What First improvements to a 1911.

[codman]

Ok so i have a bone stock 1911 made by autoordnance, I'm looking to add some new parts to it to make it a better shooter and fuction faster than stock. Right now its in original GI look,feel, and built. Id' like to get a new grip safety with a bigger beavertail so i dont get any hammer slap. I was looking to do either STI or Wilson parts. I would like to do something with the trigger and hammer. Was looking at a Skeleton style hammer to be snappierand not to sure what i would want for a clean light but match style trigger. Any help from you 1911 Guru's would be great and any links to info on the above mentioned would help me out.

Thank you

Dan

[Buck]

The parts that you are thinking of will cost more than the value of your pistol... I would enjoy it as is and if you decide you want something "more" then look into upgrading the entire pistol...

Just my .02

B

[the1911fan]

Wilson Grip safety, C&S Tactical Match ignition kit, and a Nowlin trigger

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...0GRIP%20SAFETY

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...&s=12766#12766


http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...IGHT%20TRIGGER

and don't forget the fitting jig
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...0FITTING%20JIG

you'll need a new thumb safety also

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...THUMB%20SAFETY


If you did the work yourself the money into it would be about $260, if you had a smith do it add anywhere from $200-$275.00 for installation/fitting

[Littlelebowski]

Some decent sights and 1K rounds of practice. That's it.

[Business_Casual]

Awesome grips with the Punisher logo!

M_P

[markm]

The parts that you are thinking of will cost more than the value of your pistol... I would enjoy it as is and if you decide you want something "more" then look into upgrading the entire pistol...

Just my .02

B

Exactamundo! Don't get sucked into the "I know I can get this 1911 to run" trap.

I'd love to have all the money I wasted on the 1911 platform back.

[Adam_s]

If you have an AutoOrdinance 1911, my advice would be to take the money you would spend on quality parts, and the smith to fit them ("drop in" is a cruel 1911 inside joke), and get a 1911 from a quality name (Springfield Armory, Dan Wesson, Colt before you get to the bigger name semi-customs).

Just my $0.02...take it as you will.
-Adam

[the1911fan]

("drop in" is a cruel 1911 inside joke),
.
-Adam

Not really, all the parts that call themselves "drop in" always add the caveat that some fitting may be required. It is not all that difficult if you have Kunhausen manuals or the basic Colt "O" frame armorers manual, Blindhogg has internet site that has excellent info on 1911 smithing http://www.blindhogg.com/

I would agree that having a smith do the work on your AO is financially questionable but if you plan on keeping the gun forever what does it matter. It is a great platform to learn on and the work you are contemplating is not that difficult to do.

The C&S kit for example is mated (Sear, Hammer, and Disconnector) for a safe 4.5 Lbs. trigger pull, unless you truely know what you're doing you have no business messing with the hammer hooks or a secondary angle on the sear.

Fitting a thumb safety is not difficult but it is extremely important to do it correctly. Anyone that learns a new skill has to start somewhere, some spend $3000 and learn from Larry Vickers or C&S or Bob Rogers at one of their 1911 builder classes.
Some learn by studying what is available on the topic and working on a gun to apply what they have learned..you will make mistakes from time to time and you may ruin a part or three. The thing to always be kept in mind is the proper function and safety checks after doing ANY modifications to ANY gun.

[Littlelebowski]

Why not just shoot it and then see?

[Ghostface03]

Some decent sights and 1K rounds of practice. That's it.

+1 Break that sucker in good, then see what you feel would be an improvement.
Oh and I am sure others along with myself would not be turned off if you were to offer a pic. Never get tired of looking at 1911s.