1911 mods and upgrades?

.22guy · 05-27-2007, 12:39 PM

Hey guys,
I got my Springfield Armory mil-spec 1911 a while ago. It's a great gun and I enjoy it a lot. I keep telling myself to leave it alone, it's a fine gun the way it is. But I'm getting the itch to tinker with it a little.

So what are the best/easiest/least expensive ways to upgrade this gun? Looking for your opinions!

Thanks!

Russ

Bravo · 05-27-2007, 02:01 PM

Is it the GI or the Mil Spec? I know some people call the GI a Mil-Spec, but the Mil-Spec is slightly better.

If it is the true Mil-Spec, I'd probably guess the trigger, and maybe sights? Although the sights that come on it aren't that bad, much better than the GI sights. Maybe upgrade the hammer?

I know there are people out there that will have better and more reliable opinions than my own.

.22guy · 05-27-2007, 02:23 PM

It is the Mil-Spec. Like this: Springfield Armory

Mooseman684 · 05-27-2007, 02:37 PM

Add a Wilson Combat Adjustable trigger,a Wilson Combat Value line Sear,and Value line Hammer, and An STI Titanium Hammer Strut. Add a 16 to 18.5 lb Nowlin Recoil spring, A match Grade Nowlin sear Spring, Hammer spring and HD Firing pin spring... You will be amazed at the difference !
Rich

Bravo · 05-27-2007, 03:15 PM

See? I knew someone here would know what they're talking about

Moose, for future reference for myself, how much would all of these upgrades cost?

.22guy · 05-27-2007, 03:19 PM

Thanks Moose! Those sound sweet. Do they all have to be gunsmith installed?

Big Dog · 05-27-2007, 06:41 PM

The heart of any semi-auto is it's magazine - make sure you have good ones! I like the MecGar magazines, half the price of Ed Brown and Wilson Combat and just as good!
A beavertail is great if you have big hands like me - the stock grip-safety spur chews my hand!
A better trigger is good, but I'd not try to "tighten" the action any - that often reduces reliability. A good defense pistol needn't be a tack-driver.

Moss500Bantam · 05-27-2007, 07:40 PM

Personal pref. I like the long trigger of any good quality as mentioned by the gentleman.

A flat mainspring housing. The guts parts will improve the shootability for sure

Mooseman684 · 05-27-2007, 09:29 PM

If you can disassemble the 1911, you can install these parts easily and re-assemble it yourself...No fitting required for these.

Wilson Combat Adjustable Trigger...15.95
Titanium Strut...14.55
Wilson Value Hammer...23.95
Wilson Value Sear...14.95
Nowlin Recoil spring(16 or 18.5)..4.70
Nowlin HD firing pin spring...1.89
Nowlin Hammer Spring...1.87
Nowlin Match grade sear spring...4.59
Total for parts= 82.45
Doing an upgrade yourself...Priceless!
Rich

.22guy · 05-28-2007, 03:46 AM

That sounds really good. Thanks for the price list Moose.

Is any of that going to tighten the action and possibly reduce reliablity like Big Dog mentioned?

samuel · 05-28-2007, 05:22 AM

I have a junk box with 1911 parts.I just keep changing and maybe polishing parts until everything works.It,s fun and more intresting than tv.I have placed well in competition for years this way.I also only work on one problem at a time. samuel.

Big Dog · 05-28-2007, 08:52 AM

Those mods (broken down by price) sound good. I'm thinking of avoiding the tighter-fitting bushing and having frame rails tightened - the things done for 'raceguns' and high-end comp guns. Great for competetive shooting, but the guns get very intolerant of ammo and dirt. Not good if it is to be your 'go to' gun for defense.
I like fatter grip panels too - another bonus for us with big hands.

gandog56 · 05-31-2007, 07:57 AM

I like the Crimson Trace Laser Grips I put on mine. Which also has had the Wilson Combat Matrch Grade barrel and fitted bushing installed and a trigger job and skeleton hammer put in by a real gunsmith. Notice considerably tighter groups immediately.

Mooseman684 · 06-01-2007, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .22guy

That sounds really good. Thanks for the price list Moose.

Is any of that going to tighten the action and possibly reduce reliablity like Big Dog mentioned?

Not going to tighten the slide any, if thats what you are asking...That is best left to a pro with the right tool. The Mods I listed will improve Trigger action, Improve functioning, and speed up locktime, and reduce the chance of problems, by having Better parts installed...And better Springs.
Rich

remchuck · 06-03-2007, 01:38 PM

on my parts gun i installed the following:an ed brown videki trigger,an ed brown plunger tube with wilson tube spring,an ed brown barrel bushing,an ed brown hardcore slide stop,an ed brown mag release with wilson lock and wolff spring,an ed brown extended thumb safety,hogue wrap around grips,and an ed brown recoil spring guide rod.all parts were drop-in or very close except the thumb safety which required extensive fileing.

Summerleas · 07-02-2007, 02:29 PM

If your gun can shoot well and cycle reliably I would leave it alone and just install an ambi safety and a beaver tail grip safety...which requires a new hammer ( I believe...no gunsmith here). Sights of your preference would probably be my first upgrade.

TheZedd · 05-04-2008, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooseman684

If you can disassemble the 1911, you can install these parts easily and re-assemble it yourself...No fitting required for these.

Wilson Combat Adjustable Trigger...15.95
Titanium Strut...14.55
Wilson Value Hammer...23.95
Wilson Value Sear...14.95
Nowlin Recoil spring(16 or 18.5)..4.70
Nowlin HD firing pin spring...1.89
Nowlin Hammer Spring...1.87
Nowlin Match grade sear spring...4.59
Total for parts= 82.45
Doing an upgrade yourself...Priceless!
Rich

Where do you get these upgrades? and would anyone reccomend Compressors or Vented slides? My bud seems hung up on them and I don't see much of a point.

I'm also looking for upgrades to My Sig P226, I just have no idea where to get any of this kind of stuff.

05-27-2007, 12:39 PM	#1
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,255	1911 mods and upgrades? Hey guys, I got my Springfield Armory mil-spec 1911 a while ago. It's a great gun and I enjoy it a lot. I keep telling myself to leave it alone, it's a fine gun the way it is. But I'm getting the itch to tinker with it a little. So what are the best/easiest/least expensive ways to upgrade this gun? Looking for your opinions! Thanks! Russ

05-27-2007, 02:37 PM	#4
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 10,529 Images: 2	Add a Wilson Combat Adjustable trigger,a Wilson Combat Value line Sear,and Value line Hammer, and An STI Titanium Hammer Strut. Add a 16 to 18.5 lb Nowlin Recoil spring, A match Grade Nowlin sear Spring, Hammer spring and HD Firing pin spring... You will be amazed at the difference ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

05-27-2007, 06:41 PM	#7
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,412	The heart of any semi-auto is it's magazine - make sure you have good ones! I like the MecGar magazines, half the price of Ed Brown and Wilson Combat and just as good! A beavertail is great if you have big hands like me - the stock grip-safety spur chews my hand! A better trigger is good, but I'd not try to "tighten" the action any - that often reduces reliability. A good defense pistol needn't be a tack-driver. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

05-27-2007, 07:40 PM	#8
Moss500Bantam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 257	Personal pref. I like the long trigger of any good quality as mentioned by the gentleman. A flat mainspring housing. The guts parts will improve the shootability for sure __________________ I don't know how a PC works. I just know how to use it. I know how a gun works, and how to use it.

05-27-2007, 09:29 PM	#9
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 10,529 Images: 2	If you can disassemble the 1911, you can install these parts easily and re-assemble it yourself...No fitting required for these. Wilson Combat Adjustable Trigger...15.95 Titanium Strut...14.55 Wilson Value Hammer...23.95 Wilson Value Sear...14.95 Nowlin Recoil spring(16 or 18.5)..4.70 Nowlin HD firing pin spring...1.89 Nowlin Hammer Spring...1.87 Nowlin Match grade sear spring...4.59 Total for parts= 82.45 Doing an upgrade yourself...Priceless! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

05-27-2007, 02:01 PM	#2
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 2,017	Is it the GI or the Mil Spec? I know some people call the GI a Mil-Spec, but the Mil-Spec is slightly better. If it is the true Mil-Spec, I'd probably guess the trigger, and maybe sights? Although the sights that come on it aren't that bad, much better than the GI sights. Maybe upgrade the hammer? I know there are people out there that will have better and more reliable opinions than my own.

05-27-2007, 02:23 PM	#3
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,255	It is the Mil-Spec. Like this: Springfield Armory

05-27-2007, 03:15 PM	#5
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 2,017	See? I knew someone here would know what they're talking about Moose, for future reference for myself, how much would all of these upgrades cost?

05-27-2007, 03:19 PM	#6
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,255	Thanks Moose! Those sound sweet. Do they all have to be gunsmith installed?

05-28-2007, 03:46 AM	#10
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,255	That sounds really good. Thanks for the price list Moose. Is any of that going to tighten the action and possibly reduce reliablity like Big Dog mentioned?

05-28-2007, 05:22 AM	#11
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,199	I have a junk box with 1911 parts.I just keep changing and maybe polishing parts until everything works.It,s fun and more intresting than tv.I have placed well in competition for years this way.I also only work on one problem at a time. samuel.

05-28-2007, 08:52 AM	#12
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,412	Those mods (broken down by price) sound good. I'm thinking of avoiding the tighter-fitting bushing and having frame rails tightened - the things done for 'raceguns' and high-end comp guns. Great for competetive shooting, but the guns get very intolerant of ammo and dirt. Not good if it is to be your 'go to' gun for defense. I like fatter grip panels too - another bonus for us with big hands. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

05-31-2007, 07:57 AM	#13
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 5,641	I like the Crimson Trace Laser Grips I put on mine. Which also has had the Wilson Combat Matrch Grade barrel and fitted bushing installed and a trigger job and skeleton hammer put in by a real gunsmith. Notice considerably tighter groups immediately.

06-03-2007, 01:38 PM	#15
remchuck Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: nashville Posts: 232	on my parts gun i installed the following:an ed brown videki trigger,an ed brown plunger tube with wilson tube spring,an ed brown barrel bushing,an ed brown hardcore slide stop,an ed brown mag release with wilson lock and wolff spring,an ed brown extended thumb safety,hogue wrap around grips,and an ed brown recoil spring guide rod.all parts were drop-in or very close except the thumb safety which required extensive fileing.

07-02-2007, 02:29 PM	#16
Summerleas Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 28	If your gun can shoot well and cycle reliably I would leave it alone and just install an ambi safety and a beaver tail grip safety...which requires a new hammer ( I believe...no gunsmith here). Sights of your preference would probably be my first upgrade.