1911 Modification $'s

C

Combat45

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I have picked up a Springfield Armory 1911-A1. The trigger pulls at 7 1/2# and the accuracy is nowhere near say an HK Tactical. For under $200 what are the best modifications to have done (I'm thinking trigger job is #1)? And along the same line should I let the local gunsmith do the work or send it in to a Wilson or someone?
 
my 2 cents is that the first $200 chould be spent almost entirely on reliability. make sure that the weapon chambers and ejects reliably. Next, trigger. I'm a fan of oversized safeties, but this is a personal preference.
you might consider a set of combat sights, tritium or otherwise.
you might prefer another grip as well, or a bevel on the mag well.

(or you could sell it and buy a Glock, Sig, HK, etc.... hehehehe... just kidding)
 
You can get a trigger job done for anywheres from 50 to a hundred bucks at a local shop. As for local shops - you can find gunsmiths how are total hacks, or ARTISTS. I found a shop in the same block I am on... and this guy is AWESOME. He works on AR15s mostly from the looks of it - but he has a following of IDPA and IPSC shooters who bring him 1911 type guns all the time. He is fast, and his charges are surprisingly reasonable - I'ld hate to call him cheap... but your not going to have to spend a lot of money with him. I don't see why I would send my gun all the way to Wilson's when there are good guys in your area who could use your business... and I am sure you can find one who can do every thing a Wilson Combat can do. Throat and Polish the feed ramp, Polish rails, Trigger Job... all common smith jobs. What does your gun need worse?
 
I would have to agree with Rob about first things first. Ensure the reliable function. The second would be the trigger followed by a match grade bushing (gunsmith fit, not drop in) and a Wilson full length guide rod with group gripper. With consistent lock up provided by the bushing and the group gripper and a 4 to 5 lb. trigger your 1911 can't help but be an accurate pistol. George
 
Thank you for your input. I've learned (the hard way) to ask and listen before plunking down $'s for things that won't help in the end.
 
wilson combat is fine. i always get my parts there. i would just accurize it and make it more reliable/durable. for me a nononsense 1911 is just fine.
 
Reliability: $100 or under (get a new extractor)
Trigger: $100
Re-crown the muzzle: $15

That's the important stuff. Just make sure a real pistolsmith does the work & not some hack.
 
To help you find a smith that knows what he/she (there are some good female 1911smiths out there), why don't you attend an IPSC or IDPA match or two. Then ask the shooters about the smiths that did their pistol work.
 
7 # trigger? geez thats a heavy pull aren't the springfields suppose to be 5#?

have you thought about a cylinder and slide drop in trigger job? really easy to do if you have a book.
 
One more option that I have heard good things about is the Springfield Custom Shop... They can do all the things that have been suggested... and it would all be covered by their lifetime warranty, should you have problems later on.
 
I believe we now have a new record for the oldest thread dredged up from the bottom of the TFL bucket (about 4 years). FWIW, Combat45 hasn't even visited TFL for about 2 years. So I don't think any advice to him/her is going to do any good.
 
Trigger job, throat and polish job and tension your extractor (or replace it) for reliability and have the barrel crowned. If you have money left over or are willing to go a few more $$$, have a barrel bushing fitted to the gun.

Wow! Exactly what Sean said. :D
 
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