Help me with my 1911 project

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

Guys,

I have a series 70 1911 that I am about to ship to Novak's for a custom job. I will post the results of this little project here. I want to hear from you guys on what you think I should have done. This is a carry handgun, with function being the foremost consideration. Here are my thoughts...

1. Novak Answer. This I am 50/50 on.
2. Dehorn
3. Checkering
4. lower and flare ejection port
5. Novak solid rear, trit front
6. 10-8/vickers trigger
7. Solder on plunger
8 reliability job
9. Reblue or black-t



Gimmie your thoughts.

[dojpros]

1. Novak Answer. I know no one who has one and of the top four guys i shoot with on a weekly basis, they own 60 1911s between them and have been to Gunsite/Thunder Ranch 40 between them. Not one of those guys has the answer. The lawyer in me says no re disabling a safety system

2. Dehorn
Yes, but a B priority if budget is any consideration.


3. Checkering
Yes, you might also consder stippling

4. lower and flare ejection port
Yes

5. Novak solid rear, trit front
Absolutely an A priority to have sights you can see.

6. 10-8/vickers trigger
Yes, any quality trigger in a length you like is a good thing.

7. Solder on plunger
Yes, particularly if you are going to shoot it alot


8 reliability job

An A+ priority is reliability

9. Reblue or black-t
Black T if you are going to carry and shoot. This could add time to the job as Black T is done by Birdsong outside then Novak shop.

YMMV

[JSandi]

This is a carry handgun, with function being the foremost consideration.

Easy, trade the Colt in on an H&K45C

[Sam]

Easy, trade the Colt in on an H&K45C

He's got a full size HK45.

Greg:
If you ask 10 people, they'll come up with 10 totally different guns. Build what you like and enjoy it.

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

Sam,

Your Vickers 1911, how is it without the beavertail?


BTW, ignore JS, he is a well-meaning goofus.

[Sam]

Sam,

Your Vickers 1911, how is it without the beavertail?


.

Greg:

Larry dehorned the grip frame area and the grip safety, so the gun is comfortable to shoot. The frame/safety/hammer on this gun doesn't bite my hand. I've shot it in a few classes.

Good luck.

[John_Wayne777]

This is a carry handgun, with function being the foremost consideration. Here are my thoughts...

I'm not a 1911 guru (there are several here) but I'll tell you what I think based on my experience with the 1911:

1. Novak Answer. This I am 50/50 on.

I wouldn't ever have a modification done that disables the grip safety on the 1911 unless I was just completely unable to de-activate it under stress and I was forced to carry the 1911 as my sidearm.

2. Dehorn

Nice, but not necessary. I've carried non de-horned 1911's for a long time without issue. If you use the right holster they are comfortable. If budget is a concern, skip the dehorning.

3. Checkering

Skip it. My pet 1911 has a checkered front strap and I loathe it. It doesn't really help you to hold on to a weapon, but it will serve to shred your skin if you take the 1911 through a training course that you fire at least 500 rounds in.

4. lower and flare ejection port

A good idea.

5. Novak solid rear, trit front

I'm not fond of Novak's rear sights. They are next to useless for one handed malfunction clearance, and I think their notch is too narrow. My pet 1911 has the Novaks, but I'd prefer something different.

6. 10-8/vickers trigger

If it's the right length for you, it sounds like a good option.

7. Solder on plunger

I've not had a properly staked plunger tube come loose on me, but that's just my experience with a relatively small sample size.

8 reliability job

Cheap insurance....but if you have a load that you want to use in the weapon I'd suggest letting the folks you are paying to work on the gun know.

9. Reblue or black-t

I prefer bluing, myself....simply because it's an easy finish to have done over again. If corrosion protection is important to you, go with the black-T finish.

[the1911fan]

Guys,

I have a series 70 1911 that I am about to ship to Novak's for a custom job. I will post the results of this little project here. I want to hear from you guys on what you think I should have done. This is a carry handgun, with function being the foremost consideration. Here are my thoughts...

1. Novak Answer. This I am 50/50 on.
2. Dehorn
3. Checkering
4. lower and flare ejection port
5. Novak solid rear, trit front
6. 10-8/vickers trigger
7. Solder on plunger
8 reliability job
9. Reblue or black-t



Gimmie your thoughts.

I'd get Novaks Bureau Pkg. and get the fronstrap stippled instead of checkered (little less $$ and easier on the hands) and plain rear sight instead of night sight rear (should be a little less $$). I'd pass on the Answer.

http://www.novaksights.com/novak_cus...1911_FBI_Spec_

[Perryguy]

If you are going to go with checkering on the front strap and mainspring housing, try and hold a few with different lpi's. I happen to like 20 lpi checkering but some people find it to aggresive (read painful with prolonged shooting!).

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

I run 25 dpi on my current one and it is pretty rough.