To WVSig. I actually really like the pull my stock ignition parts give me. Its the "MIM" thing I was trying to get away from, I have already purchased a few sears and hammers and DISCONNECTORS to work on my self the Harrison kit I was going to drop in and see how it functions then go from there, along with the sear spring he sells on his website. I am only looking for a 4-5lb trigger pull because this is my EDC. I want high quality in everything I do as far as hobbies go especially the one that could save my life some day, god forbid that situation ever come about. I would take that class but am thinking of taking Larry Vicker's class if he even still does it. I have taken the Rifle Dynamics Ak class but already knew how to build those, but I did learn a lot and it was worth every penny.
Yes I am going to be a gunsmith someday soon, have been building and working on my own guns ever since I could pull a trigger. I seem to be bugging some of you with my continuous questions and some seem to understand me a little better. I mean well I am just seeking information from real people who have been there and have done that. I am the kinda guy who HAS to do it himself first-maybe many times, just to learn the HOW-TO. This forum has been of great help and is probably one of the best out there. The b.s. is minimal if at all here and I like it.
I am not trying to be rude but if you have no formal training, no certification, no apprenticeship etc... how are you going to justify calling yourself a gunsmith? Tinkering on your own guns is not the same as being a smith. You say you want high quality everything yet you purchased a SA 1911 with MIM parts, which are not as bad as people think they are & I am not a fan of MIM, if you really wanted the highest quality. If you really wanted high quality I would have started with a platform like the Dan Wesson Heritage or Valor. No MIM and the entry point into truly high end 1911s. IMHO
If you need information from "real people" on the internet I am not sure how you could justify asking someone to pay for your services. I think it is great that you are looking to become a gunsmith but the way you are going about it makes no sense to me.
I personally would never give a gun to a smith who did not have some level of bona fides? Just because you have installed a 1911 trigger and understand how it works does not make one a gunsmith. I have a few custom guns from people like Don Williams, Bruce Gray, AP Cogan, Novak, Jim West, Garthwaite etc... and they were worth the cost of ownership. With these guys you are getting a known quantity. Everyone has to start somewhere but you need to build your skills and your rep on a solid foundation.
If you are really interested in becoming a "real" gunsmith I would suggest heading over to ltwguns.com. It is the Louder than Words forum which is full of some of the top names in the business. People like Don Williams, Jason Burton, Ted Yost, Chuck Rodgers, Ned Christiansen, Patrick Sweeney etc... The list goes on and on. These are master level guys. Artists who happen to work on guns. If you go over there I would lurk before you post. Not a lot of posting but tons of knowledge.
Good luck on your endeavors.