1911 suggestions

I finally pick up my SA 1911-A1 GI 45 with a 4 inch barrel over the weekend...I shot it Sunday and really liked it...so for the next few weeks I am going to be asking you 1911 experts question about modifactions that I can do to make it better...I bought the lower priced version to see if the 1911 was for me...now it is going to be a project gun for a while...the first thing I want to change is the sights any suggestion...also what other changes would you guys (and Gals) make to improve it...one thing that I do not like is the fact that it shucks the empty brass back at the to of my head...any way to fix that...as I learn more and chage more I am sure that I will be asking more questions when I am finished I plan on using this as a CCW weapon.

Thanks

I'd shoot about a 1000 rounds ,really get to know the pistol. Then I'd think about what to change.

Well I have an SA GI (5") that I was in the process of modifying before I moved. Now the project is on hold. That said the sight removal/replacement was the first thing I wanted to do because the GI sights are too small for my taste. It was a bit more difficult than I thought.

Here is a link to posts about my difficulties:

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=82317

I live by one simple rule if it ain't broke don't fix it. I agree with Micheal put enough rounds down range to see what you like or don't like about the gun before you go changing things that other people recommend you change. You will be shooting it you decide what it needs or doesn't need. What works well for someone else may not work well for you.

As the pistol wears in it'll stop chucking brass back at you. My brother's Colt 1991A1 did this for about 200 rounds every few shots, but doesn't anymore.

Yep, shoot it first and 1000 rounds is an excellent test and break in. Most pistols only need a few hundred rounds for everything to settle in.

Karate:

This forum is filled with informational threads posted by "1911 Tuner." Do a search and you find solutions to almost any and all problems you might have. Some of these threads are Springfield specific. The knowledge you want is just around the corner.

Karate,

I own 2 Springfield Mil-Spec. pistols, one full size and on ultra-compact V10. I have made some modifications to both. The easiest sight change without having to mill the slide, is the Chip McCormick drop-in sight. Easy to do. I suggest you visit Brownells.com if you already haven't. They have just about anything you would need.

Jubei

I do plan to put several hundred rounds down range before making any major changes with the exception of the sights and they need to go...I was just wanting to know what changes are available...since I am 1911 novice...Have this knowledge in advance will allow me to make a more informed decision as to which changes to make...Thanks

A few more things to be sensitive to as you shoot the pistol in: trigger pull...smoothness, crisp let off at about 2 to 3 lounds? Need for a polished feed ramp? Any sideways movement of the slide to frame? Basic accuracy and reliability with different loads and types of bullets?

Have Fun!!:D

http://www.uzitalk.com/images/user_posts/sa_mil-spec_medium.jpg

You can read about the simple mods I made here (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=105252).

This sound like it is going to be a lot of fun and rewarding

What I would do.

New trigger. Videcki's, C. McCormick etc...
New Hammer
New sights. Novaks
Ext. Thumb safety. While the GI TS is great, ext does make it easier to engage and disengage.

Those are the simple modifications I'd say would make your already great pistol even better.

Have fun.

Quote:

< trigger pull...smoothness, crisp let off at about 2 to 3 pounds?<
___________________

Just a quick disclaimer to the effect that a 2-3 pound trigger on a 1911
is considered by many experienced pistoleros to be a dangerous condition unless installed and tuned by a knowledgeable pistolsmith who is
familiar with the 1911's particular nuances. Attempting to perform the
required tasks without proper instruction is therefore not advised, and
the individual must proceed with caution and assume all responsibility
for accidental/unintentional discharges resulting in property damage
or personal injury.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled flame war.
:cool:

Luck!

Tuner

Been there and done that. Bought a 1911 in college and went nuts with modifications. Now the gun is an expert class trophy but kind of finicky.

Ejection: have the ejection port lowered. Mine popped me in the head, too. Having the ejection port lowered is fairly cheap and drops the empties at your feet, almost.

Sights: I had Smith and Wesson sights installed. If I had it to do over I would have had something like Novak sights installed.......something with greater visibility.

Also have the feed ramp modified. Initially my gun would jam anything other than 230 grain fmj. I had the feed ramp modified and it solved the problem.

Other than that, the gun is no doubt fine as it is.

Originally posted by 1911Tuner
...a 2-3 pound trigger on a 1911 is considered by many experienced pistoleros to be a dangerous condition...

Johnny...
I once tried a piece with a 'much-lightened' trigger.
There's something not right about my reaching for the sky
when I'm the one with the gun.
:what: