I recently purchased a new basic model 1911 (sds)... I wanna make it "mine". What would an experienced 1911 addict do first in terms of upgrades? The most useful tweaks would be helpful but any info would be appreciated... I'm a fairly competent "hobbyist" but lack actual machine shop" tools... I do have all the basics... Guages, mch. tools, drill press, ect and have been handloading for over 35 years and learn quickly... Happy trails to all
1911 needs work
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nettlle
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I only do (2) upgrades on my 1911's both 9mm and 45acp. First one is to fit it with an EGW barrel bushing and the second is to fit it with a trigger that has adjustment for both pre-travel and over-travel.
I do have a weakness for wood grips.
I do have a weakness for wood grips.
Skylerbone
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If you won’t be dissuaded, a few small projects:
1. Sear spring. Buy a Colt, not any other brand, and swap it out.
2. Since the MSH needs removed to swap that sear spring, disassemble it and polish the internals or, if another style suits you, replace it.
3. Invest in a nice set of stocks that actually fit both the frame and your hands.
4. Consider dehorning the entire pistol, even if that means learning to refine your cold blueing technique.
Beyond that tread lightly until you are positive in your understanding of what each job entails.
1. Sear spring. Buy a Colt, not any other brand, and swap it out.
2. Since the MSH needs removed to swap that sear spring, disassemble it and polish the internals or, if another style suits you, replace it.
3. Invest in a nice set of stocks that actually fit both the frame and your hands.
4. Consider dehorning the entire pistol, even if that means learning to refine your cold blueing technique.
Beyond that tread lightly until you are positive in your understanding of what each job entails.
bannockburn
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All of the advice given so far is very good. I would add to go slowly especially when you start working on metal surfaces. And I also have found that a set of Swiss files is helpful to have.
Let us know how things progress!
Let us know how things progress!
Skylerbone
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At 5 1/2 minutes in the author of the video has already mis-identified 2 very basic components and so I would concur with “all the people who have commented that he’s a dunderhead”.
Intellectual curiosity is a great thing but it won’t get you far without a real understanding. Saying “drag on the gun” or “makes it 10x better” isn’t the equivalent of hard numbers on dimensions or tolerances specified. Beware the GoPro warrior.
Mark_Mark
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With a Grain of Salt is what I always say.
I also noticed 1911 owners and smiths are very passionate about there piece.
Mark_Mark
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I been wanting a good set of files. I already have polishing Arkansas & Japanese stones. But I think I’m ready for the file. Any suggestions?? thanks
I've used plenty of Flitz in the past... and I have brass punches... Plus a few other specialty tools used on the AR platform... Hopefully these will all help... However I'm always down with buying more tools... Firearms and tools to me are like clothes and shoes are to my wife... Why not have more?
Mark_Mark
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earplug
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Buy Jerry Kuhnhausen's Shop manual. Best upgrade I can think of.
Mark_Mark
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WVsig
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Shoot it stock first. Put 500 or so rounds down the pipe before you do anything. Then your mods will come not from what the internet experts say you need but what you have discovered you need. That said here are the lists of things I would do if you want to improve the pistol. Buy a set of Jerry Kuhnhausen's 1911 manuals. They are a great reference point.
https://www.amazon.com/Automatic-M1911-M1911A1-Pistols-Kuhnhausen/dp/B01896004C/ref=sr_1_2?crid=HF4QTXSVQ1X5&keywords=the+colt.45+automatic:+a+shop+manual+paperback&qid=1659304416&s=books&sprefix=the+colt+.45+automatic+a+shop+manual+paperback,stripbooks,107&sr=1-2
The number one thing you can do is to a proper trigger job. Here is a very good write up. https://www.brownells.com/guntech/2-lb-trigger-pull/detail.htm?lid=10297
Getting a sear jig will help you get the angles correct. If you don't use a sear jig you are just guessing. I highly recommend John Harrisons tool which was designed by Chuck Warner. Do the trigger job on the OEM parts. There is a good chance that you will mess them up. If you do have a second set of nicer tooled steel parts for you second go. If you are not going to build more pistols in the future you can skip the sear jig and buy pre-prepped parts from Harrison, C&S, Ed Brown, Wilson etc.....
https://shop.harrisoncustom.com/hd-806-true-radius-pro-sear-stoning-jig
From there I would look to swap out the trigger and the thumb safety. Both of these are straight forward and can be done with nothing more than a file and set of polishig stones or buffer on a Dremel tool. Take your time and consider buying a back up part especially the thumb safety. That way when you over file the first part you don't have to wait to get a new one. Ask me how I know.
From there you can try your hand at installing a match bushing. That will be the best thing you can do on your own to improve the accuracy. You could try to fit a new barrel and bushing but that is more complicated but still doable.
From there you can do sight but unless you have a machine shop and can mill the slide you are most likely going to have to send that out or have a gunsmith do that work for you. If you are going to do that at the same time I would dehorn the pistol and have it refinished at the same time.
The reality is that by the time you do even just a few of these things you will have doubled the cost of your SDS. You will have learned about the 1911 and hopefully enjoyed the experience but the gun will still not be woth more than you paid for it NIB. I am not sure if that matters to you or not. None of theses things are going to "break" or ruin your pistol. The worst that can happen is you ruin a part. Have fun and good luck.
A good set of Swiss/jewelers files along with a good set of Whiffler files always come in handy for gun smithing. I would go with fine cut HSS files or fine cut diamond. Those go well in conjunction to good honing stones of different shapes.
So... Measure twice / cut once... Slowly... My significant other says I should measure thrice... And let somebody else do the cutting...lol
Wow... Lots of great info... And I do plan on really sinking my teeth into the 1911 platform... I had one bone stock Taurus 1911 in the past... The only thing I did was fit a 400 corbon barrel and comp to it. I hand loaded many a 45acp and 400cb for it and shot it a bunch.
Mark_Mark
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I want to gets smaller stones and shapes. Let how expensive those files are. Those shear jigs are EXPENSIVE!
Like most of y'all... I don't like throwing money away but it's probably / mostly about the journey right... New skills and knowledge... And a nice shooter if it works out... Which with all this info coming in I'm sure it'll be great... And I will post pics as I work on it.
gyp_c2
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Do it by hand first. You can always screw it up with the dremel later.
Mark_Mark
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I would not know how to get instant polishing without a dremelDo it by hand first. You can always screw it up with the dremel later.
tark
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I prefer the term "Idiot " myself. This guy knows almost nothing about the gun. At 30:48 he tries to describe peening the rails. This was never done with a "big hammer" A steel plate was inserted into the frame groove and a small ball peen hammer was used. Brownell's makes these plates in thickness increments of .001" You peen the entire length of the rail, not just the front and back. At 32:32 he's talking about chamfering the firing pin hole! WHAT! Never heard of this!
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