upgrading a mil-spec 1911 for carry
I would like to know from you experts what, if anything, you would do if you were going to carry a full size 1911. I have a new springfield mil-spec model. Plane Jane. Given that it is a stock pistol, I know there are some areas for improvement that may require a gunsmith. Please tell me what would be your first items to alter, replace, etc if you were going to carry this type of gun. There is not much to be done about the weight i assume, but I would like to make it as reliable and accurate as i can.
Thanks all,
Bill
Thanks all,
Bill
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I'd spend the $30-40 on 100 rounds of ball ammo and $75-100 on several boxes of the ammo I intend to carry (100-150 rounds), shoot all the ball ammo first, and then see how it functions with what I'd want to carry. If you get no jams w/ your intended carry ammo, then you are pretty much done. Some quality extra mags (Chip McCormick, Wilson, Novak), and a holster. 0 -
agree with iwanna.
the springfield should be pretty reliable right out of the box, but run a cople hundred or more rounds thru it before you trust it with your life.
now, if you want to improve on the design, a basic trigger job, good mags and some assorted parts from ed brown (check at brownells) are always a good bet.
tom0 -
Upgrading for carry? Nothing. Test fire it (as prior post), and be done with it. Best, Joe 0 -
I don't believe I qualify as an expert. But, I can tell you of my experience. 20 odd years ago I enlisted in the state police. For my first two years on the job we were required to carry a "revolver" of .38 caliber or larger. In my third year, I was transferred to vice/narcotics, and the revolver restriction was lifted! I decided to purchase and carry a Colt 80 series Gov. Model as my "big" carry weapon. I also carried a small .380 for times when I could not hide the Colt. Anyway, I was told by my firearms qualifier, the best thing I could do was shoot the gun, just as it was, and "learn" my gun. After shooting it for a while, it became great fun to shoot and started to feel like a good gun to have around! Just what worked for me! 0 -
Just an after thought: Today, too many years later, my carry inventory has grown to: Springfield Match Gov. Model, and as follows: some Berretta 96D 40's, Mauser 40 & 45 M2's and my favorites, 2 Glocks, 1 in 40 and 1 in 45!I think I am going to buy a Para Gov. 45, just becuase when I hold it at my dealer's place it feels just "nice" in my strong hand. Also, it just "works" for me since it is the Model 1911 enhanced just a little, yet it remains dependably simple! 0 -
The first thing I would do is find myself an alloy frame, lightweight Commander size 1911 because I would bet dollars to donuts you are not going to like lugging that big ol' Springfield around, especially come summer time! 0 -
You might want some better sights, something easier to see in variable light situations than that factory black iron sights. Get about 5 (even though you'll probably only carry three) good quality 8rd magazines with basepads. Magazines are very essential to reliable feeding in any 1911 type handgun, and having the basepads make them alot easier to push up in the gun. Thats probably al I'd do, everything else would really just be bells and whistles.
Remember the thing about a duty handgun is it has to function all the time. By modifying the gun and adding a buncha aftermarket accessories you risk making it less reliable. And always have a qualified gunsmith install anything you put on it.
Also you might check with whatever department your going to work for to see if they even allow 1911 handguns. I know here Austin PD only allows "grandfathered" officers to carry them, all new officers have to carry of a list of guns including S&W, Sig, and Glocks. And modifications are strictly restricted as to minimize liability.0 -
Sights and a crisp 4.5# trigger.
Reloading.
CP0 -
Mil-spec 1911s were carried as-is for 70+ years. That's why they are "mil-spec"!
So you don't really HAVE to do ANYTHING.
You didn't specify exactly how you intended to carry this gun (ie concealed or open).
*IF* you can get away with carrying a large 2.5lb chunk of steel concealed on your body all day, all the more power to you. Personally, I can't.
What can be done about the weight? Switch to an aluminum alloy framed version of the same gun. There are lots of lighter 1911-type guns intended for concealed carry, and they are likely more suitable in many cases.
Barring that, a good holster hung onto a good belt is really your best bet for dealing with weight. I'd absolutely rate THAT as the most important "upgrade" and critical to comfortable all-day carry.
In terms of things you might do to the actual gun there are a lot of things you COULD do, but not a lot you NEED to do. Easy things?
Better sights are probably the #1 thing I'd consider adding to the gun. While you're at it, you might consider self-luminous tritium night sights.
As mentioned, it doesn't hurt to have a few good magazines.
Another easy thing to customize/improve is just the grips. You may like the stock grips, but depending on your hand size/shape and personal preference, you may prefer rubberized grips, finger-groove grips, smooth grips, etc. Easy change, no gunsmithing required.
Now we're talking a bigger investment into the gun, but one thing many suggest for concealed carry is "de-horning" the gun, that is, removing any sharp edges that might snag on draw. In practice, probably not worth it. . .might as well just buy a gun that was built that way to begin with.
Along those lines, you might consider replacing the standard spur hammer with a "commander" style ring hammer which is a little more snag resistant. Necessary? No.
If you want to get fancy you can have the front and/or backstraps of the gun checkered for improved grip, though this is costly and you can get more or less the same effect with just a piece of friction tape for pennies.
Things you should probably NOT do:
-Install some kind of super-light match trigger. No upside there in a defensive pistol.
-Put in an extended mag release, safety, or slide release. . .these are only going to ensure that you hit them by mistake when adrenaline turns you into "all thumbs". Not good
-Mess with "accurizing" the gun. Forget it. If the gun can shoot a 4" group at 25 yards (which they pretty much ALL can) then its good enough for defensive use. While its certainly possible to make the gun more accurate, the tradeoff is usually less reliability and its just not worth it.0 -
I have a Colt near new 1911A1 with nonthing done to it and it is the go to weapon if things melt down.
Emmett0
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