1911 Face Lift

[GunDog44]

Dropped by the gun shop and picked up hammer, sights, trigger and grip safety for a project during the recent snow /ice storm. Took my old SAI MilSpec and installed using tools in the garage, with the exception of borrowed front & rear sight tools from a buddy. Considering this was the first time to have a 1911 completely apart, I thought it turned out okay, I was leary of grinding on the frame Well how did I do ?

Before:



After:

 

[jondar]

The work you did looks excellent. I still prefer it the way it looked before. JMHO.

 

[ScottsGT]

Is that a drop in beaver tail or a fitted? Personally, I'd file the beavertail down on the backside so it would blend into the frame at the tangs with a seamless fit, then polish it all out starting with a 120 grit paper and working up to a 1200 then buff with a polish and wheel. It takes big cahunas to take a file to your frame, but work slowly and plan ahead.
I passed on a Colt .38 Super at a gunshow last weekend due to someone taking too much off the frame when they blended the beavertail. The curves were flats like they use a flat file to do all the work and not a rat tail and curved files.

 

[GunDog44]

It's a fitted, The picture does it no justice, when the GS is pushed up a little it all blends good. But to your point, maybe a little more fitting would help it blend better.

 

[ScottsGT]

All the other lines look great for a fitted. I need to get off my butt and do the same to my XSE and my Gold Cup National Match.
Isn't it funny how photos will bring out the worst in a minor fit or finish problem?

 

[robctwo]

Nice job. I prefer the new look. Before you get too excited modifying the grip safety fit, take a look at my Ed Brown. This is stock factory fit.

I did a similar project last Spring recovering from foot surgery. I have a SA Black Stainless Loaded. I didn't like the trigger, so took the gun apart and worked on the hammer/sear/disconnector using the information here on the combined 1911 thread.

Decided to change out the parts, so got replacement parts:
Springfield Armory Black Stainless modifications


From Ed Brown

#897 Hardcore® Hammer, Stainless Total: $54.95

#819F30 Drop-In Maxi-Well, Flat, Checkered 30 LPI, Stainless Total: $75.95


From Brownellsescription
Quantity
160-116-135 SP501159B MAINSPRING CAP $4.38

965-011-171 R17S MAINSPRING HOUSING PIN S/S $2.95

965-011-166 R16DS MAINSPRING CAP PIN S/S $2.95

965-011-211 R21S HAMMER PIN STAINLESS STEEL $2.95

087-811-000 811 1911 MATCH DISCONNECTOR, 16.95

087-812-000 812 ED BROWN 1911 MATCH SEAR 19.95

087-805-006 805 ED BROWN SLIDE BUFFERS, PK 5.95

$186.98

Also added Nill palm swell grips.

The grip safety is stock, unmodified.

What I discovered in my work was that adjusting the sear spring first might have lightened the trigger without the replacement parts. Oh well. My SA is now my project gun. Any time I get a wild hair to try something out on the 1911 I'll probably work on it, unless I need to get a Mil Spec or Colt or something.......