Upgrade ideas

[ironhead]

I have a Springfield Armory 1911 A1 Mil-Spec .45 that I carry for defense and though I like the gun I wonder if there are so changes that could be made to make it better. Don't know much about it so I figured I'd ask. Looking for things to make it more dependable and reliable, not pretty. I'm a working man so I need to get the most bang for my buck.

Thanks

 

[benderx4]

Sounds like you're ready for a Springfield TRP.

 

[Mad Magyar]

Looking for things to make it more dependable and reliable,

How bad is the unreliability? Might help for some specifics...

 

[P97]

Don't know much about it so I figured I'd ask. Looking for things to make it more dependable and reliable, not pretty.

A good Gunsmith can do wonders with your present gun. www.actionsbyt.com

 

[Steve C]

Trigger work first then better visibility sights will give you the best improvement for the money assuming its reliable with all types of ammo. You don't have to do it all at once. After that with any additional customization you're probably money ahead if you just sell the gun and buy a higher end pistol.

 

[ironhead]

Yeah I guess I shoulda used different words than to make it seem as if my Mil Spec is not dependable or reliable. It is a bare bones pistol and I have been wondering if there are some things like as SteveC said a better trigger mechanism, maybe better sights but that would have me replace the slide since the front sight is fixed. Different springs, ejection port work, etc... I am a relative noob to the world of firearms and wanted some feedback.

 

[Shawn.L]

I would say a beavertail grip safety and new sights are first. Then an extened thumb safety.

Even a bad 1911 trigger is good, if its heavy its pretty easy to lighten it a bit, but without you telling us about the trigger I'll assume its fine.

does it run HP's reliably?

 

[ironhead]

Haven't run to many HP's through it but will soon. Walmart by me has Winchester JHP's 230gr for $29.00 a 50 round box. I had problems when I first got it with feeding. Rounds would jam at the ramp. I ran 7 different makes of ammo and 3 different makes of mags before I sent it off to SA for repairs. They tuned up the extractor and the feed ramp and I haven't had any problems since. I have run some Corbon 185 gr JHP's through it but not to many cuz they're kinda high for practice but I guess I should practice more with what I carry in it.

The trigger is what ever SA put in the Mil-Spec stock. I got it in late 05 if that helps any. Is the trigger pull adjustment something I can do or should I find someone around here to do it for me?
How are the beaver tail and the extended thumb safety going to change the pistol?

Thanks

 

[Shawn.L]

the beavertail will allow you to get your hand up higher on the gun. Bringing you up closer to the bore axis will make the gun easier to control. I also find it helps in getting a good firing grip from the holster.

an extended thumb safety (as opposed to that little nub you have now) will help get your hand higher on the gun ! it will be easier to engage and make a better rest for your thumb when you shoot.

and sights, well, thats self explanatory.

dont mess with the trigger if you feel its good, or if you cant tell if its good. later on as you get more experiance and refine both your tastes and skill sets you can begin to judge triggers. If needed you can add or take off a few pounds (prob down as low as 4~4.5) easily with some direction.

 

[ironhead]

Thanks Shawn
The triggers oh I guess. I would like to shorten the distance of travel to get to the point of where it actually engages. Other than that the poundage is ok I guess. Don't really have anything to compare it to. The beaver tail and extended safety both sound like good changes to make for shootability which is what I'm looking for. That and cheaper ammo so I can practice more.

 

[Shawn.L]

Thanks Shawn
The triggers oh I guess. I would like to shorten the distance of travel to get to the point of where it actually engages. Other than that the poundage is ok I guess. Don't really have anything to compare it to. The beaver tail and extended safety both sound like good changes to make for shootability which is what I'm looking for. That and cheaper ammo so I can practice more.

we refer to that as "takeup".
I like a little takeup, but where you dont want it is in the space between the reset point and engagment point.

 

[weisse52]

I am a relative noob to the world of firearms and wanted some feedback.

If you really want to get the most out of your 1911 then spend your money now on ammo and training. You just might fine that the pistol will work find for you just as it is. If not, a few boxes of ammo will help you define what you really need to do to make the pistol work for you.

Millions of rounds of .45 have been fired from Mil-spec pistols just fine. If it does not work then send back to SA to repair. Too many people think they must have a ton of changes done to the 1911 before it will work. In some cases they take a pistol that works just fine and upgrade it to the point it does not work.

All you really need are sights you can see and a trigger that works for YOU. Shoot first, upgrade later.

 

[ironhead]

Shawn.L I can see where that would be a bad thing. Thanks

weisse52. I see and understand your point. i guess that after seeing all of the firearms with all of the bells and whistles at the gun show here recently that I wanted something better before I really even know enough to make that decision. I do need to shoot much more and probably get more training than I already have which isn't much.

Thanks to all for the advice.
Ironhead

 

[Steve C]

maybe better sights but that would have me replace the slide since the front sight is fixed.

The front sight is likely staked as with most 1911's made in the last 98 years. The sight can be easily removed and a better, higher visibility sight staked in its place. The other option is to have the front of the slide milled to take those designed for slotted attachment.

The trigger job would require some work by a gunsmith and you may want to go to a long trigger dependiing upon how well you finger fits the standard trigger. The longer trigger will help avoiding wrapping your finger around the trigger too much and help position your finger in the middle of the first pad. The work is generally inexpensive at around $80 to $120 typically.

Expert shooters and gunsmiths normally attribute 60% or more of a guns improvement in accuracy to trigger work. Sights usually add annother 20 to 30%. Everything else you do will be a minimal improvement to accurcy but can help in handling.

A beaver tail grip safety can stop your hand from being chewed up by the standard grip safety if that's a problem and can help with a higher hold to get the barrel axis more in line with the arm to reduce muzzle flip and aid in rollow up shots. Flaring the ejection port helps in ejection reliability. Stippling the front strap aids in grip retention and grooves cut in the slide at the muzzle end helps in retracting the slide when a scope is mounted, specially with the grip attached mounts.