Mil-Spec Upgrades
 

I am planning some upgrades for my first and only (so far) 1911.Heres my list:
Ext.Thumb Safety
Ext. Beavertail
Ext.Slide Release
Ext.Mag Release
Commander (skeleton) Hammer
Three Hole Match Trigger
Flat RMH (checkered)
Carry Bevel
This will be my primary HD/CCW gun.Any other suggestions ? Anything on my list not a good idea for a defensive 1911 ? Any other internal parts I should upgrade ?

ETA: Are any of these parts "drop in" that I could change myself ?

The internals are fine as is. I would forego the 3-hole match trigger and get a simple trigger but get a good trigger job (unless you plan on competing). I am not a big fan of 'extended' this-and-that as this stuff can get caught on clothes, etc., but if you have small hands or like it, then go for it. I would ship the slide off for new sights. Otherwise I think you are good to go.

extended mag release, if too long, could release the mag while you are CC'n....

Think I might scratch the ext. controls.I definately want the beavertail though, to mate with the hammer.I also need a longer trigger.The factory one is a bit short for my reach.I just like the look of the three hole.Is there a better choice for a combat gun ?

Just curious, with the initial cost of the 1911, and, after getting all the customized parts put on, what will you be looking at having invested into this 1911? I know it's what you want, and, like you, would do the very same upgrades!

Are you sending it to Springfield Custom?

recently upgraded my GI with a Wilson commander beavertail(drop-in/minor fitting required).
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...on/Ebay554.jpg
Colt stubby thumb safety/ colt slide stop/ Colt extractor/ Fusion extended ejector/Fusion full profile FP stop/ commander hammer/ serrated arched aluminum MSH/solid long aluminum trigger/Les Baer bushing/Kimber match barrel

Very nicely done!!! Did you do the work yourself or send it to a gunsmith?

thanks for the kind words...
mostly DIY...the only exception was the ejection port lowering(out-sourced to a gunsmith buddy).... less than $300 invested in parts excluding tax of course.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...on/Ebay556.jpg

Don't have an exact cost on the upgrades yet.I would estimate around $1000 when all said and done.

Maybe...I am also looking into having it done by a "friend of a friend" who happens to work at Wilson Combat.

That looks sharp....:thumbsup:

^thank you very much^

FWIW, it´s a waste of time & money to do this as you´d be dollars & ¨sense¨ ahead to just buy a 1911 with the options you want. Sell the gun and buy what you want. :wavey:

Kind of what I was getting at. From your response, you will have 1K into it, and not have a fitted match grade barrel and bushing. With those upgrades, you'd be looking around $1300. $1300 will buy quite a few really nice 1911's. How about it BAC, show him what 1300 will get him in a Kimber, or Springfield. If you have pics?:supergrin:

Now if you are doing the installation, yourself, the learning experience is well worth the investment!:cool: If you are paying someone else, just pay for the upgrades right away.

Something a few of those that are offering advice are missing,.....budget!

A new 1911 shooter may be on a budget. He may want certain options,
he may not care for any of the pre-packaged models or want to spend $3k

Sure, this makes financial sense. But maybe the OP wants his gun his way, maybe he has a limited budget and can only do so many things at a time. My upgraded and customized Mil-Spec is unique, and I have been offered more money (to sell) than the sum of its parts are worth. As for a 'match-grade' barrel and bushing, that's one of those things that if you like it, hey, that's good, but for carry and 'combat' reliability and accuracy doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

I would love to buy a Wilson or Ed Brown already set up the way I want it.Unfortunately, that is not an option for me at the present time.I am on a very,very limited gun budget.I will probably end up doing what I can myself, as far as upgrades.I thought about buying a S/A Loaded, which has most of the features I want in a 1911.However there are other things I don't like about the Loaded,like the front slide serrations as well as the size of the serrations.The Mil-Spec is what I feel a true 1911 should be.It just needs a few things to get it to where I want it to be.Then I will have *my 1911*,the way I want it.
Thanks for all the input and advice.

Well, I detail stripped my frame today.Watched a good "how to" video as I did it.Pretty simple,just more parts than my Glocks.Just got it back together.Seems to function fine.Will have to take it to the range to find out for sure.
I found a drop in beavertail,so I think I can do most of what I want done myself and save about $400 in labor.Plus I get to enjoy doing it myself...:cool:

Good job. My Wilson "drop in" was anything but, had to have a gunsmith fit it.

"Seems to function fine", the same gunsmith told me about shop test firing: make sure it is unloaded, cock it, drop a pencil (eraser first) down the barrel, with the gun pointing up (and head back!) pull the trigger - if everything is as it should be the pencil flies/fires out a ways.

Enjoy it, love my 1927 Sistema - chambers an empty cardridge!

zdragon23c, agreed great work. Side question, who made your clip holder? I've been looking for something like that, small and easily concealed.

Carl Collins
http://www.ccholsters.com/products.php

i'd get rid of those in red.

if you get something other than a spur hammer, you will need a new beavertail. SA uses a different beavertail cut (.220" vs .250"). i think S&A are the only ones that have drop-in beavertails with this cut.

getting a new hammer, you might as well buy a trigger kit to your liking, which will clean up the trigger pull

trigger is your choice. i prefer flat triggers over curved trigger now.

Get the Jerry Kuhnhausen manual and it should cover the parts that you want to install.

That's awesome! I've never seen it though! Money put in for custom work on a bottom tier 1911 in my area, never, never, brings in the same money as the more upper tier do of the same firearm line, Be it Springfield, Kimber, or Colt. Plus the fact if you let's say take a milspec, build it with all the bells and whistles to the Springfield top of the line, you will have more money spent than just buying the top of the line out right. If course like I mentioned, if one were to do the upgrades themselves, there would definitely have the pride of accomplishment in their build, but financially, like you said makes no sense. As does paying a gunsmith do add the bells and whistles. Financially anyway!

I feel the same way. I thinking of snagging a SA Mil-Spec and simply installing a long trigger, spurred hammer and new sights. The front serrations on everything these days just doesn't do it for me. I am also thinking of doing the work myself, but have never done anything more than drop-in Glock parts before.

I agree that money spent on customizing a pistol is money you will never see in resale. I've spent maybe $7000 on my 2008 Dodge Hemi Charger adding tons of naturally aspirated power. I know full well I'll never see it back at resale and that it may well be a turn off to many buyers. I think the same is true with pistols. Personally, I avoid pistols other folks have had work done on, other than sights, finish or minor stuff. Good luck and keep us posted.

So, If I ordered a replacement beavertail for a S/A Loaded it should drop right in ?

kinda, you will still probably have to file the tang for the trigger block.

i'm also not sure if the frame tangs are the same from the mil-spec to Loaded

here's some reading on a mil-spec upgrade.

http://anarchangel.blogspot.com/2007...spec-1911.html

and somethign on the SA beavertails
http://www.harrisoncustom.com/TextDesc/Beavertail.htm