[No4Mk1]

Recently picked up a Springfield 1911A1 in a trade. I'm very happy with the pistol, but it needs a little tuning, and I'd like to put an extended thumb safety on it.

First, tuning.... The pistol FTE's about 10-20% of the time, and it appears to be a bad extractor. Given this, what extractor would you guys suggest as a good drop-in replacement?

Second, what extended thumb safety do you reccomend? Should I go with ambidextrious? If I do, do I need to change the grips?

BTW, here is a pic of the pistol. Pig-sticker not included. :p

http://www.jumbotrade.com/images/1911a1.jpg

[R.H. Lee]

Mine is SS, and the only mods I made were to replace the MSH with a flat one (getting rid of the ILS in the process) and installing a long trigger. The trigger on that one does not look like the original. Tuner has some excellent posts in the Gunsmithing section regarding extractors, I think he recommends the Ed Brown hardcore. At some point I plan to replace all the MIM parts (sear, disconnector, etc.) with real steel. Don't know anything about extended safeties. :)

[Gunsnrovers]

That looks to be an older one by the block frame, the location of the SA crossed barrels stamping, and the older style ejection port on the Milspec. Later ones have lowered ports. Current ones have the armory marking up front of the port and a slimmer frame (flush with the front of the grips). Not nearly as much MIM on the older ones. No ILS funny business either.

The trigger is obvious a replacment (looks like a Kings anodized one) and it appears that the grip safety is either modified or a replacement, but I can't tell in the picture very well.

Extractor is mostly likely a good fix and I like the Ed Brown hard core extractor. I just need to tune mine a little bit for tension when I installed mine. Safety's are not a drop in part and need to be fitted. It's not hard, but it's something you do slowly and do right or it's a do over. There is no "it'll do" on a safety. Unless you're left handed, I'd just go with an extended tactical safety. I like the Ed Brown and the Kings.

Enjoy.