colt 1991

[Tom68]

Yeah, but I wonder how much sanding would be required to remove it altogether and would it compromise the strength of the slide in doing so?

Love those polished flats, by the way!

 

[1969Colt1911]

See in my thinking that's messed up. If the gun goes bang and you can hit target everytime, why is markings so important? I never understood the new world order to change things. Even though they look fine and function well.

 

[1969Colt1911]

Rick B, why does it look like the grip safety is flat on backstrap? Like no spring, just curious.

 

[turkeestalker]

I bought one earlier this year as a gift for my son. Initially I was more than disappointed in the trigger itself, but the pistol overall is beautifully stout.

I replaced the trigger which helped and after a good deal of research, took some steps (read-kitchen table gun smith trigger job) to improve it a bit more. End result is that I like it better than my Kimbers and am going to have to get one for myself eventually.

 

[RickB]

Rick B, why does it look like the grip safety is flat on backstrap? Like no spring, just curious.

Because it is "pinned" in the depressed, disengaged position.

 

[qwiksdraw]

Because it is "pinned" in the depressed, disengaged position.

You don't use that pistol as a carry weapon, do you?

 

[WC145]

You don't use that pistol as a carry weapon, do you?

Why wouldn't he? It would be just like carrying a Hi Power.

I have a billboard rollmarked Commander that I bought new in 1996 and has been rock solid for me, although I probably have only a few thousand rounds through it. Anyone who has followed my thread on the BHP knows that I'm not very trigger sensitive... but I can definitely feel a difference on the 1991, and not in a good way. I have a SIG Scorpion that blows it away.

I was referring to guns that had had action jobs - worked S80 actions can be made to feel just as good as worked S70 actions - if done right.
The ORM 1991A1s were Colt's economy offering at the time, I wouldn't expect much out of the stock trigger pull.

Yeah, but I wonder how much sanding would be required to remove it altogether and would it compromise the strength of the slide in doing so?

The rollmarks aren't particularly deep, they can be removed without compromising the integrity of the slide. I've had them shaved off the slides on two of mine.

 

[AZGlock13]

WC145,

The custom finish and work you had done to those two Colt 1991s is just fantastic and gorgeous! I'm blown away. Who did the work? That had to cost you a pretty pennny for sure.

AZGlock13

 

[qwiksdraw]

Why wouldn't he? It would be just like carrying a Hi Power.

A Hi-Power trigger is a different design with trigger pull weight at 7.5 lbs and its original design/manufacture did not include a grip safety.

If you ever use a pistol with a by-passed safety, it's going to be tough justifying that modification in front of a jury who likely knows little about guns.

 

[RickB]

If I crash my car into someone in traffic, is anyone going to care if my parking brake works?

 

[WC145]

WC145,

The custom finish and work you had done to those two Colt 1991s is just fantastic and gorgeous! I'm blown away. Who did the work? That had to cost you a pretty pennny for sure.

AZGlock13

Thanks. The first one is a Clark Meltdown Colt 1991A1 Compact, the polish, bluing, checkering, and barrel crown were done by Dietrich Gunsmithy in Otis, ME when they refinished it for me a few years ago.

The second is a full size 1991A1 .38 Super, which also has 9mm and 9x23 Winchester barrels fitted to it. It is a full build, also done by Robin Dietrich at Dietrich Gunsmithy. He did everything on the gun except the finish, which is Ionbond DLC.

A Hi-Power trigger is a different design with trigger pull weight at 7.5 lbs and its original design/manufacture did not include a grip safety.

If you ever use a pistol with a by-passed safety, it's going to be tough justifying that modification in front of a jury who likely knows little about guns.

My obvious point was that the 1911 with the pinned grip safety would function like a Hi Power, with only a thumb safety. And, easily a third of a Hi Powers trigger pull weight comes from the magazine disconnect, the removal of which is a common modification.

The only time I can see the removal or intentionally disconnecting or bypassing a safety becoming an issue would be in the case of a negligent discharge where the removal or bypassing of the safety in question played a role in the discharge of the weapon. Like the removal of the magazine disconnect from a Hi Power, I have yet to see or hear of any case where a pinned grip safety on a 1911 has played a part in a case against anyone.

 

[qwiksdraw]

Modifying your pistol is pretty cool especially for accuracy shooting, competition shooting, hunting, etc or just because you want to. Licensed carry guns with modifications come with some potential risk and it's up to you to decide if it is worth the risk. If you use a handgun to protect yourself, even if you are justified, you are likely to defend yourself in court as well.

Guns with by-passed safeties and and lightened triggers are more the exception than the rule, so that could explain why there may or may not be no lawsuits involving them. However, a modified gun for legal carry is putting yourself at unnecessary risk. Modern handguns will do the job it needs to do, you'll have enough trouble justifying why you had to shoot the pistol at all.

Over the past few years I have taken a lot of defensive pistol training and every time the instructors said modifying safeties, triggers, etc is not a good idea. It is best to keep you carry gun in its original condition. So this opinion is not just mine, but of other more experienced and knowledgeable people.

Here is some more information:

https://www.uslawshield.com/legal-risks-of-modifying-your-trigger-pull/

https://www.armedcitizensnetwork.org/gun-modifications

https://americanhandgunner.com/understanding-hair-trigger-issues/

http://www.usafirearmtraining.com/safety/should-you-modify-your-trigger-on-your-carry-gun/

...I have yet to see or hear of any case where a pinned grip safety on a 1911 has played a part in a case against anyone....

I am talking about modification to the operation of the gun that affect the shooters performance, so that would include by-passing safeties and lightening triggers. Just because something hasn't happened doesn't mean it's not going to happen. Given the intensity of gun issues and the vultures in the legal system, I will advise anyone to keep the gun stock. Instead of pinning a 1911, carry a pistol that doesn't have a grip safety.

As we all know, the best way to win a gun fight is to avoid it. Logically, the best way to win a lawsuit is to avoid being sued.

 

[vba]

Back to the OP. I own both an ORM and New Roll Mark 1991A1, both full size and would highly recommend either.

My ORM was bought in the 90's and I have done some simple mods to it. They are new aluminum trigger, steel flat mainspring housing, fitted Wilson barrel bushing, fitted EGW flat bottom firing pin stop and a Wilson barrel link to make lock up tighter.

This gun is very accurate and reliable with I don't know how many thousands of rounds. It is my Fall and Winter carry gun.

 

[45Gunner]

Bought my Colt 1991 way, way back. Over time I changed to a skeleton trigger, nice beavertail, different hammer and installed night sights. It is one heck of a great gun...extremely reliable. Only advise I can really offer is every time the recoil spring is changed, the firing pin spring should also be changed. Nothing worse than hearing a click immediately after the trigger is pressed.

 

[michael t]

Pinning of grip safety is a old and common mod on 1911. So was use of rubber bands or tape. As I remember the "God of 1911's" J. Cooper had his grip safety pinned. A lot of people had trouble pushing that safety down with their grip.
Extended slide release . Gee I have a 1911 that came with one . So I could do a faster reload . My self I don't like them.

I have a old Detonics Combat Master . 1st of the chopped down 1911's This was made to conceal and carry self defense . Loved by CIA and other so called professionals back then. Should I go to jail because .I carried a gun . That was designed to be carried and shoot people . I mean its not a target pistol .

Its my pistol and I will carry it and change what I need to change, if any thing .



I will be judged on the .Did I have a right to shoot and protect myself. Not did I paint my sight so I could kill the guy with less shots. Or some other made up reasoning .

 

[dakota1911]

Have several and love them. Below my 2013 in 38 Super which I bought some new stocks from Altamont for.



By the way I also got one of the new Series 70 Gold Cups last year and it has been great. Below it is under my 79 Gold Cup which I bought new in 79.

 

[doctor j]

My 1991 is the 5" model, matte blue finish with BILLBOARD roll marks. Butt ugly. Shoots great, no problems. My primary 45 ACP carry gun. I love it. Bought it new many years ago.

 

[dahermit]

Re: Pinned grip safety.

If I crash my car into someone in traffic, is anyone going to care if my parking brake works?

Out of curiosity, did you pin your grip safety because you experienced a problem with it or just to preclude a possible event? I am asking because, although I have heard of people who had problems with grip safety creating a problem, I have never had a problem with a 1011 grip safety...for my hands, it is as if there is no grip safety, it is completely benign. But then, the standard G.I. "horn" on the grip safety has never caused me any hammer bite either. So, was it a problem, or just, "in case"?

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I believe none other than Colonel Jeff Cooper himself advocated pinning the grip safeties on 1911s, and I believe I read in at least one of his books that his own carry 1911 had a pinned safety.

That doesn't mean it's a good idea to do so, it just means that doing so had an influential advocate. Mine are not pinned, and will not be pinned (at least, not by or for me).