Wife seduced by a 1911

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Barry loyd

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98B9F58C-F151-46E5-9484-50840EC5D309.png 98B9F58C-F151-46E5-9484-50840EC5D309.png 0BBC4DE4-31EB-4CB5-AA72-51DD32F02688.png 29FCCC75-C9E2-4FAA-9EDE-35A7BEACB050.png Last week at the range my wife and I were trading shots with the guys next to us. She shot a Colt 1911 Government model. She shot an impressive group with it, much better than she does with her 686+ with 38spl. Being an observant husband I asked her if we needed to get her a 1911. She liked shooting the 1911 so we stopped by the LGS on the way to the range this morning. She decided on a M1991A1. I know enough about 1911’s to be dangerous. From what I’ve been able to find out the M1991A1 was a “budget” offering from Colt. This one is far from the base model. Can some one tell me what upgrades the previous owner had done? I know the safety and slide stop are aftermarket. It looks like the mag release, trigger and guid rod have been changed. These are the GB photos, we put it on layaway.
 
Looks to me like the following are aftermarket:
Grips
Grip screws
Hammer
Skeltonized trigger
Slide stop
Safety
Flared magwell
Mag release
Sights
Guide rod
Barrel bushing
Main spring housing
Grip safety

If I were to hazzard a guess, I'd say someone set that up for competition shooting...so there's a decent chance the barrel and link have been changed, as well as the trigger components (spring, sear ect)...but that's just a guess
 
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Looks to me like the following are aftermarket:
Grips
Grip screws
Hammer
Skeltonized trigger
Slide stop
Safety
Flared magwell
Mag release
Sights
Guide rod
Barrel bushing
Main spring housing
Grip safety

If I were to hazzard a guess, I'd say someone set that up for competition shooting...so there's a decent chance the barrel and link have been changed, as well as the trigger components (spring, sear ect)...but that's just a guess
Thanks for the reply. Sounds like someone put some effort into this gun.
 
Some things to keep in mind with a modified M1911.

The gun may be set up to shoot ammunition different than what you plan to shoot. Frequently, changing the main recoil spring will solve the problem. A 16 to 18 pound recoil spring is standard for standard 230 FMJ ammunition.

I have several M1911s and they all work well with 230 FMJ ammunition. They are not happy with some of the designer bullets or semi-wadcutters on the market today. I do have a Gold Cup that does shoot semi-wadcutters well.

Make sure the grip safety is working correctly. To me, it looks original but it may have been replaced. Make sure the hammer does not fall if the grip safety has not been depressed and the trigger has been pulled. It indicates that the grip safety has not been replaced/installed correctly.

If the gun will be range gun, the replacement hammer will not be an issue but if you plan to carry it, the trigger pull may be too light for carry. Just be careful. It can be fixed with another hammer properly installed.

The guide rod will work fine but I think most folks feel it gains you nothing. It is no problem going back to the standard spring plug without the guide rod if desired.

If you are interested and mechanically inclined, there are several good sources of information and books available on working on M1911s. Just be cautious with what you you do until you are familiar with the M1911.

I enjoy shooting and working on M1911s. I hope you and your wife enjoy your M1911 choice. It has the potential to be a good one.
 
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Looks like it, just want to make sure they haven't gone overboard on lightning up the trigger, if it has been reworked. Good thing is, 1911's are very customizable, so you can either keep it as is, or tweak it to fit you perfectly, or return it to its stock configuration. A work of warning however...1911's can be highly addictive.:D Sure, you start out with one decent used example, think to yourself, "this is perfect, all I'll ever need" Before you know it, there's new parts and grips, then one day you say, "if only I had one I stainless..." and then there's the Hi-Power, 1911s 9mm cousin...:D
 
Looks like it, just want to make sure they haven't gone overboard on lightning up the trigger, if it has been reworked. Good thing is, 1911's are very customizable, so you can either keep it as is, or tweak it to fit you perfectly, or return it to its stock configuration. A work of warning however...1911's can be highly addictive.:D Sure, you start out with one decent used example, think to yourself, "this is perfect, all I'll ever need" Before you know it, there's new parts and grips, then one day you say, "if only I had one I stainless..." and then there's the Hi-Power, 1911s 9mm cousin...:D

Don't forget those Spanish cousins the Star's. Very addictive those 1911 clones..
 
By the looks of that gun, there is a good chance the previous owner may have removed the series 80 parts.

Like the others have said, check that the safeties that are there are working.
 
Barry loyd

When you do get your 1911 you might want to run it by a qualified 1911 gunsmith, provided of course there's one near you. I have seen my fair share of "customized" 1911s to be somewhat leery of one that has had so many alterations made to what was otherwise a basic Colt 1911. Be safe and let us know how things go once you do get it.
 
Barry

There was a time when I would have jumped all over a Colt set up like this. I have bought several older, modified Colts. I have lost money on most of them. I have had to fix several of them just to make them run well enough to sell at a loss. I did however learn a lot, so I chalked up the money as hobby money down the drain. No harm, no foul. With that in mind, I would let that one go. There are so many things that you need to look at that you can’t see in the pictures. Like others have mentioned, the hammer hook height and condition, the locking lugs. Before I bought another hot rod Colt I would have to see under the hood and take it for a spin.

Also, were I looking at picking up a 1911 I think I would want one with a beaver tail and not an older grip safety, much more comfortable to shoot.

Also, Colt still makes a great pistol, with a beaver tail and a warranty.
 
Lots of 1911s from inexpensive to lots of $$.
For a budget gun I am quite happy with my Citadel .45 1911.
I also have a couple Springfield "Loaded model" in 9mm. First one has about 30-40k rounds on it, no major issues, replace recoil and firing pin springs good to go.
Liked the first one so much I bought a spare. Limited in CA to whats on our list.
My 9mm 1911 is my favorite range gun and what I use in matches.
The Springfield Range Officers are nice and have a lot of the things you might want to ad on to a budget gun.
Of course my Colt Al frame Commander is nice to.
If see liked the 1911 in .45 I bet you she would love one in 9mm:)

For me a 1911 just feels "Right" in my hand.

Hope she enjoys the one you get her.
 
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