So, where to go for some 1911 work...

[Ranger01]

So I have my Ruger SR1911, and after putting a couple thousand rounds through it I've found some things I like and some I'd like to change.

This is a list of things I've found over the few thousand rounds, and things I want to do.

Failure to feed last round in mag if using HSTs (I have FMJs as the final round in my mags).- Throat/ Polish, new mags. (going with Tripp Research mags)
Barrel link (and the area of the barrel it goes into) are wearing out.-New barrel/ link.
Sights- Needs night sights. Undecided as to what kind though.
Checkered Flat Mainspring Housing is less than desirable.- Swap out to a Serrated Arched MSH.
Checker front strap of grip, and front of trigger guard (yes, I'm one of those people)
Undercut trigger guard
Round off left side of Beavertail grip safety. (I like the skeletonized, but the remaining corners dig into my thumb)
Small serrations on the bottom 1/4 of the slide about 1/4" in front of the ejection port.- I usually press check from that area, and the lack of serrations makes it a PITA with the stiff recoil spring. (No I do not want full front serrations)
Serrate the top of the slide.
Change out internals to quality C&S (or other) parts.
Remove logos and "Read Manual" markings and engrave my own image.
Swap grips out to OD Micarta.
Fitting of the parts and etc. (Frame to slide, Grip Safety to frame, etc)- Might require welding to be done on the frame...

And now the final bit that is most likely going to be the most PITA part of all this.

Melonite coating the whole damn thing because I hate the shinyness of the Stainless Steel.

I was into Diamond Like Carbon for a long time, but after finding out that it would require going through 3 different FFLs, twice, due to IonBond's stupid rules and their lack of a proper gunsmith (and resulting QC problems) I decided against it. Long story short their FFL/ Gunsmith was let go and they now only take guns through Springer Precision out of Oregon, requiring an FFL to send it to them, then they send it to IonBond in North Carolina, then back to SP in Oregon, then back to my FFL... I even know a IonBond rep personally and he cant swing a deal for me. I don't find the idea of my gun traveling across the country three times, and taking how many months to be finished and get back to me, a sound idea.

So I need to find a local/ close place that would do a black Melonite type coating. (I do not want Duracoat or Ceracote or anything like that, I want something that isn't gonna flake off).

So I need yall's advice on where to get this all done.

Would it even be worth doing this or should I just buy a Dan Wesson or something (or possibly going the route of a custom Caspian)? I kind of like the idea of staying with a gun I've shot thousands of times, and just getting it exactly where I want it.

Any thoughts?


(Sorry if this seems kind of discombobulated I'm kinda scatterbrained at the moment.)

[TTS]

That level of work it going to be $1000-$1500 dollars, I would look into getting a new gun.

[Ranger01]

That level of work it going to be $1000-$1500 dollars, I would look into getting a new gun.

True, but a new gun with that much work is going to be ~$3k at a minimum to find one with no rail, FS Serrations, Ambi Safety, etc..

That is if I can even find one in the current climate...

[TTS]

I know you don't like the rail but it has everything else you are looking for.

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/1911-extreme.aspx

ETA: here is one w/o a rail:
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/1911-max.aspx


If you want to go the custom route I would call Terry Tussey or Hilton Yam at 10-8 Precision.

[Cuda66]

That level of work it going to be $1000-$1500 dollars, I would look into getting a new gun.

True, but a new gun with that much work is going to be ~$3k at a minimum to find one with no rail, FS Serrations, Ambi Safety, etc..

That is if I can even find one in the current climate...

Look into some of the Les Baer offerings. With the exception of the coating, you pretty much just described their Ultimate Tactical Carry, which comes in under $2k.

They could also probably get it custom coated for you, instead of blued...

http://www.lesbaer.com/1911UltTact.html

[Ranger01]

SIG 1911 Slide Profile- Deargodno!
Ambi safety- Not a fan at all. (I don't like them for many reasons, chiefly; they stick out too much, and they are a point of reliability issues. I'm proficient with my left index finger.)
Flat trigger- Uncomfortable for me.
Checkered Flat MSH- I prefer Arched serrated.
Rail- I don't want to buy a new holster, and I do not require a rail (Harries method FTW!)
Magwell- Not needed, and most likely a problem for concealment (I'm not a small guy and my gun prints enough with the 8rd mag in it)
Front Slide Serrations- I'm looking more at "mid" slide serrations. (about the same height though)[see below]

This is about as far forward from the ejection port as I'd want the serrations:


If anything I'd actually like them to go from the front of the ejection port to about the middle of those ones.

So far after looking, the only custom 1911 I've found that I like is this one:


But it's ~$3200, plus I'd have to have them do an Arched MSH, trigger guard checkering, and the slide serrations (mid and top)... (probably another $1k)

[Cuda66]

Order a Baer SRP with a single side safety option (no charge), and see if they will mill the serrations in a different spot..(according to their price list, milling front serrations is a $100 job).

Checkering the front of your trigger guard is an $85 job, according to the list, if you want that as well.

[Ranger01]

True, but then I'd be around the $3k mark. I'm trying to keep this as close to $2k as possible.

[Cuda66]

In that case...I'd look at an Ultimate Tactical Carry, see if you can have the FCS repositioned (or, just delete them--no charge), and look at getting it coated somewhere down the road...it comes blued (but at least it's not shiny).

Otherwise...you aren't going to get what you want for that price.

[Ranger01]

What is the difference between the Custom Carry and the Ultimate Tactical Carry other than ambi safety, grips, trigger, 1 mag and $10?

ETA:
Now I'm looking at just saying screw it and getting this:
http://www.guncrafterindustries.com/pwnn.shtml

Then having them add the couple things I'd want on top of that.

Baer vs GI

Thoughts? (I'm still interested in other suggestions though).

[TTS]

What is the difference between the Custom Carry and the Ultimate Tactical Carry other than ambi safety, grips, trigger, 1 mag and $10?

ETA:
Now I'm looking at just saying screw it and getting this:
http://www.guncrafterindustries.com/pwnn.shtml

Then having them add the couple things I'd want on top of that.

Baer vs GI

Thoughts? (I'm still interested in other suggestions though).

You are still going to need plenty of work to all the guns posted, have you thought about calling the Springfield Custom shop and having one built? You could sell your Ruger to help offset the cost. The specifics of what you want are VERY custom.

[Ranger01]

Judging by what the Professional costs (a "stock" custom pistol- $2600 used) wouldn't a custom from them be quite a bit more?

[promod1385]

Sounds like you need/want a full custom gun. Paul Grundhauser is your local source for this type of work. Personally I wouldnt dump all of that money in to a Ruger, start from scratch and you will likely end up with a better finished product.

Paul has custom 1911's starting at $2595 on his website and I presume you could start with an STI gun and trim a bit from that price.

Can you also post pics of the barrel link area you think is "wearing out" there is no way this should be anywhere near worn out after a couple thousand rounds.

[user293]

Sounds like you need/want a full custom gun. Paul Grundhauser is your local source for this type of work. Personally I wouldnt dump all of that money in to a Ruger, start from scratch and you will likely end up with a better finished product.

Paul has custom 1911's starting at $2595 on his website and I presume you could start with an STI gun and trim a bit from that price.

Can you also post pics of the barrel link area you think is "wearing out" there is no way this should be anywhere near worn out after a couple thousand rounds.

+1 for paul. if you give him a call and talk to him about options, he may be able to shave off some dollars. he will do all the options you ask for. you could also call all the major custom builders around the country too and see who can give you the best deal on a pistol with your options. you may be surprised.

[Ranger01]

I'll have to call Paul tomorrow (probably LB, EB, and SCS as well) as I'm bout to head off to bed (already past my bed time hah).

The Barrel link just feels a lot looser than it used to and the barrel lug is showing a bit more wear than it probably should...

Only ammo fired has been Federal American Eagle (~2k rds), and HST2s (~500 Rds).

Here are the requested photos: