1911 Guru's answer me this

[CPJONES1231]

If I buy a new Springfield Mil-Spec, what all parts needs to be replaced and with what brand to make this a reliable and worthy carry weapon??

[SVTNate]

Nothing at all.

It'll be sparse on features with a nasty trigger and loose fitment. All of this matters when punching paper, but I think it'd be just fine as a carry weapon without any changes.

Personally, I'd most likely replace the slide stop and safety with tool steel parts (Ed Brown, Wilson, or Springfield's own Custom Shop pieces). I'd also get new sights.

But honestly, I'd trust a bone-stock Mil-Spec for carry use.

[Rob96]

From what I have read, there have been reports of people having problems with their extractors and ejectors. As far as thumb safeties, grip safeties, and such, give the the stock ones a good ringing out. You may be like me and others and find you like the GI parts better.

[freepatriot]

<--- Carries a bone-stock Mil-Spec in a Comp-Tac Paddle.


Okay, not bone stock. I changed the grip panels.

[aglocker1911]

What parts NEED to be replaced? None. What parts will you WANT to replace? That's the secret of 1911s! But once you test it for reliability with your chosen carry load, it should be good to go "as is". Good luck.

[1911nut]

The beauty of the gun is you can replace nothing or everything but the frame.

Carry gun?
grips and sights you prefer.

good reliable magazines

On to some kind of reliability work which may or may not include a trigger job.

Some kind of refinishing if your carry guns rust easily.

If it was mine I would shoot it a lot to get proficient with it then think about what you need (or want) as far as upgrades.

[lwt210]

I owned two Springfields years ago.....one a Mil Spec model and one was a duo toned model......

The Mil Spec model I replaced the grips with some rubber ones (either Pachmyer or Hogue/ don't remember which) and bought some good mags. She was a reliable pistol and served the purpose well. Was carried often.

The Duo Tone model I had tricked out with beavertail, adjustable sights, extended safety, Wilson hammer, sear and trigger, full length guide rod, target bushing.....all that jazz. It was a fine target gun but I carried the Mil Spec model for CCW.

Now I carry the Smith 1911PD. While I am not a 1911 guru, if it were me, I'd buy up some grips and some reliable mags and be done with it. I shot a Springfield GI stainless the other day in the gun shop range and it shot well with the stock trigger. The rangemaster and I could put decent groups out at 25 with junk ammo.

I got a buddy that just picked up a used Springer stainless with the rear sight missing. As soon as he gets that replaced, we are going to wring her out. He paid like 350.00 and it came with ten mags of mixed flavor....Wilsons, Colts and some off brands.

[RojasTKD]

Just sold mine (didn't want too). What does it NEED. Nothing. What I would replace if I was to carry it, Beavertail (large meaty hands means hammer bite for me) and extended thumb safety (personal preference)

[tous]

I'm confused. Are we talking about the same pistol design that's been in service and reliably so since 1908? The same design that countless soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen have taken into harm's way for over 100 years?

I don't intend to be sarcastic, but folk both military and civilian have trusted their lives to this pistol for a long, long time in circumstances and conditions far more extreme than everyday potential self-defense.

Let's leave the 'the 1911 won't shoot X loads and they don't work unless you tweak them' myth on the dustheap of history.

I'm jest sayin' <c>b

[CPJONES1231]

Thanks for all the responses guys, I'm new to the 1911 world. I have Glocks and Sigs in my arsenal but I would like to enter the world of the 1911. I guess I will go and pick one of these Mil spec's up this weekend and begin the learning process.



Casey

[tous]

Originally posted by CPJONES1231
Thanks for all the responses guys, I'm new to the 1911 world. I have Glocks and Sigs in my arsenal but I would like to enter the world of the 1911. I guess I will go and pick one of these Mil spec's up this weekend and begin the learning process.



Casey

Casey, you do realize that once you'd had 1911 ... you can never go back? ;f

Pistols, especially mass-produced pistols of the past 20 years, have been some of the finest examples of metallurgy and manufacturing precision ever.

Enjoy your pistol, mi amigo. <c>b Oh, and you might want to tell your other guns that they'll be sitting in the safe a lot because THERE'S a 1911 IN TOWN! ^5

[quantico]

I have several 1911's... Ok... maybe more than several... I have very modified 1911's.... custom 1911's ... high end 1911's and bone stock 1911's including a springfield loaded longslide. The springfield needs nothing to function well and be reliable and to hit at what you aim at.

The 1911 can be modified in many areas... trigger ... grips ... sights ... cosmetics... etc , but it should be good to go as it is delivered .

The two things that I would recommend to a new 1911 owner are to shoot the gun a bunch before making any list of changes or complaints... and to lube the gun a lot more than you would lube other guns... Once the gun gets broken in and smooths out you will have a great respect for it. Later you can change stuff if you feel the need to.... but I would run it as it comes and just shoot the snot out of it.

[Robert McLeod]

Everyone has given you great advice thus far. I would say put as many rounds through it as possible and then see if YOU want to change anything about the pistol. After all, you will be the one carrying it and depending on it to defend your life and possibly the lives of your loved ones.

Here is a brief synopsis of my acquainting procedure for a new handgun. I always get about 200 rounds of factory FMJ ammo, even though I reload. If there is an issue with the reliability of the pistol and I have to contact the factory that is one less thing that they can blame it on. Also, I can always use more brass!

Then I will try to put at least another 300 rounds of FMJ reloads through it. I use Winchester 231 powder and it is kind of dirty, but I find that the burnt carbon acts as a lapping compund of sorts and actually helps the parts work in easier.

After I clean it up I get the same ammunition that I will be carrying, in a 1911 that will be Black Hills 230 Gr. JHP. I like to gather up at least 250 rounds. I use the same exact magazines that I will be carrying, Wilson Combat 47Ds, and I commence to shooting. If everything goes well I will have enough confidence in the "system" as a whole to trust my life to it.

By the way, this is the same procedure I have used for every gun I have ever carried, issued or one that I have purchased personally. It has yet to let me down with Colt, Beretta, Glock, Kimber, Heckler & Koch. Also, the only gun to ever fail the test was a Kimber Pro Eclipse, the whole reason for the first 200 rounds have to be factory thing, but that is another story.

[BilltheCat]

good advice all around. dive in and prepare to be swept up into the dark side of 1911! It will change you. and my Kimber Pro Eclipse was perfect after mag change to wilson 47D's for almost 1500 rds now.

Read this and prepare to go 1911:

The 1911 is outdated!!!
This quote speaks volumes of truth.

"Of course the 1911 is an outdated design. It came from an era when weapons were designed to win fights, not to avoid product liability lawsuits. It came from an era where it was the norm to learn how your weapon operated and to practice that operation until it became second nature, not to design the piece to the lowest common denominator. It came from an era in which our country tried to supply its fighting men with the best tools possible, unlike today, when our fighting men and women are issued hardware that was adopted because of international deal-making or the fact that the factory is in some well-connected congressman's district. Yes, beyond any shadow of a doubt, the 1911 IS an outdated design....and that's exactly what I love about it."

-Rosco S. Benson on rec.guns “Is the 1911 an Outdated Design?”


:cool: all your guns are belong to us :cool:

[MrMurphy]

It's fine as it is.

Personally, I'd put in a larger thumb safety, and a memory bump grip safety (I have small hands, don't always activate it).

I'd put on a short Commander style hammer so I wouldn't "need" a beavertail (the short, round Commander hammer generally fixes that without the beavertail to avoid pinching the hand).

That's it. Maybe new grips. And sights.