Just for kicks I had a cheap 1911-A1 that was in rough condition and was unreliable so I decided I couldn't lose much by trying to recondition and update the frame. The only thing original is the slide and frame and by the end of the project I had quite a bit of cost into the project. I purchased most of the replacements from Brownells which isn't a cheap place to order. The goal wasn't to have a pretty gun, but a very functional shooter for the range. So if you ever get a wild urge to pick up an old 1911-A1 at a gun show it's not a bad winter project if you have some extra cash and some time to waste. The trickest part is getting the trigger mechanism correct and making sure the barrel is tight in the frame so that it will be more accurate.
Updates to the frame:
sandblasted the frame and slide to bare metal
cut the tangs to adapt a beaver tail safety grip
flared or ground out the ejection port
Polished the slide rails and ramp
cut the dovetail to accept a new rear sight (not to happy with the outcome)
Applied a teflon moly coating to the frame and slide
Parts added:
Storm Lake match grade SS barrel
Wilson Combat SS guide rod, Shok Buf, recoil spring, SS barrel bushing
Wilson Combat hammer, SS trigger, trigger sear
Flat Spring housing with new springs
Wilson Combat ejector, firing pin
Sights three dot
Wilson Combat Beaver Tail safety grip, extended slide release, magazine release
Last edited by ski_freak : 08-19-2004 at 04:48 AM.
__________________
Radiant Silver SE K/C 4X4, Big Tow, Off Road Pkg, Utility bed pkg., Prefered with Captains, Factory step rails, Factory bug deflector.
2005 Xterra,Canteen Green, with Power Pkg. Utility Pkg.
2001 Polaris Sportsman 500.
cut the dovetail to accept a new rear sight (not to happy with the outcome)
If you are not happy with the dovetail (Bomar type, I assume?) you
could have it recut for the larger dovetail of a Novak rear sight.
Great job on the gun. I know a couple of old guys that like to build .45's,
and there is a lot of work that goes into it.
For those of us that don't have the time or money (or expertise) to build
such a custom gun, I think Kimber is the way to go. I bought a Springfield
at the same time I got my Kimber, but could never shoot it as well. The
only mod to the Kimber is a trigger job I did myself. It's too light now for
anything but bullseye.
BTW: I know what you mean about Brownell's. Not cheap, but sometimes
they are the only place you can get what you need!
Even though I have never tried a Kimber I have never heard a bad comment and only great things about Kimber. My understanding of Springfield in the 1911's is that only their expensive models are worth having. I have heard good things about the Springfield XD.
I think I will seriously consider Kimber if I get a chance to buy another 1911.
Steve, what you said about the light trigger is true. I like my trigger to be light, but I have been around guns my entire life and am very aware of safety. My trigger is so light that I will not let other people shoot it unless they prove to me first that they are experienced.
Lon, how do you act when you see a hog leg out in the open?
Steve
No easy carry laws in California!
This would be considered a "High Risk" stop, so you can imagine the drill.
__________________
2004 Titan Smoke LE CC
Born 11/18/03
Bed Extender, Overhead Racks
Hood Protector, Banks Monster Exhaust, Volant CAI, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Bilstein shocks
Never argue with idiots. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
-Gambit
Here in Alabama we can carry in a vehicle or on our person as long as it is not visible. I always keep my pistold out of site in a vehicle and make sure the first thing I tell the office if pulled over is that I have a gun in the vehicle. Some have really not responded to it, some asked me for my permit and some asked what I was packing lol.
Steve, what you said about the light trigger is true. I like my trigger to be light, but I have been around guns my entire life and am very aware of safety. My trigger is so light that I will not let other people shoot it unless they prove to me first that they are experienced.
I got mine as light as possible without the hammer falling when the slide
slams forward. Some of the old guys hold the trigger in as they close
the slide, then let up on it after the round chambers. They claim this will
decrease wear on the parts, but that is debatable.
Have you seen the Pardini .45 that Nygord Precision imports? It has an
adjustable trigger, and could be a way to go for someone that doesn't
want to limit their gun to just target. They are a little on the pricey side,
though.
I love .45's, but I can never talk myself into one for carry. I realize that
"****ed and locked" is supposedly safe, but I have a mental block about
it for some reason. There is also the weight and manipulation of the
safety in a stress situation that keeps me carrying a 12 oz. 357 magnum
when I do carry, which isn't that often.
Hey Lon! Do you guys always call for backup when you see Tennessee
plates? Do carry permits show up on your computer? Just curious, not
that I would ever drive to California.
Hey Lon! Do you guys always call for backup when you see Tennessee
plates? Do carry permits show up on your computer? Just curious, not
that I would ever drive to California.
Steve
No, that would be profiling now wouldn't it.
Would Tennesse L.E. search all California plated vehicles for dope? It's prescribed here, ya know.
My grandfather always preached to me "****ed and locked", but I too never felt very comfortable with that. I keep a fully loaded magazine and the chamber empty. It doesn't take long to chamber a round.
Would Tennesse L.E. search all California plated vehicles for dope? It's prescribed here, ya know.
Wacky tobaccy used to be our largest cash crop, but it looks like Meth
is the big problem now. Before school started back up, someone stole all
the refrigerant out of the middle school's a/c system. One of my friends
is building a new house on some acreage he owns, and found a full tank
of propane over in the weeds. One of these dumb *** meth guys tried
transporting anhydrous ammonia in an unsuitable container, and wound up
wrecking his car. The cops followed his trail to one of his buddies houses,
and they found all kinds of stolen cars, tools, and meth stuff. Some of
these people will do anything to keep from getting a job.
I grew up on a farm in Kentucky and every now and then would find a crop someone tried to sneek into the corn crop. We had to carry firearms in the farm truck because of this. Those crooks would kill you if you just happened to walk up on them while they were checking their crops so you had to have then mentality and the readiness to shoot first if need be. Luckily we never had an actual encounter even though we had farm equipment stolen, animals killed and illegal crops on our land. Those guys were like ghosts.
My grandfather always preached to me "****ed and locked", but I too never felt very comfortable with that. I keep a fully loaded magazine and the chamber empty. It doesn't take long to chamber a round.
What do you think of the double action (LDA) that Para Ordinance came
out with? That might overcome my mental objection to c-o-c-k-e-d and
locked, and I believe they have a version with the match grade barrel.
They will only honor warranty to original purchaser, though. Damn
Canadians!
My favorite weapon that I own is my Ruger 45. I also have a marlin 44 rifle setup like John Wayne's. I got a few other things that I won't share that I own.
__________________ Arkansas "Go Hogs"
2004 Nissan Armada SE OFFROAD 4x4 Mods: Tinted Windows, Volant, Airaid TBS, FilterMag, Flowtech Terminator Muffler Future: Intake Oil: MOTOR: Amsoil 0w-30 with Amsoil Filter DIFF: AMSOIL 80w-90 Tires: LT33/12.5/R17 Cooper Discoverer S/T
I have tried the single action Para Ordinance that uses a double stacked clip. The problem I have with this is my hand is too small for the wider grip. For people with bigger hands it probably fits great. If I recall many of their handguns use this double stacked clip for higher capacity. Other than that I had a tight grouping with the Para Ordinance. As for the LDA I would certainly have to practice because of the longer trigger travel, but then again I should be practicing more anyway because I am having the same trouble with my Glock.
As I am squeezing the Glock trigger my wrist is breaking to the right a little bit and I seem to miss center just to the right. Which may not be a bad thing because if I am aiming dead center of a man's chest and I actually hit just an inch to the right it will hit the heart. Kind of a morbid thought.
I do think Para Ordinance makes some great handguns.
About a week ago a local deputy was in a gun battle before back up showed.
He was shot twice in the vest, once in the face, and once in his ankle area.
Through all this he returned fired and killed the suspect.
I think this deputy really was able to hold his composure and make the shot that killed. That my friends is controlling a handgun while adrenaline is on a rampage. Not an easy task for anyone.
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08-19-2004, 04:46 AM
Arkansas "Go Hogs"
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