My 1911 project

[CougarRed]

Last summer, I bought a basic Springfield GI .45 model for $415 out the door. I chose the GI as a platform to upgrade because the slide and frame are so well made and snugly fitting.

I joined a group project with Teddy Jacobson and Steve Camp to upgrade the gun. The project was called Project Steetgun. For $550, Teddy and Steve provided the parts listed below, shaped by Teddy to drop in my pistol. In addition, I got a book by Camp and video by Teddy about the 1911 as part of the project.

The new (non-MIM) parts are:

1. Ed Brown tactical extended thumb safety
2. Kings national match aluminum trigger
3. ISMI chrome silicon recoil spring
4. ISMI stainless mainspring
5. ISMI stainless flat spring
6. stainless plunger tube spring
7. stainless mag release spring
8. EMC wide spur hammer
9. Ed Brown hammer strut
10. Caspian disconnector
11. Cylinder & Slide tactical sear
12. stainless, contoured mainspring cap
13. forged hammer pin
14. forged sear pin

The trigger breaks crisply now at 4.5 pounds.

I spent another $60 for two Cobra 8-round mags from Virgil Tripp and $60 on black G10 laminate gunner grips.

I then took my pride and joy over to Claudio at Briley to get a match barrel, spherical bushing, Bo-Mar rear and fibre optic front sights fitted and installed. That ran me approximately $675 altogether.

Finally, my gun is now at Vandenberg Custom in Houston where it is getting a Cerakote refinish for $205 - two tone with a satin aluminum frame and a black slide. I chose Cerakote over NP3, Roguard, hard chrome, Black T, etc.

Most of this last $880 is optional of course. The sights definitely need upgrading, but the finish, barrel and bushing were acceptable as is and the gun is otherwise excellent. But I have been saving up, and now is the time to finish the job on my dream 1911.

If you can't tell, I can't wait for the finished product, which will run me a total of $1965. I'll post pics once I pick it up.

[fourrobert13]

Wow!!! That's a lot of green to put into a gun. But it sounds like some really cool stuff that you did. I can't wait to see the pics. When do you think you will have it back?

[DiverDn]

I just got a Colt back from Vanden Berg Customs and like it a lot.

How was the video from Teddy? I've been reading his blogs and he makes a lot of sense in his approach to self defense and 1911's.
DD

[CougarRed]

Thanks. I should have it back in 3 weeks or so.

Teddy is an expert when it comes to handguns generally, and trigger work in particular. His video was basic (how to detail strip a 1911), but good.

[Nalapombu]

Let me see if I have this right. You joined a group and paid $550 for parts that were prepped by Jacobsen for you to put in your Springer. To aid you he also sent you a video that shows you how to detail strip a 1911 and re-assemble it. Do I have the basics down?

If you didn't have any more help or instruction that that, I will be interested in seeing and hearing about the final piece.

I am not in any way being negative, I think it is way cool. So many of the parts these days are "drop-in" and I have always thought that if you could detail strip a 1911 and put it back together, you could build a pretty darn nice 1911 for yourself using these aftermarket parts. You are proving the point. Congrats on a cool project. I have always wanted to do what you have done. Now that I am seeing more and more people do it, I might just do it myself one of these days.

You gotta post pics when you get it back.

Nala

[CougarRed]

Originally posted by Nalapombu
Let me see if I have this right. You joined a group and paid $550 for parts that were prepped by Jacobsen for you to put in your Springer. To aid you he also sent you a video that shows you how to detail strip a 1911 and re-assemble it. Do I have the basics down?

If you didn't have any more help or instruction that that, I will be interested in seeing and hearing about the final piece.

I am not in any way being negative, I think it is way cool. So many of the parts these days are "drop-in" and I have always thought that if you could detail strip a 1911 and put it back together, you could build a pretty darn nice 1911 for yourself using these aftermarket parts. You are proving the point. Congrats on a cool project. I have always wanted to do what you have done. Now that I am seeing more and more people do it, I might just do it myself one of these days.

You gotta post pics when you get it back.

Nala

Nala

You basically got it. In addition to Teddy's video, I got Steve Camp's book "Shooter's Guide to the 1911 Pattern Pistol" to help me. Also, if there are any problems, Teddy will help you as a part of the package.

My piece ran 100% after the project. Haven't shot it since I sent it to Briley however.

Teddy and Steve are starting a new project if you are interested.

PS Not all so-called "drop in" parts actually drop in for every make and model. Teddy spends a lot of time shaping the new parts to fit the Springfield GI.

[pangris]

Rarely - if ever - does something worth having in a custom 1911 "drop in". Teddys trigger work is indeed excellent.

[cliffy109]

Originally posted by DiverDn
I just got a Colt back from Vanden Berg Customs and like it a lot.

How was the video from Teddy? I've been reading his blogs and he makes a lot of sense in his approach to self defense and 1911's.
DD

Ed does a really nice job and does it fast. I had him work over a 1911 last summer and I was very happy with the results.

[cnutinsky]

would you post an email address or a means of contacting Mr. Jacobson and Camp regarding their upcoming project?

Thanks


Charles

[CougarRed]

Here is Teddy's website

www.actionsbyt.com

From the website, you can go to his blog (click on "must read comments") where there is more info on the Project.