[usp_fan]

This is my project pistol. I think it is pretty much done for now.

It started out as a Springfield 1911 Milspec with a parkerized finish. I found it used early last year in unfired condition and brought it home for less than $400.

After shooting it a bit, I decided to have fun with it and install a beavertail and commander style hammer.

Some Gunner grips came next.

I found I had trouble deactivating the grip safety with my small hands and the arched MSH, so a member of the forum offered to let me have a Kimber take off flat MSH to try.

This last month, I added a Trijicon front sight and a Yost-Bonitz retro sight. Before installing the sights, I melted the front and back of the slide, and reshaped the grip and thumb safeties. Everything got a fresh coat of Parkerizing. To finish it up, I spayed the frame, grip safety, and mag. Release in matte grey Gunkote. The Slide, all controls and internal parts are coated in matte black Gunkote.

I installed the sights last. The front sight was made for wide tenon 1911’s so I had to file it a bit to fit Springfield’s unique size. When I removed the factory sight, I was surprised at how far back the cut extended on the top of the slide. The new sight wouldn’t cover all of it. At lease 1mm would be exposed. I new the slide was getting Gunkoted, so I filled the end of the grove with a little JB weld and sanded it flush. It filled perfectly and the Gunkote covered it great. I’d never staked a front sight before, but my local gunshop owner allowed me to barrow the King’s staking tool and everything went smooth.

I still need to test the pistol for reliability and accuracy. I need to check POA vs. POI and adjust.

Here's some pics:

The detail on the safety and melt work:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/usp_fan/milspecsafetydetail--small.jpg

Left view:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/usp_fan/milspecdonelft-small.jpg

Right view:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/usp_fan/milspecdonert--small.jpg

The list of parts so far is:

S&A .220 radius grip safety—blended and narrowed
Wilson Hammer—Installed and mated with sear
Gunner grips from Simmonich—sanded to soften up the points a bit.
Grip tape on the front strap
Trijicon Front Sight—found it on ebay, great deal
Yost-Bonitz Retro rear sight—great sight picture and uses the standard dovetail
KG Gunkote—Matte black and grey

This was a fun project and I'm sure I'll do more. The best part was doing it all my self, and getting something I wanted out of it.

Feedback appreciated,

--usp_fan

[snafuie1]

looks good

[usp_fan]

Thanks snafuie1,

Here's a bump for those that check out the threads Monday Morning from work.

--usp_fan

[SpookyPistolero]

Looks good. The two-tone effect does it good. Melt work looks comftorable. Has it been reliable so far?

-Spooky

[Seraph]

Nice. I really like the treatment of the beavertail grip safety.

[mister2]

Narrowed beavertail

Nice work!. I think the narrowed beavertail is the most distinctive feature from the side views. Kinda reminds me of the "enhanced" Colts years ago. Any chance you might take a rear view pic to better show off the details of the BT?

Thanks,
MR2

[Gunsnrovers]

Nice work. Looks smooth.

I'm finishing the final tweeking of my Springfield GI project. I'm going to send it off to Mac's Shooting Irons for the refinish though. I'm too scared to try that part DIY.

[usp_fan]

Thanks for the compliments gang.

The melt job is really comfortable. I haven't been able to shoot it yet. I'm hopeful to do it soon.

I'll post a pic of the beavertail from the top when I get a chance. I just found out we need to make an emergency trip to VA. I'll see when I can get to it.

--usp_fan

[usp_fan]

Shot it yesterday at the NRA range in VA.

The pistol went through 57 rounds of 230grn hardball. The slide was slugish on 3 rounds in the middle of the string. A gentle push on the rear of the slide brought the slide to battery and off we went.

The sights are off to the left a bit-I left my allen wrench in OH...

Vertically, it shot a little low at 10yards. I'll try it a 25 before I make up my mind.

Anyone know if it POI should rise at 25 yards? My intuition says yep, it should be on. But of course I forgot to run the target out that far last night to check.

Over all, I'm liking the changes.

--usp_fan