bouddha
.30 Stingray
You can drown in hamster piss, but it might take a while.
Posts: 162
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Post by bouddha on Jun 22, 2020 12:03:38 GMT -5
Meaning parts fitting compatibility from most sources. I'm looking at Rock Island as a starting point. Not going to compete, just carry in my van.
Anything to look out for? Would prefer stainless, but the parkerized is fine.
Everyone that is even partly 'gunny', needs at least one 1911 in the stable. Used to have a Kimber Custom II, put nice grips on it and a friend "Had to have it!".
Thanks for any & all advice.
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dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
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Post by dhd on Jun 22, 2020 13:54:10 GMT -5
Just make sure the grip safety is already done, and preferably to me, whatever style sights you like are already cut (meaning dovetails cut). If you don't plan to possibly ruin a frame, get checkering too if you like it. I just described a already complete gun didn't I...
I started with a Loaded Springfield I'd owned for 20 years, and with the exception of the grip safety (already installed), I replaced literally everything else. I enjoyed it, but I went in a deep hole with it. With buying the files, jigs (checkering), and parts, I still needed someone to dovetail the slide for a front sight. I Cerakote so the finish was easy, but if I didn't, that would have added more $$.
Dan Wesson makes some fine 1911's and a used Les Baer would still be less expensive than adding good parts to a 1911 and get it up to that level. I've now got the tools, knowledge, and patience to do another and I'd still buy a Les Baer! One thing you cannot do without some serious knowledge and tools is the slide to frame fit that a Les Baer has. If there is such of a thing, they are too tight at first and wear in to very tight.
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nicholst55
.375 Atomic
Retired, twice.
Posts: 1,038
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Post by nicholst55 on Jun 22, 2020 16:14:05 GMT -5
Just make sure the grip safety is already done, and preferably to me, whatever style sights you like are already cut (meaning dovetails cut). If you don't plan to possibly ruin a frame, get checkering too if you like it. I just described a already complete gun didn't I... I started with a Loaded Springfield I'd owned for 20 years, and with the exception of the grip safety (already installed), I replaced literally everything else. I enjoyed it, but I went in a deep hole with it. With buying the files, jigs (checkering), and parts, I still needed someone to dovetail the slide for a front sight. I Cerakote so the finish was easy, but if I didn't, that would have added more $$. Dan Wesson makes some fine 1911's and a used Les Baer would still be less expensive than adding good parts to a 1911 and get it up to that level. I've now got the tools, knowledge, and patience to do another and I'd still buy a Les Baer! One thing you cannot do without some serious knowledge and tools is the slide to frame fit that a Les Baer has. If there is such of a thing, they are too tight at first and wear in to very tight. ^^This^^. Unless you already have all of the machines, tools, jigs, and experience, you're buying a money pit. In 1970, what you describe was the only way to get a customized 1911; not so today. Springfield sells some highly regarded 1911s from their custom shop that come with everything already done for pretty darn reasonable prices. Take a look at their Custom Shop and their Professional model.
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bouddha
.30 Stingray
You can drown in hamster piss, but it might take a while.
Posts: 162
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Post by bouddha on Jun 22, 2020 17:10:01 GMT -5
I must have overstated my case for "customizable". I meant trigger work, trigger alternatives, mag wells, hammers, etc. I'm not in the market for a $4,000 BBQ gun, more like a nice '65 Galaxy with Keystone mags (all I did was paint the rear drums the same turquoise as the body). Appreciate the zeal you're attributing to the project, but if I was going to spend that kind of money I'd have a FA 83 or a #5 by one of the gunsmiths often mentioned here.
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JM
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,423
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Post by JM on Jun 22, 2020 19:40:22 GMT -5
Dan Wesson +/- $1K. Done!
EDIT: Dan Wesson = NO M.I.M. PARTS.
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
TANSTAAFL
Posts: 2,634
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Post by awp101 on Jun 22, 2020 19:57:45 GMT -5
As someone who has owned several RIA over the years and still has a couple, I'd skip over them and go for a SR1911 for not much more. They're *OK* but if this was my quest, a used Springfield or new/used (depending on price point) Ruger would be where I started.
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nicholst55
.375 Atomic
Retired, twice.
Posts: 1,038
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Post by nicholst55 on Jun 22, 2020 20:10:24 GMT -5
I must have overstated my case for "customizable". I meant trigger work, trigger alternatives, mag wells, hammers, etc. I'm not in the market for a $4,000 BBQ gun, more like a nice '65 Galaxy with Keystone mags (all I did was paint the rear drums the same turquoise as the body). Appreciate the zeal you're attributing to the project, but if I was going to spend that kind of money I'd have a FA 83 or a #5 by one of the gunsmiths often mentioned here. Okay, got it. May I suggest the Springfield Ronin, then? It already has the beavertail grip safety and sights that you can actually see. MSRP is well under $1K.
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Post by harold89 on Jun 22, 2020 21:27:15 GMT -5
Me? I’d get an SA RO 1911 and go from there. I’ll second the opinion that a used LB is the best money you can spend on a used 1911 if that’s the price range your in though.
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Post by magman on Jun 23, 2020 8:40:57 GMT -5
A Les Baer used is a great deal. I sent mine back and they went through it and cost me $25 shipped.
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dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
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Post by dhd on Jun 23, 2020 10:19:29 GMT -5
While there's some enjoyment in doing some parts swap, but I at least would keep chasing my tail. Next thing you know you have how much money invested and now you decide to add another piece. Been there and have almost the money of a new Les Baer in mine. Now a Les Baer isn't the say all and end all as some on here have Masterpieces, but they are very nice.
Why not look for a used nicer 1911 with the work done. Still decent money involved I know, but a well built 1911 blows a regular factory gun away. I believe 1911's are more costly than the sixguns on the whole. When you get into full customs, well.....
Just my opinion and worth almost as much as you paid for it.
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bouddha
.30 Stingray
You can drown in hamster piss, but it might take a while.
Posts: 162
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Post by bouddha on Jun 23, 2020 11:45:33 GMT -5
"Why not look for a used nicer 1911 with the work done"
I think we need to re-examine my goals & intentions; I'm not after a Custom 1911 to show my friends & family. I'm after a functional 1911 Commander to carry in my vehicle to serve as a deterrent to skateboard wielding sociopaths who respect nothing but fear. I also know that I have NEVER left any car, motorcycle, gun, air rifle, stereo component as it came from the factory. I'm no expert on anything I've ever worked on, but I have a lot better working knowledge of everything I've tried to improve. Every hobby I've had is first & foremost an opportunity to learn more about something I didn't know before.
I have had a few Ruger 10-22s and have tried every improvement available in attempts to make them shoot better (almost all worked, too), and really enjoyed it. In what I assumed was an attempt to 'do-it-right-the-first-time', I assembled one from all new KIDD parts. It was phenomenal, shot beautifully, great trigger, stock, most accurate rimfire rifle I had ever picked up! Sold it two weeks later as it was boring and I learned nothing.
I'm not wealthy, but I do have lots of time to explore and no kids or grandchildren to spend money on, so I don't mind the piecemeal approach to whatever improvements I may find necessary. I'd love a Les Baer, but not as much as I would a base model RIA that does what I want it to do because of my attention and research.
Thanks again, guys.
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Post by magman on Jun 23, 2020 12:06:20 GMT -5
Then buy a RIA and have at it. I have an ATI Commander sized 1911. After some tweaks it is a very nice gun. Not afraid to carry it and rely 100% on it.
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bamagreg
.327 Meteor
Woodstock, GA
Posts: 851
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Post by bamagreg on Jun 23, 2020 15:49:31 GMT -5
Dan Wesson +/- $1K. Done! EDIT: Dan Wesson = NO M.I.M. PARTS. I haven't seen a Dan Wesson for $1k in a few years.
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JM
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,423
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Post by JM on Jun 23, 2020 19:07:47 GMT -5
Dan Wesson +/- $1K. Done! EDIT: Dan Wesson = NO M.I.M. PARTS. I haven't seen a Dan Wesson for $1k in a few years. They're around on Gunbroker if you are patient & watch.
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Post by cas on Jun 23, 2020 20:00:46 GMT -5
Parts changing on the 1911 isn't always straight forward. For example you can buy a pretty nice "drop in" hammer and sear , but that doesn't mean you won't have to adjust the safety, or replace it completely to work with your new sear. Most things need to be fit to some degree.
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