1911: Bobtail or move along?

[bikemutt]

Normally I'd pass on this but, I met a Springfield 1911 in 9mm yesterday I can't get off my mind. This one's used, pawnshop, stainless and has a John Jardine action job. Price seems reasonable at $900 for a quality arm.

But, its not bobtailed, that's a must for me in the 1911 form factor.

I don't need this, just a want. Worth having a bobtail conversion done? If so, where to have it done and cost to do it right?

 

[Jackal1]

Last I checked (a few months ago?), Cylinder & Slide was doing a bobtail job that included an Ed Brown mainspring housing for roughly $200. Check their website for current pricing.

I think the Springfield Armory custom shop was also doing conversions, but I forget the price. I think it was roughly $200 as well.

 

[Walkalong]

Sounds perfect as is, but to each their own. Worth it is hard to say.

 

[bikemutt]

Sounds perfect as is, but to each their own. Worth it is hard to say.

I hear ya walkalng but I've tried at least three 1911s with straight and arched MS housings, shooting them causes a lot of pain from the rear of the grip frame stabbing into the fleshy part of my palm.

No such pain w bobtailed guns, so there I go.

 

[Resist Evil]

I am a fan of the Bobtailed grip. My wife's and my custom 1911 Commander-sized cc guns have that grip.

Buy the gun and get the grip the way you want.

You know you want to...

 

[bikemutt]

Here she is...70 series I think, made in America.

 

[Ric]

Buy the SA, send it to Springfield custom shop for a chop job.
They did my SA lightweight Champion Operator. I had a bob, action job, and frontstrap checkering done.

 

[GZOh]

Agree with Ric... Send it to SA, they did a beautiful job on his!!
.

 

[Eb1]

Smokin' handguns, fellas. I am a purest when it comes to 1911s. I might get a dovetail and rounded hammer one day if I can afford another gun, but for now I'll take the GI model and hammer bite all day long.

Great looking handguns though. Seriously. Very impressive!

 

[Walkalong]

No such pain w bobtailed guns

Sounds like a no brainer. I guess the question is do you like this one enough to pay to get it done, or are willing to wait for the right one (Already bobtailed) to come along.

 

[viking499]

Get it and shoot it first. It may shoot different than your other 1911's. if it doesn't, then have it bobtailed.

 

[bannockburn]

bikemutt

Not a fan of the bobtail design; the flat mainspring housing works best for me. If the bobtail is your way to go and this SA is otherwise set up right, then I would say get it and have it customized to the way you want it.

 

[bikemutt]

OK, I think I like the idea of shooting it first. It's certainly possible the lighter recoiling 9mm may not inflict discomfort. I also found an arched MSH does help and that's certainly a cheaper route to go versus bobbing it. Then, if it's still not there, I can always have it bobbed.

This one just came in to the pawnshop Saturday so it's on 30 day pawn hold, gives me some time to think it over and see what else may be out there that's already bobbed.

 

[JDR]

I have one just like yours and it is an absolute tack driver. The bobtail issue is a matter of preference. But I highly recommend you get some 10 rd. Wilson Elite Tactical Magazines (ETM) to avoid any feeding issues, since the stock SA mags I got with mine were garbage.

 

[200Apples]

.
I've a SA Loaded, parkerized with it's flat mainspring housing. It fits my hands well, is comfortable to shoot and more accurate than I am. I have too a Kimber Ultra CDP II with it's shorter grip frame and no bobtail. Even though it's shorter, it feels nearly identical to shoot as does the full-size. Both are chambered in .45ACP.

Since it's not for comfort for me, the only reason I can see to bob a 1911 grip frame is to aid against printing when worn under shirt. Otherwise, I too am a purist (or is that merely a simpleton?) when it comes to the looks of my Yankee Fist.

Having said that, I just handled an Ed Brown Kobra C(K?)arry with it's bobtailed grip in a Commander-length slide... agh. WANT.

bikemutt, having crossed paths with you over the last few months, I must compliment you on your latest choices in personal firearms. Well done, sir (and although a full-size 1911 in 9 has never excited me, a Springfield does).

 

[ThePenguinKnight]

Buy the SA, send it to Springfield custom shop for a chop job.
They did my SA lightweight Champion Operator. I had a bob, action job, and frontstrap checkering done.

I gotta say, that is one ultra sweet looking pistol.

To the OP: I had never given bob tails much though, and i don't think i would spend too much extra in most cases, but if that's what you like, no reason not to go for it.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Here she is...70 series I think, made in America.

Very nice. Springfield makes nice 1911s.
Technically only Colts can be Series 70. If you mean no firing pin safety, you are correct.
I find it interesting that since Colt introduced the Series 80, whose distinguishing feature is the FPS, every thing that doesn't have it gets called a Series 70, even though nothing prior to the Series 80 had a FPS, Colt or not (except the Swartz equiped pistols in the '30s). The distinguishing feature of the Series 70 is the Collet bushing.

 

[ds76]

Hey Bikemutt, there's something you might want to try before bobtailing. I have big hands and used to have problems with the bottom of the grip digging into my hand. Instead of cutting some off, I went the other way and made it longer. I bought a grip set made by a company called Archangel that has a built in mag well. The grips also cover the MSH pin, which was also digging into my hand. The grip is now about a quarter inch longer and makes a smoother transition from the MSH. It made a LOT of difference for me!

 

[bikemutt]

That's a good suggestion ds76, this pistol has that flared magwell installed and even that makes the gun feel more comfortable to handle.

My concern is after 3 strikes, now I'm not out? Ya, I never have that kind of luck

 

[Shipwreck]

See, a bobtail doesn't do it for me. I like the feel of the full backstrap in my hand.

But, who needs a valid excuse to go buy another cool gun

 

[Ric]

Some people like an arched mainspring housing rather than a bobtail.

 

[horsemen61]

So whatya you thinking bike mutt you gonna get it???

 

[bikemutt]

So whatya you thinking bike mutt you gonna get it???

All things considered horsemen61, I am not.

I really like my Sig Nightmare Carry 45 auto, it fits me like a glove, and yes, it is a bobtail (or whatever Sig calls it (fastback?)). I paid about $950 OTD for that one including replacing MIM parts and trigger job. I can't see dumping $950 plus 9.5% sales tax, and probably another $300 OTD on a bobtail for a 9mm 1911 that allegedly has been actioned by a famous person.

When I add in the fact that I have the most dreamy CZ 75B SA with a trigger job that's a boat floater for even the most jaded 1911 aficionado, I just can't do it.

Sometimes even I have to listen to myself

 

[Walkalong]

the most dreamy CZ 75B SA with a trigger job that's a boat floater for even the most jaded 1911 aficionado

Mine is a 97, but I understand this, being a serious 1911 fan who just loves his CZ 97.

Sometimes no is the right answer.