What would you put on your 1911?

[Technosavant]

This is a replacement thread, since I goofed when making the first. Please make your choices here, even if you did so in the first one.

As with the first, assume you are given a GI-spec M1911A1 of high quality. Don't include qualitative improvements, but do specify feature improvements, even if only cosmetic. For example, a match barrel or a tighter barrel/bushing fit wouldn't qualify, but a ramped barrel or a "melt" look bushing would. Tool steel internals (instead of MIM) don't count, but extended safeties, etc. would. Feel free to expound on your choices.

Here's what I said I would do, and I stand by it (with one addition):
So, here's mine (no particular order):
1) Checkered front strap
2) Upgraded sights, preferably the Novak Extreme Duty adjustables with tritium inserts
3) Beavertail grip safety
4) Rounded commander style hammer
5) Lightened adjustable trigger
6) Flat checkers mainspring housing
7) Lowered and flared ejection port
8) Extended single side thumb safety
9) Beveled magazine well (for a house gun, a full large magwell would be nice)
10) If not stainless steel, I'd have the frame and slide refinished in a durable finish (Duracoat or similar, or Black-T, that sort of thing).

 

[HZOX221]

Sights - Bo-Mar(rear) Dawson FO (front)

Ramped Barrel - is not needed for a 45ACP

Checkered Front Strap - expensive and not needed, grip tape works fine.

Adjustable trigger is not required if you have a good smith do a trigger job. (sear, hammer, Ti spring)

main Spring housing - depends on the size of your hand on the flat or arched

FLGR - Yes for extra weight forward on the gun.

 

[DMK]

A USGI config 1911 really needs better sights. Kings Hardballer sights are a good upgrade, yet still keeping a classic look.

A beavertail adds the benefit of allowing a higher hold, bringing the boreline down and allows the gun to recoil straight back instead of attempting to rotate.

Here is an example of a 1911A1 spec gun that I upgraded. It got Novak night sights, a lowered/flared ejection port, beavertail, commander hammer, extended safety (not ambi), Kart match barrel w/ fitted bushing, the original trigger was tuned/smoothed, all the springs replaced with a Wolf service pack, Hard Chrome by Tripp Research. I don't consider any of these upgrades as frivolous or merely cosmetic.

It still has the original trigger, mainspring housing, guide rod, slide release, and mag catch.

It looked just like this one previously.

 

[wally]

+1 to upgraded sights as the only thing it really needs. The GI sights worked well enough when I was 20-something, but not now.

I like the Novaks as shown in DMK's photo. Add the Fiber optic front and you are almost as good as a red dot optic for speed shooting in daylight.

--wally.

 

[mpmarty]

Sights (Novak or similar)
Grips (I'm partial to Grip Guys birdseye maple)
As I started out with an RIA Tactical, all I did was add the grips. Everything else was great mechanically. Barrel and bushing so tight it would make one hole groups from the bench at fifteen yards.
Finish, well it could be prettier, the frame is duller than the slide and the slide is pretty dull. I'll probably send it out for some sort of black chrome or something one day, but in the meantime I've got thousands of rounds to send down that barrel first.

 

[Texastbird]

Being over 50 I would have to immediately change out the sights to something I could aim with effectively. Otherwise, you could save your money and trade it for a PT1911 that already has all the upgrades. But then it wouldn't as much fun would it?

 

[mike6161]

this is what i would do

 

[brasskeeper]

Of the options you have listed the most Important ones to me are upgraded sights and beavertail grip safety. I have never been happy with a 1911 that did not have a beaver tail grip saftey and If you cant see the sights clearly you might as well leave it the drawer.

 

[bigred82]

For 5" Government model - Everything that the Springfield Custom Professional has - but in Ion Bond DLC.

For CCW - Ed Brown style Commander bobtailed please.

 

[Guitargod1985]

^ That is one sexy gun. Glad I will be getting one soon.

 

[10-Ring]

I have always shot my 1911s before I mod'd them out. Why fix what ain't broke? My Colt had more than 1500 rounds through it before I even thought of have a few things changed. Then I basically auditioned a few gunsmiths before I found the one I wanted to work on my gun -- no sense making changes for it to come back worse than when it left!

 

[Feanaro]

Extended safety. It's hard to get a high two hand grip without one. I can disable a single-side safety with my left hand, so there's not much point in an ambi-safety.

Magwell. Makes it easier to put magazines in. What's not to like?

New sights. Even with my glasses on, I have trouble seeing itty bitty pistol sights. I kinda like the Yost-Bonitz Retro sight. Simple, elegant.

Beaver tail. For a higher grip. I don't see anyone doing it but surely you can just shave down the hammer spur instead of installing a part with a hole in it? A skeleton hammer would make me feel cheated. I pay good money for something, only find it's been poked full of holes to save on material costs?

 

[TimboKhan]

I said it in the last post, and I will say it in this one: All I want is a beavertail and a set of Straight-8 sights.

 

[MPanova]

Well since my Taurus PT1911 already comes with most of that stuff all it needed IMO was some nice rubber grips so thats all I put on mine

 

[Tim Burke]

I did this.

 

[possum]

Checkering (front strap or other)
i use paychmeyer signature grips so i don't need this, but if i wasn't using those grips than i would. and it would be 30lpi.

Flat mainspring housing
i prefer flat to arched

Magwell beveling or full magwell
for carry just a beveal, for duty or open carry/tactical applications then i would go with the mag funnel

Beavertail Safety
gotta have it.

Rounded (commander style)
yep

Lightened/adjustable trigger
unless the stock trigger is nice then i would get this done.

Full length guide rod
nope, i prefer the original

Front cocking serrations
don't really need them

Upgraded sights (specify)
novak, or trijicon for duty, tactical applications, for carry xs 24/7 ns's

Lowered/flared ejection port
if the gun ejects fine without it than there is no need.

Ramped barrel
yep

Bull barrel
nope

Extended safety
yep

Ambi safety
nope

Refinishing (specify)
nope
Other (specify)
lots of magazines, and ammo.

 

[hexidismal]

Well.. the original post didn't really say what the gun would be intended for. My choices on a target gun vs. a CCW gun would be very different.