Michael Tinker Pearce
Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2016
- Messages
- 1,577
A couple months back I swapped for an RIA GI 1911 in 9mm and figured to turn it into a 'budget race-gun for ASI matches.
The gun was solid, but the grips were... well. Someone wanted them, so I didn't need to put up with them for long. The gun is not quite GI; it has a Clark-Para-style ramped full-support barrel and the civilian-style safety. All to the good.
I tightened up the fit of the slide, then radically flat-topped the slide and tri-topped it also to remove weight. I added front serrations, fabricated a new front sight and modified the GI rear sight as a place-holder. I also blended the flat-mainspring-housing to the frame, then added 20 LPI checkering to that, the front-strap and the trigger-guard. I had already undercut the trigger-guard. I added an ambidextrous safety, a long-trigger and a beavertail grip safety. I had to modify the frame and fit that, then pinned the grip-safety. I also bobbed the stock hammer to keep it from eating my hand and reduce weight. I also added a mag-well funnel and a slide-stop that acts as a 'gas-pedal.' It doesn't lock the slide back, but in competition I should be planning my reloads so it doesn't matter. I also cut a port through the front of the slide, the bushing and barrel.
This really gets the gun back on-target super-quick.
I also did some work on the trigger, taking it from 4.5 lbs. to 3 lbs. and adjusted the take-up and overtravel. There's just enough take-up to let you know you are on the trigger (less than 1mm) and total travel from there is about 15/1000 of an inch.
I made a set of Goncalo Alves wood grips, stippled with a 2.5mm Carbide ball in the Foredom tool. I also carved the maker's mark I use on custom knives into the grip on one side.
Lastly I tried it out with a 9 lb. recoil spring, and the result was fantastic. Still reliable but even better in rapid-fire and double-taps. I shot a magazine of double-taps this morning at 7-yards and the results were gratifying.
I need to sort out something better for the rear sight, then I'll finish it with a coat of GunKote. I'm very pleased with the way it's coming along.
The gun was solid, but the grips were... well. Someone wanted them, so I didn't need to put up with them for long. The gun is not quite GI; it has a Clark-Para-style ramped full-support barrel and the civilian-style safety. All to the good.
I tightened up the fit of the slide, then radically flat-topped the slide and tri-topped it also to remove weight. I added front serrations, fabricated a new front sight and modified the GI rear sight as a place-holder. I also blended the flat-mainspring-housing to the frame, then added 20 LPI checkering to that, the front-strap and the trigger-guard. I had already undercut the trigger-guard. I added an ambidextrous safety, a long-trigger and a beavertail grip safety. I had to modify the frame and fit that, then pinned the grip-safety. I also bobbed the stock hammer to keep it from eating my hand and reduce weight. I also added a mag-well funnel and a slide-stop that acts as a 'gas-pedal.' It doesn't lock the slide back, but in competition I should be planning my reloads so it doesn't matter. I also cut a port through the front of the slide, the bushing and barrel.
This really gets the gun back on-target super-quick.
I also did some work on the trigger, taking it from 4.5 lbs. to 3 lbs. and adjusted the take-up and overtravel. There's just enough take-up to let you know you are on the trigger (less than 1mm) and total travel from there is about 15/1000 of an inch.
I made a set of Goncalo Alves wood grips, stippled with a 2.5mm Carbide ball in the Foredom tool. I also carved the maker's mark I use on custom knives into the grip on one side.
Lastly I tried it out with a 9 lb. recoil spring, and the result was fantastic. Still reliable but even better in rapid-fire and double-taps. I shot a magazine of double-taps this morning at 7-yards and the results were gratifying.
I need to sort out something better for the rear sight, then I'll finish it with a coat of GunKote. I'm very pleased with the way it's coming along.
