[NewShooter78]

I finally gave in and decided to purchase my first 1911. I'm waiting on a delay on my background check before I pick up my Colt series 80. It wasn't the best price I could have gotten, but the customer service was outstanding at the shop I was in, and I'd rather go with the local guys. Besides it was still not a horrible price. I should have it by Thursday, and then the pics will follow.

I'm already building up a list of add on's I want to put on it. The first being a skeletonized trigger and hammer. I'm thinking of just ordering some Wilson parts, but was looking for some advice. I know I should just run a search, but I wanted to also hear some first person acounts of pros and cons with aftermarket parts.

It's going to be a long 4 days until Thursday when I can pick it up. :evil:

[BluesBear]

I believe fellow THR member Coltdriver has a few leftover parts from a Series 80 available.

Since I bought the gun with just the original parts. ;)

[jercamp45]

Well, do not go ape-sh*t with the Wilson's wishbook...it is easy to do.
Shoot the pistol some and see what is working for ya.
Wilson's mag's are the best, in my opinion....some will disagree. That is what I'd order first(from Dillion Precision...better price).
From what little I know about, the fitting of parts.....if ya order a fancy looking hammer, better order a fitted sear too. I personally like the 'drop in' tactical beavertail with the 'memory bump'(again some do not), but it must be fitted too...at least you do not have to grind on the frame as some of the older versions require. And I personally like the tactical thumb safety for easy manipulation under stressful conditions.
It is a highly customizable piece, that can be almost anything the owner wants. But, since you're new...take your time. And unless you are joe cool with alot of machinist background, save the mods for a reputable 1911 gunsmith. Nothing is worse than screwing up a reliable pistol with home tinkering(the attack of the dremel tool fools!). There are alot of those butchered 1911's out on the shelves used, buyer beware!!
Bear in mind the piece as is, is gonna be more accurate than most of us can shoot. Unless you are into match shooting , I would not worry about it. Keep it simple, so it will work when you need it.
The extended slide release, mag release, mag well chute, etc are match items that are not beneficial for defensive piece.
The existing sight's will work fine(may lose a white dot in recoil! A dab of white nail polish will balance it out). Better sights are available, but they will require the services of a gunsmith. You have to look around and see what works for you in that regard...
Most of us that have owned 1911's a number of years have a drawer full of parts and cheap holster that we tried and discarded.
Other goodies: Buy quality leather, saves money in the long run. I good IWB and belt will conceal the old slab sides pretty good! Milt Sparks, Kramer, Rosen are some of the best. But there are alot more out there too..rafter's leather, aker, andrews, tucker, etc. So confusing at times. I stick with Milt Sparks now, to spare me the mental meandering of 'what if?'.
Ammo: Ohh.....lots of 'new and improved' stuff. I personally stick with 230 grain JHP's for defense and ball for practise. You can spend the kids college fund trying out all the variants and bullet weights that are available. The trick bullets are not a replacement for accurate shooting on your part.
A .22 conversion unit. Saves alot of money and is alot of fun, and you can teach other folks the fine fun of pistol shooting. Generally...the Wilson, Kimber, etc are really Ciener kits...good for plinking and practise, but not accurate enough for match shooting..if that is of concern to you. If you need the ultimate in accuracy....get a Marvel unit.
If you hunt larger game with a handgun, and might want to use the 1911 for said purposes. Clarkcustomguns.com makes a dandy looking conversion unit for the .460 Rowland that is drop in and takes the 1911 to a new velocity level without all the recoil associated with MAGNUM's. I have not tried it out, because I do not hunt....but if I moved back north, I'd get one.
These are some of the things..I have found in my experience. May some of it be beneficial for you!
Good shooting.
Jercamp45

[denfoote]

Congrats!! I gave in a couple of weeks ago!

[Rob96]

Congrats. I would advise you to do as I did. Shoot at minimum, 500 rounds before you decide to change anything. That way you will see what are required changes for yourself versus changes that aren't absolutely necessary. Thats what I did with my new Colt, and decided the gun fits me perfectly.

[10-Ring]

I've learned not too long ago that the 1911 is like that VW Bug in high school. Everyone has one at some point, everyone works on'em at some point, they can be very addicting, you can pour ALOT of money into it & they are a cult! ;) Congrats!!! :D

[NewShooter78]

Once I get it, after the delay in my bkgd check, I fully plan on shooting it stock before I think about changing anything. And I don't plan on doing any home tinkering, because I'm no gunsmith. The first thing I'm definetly going to do is get extra mags, and a holster. Everything else can come later when I can afford it. I'm not looking to build a race gun, but personalizing it a little isn't out of the question.

The anticipation makes me feel like a kid again. LOL! :D

[NewShooter78]

Picked up my gun today. I'm planning on getting to the range this afternoon so I can put a couple of hundred rounds through it. I cleaned it when I got it home, so its ready to go.

But I have a question. What is the general break in period for a Colt gov't model? I noticed that the mags are pretty tight and the mag release is a little stiff. Something to worry about or just in needing of a good breaking in?

[Matthew_Q]

What was your dang delay? A 1911 was the first pistol I ever bought, although it was a Llama. I shoeboxed it and tried a few other things, then came back to the 1911. I have one now, but only one, because funds don't allow much more... Hopefully SOMETIME she'll go off to Clark for a barrel swap and accuracy job, and maybe a new sights. (got a buddy at work that knows the Clarks and can get me a good deal on the work)

I think everyone should have a 1911 in their stable... be it an old Colt or Sistema, or a tricked out Wilson or Baer... There's nothing that fits the hand like a 1911.

You're gonna like it much.

[Quartus]

Ahhh, another shooter grows up! :D



Good advice here - shoot a bit before you tinker.


Enjoy!

[Siggyboy]

Congrats on a fine 1911! The new Colts are nice again!

Jercamp gave some good advice.

What you need are mags. The best and what I prefer are Wilson 8 rounders. Next best and about $5 cheaper are Chip McCormick Powermags, also 8 rounders.

Don't believe anyone if they say you need a "reliabilty job" "throat & polish" etc. The new Colts have a "dimpled" barrel which works great and generally no longer needs that stuff. Colt parts are pretty good and should work fine from the factory.

You might find after shooting it a bit that the grip tang digs into the web of your hand. I don't like the Colt grip tang, the way it slopes downward into my hand, and much prefer a beavertail grip safety on the tang. I also get a higher grip with an aftermarket grip safety. The Wilson beavertail is good because it is a drop-in part for the Colt (though will probably need fitting anyway) and you don't have to file the pistol frame for it to fit, which would also ruin the pistol's finish. I also like the Wilson thumb safety since it gives more room for my thumb both in activating the safety and for resting on it with my grip.

If you put on a Wilson beavertail, you have to get a commander style hammer too. You don't have to get a new sear with a new hammer, but make sure both parts are of the same steel and you will have to get a trigger job done either way.

Good luck!

[NewShooter78]

Well I finally feel like I know how to shoot. Before I got this Colt I was shooting on a SigPro2340. Its a great gun, but I'm not quite as adept at shooting .40s&w. The first few mags I went through I was shooting better than I ever have. I guess I'm just built for the .45acp.

After 200 rounds, my hand was a little worn from the hammer getting me between the thumb and forefinger. But it was worth it. If I get my dig. camera working I'll show you my first target at 10 yrds. I had a couple flyers but that was it. Not too bad for WWB I think.

I did pick up a McCormack 8 rd mag when I got the gun today. They didn't have any Wilsons in the store, but the McCormack did fine. I'm not going to worry about the aftermarket stuff just yet. I do want to get a beaver tail because my hand has too much meat on that will get chewed up if I don't. I know I'll have to get the commander style hammer with it. I figure I'll get those and have the trigger job done at the same place I bought the gun. But that'll have to wait for a little while.

Either way I'm impressed with my new purchase. I still don't know why I was delayed, but I don't care now.

[BluesBear]

Try the Commander hammer first. A lot of times that's all it takes to stop the biting.

[sm]

Congrats.
I'm one whom feels shoot for awhile before changing. I don't get bit, but usually I will very very slightly bob the hammer, smooth the trigger and that's all I need to do. I have become fond of the rubber factory grips Kimber uses, sometimes I really get radical and put a set of these on one. :)

I also recommend before one goes to changing, try and shoot a gun with the stuff you "think" you need. In actual needs one needs trigger time, ammo, mags, good holster and belt...and training. Reliable everytime with ammo, smooth trigger, bob hammer a wee bit. These will keep you alive, doohickeys will not. Spend monies on what you feel is a priority.

BA/UU/R

[Rob96]

Originally posted by Siggyboy

The new Colts have a "dimpled" barrel which works great and generally no longer needs that stuff. Colt parts are pretty good and should work fine from the factory.

I agree with this comment as well. The "dimple" throat is very feed reliable. No need for a throat job. Also Colt has the best steel in 1911's. I haven't made any changes to my Colt and won't until something breaks.

[antediluvianist]

Yes, everyone should have a 1911 in his collection. And other more reliable handguns too.

[Wakal]

More reliable...like STI?

My thoughts exactly ;)






Alex

[shadow 1]

Congrats on your new purchase, I too, recently gave into the 1911 bug, sold one of my polymers and picked up a 1911A1 Springfield from a buddy of mine who never shot it. I am really enjoying it, I haven't really decided to do anything with it, all I really did was get some Wilson mags and some Hogues for it, the standard wooded grips and no checkering didn't feel good in my hands.
Now looking to add another .45 to the stable, maybe a Kimber TLE or Tactical Pro II.