Colt Officers: Recommended Upgrades

[w1smc]

I purchased an Officers model for my youngest son just prior to him going off to Afghanistan. He's now a Sgt. in the Army and, God willing, he will be returning home sometime in late January.

I'd like to surprise him by "enhancing" the Colt. It's still brand new in the box for the most part, only fired once by the two of us. She fires slightly high and too the right.

What would be the priority upgrades y'all would recommend AND any other changes you would probably consider if money was no object?

I figure a trigger job and new sights for starters ...... but what else to make this a very sweet carry gun?

I'd appreciate any and all suggestions.

BTW: His older brother, also a Sgt in the Army, leaves for Iraq in two weeks. Merry Christmas huh?

 

[lpd843]

Get something personal engraved or etched on it, like his unit number, "glad your home" something to make it personal to him and he'll hang on to it forever trust me.

 

[Clipper]

The only changes made to my Kimber Ultra Carry were a set of XS Sight System's Big Dot express sights (by far the fastest, easiest-to-aquire sights I have ever used, and a bargain at twice the price!), an extended slide release (another addition I would not do without) and a set of Hogue grips like those that come on the Colt Defenders (these were comfortable in use, but aren't great for CC, as they would 'grab' my clothes and slowed my draw). Otherwise, I really didn't feel the need to change anything else...One thing though, you can smooth the trigger, but I suggest you keep the pull weight fairly heavy if it is to be a carry piece. Just my own preference, but I just want 5# or so of trigger pull on a combat pistol, so I know I'm pulling the trigger. I'll put the target triggers on the target guns, and leave the combat guns with the more pressure and adrenelin resistant heavier triggers...

 

[rklessdriver]

Contact the COLT Custom Shop.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/custom.aspx

Ask them to email you a copy of the Custom Shop Price List.

No matter what you intend for the weapon they can do it. Engraved personalized display keep sake, Carry piece with Novak sites, SA beavetails, 3-5lb trigger jobs - Whatever you want, they can and will do at a very fair price.
Will

 

[Creature]

Since this pistol will likely never be a "combat pistol" due to the likely sentimental value it will be getting, at a bare minimum, I would get a custom tuned trigger job. It doesnt have to be a uber-sensitive "target" trigger job. But a nice Colt with a smooth clean trigger is always a good thing.

 

[Harvey]

You modify it to pack eight rounds if you'd like. You can go simple, or put a few other pieces together for speed loading and bling. It takes a bit of effort, but some feel it's worth the money, and it sure does look nice.

Start with a Wilson eight round mag set to the OM specs. It'll come with the proper spring and a Wilson follower, which I tend to like.

If you want, finish it off with a King's Gun Works patented speed chute and magazine boot, which will work with the Wilson mags, and the combo accepts your standard OM grips. A nice touch, plus eight rounds, and reloads are quick as the devil.

If you really want to dress it up, use the King's mag boot with a Smith & Alexander square main spring housing (it's a speed chute) and new grips. Now you're talkin'. Eight rounds. Beautiful set up.

I've got smallish hands, so went ahead and added an extended slide release and matching thumb safety, ambi of course. Extend the mag release and you've got some darn handy controls.

Beyond sights, a matched barrel/bushing and smithing the trigger set, can't imagine much more you could do to the Officer's Model. But in my opinion, the OM is by far the nicest handgun going. I've used mine for CC and successfully for IPSC Limited competition. Love it.

By the way, God Bless your sons for their service to America. May they return to you safely.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I second the God-blessing of your sons for their service. And God bless you as well. You raised them right!

I think anything done through the Colt custom shop would keep that nice Colt Officer's model authentic. Colt 1911s seem to be fairly rare these days.

I think you should get ahold of someone at the Colt custom shop and ask him this exact question. Maybe he will even give you some good ideas, a deal and/or some extra care and attention to the work.

IMHO - Aside from a great trigger and a skinny front sight. The feature I would like best on a "dream" 1911 is a nicely-tuned and oversized thumb safety.

"Snick...On...Snick...Off". A definite, feel-good feature that some 1911s have and many do not. I have felt this on Dan Wesson 1911s.

Unfortunately, I am not wise enough in the ways of 1911 gunsmithing to know how to achieve this. I just know it when I feel it. Maybe it's just simply a bigger safety, but it screams "quality 1911" when I feel it. I am by no means a 1911 expert. Just my $0.02.

Very cool gift. Your son will cherish it regardless of any improvements you may choose.

A 1911 plus a trip to test it out at the shooting range and then dinner with Dad would be a kick-butt life experience.

Again - God Bless! And Merry Christmas!

 

[DRYHUMOR]

A trigger job, reliability package, and and correcting the sights would be a good thing. Then a nice holster.

 

[Harvey]

I think anything done through the Colt custom shop would keep that nice Colt Officer's model authentic. Colt 1911s seem to be fairly rare these days.

Good point, RontheR.

Dressing out a Colt is admirable, but avoid any irreversible modifications and be sure to hang on to any original parts.

 

[Blakenzy]

A government size slide and frame.

 

[rcmodel]

Perhaps the single most importent mod you can do would be to replace the stock Colt recoil spring plug with a solid steel one.

The little tab on the stock Colt plug is known to break off and let the guts shoot out the front of the slide.

L-R = Stock Colt plug, Reinforced plug, Reinforced & Retained plug.


rc

 

[45crittergitter]

+1 on the reverse plug

Assuming you're talking about an Officer's ACP (mini-1911), and not an Officer's Model (revolver), the reverse recoil spring plug arrangement is mandatory on a serious gun. That factory tab can get you killed.

 

[9mmepiphany]

+2 on the reverse plug...the stock Colt plug has always been known as the weak link in the design.

i'd also get the trigger and extractor tuned and add a beavertail grip safety.

sights are a highly personal choice. i lean toward more duty oriented sights which enhance accurate shot placement. you might take a look at the 10-8 Performance or Heine Slant-Pro sights

 

[Heavy D]

As an owner of a Colt officer's ACP and an Army NCO like your son, here is a list of mods that I suggest. I have either done these already or am planning on doing them. The big ones have already been mentioned but I will mention them again. I have listed them mostly in the order of priority that I would do them

Reverse plug (+3, this was the very first mod I did) and full length guide rod
Trigger/reliability job
New sights
Ramp frame and throat barrel
Lower and flare the ejection port
Extended thumb safety (you could go ambi if you want as well)
Beavertail grip safety (you can get a drop in so the frame doesn't need modified if you're worried about that)
Extended slide release
Serrate rear and top of slide to reduce glare

Hope that helps. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions

 

[w1smc]

Thanks For All The Great Suggestions

I've compiled a list from all these suggestions and I'm going to call the Colt Custom Shop first thing ...

I had an old copy of the Custom Shop Price List but it was from many years ago when I purchased my 1st Officers.

There's also a Gun Smith over in Springfield, VA (just down the way) that has a very good reputation for great work. I will also swing by and have a talk with them.

Once I get it "enhanced" I post some pics.

Again, thanks.

I just spoke with my oldest son Dave, he's on his way to Sadr City. He's a Ranger and is very gungy. I'm sure he'll do fine. I kid him a lot though .... I tell him he'd make a good Marine someday (like his Dad).

Semper Fi and thanks again.

 

[Harvey]

God's speed to you and your sons, W1SMC.

But a question to the rest. Over the years Colt has offered special run OM's that they call "enhanced". The two primary modifications are flaring the ejection port, but also letting in the upper finger space where the trigger guard meets the frame. Other bling includes a skeletonized hammer and the like.

But I find the additional finger space must beneficial, and wonder if this modification is specific to production runs, or can be accomplished as an aftermarket mod. Anyone?

 

[Heavy D]

Harvey, if I understand what you are talking about, it can be accomplished as an aftermarket mod. Its just a little metal relief.

w1smc, best of luck and I can't wait to see the pics of the pistol when it's done. I'm sure your son will be fine and I send my prayers to watch over him and the others every day. My last tour in Iraq, Sadr city was in our area of responsibility. In fact, the concrete walls that were placed all around Sadr city was my units doing so hopefully they help to keep everyone safe as intended.

 

[critter]

I have a Colt Officer's model that I had matt hard chromed. That makes it REALLY easily cleaned. Something to think about.

 

[Drail]

Absolutely replace the stock recoil spring plug with a reverse plug. I have seen quite a few of the stock plugs fail and cause rapid disassembly on the range. Considering that these guns were originally made for presentation to General Officers to carry as a badge of rank and not as a working gun the original plug is a serious design flaw. After that consider the trigger pull, the sights, and the thumb safety. Leave the cosmetic enhancements for last. It needs to work 100% before any other modifications are considered.