Great gun, I'm from Argentina and I have one as well in .45 ACP of course, that I bought recently and was formerly used by Armada Argentina (Argentina's Navy). It truly is a wonder, no malfunctions, no failures to feed, slide always opens when empty. I'm so happy with this gun.
I've seen a lot of these, including the 22lr model, in local gunshops here in Argentina. I must say they are nice looking guns. Nice review scootch, now I know more about it, but a small critique if i'm allowed, don't put flamenco when relating to Argentina, put a tango instead!
This gun is the era in which Argentina manufactured their own guns , cars , planes and nuclear reactors. Today there are no military factories. Only a few isolated projects of any tank, plane or missile.
Thanks for the vid. I was given my Ballester by a close friend and am immensely happy with the gun. It shoots like an old friend; reliable and honest with no temperamental crap.
My dad gave me mine last year do I didn't go out and buy a 1911 (which I could barely afford). It has never jammed and ate whatever I put in it. Non matching serial numbers, painted over finish, and now holster wear. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
A great video and assembly and disassembly are a plus (very hard to find these instructions on You Tube!!) The actual serial number of these fine pistols is located on the left side of the grip strap and the bottom of the slide. Numbers on the barrel, top of slide, receiver, etc. are part numbers. These pistols were manufactured of very high quality steel and followed standards for pre-WW2 Colt specifications!!!!
I love this video because the music is very good and the pistol is cool. I consider myself lucky now because I have found a Ballester-Molina in a gun shop. I love historical firearms.
I bought one of these years ago when I couldn't afford a "better" 1911. I was getting a "cheap" 1911 that I could afford. I quickly realized that that it was not "cheap." It was inexpensive. But it was first rate quality. It is actually my favorite pistol to shoot. I assume that the prices have escalated as collectors have discovered them.
Mine is an early 4 digit serial (10xx) Ballester-Rigaud, which pre-dated Molina. It was my first semi-auto handgun. My Dad bought it for me on my birthday at a gun show for $180 in the '90's. It has eaten everything I've put in the mag, without a complaint - even some sketchy flea-market reloads. Last time I had it at the range, a guy next to me saw my group and he got mad at his brand new Kimber, packed it up and left. I knew he was mad on account of how much he was cussing his marksmanship and then slamming everything into its case. I had shot a softball sized hole in my target, cutting out the bullseye and his looked like he was shooting with his eyes closed.
Used to town one of these. Put thousands of rounds through it and it never malfunctioned, not once (handloads... 185gr LWSC and 230gr LRN). It was as accurate as my 1911, and I liked it just as much. Shot "standard" class IPSC with it. Great pistol, and I wish I still had it. When I got it it had little finish on it and had had a lot of use which didn't faze it at all. Ran like clockwork.... If you see one at a reasonable price, buy it!...
I had one of these several years ago. It was an "Armada Argentina" marked one. So it was a Navy issued one. It was around $350 back in '04 or so. Finish was pretty worn and the magazines were crap. Sold it back in '08. Wish I would have kept it.
Cool looking 45!!! And those AR500 steel targets from western target are awesome !!! I bought the same one and it holds up good for shooting my m44 mosin so thanks sootch for the Discount code!!!
***** If I remember correctly, the Army wanted the grip safety. I do not ever remember reading what Browning thought of the idea. Browning did not publish a lot of his opinions. He just worked away in his shop all the time, making new designs, redesigning his old ones, and letting his brother do most of the business stuff.
I think that apart for the Argentine police and military that several thousand of these guns were bought by Britain during WW2 to issue to SOE (Special Operations Executive) who specialised in espionage and sabotage in occupied Europe - as a non-British weapon and therefore deniable. All such guns feature a 'B' prefix serial number. Interesting thing, Sootch, and an excellent shooter!
I like the music, Sootch... Oh, and the video was great as well! Thanks for what you do... "God bless America!... Long live the republic!... Rock the Casbah!... and whatever else you said!" 😆
I was informed the colt 1911 originally had no grip safety and the grip safety was introduced later in the development of the 1911. I don't know if it's true though.
Hello: Nice review, gun is in great shape. For some reason it reminds me of the Llama 45 ACP, Llama has the grip safety. John Moses the greatest gun inventor of all time. He got it right. Have a Good One
I have one of these. I thought it was a 1911 for years. It takes down just like a 1911 but yeah I forgot the 1911 had flat main spring housings and grip safeties since this pistol was a hand me down from my dad. Didn't know the trigger was different because it feels very similar to a 1911.
It appears there is no disconnecter and there is no place for it to ride in the slide. I would be interested to see how it keeps the hammer back while it is cycling and the trigger is pulled.
I see a protrusion on the right side of the firearm in the slide rails. I'm guessing it works similar to the H&K USP, just has a tab off near the frame rail that is depressed by the slide.
I have one since late 80-s, cost this time $200. Still cherishing it. The Colt barrel is slightly longer, but Ballister is little bit heavier, in my case more stable than Colt 1911.
I have one and absolutely love it. But I have a questions. One, mine has two sets of serial numbers, one set on the barrel, top of the slide and above the finger guard that all match. Then another at the bottom of the handle (like the video) and inside the slide. Also, there is an encircled F on the edge of the finger guard and by one of the first set of serial numbers I spoke of. Does this mean I was screwed out of some money by the shop claiming is numbers matching and they just did it themselves or is it true numbers matching. Both sets of numbers are low so I know it was made some time between 1944-47, and it was made for the army.
I have a ton of FTEs on my Star model B Super because I cant find an extractor and spring anwhere not to mention the magazine price. How is the parts situation on this particular pistol? I have seen them for sale for very decent prices.
It is so nice having full size .45acp without grip safety, Browning put it on his because the calvery wanted it for being on horse back.Why is it still used guess thats why Glock mod.30 sf is so good.
scootch00, I just got one of these this past week from a very dear friend. I love the looks of it and I have taken it down to clean it. It's been 4 days now and I can't get the slide lock back in. Do you have any tips or advice?
Nice vid! I cut my teeth on a Ballester, so I know them pretty well. Yours is in a very nice condition. The legend on the right side "Gendarmería Nacional", that is Argentina's Border Patrol. Enjoy it.
Mi mayor sorpresa es que siendo una pistola de la gendarmeria como termina esta en manos de un extranjero, como la compro y a quien? como la saco del pais y como la metio al suyo? me gustaria saber...
+Marce Tu sabras Hola Marce, en 1991 cuando se hicieron las privatizaciones, se vendieron un monton de armas que pertenecian a empresas de seguridad estatales que prestaban servicios de seguridad a muchisimos Bancos Provinciales y Entidades Estatales que tenian servicios de custodia propios, estas empresas se disolvieron, casi todos los Bancos Estatales se privatizaron, dichas empresas de seguridad estatales habian recibido un monton de material a principios de los 70 que antiguamente perteneció al Ejercito , Gendarmería y muchas otras fuerzas que ya habian adoptado desde hace tiempo antras las pistolas FN Browning Hi Power, y luego las Browning fabricadas bajo licencia por Fabricaciones Militares. La cuestion es que cuando en 1991 se privatizaron dichos Bancos y se disolvieron sus servicios de custodia propios toda la ordenanza de dichas empresas (Escopetas Batan, simil Ithaca 37, Ballester Molina, Sistemas Colt 1927 y Ballesteres con Marcajes de Ejercito, Marina, Aeronautica, Gendarmería, Prefectura y Policia de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, se remataron, y a precio muy bajo. Muchos tiradores que fueron a los remates se acuerdan que habia cajones de madera enteros, llenos de cargadores de colt. Muchos exportadores vinieron a comprar, pues eran conocidas las calidades de estos fierros, se llevaron lotes enteros a EEUU. Casi seguro que esa ha sido la ruta de esta Ballester. Abrazo
Very thorough and articulate review as always... But.... the Colt 1911 is often imitated and never duplicated.... I think the Springfield Armory 1911 comes closest.
Personally I would much rather have a Ballester Molina than a 1911 simply because of the grip safety; however, I will admit that I prefer a straight pull trigger to a pivot.
+steelCOYOTE just like the 1911 it can be carried with the hammer back and safety on with a round in the chamber, and magazine inserted aka cocked 'n locked.
@@j.g.t7769 Mejor diseño. Eliminando el seguro de empuñadura se lograron varias cosas. Primero cantidad de piezas, mejor seguridad de disparo, mejor mantenimiento interno (le entraba menos mugre). El acero tambien se podria tomar como punto a favor. Hasta donde se, el acero de las Ballester era superior al de las colt.
@@j.g.t7769 Eso no solo va atado al producto terminado... Hay elementos externos a la herramienta que dictan su precio... un arma puede ser mas cara, y ser muchisimo mejor que un arma mas economica. Y lo malo es que eso puede ser exactamente a la inversa...
Man i wish that it would be the 70s or wen ever because that there would be really cheap mausers and more cheaper mosins. Now days its all simi auto ak 47 and no mausers
Great gun, I'm from Argentina and I have one as well in .45 ACP of course, that I bought recently and was formerly used by Armada Argentina (Argentina's Navy). It truly is a wonder, no malfunctions, no failures to feed, slide always opens when empty. I'm so happy with this gun.
My dad's had one of these in the safe since his corps days back in the 70s. I'm so glad you reviewed one because i'll finally know something about it!
I've seen a lot of these, including the 22lr model, in local gunshops here in Argentina. I must say they are nice looking guns. Nice review scootch, now I know more about it, but a small critique if i'm allowed, don't put flamenco when relating to Argentina, put a tango instead!
This gun is the era in which Argentina manufactured their own guns , cars , planes and nuclear reactors. Today there are no military factories. Only a few isolated projects of any tank, plane or missile.
But we have BERSA,wich makes guns for the police.
Es verdad q tuvimos industria, hasta q llegó el maldito gobierno de Cristina y sus secuaces, y destruyeron el país
Thanks for the vid. I was given my Ballester by a close friend and am immensely happy with the gun. It shoots like an old friend; reliable and honest with no temperamental crap.
un orgullo la ballester molina de argentina para el mundo
My dad gave me mine last year do I didn't go out and buy a 1911 (which I could barely afford). It has never jammed and ate whatever I put in it. Non matching serial numbers, painted over finish, and now holster wear. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
That's right I've got a Kimber and both do the same job and cost 3x less. I won't trade my as well
FABRICACION NACIONAL ARGENTINA
Sootch, this is a fine example of a Ballister Molina that you have. Thank you for making such a video. It was great to watch.
la mejor pistola que pudimos haber creado , la amasijadora de montoneros !!!!
la hacedora de zurdos
tomas bazan Es de EE.UU!!!
es argentina flaco... ballester molina ......
tomas bazan Pero el diseño es de EE.UU!! :)
ah si seguro como el calibre , igual tiene cierta diferencias , no tiene el seguro de empuñadura
God bless America... and Argentina too...
A great video and assembly and disassembly are a plus (very hard to find these instructions on You Tube!!)
The actual serial number of these fine pistols is located on the left side of the grip strap and the
bottom of the slide. Numbers on the barrel, top of slide, receiver, etc. are part numbers. These pistols were manufactured of very high quality steel and followed standards for pre-WW2 Colt specifications!!!!
Bellester Molina from Argentina and we don't need no stinky Colt, man!
I love this video because the music is very good and the pistol is cool. I consider myself lucky now because I have found a Ballester-Molina in a gun shop. I love historical firearms.
Thank you for your review and most definitely for your service Marine
I bought one of these years ago when I couldn't afford a "better" 1911. I was getting a "cheap" 1911 that I could afford. I quickly realized that that it was not "cheap." It was inexpensive. But it was first rate quality. It is actually my favorite pistol to shoot. I assume that the prices have escalated as collectors have discovered them.
$500 all day for these now
Paid 5.50. for a stainless 6.in barrel fits Webley holster for flap type .from sec hand store .2year ago covib .
RN in Argentina one in good condition costs 1000
Que Fierrazo. Argentino!
Hand one of these in the mid late 60’s really enjoyed it then I got a National Match Gold Cup in the early 70’s and fell in love. again
gran pistola amigo tengo una igual saludos de argentina
Love the history of these cool guns.
Gun review and a history lesson! :-)
I picked up one in Grenada in 83 and I love it!!!
Mine is an early 4 digit serial (10xx) Ballester-Rigaud, which pre-dated Molina. It was my first semi-auto handgun. My Dad bought it for me on my birthday at a gun show for $180 in the '90's.
It has eaten everything I've put in the mag, without a complaint - even some sketchy flea-market reloads. Last time I had it at the range, a guy next to me saw my group and he got mad at his brand new Kimber, packed it up and left. I knew he was mad on account of how much he was cussing his marksmanship and then slamming everything into its case. I had shot a softball sized hole in my target, cutting out the bullseye and his looked like he was shooting with his eyes closed.
A 1911 barrel bushing will ride forward about 1/16 past the front end of the Ballester slide. The Ballester slide has a wider barrel bushing slot
I learnd to shoot when l Washington 11 Witherspoon this magnificencia quality pistol !!! Thanks fpr sharing!!!
Used to town one of these. Put thousands of rounds through it and it never malfunctioned, not once (handloads... 185gr LWSC and 230gr LRN). It was as accurate as my 1911, and I liked it just as much. Shot "standard" class IPSC with it. Great pistol, and I wish I still had it. When I got it it had little finish on it and had had a lot of use which didn't faze it at all. Ran like clockwork.... If you see one at a reasonable price, buy it!...
OOPS... "Used to own....." :-)
I had one of these several years ago. It was an "Armada Argentina" marked one. So it was a Navy issued one. It was around $350 back in '04 or so. Finish was pretty worn and the magazines were crap. Sold it back in '08. Wish I would have kept it.
I have never even heard of this pistol and thus knew nothing about it. Thanks for the info and the great video. :)
I had one at one point. It was a very reliable, good shooting .45. I couldn't it jack with it though, so I sold it.
lejos la mejor pistola,mi abuelo pertenecio al ejercito en el 48 y nos dejo de herencia.
aprendi a disparar con eso!
Anda bien o se traba?
@@j.g.t7769 en general las 1911 no se suelen trabar a no ser que sean muy cortas pero igual a día de hoy te recomiendo algo más moderno
Muy bella ,me recuerda a mi infancia cuando mi padre trabajaba como policía y tenía una como arma de servicio
Good video, Sootch!
Cool looking 45!!! And those AR500 steel targets from western target are awesome !!! I bought the same one and it holds up good for shooting my m44 mosin so thanks sootch for the Discount code!!!
Western Targets rock! It takes everything you throw at it. Thanks Bro~
Good video I have seen the star before. But I had never seen these before nice gun. Those grips are unusual that's definitely a keeper.
Exelente
Great vid....... On my list of must haves!
Great video, Don! Some serious old school Sootch :)
I love your channel brother!
I'm glad to see this gun here! Buen producto argentino :)
Big fan of your clips, from Australia
this is a very nice solid pistol
what a beautiful pistol.
I kind of prefer the Ballester Molina to a regular 1911 because there's no grip safety.
I am not a grip safety fan either. I am surprised no one currently makes the 1911 without a grip safety.
***** If I remember correctly, the Army wanted the grip safety. I do not ever remember reading what Browning thought of the idea. Browning did not publish a lot of his opinions. He just worked away in his shop all the time, making new designs, redesigning his old ones, and letting his brother do most of the business stuff.
Enjoyed your video as always, sweet pistol
Great video, thanks for the info and history.
Nice video. I've never heard of that manufacturer. I feel smarter for having watched it.
I grew up in Argentina from about 12-20 and i learned how to shoot center fire handguns on a Ballester Molina
I think that apart for the Argentine police and military that several thousand of these guns were bought by Britain during WW2 to issue to SOE (Special Operations Executive) who specialised in espionage and sabotage in occupied Europe - as a non-British weapon and therefore deniable. All such guns feature a 'B' prefix serial number.
Interesting thing, Sootch, and an excellent shooter!
I like the music, Sootch...
Oh, and the video was great as well! Thanks for what you do...
"God bless America!... Long live the republic!... Rock the Casbah!... and whatever else you said!" 😆
I was informed the colt 1911 originally had no grip safety and the grip safety was introduced later in the development of the 1911. I don't know if it's true though.
Hello: Nice review, gun is in great shape. For some reason it reminds me of the Llama 45 ACP, Llama has the grip safety. John Moses the greatest gun inventor of all time. He got it right. Have a Good One
I wish I had kept my Ballester! Nice music, too! John
Smooth looking gun ever
great video and thanks for uploading
I have one of these. I thought it was a 1911 for years. It takes down just like a 1911 but yeah I forgot the 1911 had flat main spring housings and grip safeties since this pistol was a hand me down from my dad. Didn't know the trigger was different because it feels very similar to a 1911.
It appears there is no disconnecter and there is no place for it to ride in the slide. I would be interested to see how it keeps the hammer back while it is cycling and the trigger is pulled.
I see a protrusion on the right side of the firearm in the slide rails.
I'm guessing it works similar to the H&K USP, just has a tab off near the frame rail that is depressed by the slide.
The disconnector is on the right side of the frame, it's a flat bar that moves in a groove and rides against the slide. You can see it in the video
You have one in a very good state!!!!
i found a site with these they have systema colts aswell but they are decently priced, you can get a good new 1911 for about the same
Time to start looking for one.
Gran video!!!
I have one since late 80-s, cost this time $200. Still cherishing it. The Colt barrel is slightly longer, but Ballister is little bit heavier, in my case more stable than Colt 1911.
Cool pistol
I have one and absolutely love it. But I have a questions. One, mine has two sets of serial numbers, one set on the barrel, top of the slide and above the finger guard that all match. Then another at the bottom of the handle (like the video) and inside the slide. Also, there is an encircled F on the edge of the finger guard and by one of the first set of serial numbers I spoke of. Does this mean I was screwed out of some money by the shop claiming is numbers matching and they just did it themselves or is it true numbers matching. Both sets of numbers are low so I know it was made some time between 1944-47, and it was made for the army.
yeah, music definitely gets a thumbs up. oh and i liked the gun too
Hermosa pistola!
that ballester molina was issued to the "gendarmeria'' which is the border patrol in argentina
I have a ton of FTEs on my Star model B Super because I cant find an extractor and spring anwhere not to mention the magazine price. How is the parts situation on this particular pistol? I have seen them for sale for very decent prices.
Esa si que es un fierraso , que pedazo de pistola por dios !!!!!
Muy buena 45 ACP, orgullo ARGENTINO..
Sootch00 , did you use HPs in it? I had one but it wouldn't feed HP ammo ... Shot very well though and I carried it for a while!
It is so nice having full size .45acp without grip safety, Browning put it on his because the calvery wanted it for being on horse back.Why is it still used guess thats why Glock mod.30 sf is so good.
scootch00, I just got one of these this past week from a very dear friend. I love the looks of it and I have taken it down to clean it. It's been 4 days now and I can't get the slide lock back in. Do you have any tips or advice?
thanks very informative
I like it. Thanks
Dammit sootch leave some hpr ammo for everyome else lol. Hey man great video as always
Nice vid! I cut my teeth on a Ballester, so I know them pretty well. Yours is in a very nice condition. The legend on the right side "Gendarmería Nacional", that is Argentina's Border Patrol. Enjoy it.
Mi mayor sorpresa es que siendo una pistola de la gendarmeria como termina esta en manos de un extranjero, como la compro y a quien? como la saco del pais y como la metio al suyo? me gustaria saber...
+Marce Tu sabras Hola Marce, en 1991 cuando se hicieron las privatizaciones, se vendieron un monton de armas que pertenecian a empresas de seguridad estatales que prestaban servicios de seguridad a muchisimos Bancos Provinciales y Entidades Estatales que tenian servicios de custodia propios, estas empresas se disolvieron, casi todos los Bancos Estatales se privatizaron, dichas empresas de seguridad estatales habian recibido un monton de material a principios de los 70 que antiguamente perteneció al Ejercito , Gendarmería y muchas otras fuerzas que ya habian adoptado desde hace tiempo antras las pistolas FN Browning Hi Power, y luego las Browning fabricadas bajo licencia por Fabricaciones Militares. La cuestion es que cuando en 1991 se privatizaron dichos Bancos y se disolvieron sus servicios de custodia propios toda la ordenanza de dichas empresas (Escopetas Batan, simil Ithaca 37, Ballester Molina, Sistemas Colt 1927 y Ballesteres con Marcajes de Ejercito, Marina, Aeronautica, Gendarmería, Prefectura y Policia de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, se remataron, y a precio muy bajo. Muchos tiradores que fueron a los remates se acuerdan que habia cajones de madera enteros, llenos de cargadores de colt. Muchos exportadores vinieron a comprar, pues eran conocidas las calidades de estos fierros, se llevaron lotes enteros a EEUU. Casi seguro que esa ha sido la ruta de esta Ballester.
Abrazo
capo, muy buena referencia historica
a question where can I get the wooden grips for a 45 ballester molina pistol
Very thorough and articulate review as always... But.... the Colt 1911 is often imitated and never duplicated.... I think the Springfield Armory 1911 comes closest.
Did u know the Springfields are made in Brazil? Very nice gun, specially the hi-cap, IMHO it's better than the ParaOrdnance
RobertoDonatti I have an older Springfield Armory Compact 1911.... It was made in Geneseo, Illinois..... I love it.
Is the Gendarmeria Nacional!, see if you need more information, I have enough material on that
interesting history.
great gun
La Ballester... the first pistol i fire in my life... :)
7:42 What weight recoil spring are you using? Is it so heavy that the takedown tool is necessary?
Personally I would much rather have a Ballester Molina than a 1911 simply because of the grip safety; however, I will admit that I prefer a straight pull trigger to a pivot.
1 more hand gun added to my list to buy when i am 21
In what condition would this be carried?
+steelCOYOTE just like the 1911 it can be carried with the hammer back and safety on with a round in the chamber, and magazine inserted aka cocked 'n locked.
use wilson combat.
how much pounds that piece of antique weighed
Mejor que la Colt.
Los que saben realmente de armas me van a dar la razon.
Mejor acero???
@@j.g.t7769 Mejor diseño.
Eliminando el seguro de empuñadura se lograron varias cosas.
Primero cantidad de piezas, mejor seguridad de disparo, mejor mantenimiento interno (le entraba menos mugre). El acero tambien se podria tomar como punto a favor.
Hasta donde se, el acero de las Ballester era superior al de las colt.
@@EISANT0 Mejor precio también
@@j.g.t7769 Eso no solo va atado al producto terminado...
Hay elementos externos a la herramienta que dictan su precio... un arma puede ser mas cara, y ser muchisimo mejor que un arma mas economica.
Y lo malo es que eso puede ser exactamente a la inversa...
@@EISANT0 probaste una colt ?
I miss my 1911's. Now sporting a glock G30 only. Sigh. I really miss 1911's.
Thanks for Sharing, Is there anyone Who might Sell Grips made for the Ballester-Molina???
Reminds me a lot of my star model b
Actually it is pronounced Bash-s-terr Mawl-ee-nah. I'm from Argentina :)
amigo.
cerra el culo bobo
Cool
how did you find a ballester ??
What sights are mounted?
Man i wish that it would be the 70s or wen ever because that there would be really cheap mausers and more cheaper mosins. Now days its all simi auto ak 47 and no mausers
Same with my spanish star cal .38 super..
What model is your star pistol?
I want one!
I like that it dosent have the grip safety that's the one thing I never liked about the 1911 was the damn grip safety
looks more like a Hipower
They have on of these at my Gun shop for $439.00