Performance upgrades for a SA Mil-Spec?
- Thread starter jmilliron
- Start date
- Status
Gunsnrovers
Member
Since you're not talking about reliability and usability and you're happy with the sights, then I agree that a holster, lots of ammo, and range time is the best upgrade going.
stans
Member
Before you go fixing the gun, does it have any problems that need fixing?
The first thing to go on mine were the OEM plastic grips. A nice set of grips changes the entire image and feel of the gun. After that, I'd go for a trigger/action job, done right with high quality replacement parts, such as offered by Ed Brown Products.
Jim Watson
Member
It does have a simple answer. As Jeff Cooper said, a pistol needs sights you can see, a trigger you can control, and the removal of sharp edges that make handling it uncomfortable. I include a beavertail grip safety in that last.
Of course he assumed you got a gun reliable in operation and with enough power and accuracy for your basic needs in the first place.
Of course he assumed you got a gun reliable in operation and with enough power and accuracy for your basic needs in the first place.
Actually, after shooting a little over 100 rounds through it yesterday the bottom part of where my finger squeezes the trigger started getting a little raw. The trigger is under the first joint in my finger. Am I holding it wrong, is it the trigger or do I just need to stop being such a pansy?
Everything else about the gun is ergonomic.
I ordered some nice wood grips last week. Should look great.
-jason m
Everything else about the gun is ergonomic.
I ordered some nice wood grips last week. Should look great.
-jason m
stans
Member
I always place the pad (finger print area) of my finger on the face of the trigger and make sure that the rest of my finger is held away from the receiver. I find that this gives me more control and feel for the trigger.
So far I replaced my Titanium firing pin and extra power firing pin spring with a more original setup. I also changed out the mainspring, mainspring cap, mainspring retainer pin, and the mainspring cap pin. I used a Wolff mainspring, Wilson bullet proof firing pin, and the rest of the parts are all Colt factory parts. I also ordered a Wolff 16 lbs. recoil spring but I ended up with a 10 lbs. spring. So I'm still waiting on the 16 lbs. Next is going to be grips, a Kings grip safety, Wide spur hammer, and matching sear and disconnect.
BTW, mine is a GI model.
clipse
BTW, mine is a GI model.
clipse
usp_fan
Member
Mine has an S&A .220 radius grip safety, a commander style hammer (to work with the safety), Gunner Grips from simmonich knives, grip tape on the front strap, and a flat mainspring housing.
Yesterday I installed the Yost-Bonitz retro rear sight. It is a great improvement over the factory sight. I also just won an ebay auction for a tritium front sight. I'll check it's height and install it if it's right. Other than those mods, I'm giving the whole pistol a deburing (back and front of the slide, the grip safety, etc...
When I'm done playing with it, it's getting covered with KG gun-kote.
Of all these improvements, the best has been the rear sight. It really is a great improvement. The grips would have to be second and the grip safety and flat mainspring housing third.
Have fun with yours. They're easy to dump $$$ into.
--usp_fan
Yesterday I installed the Yost-Bonitz retro rear sight. It is a great improvement over the factory sight. I also just won an ebay auction for a tritium front sight. I'll check it's height and install it if it's right. Other than those mods, I'm giving the whole pistol a deburing (back and front of the slide, the grip safety, etc...
When I'm done playing with it, it's getting covered with KG gun-kote.
Of all these improvements, the best has been the rear sight. It really is a great improvement. The grips would have to be second and the grip safety and flat mainspring housing third.
Have fun with yours. They're easy to dump $$$ into.
--usp_fan
nitesite
Member
More visual enhancement than performance upgrade
I agree with Seraph... shoot it for a while first.
When it came new, my Parkerized Mil-Spec had those same truly awful black checkered plastic grips as yours . Since than I have only shot it to smooth the trigger and action. "Shooting is the best gunsmith", some will tell you.
I may change out the firing pin/spring and some MIM parts (slide stop, pins, etc.). But I did get rid of the horrible grips. I switch between some very nice bloodwood grips from our very own Silent One, and these corian affairs, which fit in my tight new holster a little better.
I agree with Seraph... shoot it for a while first.
When it came new, my Parkerized Mil-Spec had those same truly awful black checkered plastic grips as yours . Since than I have only shot it to smooth the trigger and action. "Shooting is the best gunsmith", some will tell you.
I may change out the firing pin/spring and some MIM parts (slide stop, pins, etc.). But I did get rid of the horrible grips. I switch between some very nice bloodwood grips from our very own Silent One, and these corian affairs, which fit in my tight new holster a little better.
- Status