Fitment of a BTGS and Cmdr Hammer -- a personal journey

[nad3ooo]

Well, after much debate i decided to take my first step into the large world of 1911 tinkering. I got a SA 1911 Mil-Spec Stainless a year or so ago, and decided to make it a platform for a custom pistol. The modifications i wanted were pretty simple, as the Mil-Spec series comes with a generous amount of 'shop extras'

So, i decided to fit an extended beavertail grip safety, a commander hammer and a flat MSH. i know, really exciting...baby steps

So here is the gun out of the box:


i opted to replace the factory BTGS with the one from Smith and Alexander

since it's a springfield frame, i snagged the .220 Rad button jig

and the factory hammer with a ring-style commander

i have viking sized [smallish] hands, so i wanted to try a flat mainspring housing, i went top notch on this one, it's a little more expensive, but should be worth it.

i didnt take many progress pics because honestly, the job went pretty fast...i filed with a bastard cut (double cut) file until i hit the buttons, then used the blindhogg bump method to show the highspots, and filed until it fit...took about 6-7 hours total for the fitment, the hardest part was getting it all back together!

surprisingly, the safety and hammer dropped right in with no modification needed, as did the MSH...im really pleased, see below:

frame with the buttons installed-

"finished" and assembled-




i still need to do some cosmetic blending, but really, tonight, i was concerned with form, fit, and function...i will probably test it out at the range with the coming spring weather, and then put the finishing blends on it


all in all, i have to say this was a great project for me, a beginning DIYer...

thanks to everyone who takes the time to post here, and puts together blogs and posts out there with their tribal knowledge, lord knows without that generosity, i wouldn't have had the courage to try this project.

http://www.blindhogg.com/
http://www.roderuscustom.tzo.com/


thanks,

nadz

 

[Drail]

+1! Very nice for your first time. THAT is how a 1911 should look. And it feels good too doesn't it? I suppose you know this will never end? More parts. More tools. Whatever you do don't tell your shooting buddies you did this or they will drive you crazy doing their guns. Your next mod should be high cut frontstrap and then checkering. If you get a set of checkering files you'll really get out of control. Of course at some point the money starts to run out.....

 

[nad3ooo]

+1! Very nice for your first time. THAT is how a 1911 should look. ....

thanks, that really means a lot...i have to say, i agree with you, more tools, more parts...endless...

i think a big part of being a 1911 owner is really seeing how the da** gun works...i mean, the disconnector? wth? how did this part get envisioned?

i never knew how much there was to a 1911's movement, until i stripped it to the grip bushings...

right now, im scared to death of checkering, i just know my lines will run south...

i bought one of these, so far im not real happy with it...not sure if im going to install it or not...

 

[Drail]

After all of the years I worked with 1911s doing custom and repair work I too still look at the sheer genius of John Browning's designs and also at the technology of that time period to mass produce a 1911 frame. When you look at some of the machining cuts it is amazing to try to figure out how some of them were made. If you really want to try your hand at checkering jump right in with both feet. The best way to learn how to control a checkering file is to get a LOT of practice on non-valuable scrap metal and old parts before you even think about touching a gun with one. Go to your hardware store and buy pieces of mild steel (or brass) round and flat bar stock and practice to figure out how to lay out your lines and hold it steady in a vise and use some sort of guide to keep your cuts straight. You WILL screw up some of this stuff but it's OK because you are learning. I started by checkering all of the base pads off of my mags for practice and they turned out pretty good. Guys at the range wanted to know where I bought them. I did the scales on a bunch of pocketknives. To do a frontstrap you definitely need some way to hold the frame that allows you full access to the frontstrap (Wilson has a good fixture) and a guide that will get your master lines laid out straight. It is fairly intense work, hard on the eyes and the elbows and wrists but extremely satisfying if done right. That Wilson frontstrap grip works just fine as does skateboard tape, put it on and go with it. Just play around with files and stones until you figure out what works and what doesn't. Take your time. Once you learn to control a file, smooth or checkered, your imagination is the only limit. (and some money) Get a Dremel and learn to use it with a very light touch. (use scrap metal to play with)If you don't already own the Jerry Kuhnhausen shop manual I strongly recommend getting a copy and reading it. It will save you lots of money and wasted time. Oh yeah, your commander hammer is very cool. Your Springfield is a very good platform to build on.

 

[nad3ooo]

im going to get all the kunhausen books i can find. the 1911 is like a swiss watch, cant wait to read about the hows and whys

 

[navyretired 1]

Very very nice BGS fit I've seen worse from pro's. The frame lines up beautifuly. You poor guy now you've got the bug.

 

[nad3ooo]

Very very nice BGS fit I've seen worse from pro's. The frame lines up beautifuly. You poor guy now you've got the bug.

thanks navy, i do have the bug...ive still got to do what i call the "finishing blends"

ill take it to to the range once the weather breaks and make sure it fires like it's spose to, and then ill finish it out and post more pics