1911 Upgrade Suggestions

[Jim Watson]

OP says: "It's a range gun. I also use it for a bowling pin speed competition shoot"

I am not real clear what a "range gun" is. I do all my shooting on ranges because I am not SWAT or SEAL and certainly hope I do not have to do any shooting at home or on the Mean Streets. But I shoot everything from a pocket pistol to a tricked out match gun... on the range.

My main holster carry gun is a Colt Commander. It has the old King Hardball fixed sights, a "duty trigger job", and a widened barrel ramp to feed hollowpoints. I feel the lack of a beavertail grip safety when I practice too much.

One of my best "range guns" (IDPA competition) is a Colt 1991A1. It has the old King National Match fixed sights, a snug fitted barrel bushing, a target trigger job, a tall magazine catch, a long thumb safety, a beavertail grip safety, and a magazine well funnel. All of which contribute to match scores, but not what I would want to hump all day.

 

[pilpens]

Let the purpose dictate what mods to make.
An "improvement" on a range/competition pistol maybe a "detriment" on an SD/HD pistol.

 

[rodfac]

Tirod, excellent post....one and all points well considered and presented. Nicely done, Sir. Best Regards, Rod

 

[WVsig]

I am not real clear what a "range gun" is. I do all my shooting on ranges because I am not SWAT or SEAL and certainly hope I do not have to do any shooting at home or on the Mean Streets. But I shoot everything from a pocket pistol to a tricked out match gun... on the range.

I take that to mean it is not intended to be a self defense weapon. I have plenty of guns that would fall under that category. With some of them that mean I can tweak them in a way that would not be suitable for self defense.

tirod nice long post but it really did not relate to the OPs question. He is looking to improve his gun for this purpose.

It's a range gun. I also use it for a bowling pin speed competition shoot we have at the range I go to

No one but you are making a leap to defensive use of this gun or that competition modifications are good for self defense guns.

To the OP how is the Bowling Pin gun game you are playing setup? Where is the gun slowing you down during this competition? If you can identify what you are looking to improve in terms of performance the recommendations will be more on target IMHO.

 

[45Gunner]

Another thing you can do is experiment with recoil springs. After shooting a 1911 for 5 or 600 rounds, I develop a "feel" for the gun. I keep a supply of 1911 recoil springs on hand with different tensions. I will try an 18 lb. spring for a 100 or so rounds to see how the gun cycles. Then I might try an 18.5 lb. spring and decide which one I like better. If I am not happy with either, I will go back to the factory spring, usually 16 lb.

Recoil springs are one of the cheapest things you can buy to keep the 1911 running like new. I know some of you will not agree with me but I like to change my recoil springs every 3000 rounds. Yes, I know, it may be overkill but at $7, who cares? I have a Colt 1911 which was the first civilian gun I ever bought. Back in those days I knew next to nothing other than how to pull the trigger and clean the gun. I must have put about 50,000 rounds thru the gun when one day a friend asked me if I ever changed the recoil and firing pin spring? What? I had no idea. I did it and got my "new" gun back. Still have that gun and has lots of rounds, several night sight changes, a new trigger/hammer, and a new barrel with barrel bushing.

 

[Big Shrek]

Used for Range Gun & Bowling Pin speed comp...

Well, that makes it simple...GRIPS.
Pachmyer & Hogue make some great ones for soaking up recoil,
which also make it MUCH more comfortable to shoot.

If you want to do overlength grips with a magwell funnel, so much the better

That's kind of it...unless you feel like Cerakote in your favorite football team's colors

 

[849ACSO]

Maybe a magwell

^^^^This^^^^^

Smith and Alexander MSH with funnel bottom. Have one on ever 1911 I own. It's a must for me, and make reloads SO MUCH EASIER and FASTER. YMMV.

 

[michael t]

When comes to 1911's best is KISS If you don't know means . Its

Keep It Simple Stupid You have sight and trigger maybe grips yet other wise if working leave it alone. To many good 1911 are messed up by the desire to change when not needed.