usp_fan
Member
Springfield Project pistol complete
This is my project pistol. I think it is pretty much done for now.
It started out as a Springfield 1911 Milspec with a parkerized finish. I found it used early last year in unfired condition and brought it home for less than $400.
After shooting it a bit, I decided to have fun with it and install a beavertail and commander style hammer.
Some Gunner grips came next.
I found I had trouble deactivating the grip safety with my small hands and the arched MSH, so a member of the forum offered to let me have a Kimber take off flat MSH to try.
This last month, I added a Trijicon front sight and a Yost-Bonitz retro sight. Before installing the sights, I melted the front and back of the slide, and reshaped the grip and thumb safeties. Everything got a fresh coat of Parkerizing. To finish it up, I spayed the frame, grip safety, and mag. Release in matte grey Gunkote. The Slide, all controls and internal parts are coated in matte black Gunkote.
I installed the sights last. The front sight was made for wide tenon 1911’s so I had to file it a bit to fit Springfield’s unique size. When I removed the factory sight, I was surprised at how far back the cut extended on the top of the slide. The new sight wouldn’t cover all of it. At lease 1mm would be exposed. I new the slide was getting Gunkoted, so I filled the end of the grove with a little JB weld and sanded it flush. It filled perfectly and the Gunkote covered it great. I’d never staked a front sight before, but my local gunshop owner allowed me to barrow the King’s staking tool and everything went smooth.
I still need to test the pistol for reliability and accuracy. I need to check POA vs. POI and adjust.
Here's some pics:
The detail on the safety and melt work:
Left view:
Right view:
The list of parts so far is:
S&A .220 radius grip safety—blended and narrowed
Wilson Hammer—Installed and mated with sear
Gunner grips from Simmonich—sanded to soften up the points a bit.
Grip tape on the front strap
Trijicon Front Sight—found it on ebay, great deal
Yost-Bonitz Retro rear sight—great sight picture and uses the standard dovetail
KG Gunkote—Matte black and grey
This was a fun project and I'm sure I'll do more. The best part was doing it all my self, and getting something I wanted out of it.
Feedback appreciated,
--usp_fan
This is my project pistol. I think it is pretty much done for now.
It started out as a Springfield 1911 Milspec with a parkerized finish. I found it used early last year in unfired condition and brought it home for less than $400.
After shooting it a bit, I decided to have fun with it and install a beavertail and commander style hammer.
Some Gunner grips came next.
I found I had trouble deactivating the grip safety with my small hands and the arched MSH, so a member of the forum offered to let me have a Kimber take off flat MSH to try.
This last month, I added a Trijicon front sight and a Yost-Bonitz retro sight. Before installing the sights, I melted the front and back of the slide, and reshaped the grip and thumb safeties. Everything got a fresh coat of Parkerizing. To finish it up, I spayed the frame, grip safety, and mag. Release in matte grey Gunkote. The Slide, all controls and internal parts are coated in matte black Gunkote.
I installed the sights last. The front sight was made for wide tenon 1911’s so I had to file it a bit to fit Springfield’s unique size. When I removed the factory sight, I was surprised at how far back the cut extended on the top of the slide. The new sight wouldn’t cover all of it. At lease 1mm would be exposed. I new the slide was getting Gunkoted, so I filled the end of the grove with a little JB weld and sanded it flush. It filled perfectly and the Gunkote covered it great. I’d never staked a front sight before, but my local gunshop owner allowed me to barrow the King’s staking tool and everything went smooth.
I still need to test the pistol for reliability and accuracy. I need to check POA vs. POI and adjust.
Here's some pics:
The detail on the safety and melt work:
Left view:
Right view:
The list of parts so far is:
S&A .220 radius grip safety—blended and narrowed
Wilson Hammer—Installed and mated with sear
Gunner grips from Simmonich—sanded to soften up the points a bit.
Grip tape on the front strap
Trijicon Front Sight—found it on ebay, great deal
Yost-Bonitz Retro rear sight—great sight picture and uses the standard dovetail
KG Gunkote—Matte black and grey
This was a fun project and I'm sure I'll do more. The best part was doing it all my self, and getting something I wanted out of it.
Feedback appreciated,
--usp_fan
Last edited: