Minimalist 1911?

[MrVvrroomm]

I picked up an inexpensive, nearly new 1911A1 (clone) Government model yesterday. I have no intentions of making it a race gun. It will be used primarily for range plinking and on occasionally as a 2.5 lb. hammer.

I fired about 100 rounds through it yesterday afternoon. It shoots just fine. I did notice it tried to bite me a couple of times, but it never got a good chunk of flesh. This will be something I want to address. I know I could install a larger beaver tail safety, but then I'd have to swap hammers. Perhaps a little off the end of the hammer?

The gun seemed to shoot point-of-aim, but the sights are the best with my 48 year old eyes. Again, I'm not looking for Tritium super night sights, just looking to get a little quicker and better sight picture. The front sight is staked, no dovetail.

Yeah, the trigger is typical GI spec, but hey, I'm a Glock guy, WTF do I know about triggers?

So, 1911 gurus...I want to keep this a minimalist (see cheap) project. I'd like to have a better sight picture and a little less hammer bite.

[bstrawse]

I've a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec (Parkerized) that I picked up a few months ago - I really like this pistol. Very basic - shoots like a dream.

If this is a GI Model, then you may want to look at the larger beavertail and the hammer change. A simple trigger job would likely help as well. But it's all in what you want.

b

[monschman]

TRAITOR!!!

[hammAR]

............. I did notice it tried to bite me a couple of times, but it never got a good chunk of flesh. This will be something I want to address. I know I could install a larger beaver tail safety, but then I'd have to swap hammers. Perhaps a little off the end of the hammer?.......

...just learn to shoot it correctly and you will not have this problem, nor need to invest money into anything but ammunition.......

for sights: Kings and good article on replacing Front Staked Sights

[tacticalninja32]

I picked up an inexpensive, nearly new 1911A1 (clone) Government model yesterday. I have no intentions of making it a race gun. It will be used primarily for range plinking and on occasionally as a 2.5 lb. hammer.

I fired about 100 rounds through it yesterday afternoon. It shoots just fine. I did notice it tried to bite me a couple of times, but it never got a good chunk of flesh. This will be something I want to address. I know I could install a larger beaver tail safety, but then I'd have to swap hammers. Perhaps a little off the end of the hammer?

The gun seemed to shoot point-of-aim, but the sights are the best with my 48 year old eyes. Again, I'm not looking for Tritium super night sights, just looking to get a little quicker and better sight picture. The front sight is staked, no dovetail.

Yeah, the trigger is typical GI spec, but hey, I'm a Glock guy, WTF do I know about triggers?

So, 1911 gurus...I want to keep this a minimalist (see cheap) project. I'd like to have a better sight picture and a little less hammer bite.

Clearly this gun does not fit your hand properly and that can be an issue, just sell it to me and pick up another glock

[speedy396]

Try a Hogue wrap around grip to help with the bite. Ugly, but may solve the biting problem. I've got an extra if you want to try it out first. Haven't found a cheap fix for the sights.

[1911fan]

SIghts are not expensive, if you have the knowledge of how to stake the new ones in.


a drop in, aka no grind beaver tail can be had from wilsons for about 25 bucks, taking a file and shortening the hammer can be done too, making sure to round up the under side of the hammer spur the most, as this square corner is what usually bites people who have chunkier hands.

[Pinnacle]

Next thing you know you will be fitting links and welding hoods and adding a fitted bushing.

That is all it takes to make that into a really "high-end" shooter.

Basic stuff makes the difference. There is a budget low end loaded pistol available at Bills for $429.00
When I have the extra $$$ I plan on getting one and tuning it up a little - just going to slick it up a little and add some minor touches.

[MrVvrroomm]

TRAITOR!!!

Mmmhmm, but at least I didn't liquidate all my plastic pistols.

[usnret]

But then again, I don't think that you are going to get any help on fixing it up by going to the "Glock Armors class".

[MrVvrroomm]

But then again, I don't think that you are going to get any help on fixing it up by going to the "Glock Armors class".

I used to like you.

[monschman]

nope just liquidated the steel and alloy ones and consolidated the plastic ones to that which i use most and best. i think starting the year with one gun and so far having three extra is good (o.k. so there were some others in between but hey they were not for me) BTW congratulations on your new acquisition i hope it gives you many years of faithful service and that your schwanz falls off you infidel

[Pat]

Next thing you know you will be fitting links and welding hoods and adding a fitted bushing.

That is all it takes to make that into a really "high-end" shooter.

Basic stuff makes the difference. There is a budget low end loaded pistol available at Bills for $429.00
When I have the extra $$$ I plan on getting one and tuning it up a little - just going to slick it up a little and add some minor touches.

Just watch. Peanuckle will come sashaying into one of the breakfasts with a pearl handled pimp gun.

[Flip]

OK,

I've been talking about / thinking about an entry-level 1911 for a long time. What is your opinion of Rock Island? I know I posted something about this a long time ago but it never seems like anyone gives a definitive answer. For those of you who don't like Rock Island / Taurus / Charles Daly, is it because they are mechanically inferior or is it because they are aesthetically inferior or what? I talk with some and they say they've never had a problem with any of the previously mentioned firearms and then others claim that they're only good as a boat anchor (you get the idea).

My thought is that if Armscor (ie Rock Island) is good enough to make Caspian's frames, why is the Rock Island bad?

Flip

[Pat Cannon]

...For those of you who don't like Rock Island / Taurus / Charles Daly, is it because they are mechanically inferior or is it because they are aesthetically inferior or what? I talk with some and they say they've never had a problem with any of the previously mentioned firearms and then others claim that they're only good as a boat anchor (you get the idea).

My thought is that if Armscor (ie Rock Island) is good enough to make Caspian's frames, why is the Rock Island bad?

I've had a Charles Daly FS (their 5" pre-"Enhanced" model) which was about $400, and a Kimber Custom II, $630. I'd score them roughly so:

Fit & Finish: Kimber 9; Daly 5

Parts breakage: Kimber 10 (no breakages); Daly 3 (barrel bushing, safety, firing pin stop, etc. etc.)

Reliability on days when nothing broke: Kimber 99%; Daly 99.5%

Trigger: Kimber 8; Daly 6

Quality of the frame was never an issue.

The thing is, I kind of liked the beater Daly more, especially after I'd replaced all the weak parts and it was a bit more reliable than the Kimber. Partly, I'm sure, because it was my first handgun, and partly because I never worried about the finish. I don't regret buying the beater at all, especially since it essentially came with 20 boxes of free ammo, compared to the Kimber.