1911 Upgrade

[Teg]

I purchased this basic Rock Island Government Model 1911 a while back and I have decided to slowly make some upgrades as I get the urge and the cash. The pics below just show the Simonich Gunner Grips (http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=22397/sku=100-002-451/Product/Gunner-Grip-Coyote-Brown), but I have also installed a Wilson Shok-Buff Recoil System (http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=16405/sku=965-064-045/Product/Recoil-System-Govt-Gold-Cup-45-ACP), which feels nice, so far. I'll try and post updates as I go along, new sights or hammer will likely be my next upgrade.

Teg
:yes4:

Plain Jane, but shoots dead accurate and never jams on any type of ammo.
https://cache.nebula.phx3.secureserver.net/obj/QUI5MzAzOTlBN0QzRDA5MDFEMkI6NzljM2Q0OWMxN2VkMmFlZj U2NGRiN2FlODNjN2M1YmI=?u=ae92d94f-3018-4933-9f24-210379390f2d

The Grips.
https://cache.nebula.phx3.secureserver.net/obj/QUI5MzAzOTlBN0QzRDA5MDFEMkI6NjA0MDBiMmNmM2NiYWUwMW RkMjIxNjM5ZTk3OGYyMGQ=?u=cf92a774-d833-420e-ba9a-1e9d07ea9c9d

1911 with the new grips.
https://cache.nebula.phx3.secureserver.net/obj/QUI5MzAzOTlBN0QzRDA5MDFEMkI6ZDQzZGJkZjkxYTBkMDgyZG FjNzUxNDliZDhlYmU3NWY=?u=283b3f0f-9d49-4970-b3ab-29dfbd781462

[Wyobuckaroo]

Neat project........

Keep updating.

Enjoy

[Teg]

Thanks and will do, figure since the pistol only set me back $350 new it gave me some wiggle room to make it how I wanted. Already have a few more drop-in parts on the way, going to wait till I get to Arkansas to send my slide off to Novak for sight fitting. :)

Teg

[rice paddy daddy]

Yep, that's what I've got also. They are good pistols. Mine even feeds the aluminum CCI Blazers, which have been known to choke my old Colt 70 Series.
You can not go wrong with a RIA plain USGI type pistol.
I'd love to have one of their 38 Supers, but that would require selling a gun to get the cash.

[Teg]

I've been looking at one of their Hi Capacity models over at Centerfiresystems as a future purchase but that will be a ways down the road and have to do some saving for it, their guns are solid. :)

[docsoos]

Good-lookin' 1911, Teg.....Reminds me of the old Norinco 1911 copies in the late 80's/early 90's....25% of the price of a new Colt, but functioned well, and had good steel in them.

The Wilson Shok-Buff system works great from keeping the slide battering the frame, especially if you use hot loads.....just remember to replace the buff disk every 500-1000 rounds, and you'll be good to go.

Might wanna get a Spring Kit, with different-weight recoil springs, to tailor the slide movement to the intensity of the loads....shooting light, semi-wadcutter lead pills with a 12 pound spring is a JOY to shoot!

DocSoos

[Teg]

Thanks, i had on of those Norincos back in the day and they were decent guns, these are a touch better made in my opinion, but the base models are compareable. Take a look over at centerfiresystems.com they have the entire line for sale. Looking around and i haven't gotten around to verifying, bu supposedly they still use the old Colt dies from back in the 40's or at least copies of them, solid weapons no matter how they do it. :)

Teg
:yes4:

[Teg]

Held one of the Sig Sauer 1911 Scorpions (http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/1911-scorpion.aspx) at my local Gunstore the other day, amazing feel, balanced, spendy though the one I saw was on sale at $800, MSRP is like $1100, but its on my long term list now as well. :wink: If you get a chance just give one a feel.

Teg
:yes4:

http://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/catalog/product/1911-Scorpion-Detail-Hero.jpg

http://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/catalog/product/1911-Scorpion-Detail-R.jpg

[Mad_Professor]

First thing I got for my SA 1911 was a match barrel bushing

[Teg]

First thing I got for my SA 1911 was a match barrel bushing

I have a melt bushing en-route at the moment along with and extended slide release, had to order a new bushing wrench as well.

Teg

[Teg]

Well the Melt Bushing will have to wait as it needs a bit of machining, but I did add a Wilson Extended Slide Release (http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=16468/sku=965-601-045/Product/Blue-Ext-Slide-Release), took some trimming of the left grip, but a little file work and sand paper and it looks like they came that way, I'll get a pic of it soon.

[Theyeti]

I love RIA 1911's. Good pistol for the money.

[navy87guy]

I also picked up a RIA 1911 as a project gun a couple of years ago. I wanted something I could afford to work on and screw up. For $300, it was a better option than messing around with a $900 Springer!

Here's a link to my gun -- and the work I've done it:
http://home.comcast.net/~navy87guy/home/RIA45.html

Jim

[Teg]

I also picked up a RIA 1911 as a project gun a couple of years ago. I wanted something I could afford to work on and screw up. For $300, it was a better option than messing around with a $900 Springer!

Here's a link to my gun -- and the work I've done it:
http://home.comcast.net/~navy87guy/home/RIA45.html

Jim

Nice, a bit further along than mine. I have to get the sights done and a few other bits on my list to pick up, then as a final touch I am thinking of doing a dehorn and a Cerakote (http://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/) finish when I am done, I think that will give it a nice look if I get the small bits done in a contrasting color.

Teg

[Pitdog]

I'll try to post a pic over the weekend.

Here's what I did to mine-

Corrected slide to frame fit
Polished all applicable surfaces to a white stone
Fitted Kart barrel, welded up the hood and fit it to the slide
Opened up ejection port and extended the flare
Wilson Sights
Cut front slide serrations
Beavertail Grip Safety installed and fitted
Extended safety
Extended slide release
Fitted barrel link
Shok buff kit
Ramped and throated
Wilson Trigger/Sear
Wilson Hammer
Parkerized
Green/Black Brownell's Moly Coat