1911 needs work

herrwalther said:

I have one 1911 with the notch and one without. And I haven't fired either enough to notice a difference. Even if I did, there is enough difference with the two firearms that any benefit could be the result of something else. To put it in scientific method terms, too many variables. The 1911 with the notch does shoot smoother. But that maybe because I have tuned the trigger. And the leaf spring. Have better parts in that 1911 etc.

That area, on 1911s and nearly every other semi-auto pistol usually gets brass discoloration by running over the stacked rounds in the magazine. The notch seems to reduce the brass rub off to a degree.

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Would love to see pictures if available.

Mark_Mark said:

Buy one and give us your honest option! Love to hear your thoughts

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I almost picked up one of the Blems for $319 OTD. But I have too many other things in the works right now.

I have shot them and for the money they are good pistols. Strong $ to value ratio.

Skylerbone said:

Would love to see pictures if available.

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This factory cut notch is not as deep but a bit longer than the one you made.

herrwalther said:

This factory cut notch is not as deep but a bit longer than the one you made.

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I dare say if I were a chip maker I might have lengthened the cut as well, but alas I can barely run my hand files and so it took the shape present.

Might I ask who’s slide that is, I’ve yet to ever see another one cut and would never have expected that from an OEM slide.

Spats McGee said:

As much as I admire some of the high-end 1911s, I have to admit that I also like a good, tricked-out base model. My first CC gun was a Springfield Armory GI. I have a good friend who's a gunsmith and when I sent it to him for sights, he sent it back with new sights, hammer, beavertail, some springs, etc. She's a beast.

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Very nice!

I’m pleased with my SA 1911’s. One (my Loaded) may go back to CS for a minor issue but both have been accurate and reliable to this point.

SA is a good value, solid 1911, and an excellent starting point to do some work on such as you have with yours. My Mil Spec may get similar treatment after a few thousand more rounds.

Skylerbone said:

Might I ask who’s slide that is, I’ve yet to ever see another one cut and would never have expected that from an OEM slide.

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Not exactly sure whose slide it is. They claim to make all parts in house but a lot of companies make that claim and don't. This slide was part of a Stealth Arms build kit.

https://www.stealtharms.net/

According to what else I can find online. Some Cabot and Thompson Center 1911s also put in disconnector ramps. Not really massive manufacturers compared to Remington but important ones historically.

https://americanhandgunner.com/handguns/concealable-class/

@herrwalther thank you for the links, very cool seeing other examples.

I did not know Thompson Center made 1911 types.

Spats McGee said:

As much as I admire some of the high-end 1911s, I have to admit that I also like a good, tricked-out base model. My first CC gun was a Springfield Armory GI. I have a good friend who's a gunsmith and when I sent it to him for sights, he sent it back with new sights, hammer, beavertail, some springs, etc. She's a beast.

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I love a Sleeper Gun!

How much do you think that notch adds to the feeding, ejecting and overall reliability of a 1911 ? I have seen many 1911s that were very reliable without that notch.

WVsig said:

Over on the 1911 Addicts forum Chuck Rodgers was posting he picked up 4 Tisas 1911s recently for a personal project. He originally ordered one looked it over and ordered three more. I believe he’s milling them for a red dot optic for personal use and it made sense to buy an inexpensive pistol for the experiment. But when someone like Chuck Rogers says they look pretty good they look pretty good.

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Mark_Mark said:

Buy one and give us your honest option! Love to hear your thoughts

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To get this back to talking about the SDS Tisas 1911. Here is a synopsis of Chuck Rogers thoughts

According to Chuck Rodgers there are 2 MIM parts on the Tisas. The hammer and the thumb safety. The metal which he miled by hand on a Bridgeport type vertical mill which allowed him to get a good feel for the metallury lead him to the conclusion that the the metallury of the gun is very great. There were issues with the feedramps. They showed shallow and off angle feed ramp but that it not uncommon in production 1911s even at higher price points. Overall he compared them favorabily to the old mythical Norincos and his impression is that overall they are better. If give the choice he would still rather build on a Colt base gun but for his intended purposes for these guns the Tisas was an excellent value.

Here is a pic of maybe the most valuable Tisas 1911 on the planet. Complete with Chuck Rodgers Golf Ball grip strap treatment. The other cool part about this pic is that it shows the Tisas parts chuck did not use.

WVsig said:

To get this back to talking about the SDS Tisas 1911. Here is a synopsis of Chuck Rogers thoughts

According to Chuck Rodgers there are 2 MIM parts on the Tisas. The hammer and the thumb safety. The metal which he miled by hand on a Bridgeport type vertical mill which allowed him to get a good feel for the metallury lead him to the conclusion that the the metallury of the gun is very great. There were issues with the feedramps. They showed shallow and off angle feed ramp but that it not uncommon in production 1911s even at higher price points. Overall he compared them favorabily to the old mythical Norincos and his impression is that overall they are better. If give the choice he would still rather build on a Colt base gun but for his intended purposes for these guns the Tisas was an excellent value.

Here is a pic of maybe the most valuable Tisas 1911 on the planet. Complete with Chuck Rodgers Golf Ball grip strap treatment. The other cool part about this pic is that it shows the Tisas parts chuck did not use.

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going to look this up! Chuck Rodger, sounds like someone I need to follow

his guns are $10,000 + wooo weee

Interesting that he kept the stock barrel and bushing. Test targets would be interesting to see.

Chuck has a considerable fan base. I have seen them to criticize another shop for using his "signature" Golf Ball roughening.

Prices are up all over, I was told that $4500 for a gun from a shop not before heard of was a reasonable entry to the field.

Jim Watson said:

Interesting that he kept the stock barrel and bushing. Test targets would be interesting to see.

Chuck has a considerable fan base. I have seen them to criticize another shop for using his "signature" Golf Ball roughening.

Prices are up all over, I was told that $4500 for a gun from a shop not before heard of was a reasonable entry to the field.

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I’m going to try a new lighter hammer spring, and 3 prone spring. Anybody know a good set I can buy? looking for a lighter trigger feel, not better just lighter

Wolff coil springs are good; 19 lbs is a common reduced mainspring that will still give reliable ignition.
What it does for the trigger pull depends on the hammer and sear engagement. Maybe a little, maybe nothing.

My FLG says Colt sear springs are the best, Nowlin good, too. The Wolff is probably OK, better than imports, my Springfield sear spring was very poor.

NOTE: Fine trigger pull adjustment is done by BENDING the sear spring left and center leaves, no matter what brand. Instructions are on the toob, I am sure.

Jim Watson said:

Wolff coil springs are good; 19 lbs is a common reduced mainspring that will still give reliable ignition.
What it does for the trigger pull depends on the hammer and sear engagement. Maybe a little, maybe nothing.

My FLG says Colt sear springs are the best, Nowlin good, too. The Wolff is probably OK, better than imports, my Springfield sear spring was very poor.

NOTE: Fine trigger pull adjustment is done by BENDING the sear spring left and center leaves, no matter what brand. Instructions are on the toob, I am sure.

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Excited! thanks

alright… files are getting expensive!

what one file you gun smith use the most? brand and size please

Jim Watson said:

Fine trigger pull adjustment is done by BENDING the sear spring left and center leaves

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And by very teeny-tiny amounts, too. Most of the 1911 gunplumbers I know recommend having a stock tripe spring spare is only to compare to.

And, it's less-obvious geometry, too. The trigger bow is mostly returned by the spring pressure, rather than having to "overcome" that tension. It has engineering elegance that's a bit of a marvel given all the compromises and last-minute changes put on the design more than a century ago.

Jim Watson said:

Wolff coil springs are good; 19 lbs is a common reduced mainspring that will still give reliable ignition.
What it does for the trigger pull depends on the hammer and sear engagement. Maybe a little, maybe nothing.

My FLG says Colt sear springs are the best, Nowlin good, too. The Wolff is probably OK, better than imports, my Springfield sear spring was very poor.

NOTE: Fine trigger pull adjustment is done by BENDING the sear spring left and center leaves, no matter what brand. Instructions are on the toob, I am sure.

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It is a gun Chuck is building tor himself. It won't get sold but I am sure at some point he will post targets from it. It is basically a test gun which he is making so he can try out a Red Dot Otpic. I believe the factory barrel is good enough for that purpose. I believe he is said he ran it at 12 yards and 8 out 9 were in a inch or 2".

Just passing on info. Chuck's fan base is well earned.

Jim Watson said:

I did not know Thompson Center made 1911 types.

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Kahr purchased the Auto Ordnance brand and manufactures both the 1911 and Tommy Gun (“Thompson”). Editing to correct that S&W is indeed the parent company of Thompson Center (TC).

nofendertom said:

How much do you think that notch adds to the feeding, ejecting and overall reliability of a 1911 ? I have seen many 1911s that were very reliable without that notch.

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Not so much about reliability as saving unnecessary wear on the disconnector and smoothing out the cycling a scosch.

Jim Watson said:

My FLG says Colt sear springs are the best, Nowlin good, too. The Wolff is probably OK, better than imports, my Springfield sear spring was very poor.

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I stick with Colt as a known quantity but I suspect any correctly relieved spring would work equally well (with proper tempering). If it does not resemble the spring on the left, toss it out and replace it.

Jim Watson said:

I did not know Thompson Center made 1911 types.

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Skylerbone said:

Kahr purchased the brand and manufactures both the 1911 and Tommy Gun.

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I feared you meant that, but that is from two different companies.
Thompson Center is known for single shot pistols and muzzleloaders, some bolt actions. They were bought out some time ago by Smith and Wesson.

Thompson - Auto Ordnance was bought out by Kahr for their 1911s and Thompson "rifles."

uuolf said:

Just picked up my 1911... I'm impressed so far... I'll do the picture thing in a few... Just had to get it out there that it's in my hand... One thing right outta the box... It looks like they've done a great job of replicating the post 20ish era model... No name bling just the facts... Fit and finish seems really good for a $300 steel frame pistol... Now I'm gonna take it to the range and see what it does... All the info in this thread is awesome... Plan on taking it slow and steady at first... Update shortly

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it’s really nice! I’m thinking about getting another one, and just to put away

Jim Watson said:

I feared you meant that, but that is from two different companies.
Thompson Center is known for single shot pistols and muzzleloaders, some bolt actions. They were bought out some time ago by Smith and Wesson.

Thompson - Auto Ordnance was bought out by Kahr for their 1911s and Thompson "rifles."

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Yes, I seem to be turned around today. Thank you for correcting.