Howdy
WOW! lots of questions!!!
-The All Combatmasters are the same with the exception of ser#4200-4800 when some custom barrels were made to correct out of speck slides. Also the first 4000 or so guns had a barrel dia of .720 w/ a matching slide. this was changed at around ser# I6000. The MKVI differs from the MKV in sights(combat selector type), Grips(pachmeyre) and finish(polished). The recoil springs was a developmental thing. It was a quest(and still is today) to find a spring combo that would work for more than 1000rnds in a short EXTREAMLY fast slide cycle. In the shorty guns that I build I tell people that the spring life is normally around 500-700 rnds. I have been using the wolf single spring and it seems to work good but there are others out there that work also. Some of the Colt Off ACP springs will work.
-As longevity of SS guns. I've been working on SS guns since I was 16 when I got my first Colt Gov SS 1911. I have seen some cheaper SS guns develope what is called Galling. I have NEVER seen any problems with a high quality gun. The same goes for the Randal pistols( another early SS gun) My early Colt has well over 30,000 rnds and there are no problems. The only Detonics that I ever broke was a MKVII slide and that was because of a broken recoil spring and COR-BON 230gr ammo(very HOT). The slide cracked in the front right behind the styrup.
-Number of types made, value, other misc production info. Hopefully when we get the Detonics collectors group up and running( in the works as I type!) We will be able to compile a serial number data base of some sort. Also the value of these guns is really volitile and depends GREATLY on how bad you want one particular gun. I have paid allot less than book for some early MKIs and allot more than book for some of the more obscure guns. New Detonics was formed by Robbie Barkman of ROBAR fame and the guns were completely remade(probably not better, as they threw out years of R&D). They seem to be less desirable but they still command a premium price because of rarity. They are NOT the same gun, COMPLETE different pistol. The DetonicsUSA guns will be MKVI type and compatible with the originals. There was a very few number of guns made by New Detonics to burn up old parts. These guns are stamped New Detonics but are still the original style. Very rare guns.
-the Magazine issue. Original Detonics mags are stamped "Detonics 45 ACP" and 9mm and 38sup mags had no markings. The main problem is that people are selling other mags for a premium and claiming them to be factory original. These other mags are also really lacking in quality. The original mags are the best for the gun. Hopefully DETUSA will continue this. Original mags in .45 sell for $50+ and the 38sup/9mm are $100+. All are SS.
-The MKVII. This is my personal favorite! I have 3 of these(including the above mentioned broke gun) My primary daily cary gun is a MKVII. I can use this gun VERY effectivly to 10-15yrds. It points so true for me that I don't even try to aim. If I do try to aim I miss every time. If I instinct shoot then my hits are good. This may not be true for all shooters as grip and style are different. In the classes that I teach I don't recccomend guns like this to average shooters. It does take a degree of practice to become proficient with it.
NO OTHER GUN IN THE WORLD LOOKS AS NASTY AS A MKVII!!!! ;-)
-The reason for nobody building compact 1911 type guns is that they are difficult to build. J.B. made the 1911 to be easy to make and very reliable. When you start drastically changing things in the desing of the gun then reliabilty and function really decline. You can't just chop-em up and shoot em. It took the Detonics years of R&D and working-out-the-bugs to get things right and then the timing wasn't right in the market place. Today seems like a much better market for such a gun.
As I stated before MORE info is coming and we will be working with biggerhammer along with others to help get this info out there.
If you or anyone has any other Questions please feel free to email me direct if you want. Otherwise I check this board daily.
Jerry is great guy and he is also working with Sid Woodcock, another great guy! Also many of the original Detonics hot-shots may be involved with the company. These are people who have Detonics in their blood and gunsmoke in their nostrils! What better combo could you want. You can order a special limited run of the first serial numbered guns from www.detonicsusa.com in the bullet points section.
Hope this helps!
L8r
Conley Janssen
USMC 87-93