Upgrades to Inexpensive 1911's

[GCBurner]

I started with a plain blued finish Norinco 1911A1, which seemed to be accurate enough with the fixed 3-dot sights that came on it, and which shoots both FMJ 230 grain and semi-wadcutter 200 grain ammo pretty reliably. The only upgrades I felt I needed were a better set of grips, so I can hold it better and more comfortably than with the brown plastic it came with, and an ambidextrous safety, so I can practice shooting from cocked-and-locked with either hand. All together, I guess I have about $400 invested in it, and it works well for me.

 

[gunfighter48]

I have an RIA Match 45. Get the RIA and their customer service is great.

 

[Zerodefect]

Nothing wrong with adding a few fiinishing touches to a cheaper 1911. Even expensive 1911's need the same attention to detail.

No such thing as a perfect 1911 out of the box. There is allways a part or two that I prefer that every single high end 1911 is missing.

I'd recommend starting with one of the better cheap 1911's from Colt, Kimber (Custom or TLE), Dan Wesson.

Modifications I usually install:
-Wilson Sear , Hammer, Disconnector
-Tripp Cobra mags
-Dawson front sight
-10-8, Heinie, Warren rear sight
-VZ Grips, Sarges Grips
-10-8 or Ed Brown Mag release
-Wolff springs


The Dan Wessons are my fvorite 1911's right now.

 

[hogrdr]

i wouldn't put a lot of money in a cheaper 1911 unless i was going to keep it forever. you can't get your money back if you sell. stock guns usually sell quicker and higher than home smithed ones. i won't buy a home smithed 1911 at all.

 

[sarge83]

"I started with a plain blued finish Norinco 1911A1, which seemed to be accurate enough with the fixed 3-dot sights that came on it, and which shoots both FMJ 230 grain and semi-wadcutter 200 grain ammo pretty reliably. The only upgrades I felt I needed were a better set of grips, so I can hold it better and more comfortably than with the brown plastic it came with, and an ambidextrous safety, so I can practice shooting from cocked-and-locked with either hand. All together, I guess I have about $400 invested in it, and it works well for me."


Same with me for my Nork. It was at a pawn shop and had some really beat up Colt rubber grips on it. A new set of walnut checkered grips and thorough stripping and cleaning and for $350 I have a solid, accurate and reliable 1911.

I currently have a RIA Tactical in layaway at the same shop, looking forward to shooting it.

 

[Jaymo]

The only problem my ATI Commander has had is a soft ejector. The tip mushroomed.
A jeweller's hammer, needle files, Arkansas oilstones, and Kasenit seem to have fixed that.
I bought it, planning to tinker with it and replace some parts, ejector included.

 

[Magoo]

used?

...or "pre-owned" (and loved/hated ) if you prefer.

With the resurgence in the popularity of the 1911, lot's of them end up being resold. There are a lot of really good 1911s out there available for a price well within your budget.

I picked the one below up from a LGS a year or so ago for $350 OTD. It doesn't have your beavertail request, and while "extended" thumb safety is somewhat subjective to me I'd say this one is a true GI. I like it. You can find one you like if you're patient.

[/IMG]

It was parkerized (with requisite idiot scatch and other wear points). I got a screaming deal on an antranite refinish, so I had a dehorn and undercut trigger guard done before the refinish. I swapped the grip panels out for some Alumagrips. About $300 total. That's the extent of "aftermarket" for this one. And none of it was needed. This pistol is mechanically identical to when I bought it. The only failures I've had were from the same crappy mag that Les so kindly throws in with his pistols.

ETA: It currently has poor man's front strap checkering too. Grip tape

ETA2: Forgot about the Wilson Combat "drop in" (tho' it was) extended mag well. $20-ish

 

[Okiegunner]

Article in "Combat Handguns"

Combat Handguns, May, 2012.

Article on Umarex R-100, 1911. Turkish made 1911 platform. Trabzon made pistol. Investment cast frame, CNC machined slide.

Like every article I have ever read about this firearm, the reviewer really liked this pistol. Purely G.I. grade, no frills, solid, basic 1911. 100% parts interchangable. Black gun, with Hogue grips. MSRP (according to this article) $499.

Available right now at CDNN, for $349. I have posted about this gun before, and really want one. I have to wait another 4-6 weeks (Paycheck thing, OK?) and then I am going to purchase.

Really...If they are even close to as good, as to what is written, for the money?? How could you go wrong?

Gunner

 

[Baba Louie]

emt,
You've been given some sound advice and have offered pretty good rebuttal and rationale behind your decision ala 1st 1911.

I'll offer only one broad piece of advice.

Buy one. Any one of them.

And Ammo. A Lot of ammo. Shoot it. All.

Your new 1911 (whichever one you buy) will soon tell you what it needs. Might be sights. Might be a trigger. Maybe the extractor needs tweaking. Springs perhaps. Etc. Learn your particular weapon's likes and dislikes...

THEN... change ONE (1) thing at a time, buy more ammo, shoot more until you're sure and certain that new piece is good to go and does what you need. Continue on in this fashion as this is your first. Don't do everything at once. Learn the system, how to detail break it down and rebuild back until it's second nature.

And don't worry. This one will simply be your first. (muahaha )

Maybe. You might end up hating the heavy, old 8 rd limit, slab sided centenarian.

 

[Old CooT]

I upgraded my Mk IV Series 80 Colt to .460 Rowland and love it. I also put some Millet adjustable sights on it, and with a 230 gr xtp doing 1300 fps or a 185 gr. doing 1500 fps, it is a smaller pkg than Dirty Harry's .44 mag. and is easier to handle. The minus side is that the 24lb mainspring is a real pain to pull back....

If I use a 20lb spring, I can mix and match acp and .460, it is like, bang, bang, BLAM, BLAM, bang,....but I think it may be a little rough on the frame tho.