Cast Bullets, Mobil 1, the Polar Vortex, and the Ballester Molina 45 Caliber Pistol.

 

The range session achieved a variety of goals. First it enabled me to test some 45 ACP cast bullet loads, an excellent 200 gr semi wad cutter. Second, I was able to test fire and figure the sight correction for a Ballester Molina pistol. Third, I was able to test the above, and Mobile 1 synthetic grease with Mobil 1 synthetic oil as lubricants.

 

Everything passed with flying colors, the loads and the lubricants worked well in the cold weather. The pistol is a surplus Argentine Ballester Molina 45 ACP. The pistol has a replacement barrel and bushing.  The Ballester Molina is a copy of the U.S. M1911A1. The Ballester Molina has some notable differences, including a pivoting trigger, and integral mainspring housing. One of the more interesting stories on the Ballester Molina is the pistol was made from steel salvaged from the wreak of the German pocket battleship Graf Spee .

 

The Graf Spee was scuttled in the Platte River between Uruguay and Argentina.    The ship was reputably salvaged by British surrogates who gave the steel to Argentines for pistol production. In return, the British received Ballester Molina pistols, which were used by British intelligence in covert missions during the rest of World War II. This interesting, and admittedly speculative story was covered in the last edition of the American Rifleman.