1911 choices

[mattw]

I'm going to buy a NRM Colt Series 80 Government Model 1991A1 and i'm thinking about the modifications I'm going to make to it. I'd like to keep it simple so heres the list:

- Smooth, Flat MSH w/lanyard loop

- Simonich/Strider Gunner Grips

- Short steel trigger (haven't decided what brand, maybe Greider)

- Match barrel bushing (who makes good ones? briley? brown? kings?)

- USGI style thumb saftey, hopefully I can find one off a ww2 gun on gun broker or something

- Replace the standard hammer with a checkered wide spur, hopefully i'll find one off a GI 1911.

- Stadard checkered slide stop lever

- replace all MIM and cast parts with either forged or milled


Heres the question: What do you guys think of my 1911 build up and what would you do differently? If someone just ploped an NRM Colt in your lap and a handed you a brownell's calatog and said "have at it" what would you do?

 

[BrennanKG]

Matt,

Here's what I'd do/have done:

-light carry dehorn/bevel job
-lower and flare ejection port, if not already done
-widen/bevel magwell area, if not already done
-bobtail
-shorten and countersink WC Bullet proof slide stop
-grips by Larry Davidson
-King's ambi safety machined down to match GI profile
-EGW thick flange melted bushing
-STI spur hammer
-Rear Sight: Yost-Bonitz professional or Novak ghost
-Front Sight: Heinie ramped tritium
-Reliability tuning
-EGW E-treat

Actually other than the first three, this is what I want done to my Kimber.


B.

 

[mattw]

what is EGW E-treat?

 

[farscott]

E-Treat is a "finish" offered by EGW that is black, corrosion resistant, and very hard. Here are some pictures of my SA Mil-Spec before and after E-Treat.

BEFORE

AFTER

 

[BrennanKG]

Gorgeous pistol Scott!

Who bobtailed it for you?




B.

 

[KC&97TA]

Currently I have an Extra Springfield GI, I'm thinking of this, a close copy of the "Real MEUSOC" and then sell it to one of my buddies once I'm done playing. No '2' of the Marine Corps 1911's are the same, but this is pretty close, with the exception of the Smith & Alexander Beaver Tail, the Ambi-Mag release isn't standard, if you want it, buy it and the armorer will install.

Springfield GI and then add all this crap to it.

Smith & Alexander .220° Grip Safety Palmswell, S/S
Smith & Alexander Ambi-Mag Catch, S/S
Flat MSH with lanyard loop, checkered, S/S
Wilson High Ride Ambi-Safety, S/S
Hammer low-mass oval cut spur
3 hole trigger
Novak Sights
Pachmayr Grips

Most likely wouldn't refinish the gun, leave it parked with S/S accessories.

For USGI parts... check out Ebay, don't laugh there's a bunch of them there, I've watched some pretty good deals go on name brand parts too

 

[farscott]

Gorgeous pistol Scott!

Who bobtailed it for you?

All of the work, other than finish, was done by John Harrison, one of the Louder Than Words smiths. His work shoots better than it looks. The details of the work really do not show up in the pictures.

 

[BrennanKG]

Congrats!

I am a huge fan of Mr. Harrison's work. He's on my list of dream gunsmith builds.

I'm on Ned Christiansen's wait list, so that's probably going to be my big budget 1911.



B.

 

[farscott]

I am lucky to own and shoot several of John's pistols, and I have three more in his queue. Here are a few.

This is my primary carry gun.


Another holster gun that refutes the notion that BoMar sights have no place on a holster gun.


My wife's BBQ pistol.

 

[BrennanKG]

Wow!

Thank you for sharing.

That's quite a collection.
It's safe to say I'm green with envy.



B.

 

[Nightcrawler]

You can buy a lot of the parts you want from SARCO and similar places. Specifically, the GI safety and wide spur hammer. I don't know who makes a flat MSH with a lanyard loop.

My Colt NRM series 80 has a lowered and flared ejection port.

The Series 70 I bought as a gift for a friend came with a short steel trigger. Mine has a long trigger, but I prefer it. I'm also going to replace the MSH with an arched one.

 

[mattw]

I've checked E-bay but not luck on the GI parts i'm looking for. Sarco sells a 1911 thumb saftey for $9.50 but i can't find any pictures so I don't know if it is the stubby GI type (which i like better) or the tear-drop style.

I think EMC sells wide spur hammers but i'm not sure of their quality, i haven't heard anything about EMC.

Smith & Alexander make the best flat MSH with lanyard loop i've come across.

 

[308nato]

1911 Taurus

Has any one seen the new taurus pt 1911?
It comes with 19 custom features in stainless at a in store price
of 599.00 ,the blued version is a little less.
The August issue of american rifleman has a great article on it.
beatiful piece.

 

[mattw]

That is almost a word for word quote of the ad for it in American Rifleman. I wouldn't buy one. I consider taurus to be low end stuff except for their revolvers.

 

[308nato]

taurus

did you read the whole artical on the manufacturing process, I think when you hammer forge parts the quality is going to be better

 

[mattw]

Springfield Armory uses forged frames and slides. I guess the taurus might be ok but I wouldn't want to spend 600 plus tax to find out when I can spend 700 plus tax and get a springfield loaded.

 

[TimboKhan]

Keeping in mind that I am not the worlds biggest fan of the 1911, I have always thought that the S&W 1911 would be my choice if I were to buy another 1911. The main reason for that is that it seems like Smith has been able to add most of the "popular" parts while still keeping the price reasonable. Really, when it boils down to it, the only things extra I want on a 1911 are good sights and a beavertail, because my big fat hands are prone to getting snakebit.

 

[KC&97TA]

I'm not to into the Taurus auto's, I like a few of there .38sp

Sig is makeing 1911's now too, I looked at one yesterday in Turners, the SOB is heavy and I mean HEAVY. It has the sweatest trigger pull, little bit of over travel that needed to be adjusted. Forgot to look at the $$$ Tag though...

I'm looking for a Colt Commander or a SA Champion right now and I need another 1911 like I need a hemroid.

 

[BrennanKG]

I believe the Sig 1911s all weigh in around the $1K mark, except the Sig custom shop ones that run a couple hundred more.



B.