Working on my first project 1911

[swampcrawler]

Ok guys, a while back I got the 1911 bug. Rather than doing the sensible thing and buying a decent gun, I snatched up this little guy from a local pawnshop. Now I did so with it in mind to use it as a guinea pig gun to learn the platform, how to make minor modifications, fit parts, ect. I truly enjoy tinkering and figured better to mess up this thing than a decent sringfield.

So, it's one of the good ole colt slide/essex frame guns. Colt military barrel. It actually ran wrfectly fine when I bought it other than bouncing brass off my forehead.

Just thought I'd share my progress and ask a few questions. So far iv installed a wilson trigger, hammer and drop in beavertail, lowered the ejection port to .49" above bottom of slide, cut a flare, and attempted to undercut the trigger guard. I didn't like doing the undercut due to there being no real reference points. It seems to be kind of an "eyeball it" thing. But I think i did fairly well save for the idiot with a dremel scratch on the slide.

Here it is as I bought it:

And current:
First off, any advice or criticism to my sad attempts so far?

And now for the questions. My ejector and extractor look like crap and brass lands on my shoulder now. Should I stick with the GI ejector or go extended?

Also going to switch to the ed brown grip safety and radius the frame to fit it.

I have big wide hands but short thick fingers, so I really have to crane my thumb up to ride the thumb safety. Are the low ride type thumb safety recommended? If so which one in particular?

Looking foward to what you guys think!!

 

[dnfd737]

before you do anything buy and read this
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/19...shop-manual-volume-1-book-by-jerry-kuhnhausen

 

[dnfd737]

but looks nice so far

 

[drband]

The Gunsite Low Mount Thumb safety is perfect for your use IF you are going to use ONLY at the range. Reason: I found in a training class that this safety gets bumped back on safe if I shoot left-handed! It's perfectly good for right-handed use and it's a very comfortable accessory. It should work well for you. It's also reasonably priced at Brownell's. I now use a WC tactical safety. I can just barely reach it with my thumb and it stays in position if I shoot left-handed. Good luck. [emoji41]

 

[swampcrawler]

Thanks guys. 737, the books are in my shopping cart.

Drband, iv seen that complaint somewhere before. I think il skip it in favor of one of the slimmer ed brown safetys. I believe the ed brown grip safety is supposed to locate the hand higher than the drop in I have so that may help also.

 

[BBBBill]

Skip the Ed Brown parts. Their QC has slipped and they seem to have no interest in upgrading. Their thumb safeties break too often and their grip safeties leave something to be desired for fit compared to similar safeties like the Chip McCormick. There are numerous better choices.

 

[Drail]

That's a shame. Brown used to make really good parts when they started out. (before they started building guns)

 

[VinnAY]

Id recommend and I see you have the skills, a blended beavertail and dump that horrid drop in piece. That just looks terrible.

 

[js2013]

Yeah i agree put in a real tail. Then get some ceracoat (it holds up really good) and refinish. Anyone can buy one but building/modifying one is much more fun iMO

 

[swampcrawler]

Well unfortunately I think this pistol is more or less done for. It keeps breaking links, and I believe the VIS was machined out of spec, too far to the rear.

 

[js2013]

Brownells sells different length links, sometimes that can help but may lead to barrel fitting adjustments, etc.

 

[243winxb]

the idiot with a dremel scratch on the slide.*

Not a good thing.

 

[BBBBill]

Well unfortunately I think this pistol is more or less done for. It keeps breaking links, and I believe the VIS was machined out of spec, too far to the rear.

Did you measure it? Spec is .431"+.005"/-.000" from the center of the slide stop pin hole. There are solutions to the problem so don't give up yet.