1911 mods

[Quoheleth]

I'm looking for a new 1911, .45 ACP.

Due to small hands, I want a gun with a short, WWII-size trigger and I prefer the arched MSH. But, while my hands are small they are fleshy and a beavertail is very helpful to keep my hand from being chewed up (I have negative experience with both a Springer GI and Rock Island GI). The Springer Loaded and RIA Tacticals I used didn't bother me at all.

A southpaw, I appreciate an ambi thumb safety but I've learned to cope and not having one isn't a deal breaker.

My budget is $650, give/take a bit. Is there such an animal that comes stock with short trigger, arched MSH, and beavertail?

If not, using Springfield as my case study, is it easier (read: cheaper) to buy a Mil-Spec and have a beavertail added, or buy a Loaded and have a short trigger and arched MSH installed? I've never worked on a 1911 so I do not feel qualified to do much of this myself unless it truly is a "drop-in" part.

Thanks,
Q

 

[hAkron]

If you are not opposed to the Taurus brand, the PT-1911 is worth a look. I did a little research on this gun and for around $600 it comes with all the popular modifications. Many of the parts are Metal Injection Molded (MIM) as is typical with 1911's at this price point, but according to Taurus, they are experts in MIM (check their website for their explanation). Some standard 1911 parts might not be compatiable (especially sights), and some examples of these guns may have trouble out of the box (FTE, FTF), but Taurus has a lifetime warranty and will take care of any problems. Hardcore 1911 guys may not be impressed with this gun, and they don't hold their resale as much as say a Colt, but if you are buying it as a shooter and not an investment then who really cares? This gun seems to be a great value for the money.

 

[Zerodefect]

Get a Colt 70 series. Then add a Wilson duck tail to get by with until you scratch your 1911 up enough to warrant a refinish. Then have your smith cut the frame for an Ed Brown Beavertail grip safety.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtPistols/ColtSeries70.aspx

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If not, using Springfield as my case study, is it easier (read: cheaper) to buy a Mil-Spec and have a beavertail added, or buy a Loaded and have a short trigger and arched MSH installed?

I would say the latter. If you install a beavertail on the Mil-spec, the hammer must be changed (or the old one "bobbed") and the frame contoured to match the safety and (unless stainless) refinished. This would surely cost more than just a MSH and trigger, even when you factor in the difference in cost between the guns.

 

[BullfrogKen]

If you're OK buying used, you'll fund a lot more choices in your price range.

The short trigger, arched mainspring housing, and even ambi-safety are pretty easy to put on the gun after you get it. Perhaps the trigger, and certainly the safety will require minor fitting to make sure it's working properly and safely. But they're all easier than adding a beavertail grip safety to a gun that didn't leave the factory with one.


If you can't find everything you want, get the gun with the beavertail grip safety on it, and have someone add the other parts after you get it. The bluing of the mainspring housing might not completely match the bluing job of the gun, so if that'll bother you then you ought to keep that in mind before you buy.

 

[MolleMan]

Just buy a RIA tactical, i bought a Regent GI model and had all the upgrades added, buy the time/parts/labor i had in it i could have easily bought a kimber or some higher end $1000 gun. plus if i ever sale it i might be lucky to get back what i have just in the gun.

I promise you if you buy a gun with everything you need on it straight out of the box you save time, frustrastion, and you'll be alot happier in the long run.