston01000 Si un dia estas en peligro y tu vida pende de un hilo, pedile a Dios tener en tu mano, una Ballester-Molina calibre 11.25, amartillada, y estarás seguro, como un bebe en los brazos de su madre!

[@pabloqqt7649]

Mi padre junto a otros dos empleados de HFDASA realizaba el ajuste fino del cierre de las recamaras uno por uno (a mano)

[@Tricerius]

"Fabricada por" actually means "manufactured by". "Fabricada para" would be "manufactured for". Just figured I'd clarify that bit.

[@LD-xt1vo]

A common mistake by people new to Spanish. Thanks for the correction!

[@terry7907]

Remarkable. In French it would be the opposite-par is by and pour is for.

[@carlosburre3307]

I remember my dad, back in the '60s, saying the Ballester-Molina was the favourite gun for the Allies in the Alamein during WWII, as it never jammed due to sand and other hard conditions. It simply never failed. Thank you for your very interesting video!

[@CalacaRoja]

This video brings tears to my eyes. Those were the times that gun laws were reasonable and more civil friendly. Weapons manufacturers had ads on street and magazines, and you could buy ammo in hardware stores!

[@CalacaRoja]

Even the Army gave free Mauser ammo, free shooting classes for civilians and some Ranges even gave members free Mausers

[@bertroost1675]

Around what year did everything change?

[@googlesucks2296]

@@bertroost1675 1934 NFA. Then 1968 Gun Control Act. Then Reagan and his shitty 1986 Hugh Amendment. And the list goes on and on and on and on and on

[@Xerxes1688]

@@bertroost1675 Basically, early 90's during Carlos Menem as president, he was a huge Bill Clinton bootlicker, and he put in charge of Argentina's national firearms registry a man that was a fudd that just hated "assault rifles".

[@luisangeli9208]

@@bertroost1675 1968

[@CSLucasEpic]

The Ballester Molina is basically the AK-47 of handguns. It works everywhere it works with mud or sand it needs very little maintenance...

[@BrickZ87]

The police force of Santa Fe Province in Argentina used ballester-molinas in .45 (they were marked as 11.25mm) until the late 2000's

[@RobertoDonatti]

And I've seen them in use at Colegio MIlitar in the late 90's

[@kenibnanak5554]

Not adurn thing wrong with them, I have had several and wish I still did. :)

[@s00-x2h]

wait i thought .45 is 11.43 mm?

[@RobertoDonatti]

@@s00-x2h The ammo boxes read 11,25 mm but the distance between grooves is 11,43 mm. You can see the box here www.google.com/search?q=cajas+45+fabricaciones+militares&rlz=1C1NHXL_esAR731AR733&sxsrf=ACYBGNS92_br6ruPacAYKXZr2oXXDzcpiA:1574910229900&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=_ppl7Pr2qanJKM%253A%252C-bS8FFC7UbdFrM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQuDeVzuM50Q7yi4kb01RscE11oWg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiqr7nm9YvmAhXeIbkGHXUFDhoQ9QEwA3oECAoQBg#imgrc=_ppl7Pr2qanJKM:

[@s00-x2h]

@@RobertoDonatti damn, the more you know...

[@AF-O6]

I’ve seen many of these run through the gun shop where I used to work 30 years ago. One would be surprised at the variety of rare guns squirreled away in rural America. You are a national treasure. I have more than a thousand firearms books that don’t contain the knowledge you possess.

[@vanilla5678]

Thanks You from talking about guns from My country Argentina, salutes from Buenos Aires.

[@Julian-mh3uo]

I really like to see Gun Jesus talking about guns that we're made in my country, hope to see some Bersas in the future!

[@goshenremains]

Jesús de los Fierros*

[@ThePablo1911]

@@lucascavallo 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Cynical_Hypocrite]

Jajajaj, se pasan.

[@KristianHerdi]

Shout-out for our gaúcho brothers from far away Serbia!

[@Julian-mh3uo]

@@KristianHerdi Greetings from Patagonia! My father used to own a serbian Zastava rifle in .308 for deer hunting, it was a very rude and beutiful gun, and shoot very well!

[@hobbstactv2571]

This was the first pistol I ever bought, back when I was 16. It looked like shit and rattled when you shook it, but it shot really well.

[@marshaul]

Any good military 1911 variant will rattle when you shake it.

[@hobbstactv2571]

@@marshaul I know, but this one REALLY rattled. It was...well broke in, let's say.

[@bikecommuter24]

Rattler is a nickname for 1911 type pistols, I had a 60's era 45acp 1911 it was worn and it rattled if you shook it, but it worked, 10 to 15 yards accuracy was sorta good, 25 yard you had to hold over the target, but its was my fun gun, I appreciated it for what it was. I also had the time a AMT Hardballer in 45acp and it shot very good for a lower end 1911 in Stainless steel no less. my favorite 1911 was my Springfield Armory in 9mm. now that caliber in a heavy 1911 frame great shooter. Wish I still had them I sold them in the 90's when I moved to England and I didn't have anywhere or anyone to keep them for me. I like the simplicity and for me the natural pointing of a 1911.(shh the Glock also point naturally for me, but keep it quiet please lol)

[@rickb1973]

I had one as a teenager too, back when you could still buy cheap surplus .45 ammo. I did most of my early pistol shooting with that, and my Ruger single-action .22 revolver. Even after I'd saved up enough for the stainless Combat Commander that I'd been drooling over, I'd still take out my old rattly-ass, Argentine .45 with the finish worn off and chase a coffee can across the yard, just for giggles.

[@williamjeffersonclinton69]

@@hobbstactv2571 I have 2 of these pistols. One rattles like a can of spray paint and the other is meh on the rattle. Both are excellent. I still feel I group out to 10 yards better with the one that sounds like a can of spray paint.

[@CenlaSelfDefenseConcepts]

I thought he was doing a video on the one he used to carry and compete with.

[@RaDeus87]

I recall him saying he would only make videos on his own guns if shit hit the fan, So I got a little worried.

[@petesheppard1709]

I kind of expected him to mention using a B-M in competition.

[@IndianaJoe3]

Now I'm wondering if his has an interesting provenance.

[@RaDeus87]

@@IndianaJoe3 I doubt he would shoot and abuse a gun with an interesting provenance, I think it's just a cheap milsurp.

[@cipherthedemonlord8057]

Same

[@BrennerBay]

Ian used to use one in some of the earlier videos.Carl called it "The Ballerina Molester"...

[@KSFWG]

lol

[@mytmousemalibu]

It the perfect name! Anyone with even the slightest whiff of demented humor will make the connection between the name to Ballerina Molester! Lol 🤣🤣🤣

[@dr.argentina]

thats amazing lmao

[@benjimandover8072]

All these different nations with their version of the 1911 is absolutely amazing to see thanks for the content...

[@albertocapeans1328]

Thanks Ian for making this video. That weapon is in perfect condition. It is almost impossible to find one in such good shape because almost all those with the armed forces were not only used a lot, but when they switched to FN Hi Power, all the Colts and Ballester Molinas were sold or lent to provincial or municipal police departments that they used for 30 or 40 more years without proper maintenance.

[@boriscook6817]

In the 80’s a friend offered me one of these, along with a browning shotgun, 100$ each! I took the browning, and called my uncle to offer the .45 to him! He bought it, later I discovered how well made they were!😔

[@RickNethery]

Good pistols for sure.

[@jerryjones4943]

What would you say it was worth

[@jerryjones4943]

What would you say it was worth

[@boriscook6817]

@@jerryjones4943 easily as much as a mod 1911 Vintage firearms are like coins Condition is everything This one was very good

[@randygray8001]

Had one and loved it. Lost it in my pick up when the truck burnt up . Got mine very inexpensively way back when they 1st started importing them.

[@mrfrosty3]

Special award for excellent pronunciation of foreign language. I would like one of these, the SOE angle makes it more desirable even if it spent the war on a shelf.

[@mr.ramixhardbass3331]

I really like the fact that he is reviewing argentinian weapons

[@rodozenandez285]

​@@Diego-carp so...

[@JunkyardBashSteve]

I bet Ian is gonna bet on that piece. The way he said it was in “gorgeous condition” with a gleam in his eye was his way of saying he wants it

[@jwgan9602]

And he doesn’t like gorgeous condition guns as much.

[@JunkyardBashSteve]

@@calska140 Yeah, then he'd have one to shoot and one to fawn over

[@collinis1]

He doesn’t post videos on guns he wants to bid on until after the auction.

[@M-1996A1]

My grandpa was a green beret and bought one of these when he got out to have a .45 without paying for a real Colt. Always cool to see you with yours, glad you made this one.

[@FarewellmyFriend.]

My dad owns the model 1927 under Fabricaciones Militares Republica Argentina. With the same wooden grips. An amazing pistol, eternal.

[@officiallyunofficial3741]

Thanks for making this video, I've had one of these for years, and heard different stories about it, but never really knew too much about it.

[@markmcqueen1882]

In the early 2000's Century Arms sold these for ~ $180.00 or 2 for $300. Well worn finish wise but still solid guns. I have a Rigaud that is marked Gendarmeria National on the right side of the slide. It's a really good .45.

[@guidogt9878]

So cool you have presented something so important to my country's gun manufacturing history. I never owned one, but my dad told me that his dad concealed carried one in the old days. Thanks!

[@cachotero]

mi viejo trabajo en la fabrica !!!!! le encantaba el poder de fuego de esta pistola !!! y era amigo de que diceño los cañones de 155 mm !! y que fue el mismo italiano que diceño y fabrico el mortero aleman de la 2da guerra mundial !!los dos ya fallecidos sabian una barbaridad !!!

[@icasabona]

Awesome video on an awesome gun. We are still having fun with these down here in Argentina, .22s are also excellent guns. Thanks Ian!

[@Scuba128]

I've had two of these, the first one was an Argentine army marked "Ejercito Argentino" on the slide. The second, which I still have, is marked "Gendarmaria Nacional" and is in fantastic shape, apart from the barrel, which was dang near worn out. Actually, I've never seen a Ballester with a good barrel before.

[@iamcondescending]

Could just put a 1911 barrel in if you really want to keep shooting it.

[@RobertoDonatti]

They were shot a lot with corrosive ammo. Most shooters engaging in competition would change their barrels every 2500 rounds.

[@marshaul]

@@iamcondescending 1911 barrels are not drop-in replacement parts; they generally will require hand fitting and timing. If it was a historical artifact it should be done by an experienced 1911 gunsmith.

[@markmcqueen1882]

Mine is slightly pitted but not worn out. It shoots accurately.

[@waffleMccoy]

you had a ballester molina and a "sistema colt 1927"

[@estanuch]

My father had a .22 caliber version of this pistol. A really beautiful weapon. Greetings from Argentina! I enjoy your videos very much.

[@carlosbernal8955]

I bought a Ballester Molina a couple of weeks ago because of your mud test video on InRange. Love the pistol and your content!

[@ale69420]

Thank you Ian for looking at something from my country, this one is a cult clasic here in Argentina

[@sniper59jl]

Tell me , can we still find some of them to buy in Argentina ...?

[@katahajimeudegarame2397]

@@sniper59jl they are averywere, 1891 maussers too

[@jacko9818]

nunca ví un chorro con una de estas xd

[@kepiblancrm]

Argentina navy used 45 Ballester, colts and sistem colts until mids of 80's.The 22 training it's an ingenious version .I love la gorda

[@aidanfarnan4683]

SOE: "Alright Chaps, just in case Hitler runs off to Argentina after the war, here's 8000 Argentinean guns to practice hunting him with."

[@marianoarri5332]

LOL

[@matthewmellein2593]

That is one of the benefits of being a neutral power during WWII .

[@Lowlandlord]

You mean defend him with? Argentina, the place where Nazis hid happily for decades with government cooperation, and with many organizations like the OSS/CIA turning a blind eye to help their anti-communist puppets in Germany and Italy.

[@jgvtc559]

@@Lowlandlord that and new schaubenlamd

[@juanojeda6559]

@@Lowlandlord tf you talking about dude

[@rdmcnary]

Thanks for the review. I luv mine. It is a ex army gun that was refinished. I put a set of Argentinian police finger grips on it.Shoots and looks great. You didn't mention the story of where the steel might have come from for these guns.The story is that the metal came from the Graf Spee.A German surface raider scuttled in the Platte River at the the beginning of WW2. Fun story. Google it.

[@jfrorn]

Cool!!

[@isserfiq]

Point of clarification, the POR, means BY, not For.... and in Spanish, the double L in BaLLester normally is pronounced as one would a Y in English, So that the double L in LLama sounds like "Yama", meaning Flame and not the animal as an English speaker would come to think upon hearing the name. But to add confusion, the argentines however pronounce the double L like a SH. so it would sound like Bashester with the accentuation on the final E.

[@MisaelKpo]

I'm from Argentina and whenever I've heard it be named it was always as "Balester", like Ian pronounced it. But to add to confusion, there is a city that is spelled exactly Villa Ballester and is pronounced by everybody like you said, "Bashester". Moral of the story, names are pronounce in all sort of ways in spanish.

[@S3Cs4uN8]

@@MisaelKpo Languages are confusing

[@patoruzu1967]

Jajaja! only the "porteños" (Buenos aires residents) say Bashester!

[@patoruzu1967]

Jajaja! only the "porteños" (Buenos aires residents) say Bashester!

[@MisaelKpo]

​@@patoruzu1967 Well, I live in Buenos Aires province, but I can't think of any instance of someone calling the place any other way.

[@matthayward7889]

SOE connection automatically makes something cool, but that is a great looking pistol!

[@josebaque2756]

Una buena pieza fabricada en nuestro país, gracias por este video,saludos cordiales

[@GustavoRubioGSR]

Some of them are still in use ( and in high demand) in precision shooting competition in Argentina.

[@RobertoDonatti]

There's nothing a BM will do that a Colt won't. And there are no parts available so anybody looking to compete would opt for a 1911. Get real.

[@S3Cs4uN8]

@@RobertoDonatti You underestimate the influence a local/native brand can have.

[@RobertoDonatti]

@@S3Cs4uN8 I live in Buenos Aires, I go to the range frequently and attend matches. Haven't seen a BM in competion for a long time, at least amongst competitive shooters. I shot IPSIC for 20 years. Never saw a BM.

[@RobertoDonatti]

And remember that the supply of Sistema Colt pistols built here is more plentiful

[@ripcurlreadiness8777]

I just wanted to take a second to say i am thankful for friends like you and wish you a very happy thanksgiving full of good food and the love of friends and family! ML RIP CURL

[@dinsdalemontypiranha4349]

That was wonderful Ian! I especially liked the great story that goes with the pistol.

[@chrisdooley6468]

Interesting gun. I swear I read that Rigaud left because of disagreements concerning future projects or something. I’ll have to remember where I read that and send it to you Ian

[@leviathan2855]

Hey thank you for the review. I just picked up a baluster Molina 1911 a couple months ago and I have not fired it yet. It’s not really what I was looking for but I purchased it through a private seller

[@joseluismartinez4323]

Congratulations for the excellent class of guns history of my country. Professional as usual!!

[@dhy5342]

You mentioned the Systema 1927 being the subject of a separate video but I haven't been able to find it.

[@maxgood4361]

Just wanted to say Thank You for sharing your talents with us to see and enjoy. Wishing you, your family and friends a Very Blessed and Happy Holiday Season. The Good Family

[@edlenorgaeron8003]

Wow, just read about Ballester Molina and Gun Jesus decided to post a video about it? I'm blessed.

[@timbaskett6299]

There are three "oddball" pistols I would really like to have. This one, a Mexican Obregon, and a Polish Radom. Great video.

[@Blade_of_Violet_Chaos]

I just got one in a very similar condition to the one you're showing for my birthday. Serial number puts it from 1944. I got it and a Star B as a pair.

[@Cacowninja]

M1911: Who are you? Ballester Molina: I'm you but more Spanish! (Castanets sound off in the distance)

[@GustavoRubioGSR]

In fact malambo drums or tango chords sound off in the distance

[@Tokito935]

But those are more common im spain, not in Argentina

[@ThePablo1911]

Actually is better than the Colt! Believe it or not. And my favorite gun is the 1911!

[@EmpanadaDeCaca]

Spain is not Argentina

[@pierluigiadreani2159]

Most of Argentinians have Italian roots, even more than Spanish (we are talking about 25 million people out of 40) These people have their own identity, it is like saying that Americans are basically Brits...

[@Gazulolima]

Esaaaa!!! BALLERTER MOLINA!!!!! ahora si!

[@milesmatthews1659]

My friend has one of these, very cool to see you reviewing one!

[@zorro456]

I have one of these and they are quite nice. If you want a nicer grip on it you will have to make your own because the screws don't line up with colt grips.

[@joekurtz8303]

I think my friends father had one of these. We were messing around and I remember checking out the slide and seeing Argentina on the side. Very good quality and heft. Surplus purchased. Got to shoot a couple rounds ..... a long time ago.

[@mitchelkane2641]

I love my Ballester Molina. Probably more then my colts.

[@bryanbreuninger8320]

Ian , you just made me dig mine out to check the numbers! Had the pistol for years and never knew that stuff

[@utubesuxbigdonkeybal]

As a collector of Star pistols, it's cool to have acknowledgement of Star's contribution to the Ballester Molina. With that said, I'm a bit offended by the "Spanish junk" comment. The pistols coming out of Star and Astra were excellent. Any impression that they're junk is likely down to price, as the US distributor of most Stars (not sure about Astras) was Samuel Cummings' Interarms company (which would be a great Forgotten Weapons story in itself), which priced them pretty low, potentially giving the impression that they're lower quality than they in fact are. With that said, I remember in the early 2000's, when Ballester Molinas were going for $200 (not much more than a Star Model B or BM) and suffered similar prejudice as a "poor man's 1911."

[@utubesuxbigdonkeybal]

@DOUG HEINS With the consolidation of firearms manufacturers during the Franco era, your choices for pistols are basically Star, Astra, and Llama. With the exception of the terrible trigger mechanism and half-baked .40 versions of the Firestar line, I can't think of any particularly bad pistols either have made. Llama, on the other hand, well... I'm not really into them, so I can't say. Their blowback 1911 lookalikes are not particularly confidence inspiring, but, if I recall correctly, they made some decent 1911 clones and variations and did some interesting stuff with double stack 1911's.

[@cliftonsheldon9134]

I absolutely love these pistols. Top quality and probably the nicest shooting colt style .45 classic pistol and pistol in general I have used. Very accurate and steady, easy to be consistent with. I would choose it over any classic colt .45 I have used in terms of how I like it and performs. Not having a grip safety is very nice and the extensive beaver tail like Ian said makes it fit your hand very well.

[@joseaugustosegovia3032]

greetings from Argentina

[@proteus2103]

Ballester Molina? Never heard of her. But seriously, I like the lack of grip safety. I always despised those.

[@M4nusky]

Was half-expecting Ian to bring an enormous revolver in frame for size comparison :P

[@Clipazine]

My local Cabela's has one of these for a decent price, but it's been bubba'd a bit with replacement sights.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Ian .

[@campbellbrand8038]

Took one off the pilot of A109 Hirondo AE-331 at Stanley racecourse on 14 June 1982. Good pistol

[@nico2292]

Just bought one in great condition for 600 dollars, it comes with the Gendarmeria Nacional inscription, will probably get another one if the chance appears.

[@tangouniformcharly]

Excelente informe. Muy buenas pistolas las Ballester!. Un abrazo

[@larryjohnson150]

Man I love this stuff, every video here is extremely interesting!

[@johncoffin9354]

I read that the British issued some Ballester Molinas in North Africa. And that there was a legend that they were made from steel salvaged from the Graf Spee.

[@begjon13]

Thanks to all things Bersa fitting my hands really, REALLY well I became an accidental Argentine small arms collector. So obviously I am now losing my $#@%.

[@RobertoDonatti]

My first .45. After something like 7000 rounds it was getting tired and I switched to surplused Colts.

[@boriscook6817]

RobertoDonatti you’re not ever going to break it

[@georgesheffield1580]

Argentina also prodused the sistima 1927 ,a Colt . It was mad with a different alloy . Very high quality . Both are very good pistols .

[@fivesensestravelcompany9466]

Excellent video, thank you! If you ever come to Argentina, let us know!

[@Fabianp1960]

Ian,the "por" on the slide refers to HAFDSA made them,in other words,it was made by HAFDASA

[@EcclecticNerd]

Really cool to get the history behind the gun/company. I picked up a 1950s commercial production one a few months back and the finish on most of the gun is just gone. Still a great lil shooter though.

[@gustavovarelaalvarez2486]

Ballester Molina was used for Special British Forces in the WWII. Argentina sold to British Government around 15.000 pistols.

[@snowstalker36]

Oh man I want this so bad. It's so beautiful!

[@MrNacho453]

For some unknown reason I was not expecting a weapon from my country on this channel. Greetings from Argentina Ian.

[@pablosantacoloma6586]

Ian usa una ex infantería de Marina en una prueba,yo pude disparar varias veces con una ex fuerza aérea

[@urielramirez4669]

My grandfather was a cop during the national reorganization process and used to carry one of these.

[@rageoftheredphoenix]

Seeing this helps me to be proud to be Argentine/Argentinian.

[@BSKustomz]

Just found one in a local gun store, the only reason I knew anything about it was because you use one in 2gacm

[@boriscook6817]

BS Kustomz did you buy it?

[@BSKustomz]

@@boriscook6817 was just browsing (read: broke) and was like... oh hey...

[@boriscook6817]

BS Kustomz I hear that! When I was offered the one I let my uncle buy, my wife had just had our second child and I was the only person working, but even though it hurt to pass on it, I nearly cried when I discovered how well made they are!

[@troy9477]

I have heard a little about these over the years, and they have a good reputation. Did not know about the SOE connection- that makes things a little more interesting. The first thing i noticed visually was the beavertail and the lack of a grip safety (which JMB never intended to be on the 1911, bur the army demanded it). The next things i noticed were the grooved grips and the different slide serrations. The integral mainspring housing seems like a good idea also- so that is 2 fewer parts to fit. Weird to see a pivot pin on a 1911 trigger. I wonder what the trigger pull feels like by comparison. I am sure the company was very happy to sell 8K guns to the British SOE and make a couple of hundred thousand dollars or more. The UK was buying a lot of wool, leather, beef and other foodstuffs from Argentina throughout WW2. Their canned "bully beef" (corned beef) mostly came from Argentina. To this day, a lot of canned corned beef at the store says product of Argentina. I wonder how many guns saw action with the SOE. If old guns could talk...... Great video as always. Thank you

[@andresarevalo2171]

Felicitaciones, muy interesante video, hay un arma iconica fabricada en Argentina, se trata de la ametralladora Halcon ML63 cal 9mm y me gustaria ver un video hecho por Usted. Muchas gracias!!

[@thunderring8056]

Nice, I've wanted a video on one of these for a while!

[@williamjeffersonclinton69]

In the words of the great Hickok45..... It Just Works.

[@Vikter_zepeduh]

Awesome video! I just recently bought a Ballesteros 45 and wanted to know more about it.

[@MeatVision]

Oh man, this is awesome!

[@jasonarmstrong5750]

I love the elimination of the grip safety, I wish more 1911 style handgun manufacturers would do that

[@armandopiatti1065]

Let me add a couple of things about Ballester Molina, Argentina signed a contract with Colt for the 1911 a1 in 1927 thats why is called in that way but the fabrication of this pistol began around 1944/45 and Ballester Molina provided their pistol from 1938/39 so they were providing guns to the Army, Navy, and diferent police an military units long before the Fabrica de Armas Portatiles Domingo Matheu provided the Colt 1927 to the Argentina Governament. As another point I want to let you know that for disarming the Ballester you dont need to move the slide back and look for a special point to take away the piece that slave the full top of the gun, with the Ballester you use the same notch that works for stopping the slide when the magazine is empty. Another thing and I promise this is the last, there is an urban legend about the iron that was used for the 10.000 guns provided to the british and is that as there was no one to provide the stainles steel at the time they used some smugggled steel from the Admiral Graff Spee that was sunk midway Argentina y Uruguay in 1939. Anyway thanks for the review and it was one of the most complete I have seen lately. Good luck on this uneven times.

[@TheWraith1413]

I have a 1927 and a B/M both great pistols and in great condition.

[@armadefuego5907]

I bought one of these in 1999 made for the Argentina navy. It was an impulse purchase I kind of regret. I shoot it better than a 1911. It is a safe queen now. I am afraid of something breaking and not being able to find a replacement part. Mine has the original finish in good condition which is not common.

[@armadefuego5907]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine I just found 113,000 pistols were made. I have seen firing pins and grip panels advertised. I have never read a bad comment about this pistol. Barrel, return spring, bushing, and magazine are the same as the model 1911. I have other pistols. I will never shoot this pistol much but it is fun.

[@johnkelinske1449]

Excellent pistols. I would agree underrated and under appreciated. I have never heard anyone who has owned or used one that has much bad to say about them.

[@Daniel_Palmqvist]

Awesome, love this gun. Thank you.

[@ricardokowalski1579]

1:03 The stamping reads PISTOLA AUTOMATICA CAL .45 FABRICADA POR "HAFDASA" Patentes internacionales "Ballester-Molina" Industria Argentina Automatic pistol Cal .45 Fabricated by "HAFDASA" International patents "Ballester- Molina" Argentinian Industry (equivalent to "made in Argentina")

[@vitosandwiches]

i hope karl didn't need the patreon money this month

[@jeffthebaptist3602]

The cleaned up the design but kept the plunger housing wart on the side of the gun, why?

[@TorquilBletchleySmythe]

Hooray! Owners rejoice for Gun Jesus has seen that it it good and value has increased twofold!

[@tcar]

This is not the best moment for the country obviously but seeing how much do you like about the Ballester Molina and other guns from Argentina, It would be awesome if you could visit the "Museo de Armas de la Nación" located in the country. I bet you would love it.

[@pampa168]

That museum has one of the best (if not the best) collections of Mauser rifles of the world. Gun Jesus would love it!

[@EmpanadaDeCaca]

And maybe if he could get in contact with them, he could review some. A trip to the country would be great.

[@tiagoelma5823]

HELLO FROM ARGENTINA!! Im from argentina broo

[@danirizary6926]

Neat video! I carried a Ballester Molina for a bit in the late 80s. It doesn't really stand out in my mind, just another oddball 1911 I carried for a bit.

[@Psiberzerker]

I'm amazed that it's taken you this long to do this model. Since you've used one extensively in competition. Do you have a rule against featuring your own guns?

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Not a rule, but I tend to hold my own guns in reserve.

[@FW200]

I think he mentioned before that he tries to keep stuff from his collection as a backup, so he can make those videos at home when a trip falls through or so..

[@Psiberzerker]

@@FW200 That makes sense. (Not that he's hurting for chances to visit Auction Houses, ARES, and Malta to play with their collections.)

[@boriscook6817]

Forgotten Weapons you are smart to keep it! I ran across a gunsmiths journal once that had his notes on them, said they rarely required repair because they were extremely well made! Wish I could find another one

[@rodrigoezequiel1972]

Greetings from Argentina!!!