Well...I finally went and done it.
Almost.
My local toy store has a brand new in the box Rock Island Armory G.I. 1911 for four bills.
I thought about picking this thing up and building a combat .45 out of it. You know, just a few gadgets here and there...basically all I would be installing would be a slotted hammer, beavertail, long, slotted trigger, extended/tactical thumb safety and probably a different set of sights.
Now then. Here are a few questions for our 1911 aficionados.
When installing a new trigger, beavertail and hammer, do I need to also change out the sear, springs and disconnector? Or can I still use the factory parts? Also, is this RIA 1911 equivalent to a Colt Series 70? Or does it have an internal firing pin safety?
I did a little shopping on www.midwayusa.com and found this list of parts that I thought would be a good choice for this new .45 and not break the bank.
STI Extended Thumb Safety 1911 Blue - $24.99
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Let me start by saying I don't like, nor do I need an ambi safety. The same goes for a FLGR. I just don't like 'em. I've noticed that STI stuff is a little cheaper than Ed Brown and Wilson parts. Are they just as good? Or is this another case of "you get what you pay for."
STI Trigger 1911 Long Polymer Black - $23.99
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I saw this trigger and fell in love! That's just the Glock in me I reckon.
Pachmayr Beavertail Grip Safety 1911 Series 70 Rubber Covered Black - $35.99
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I don't know about the rest of you, but I have this HUGE phobia of rust. Probably because I sweat like a pig. When I saw this beavertail safety with the rubber outer, I thought it would be perfect for sweaty hands like mine. I know it's not "traditional" but I think it would keep the rust off. If Pach made a rubberized MSH, I'd install one of those as well.
Wilson Combat Value Line Speed Hammer 1911 Blue - $28.99
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The name Wilson is synonomous with the 1911. Bill Wilson makes some of the best .45s out there and his parts are probably the best there are. If I could afford it, I'm sure I'd own one of his irons. So you can imagine how happy I was to see that he now offers a "value line" of parts. But tell me...are they as good as his top of the line parts?
Anyway...those few (but IMO essential) parts come to $113.96. By the time I pay my smitty to install 'em, I'm looking at over 150 bucks...maybe even closer to $200. Then, gradually, I'll add things like more magazines, larger (maybe tritium) sights and maybe some hex head screws or something, just to snaz it up a bit. I'll also probably take off the smooth wood panels that are on it now and change them out to a Pachmayr rubber wrap around grip. Again...the rust issue.
I just wanna keep this thing as bone stock as I can but still make it user friendly.
So. Hit me with your comments and snide remarks bastardos.
Almost.
My local toy store has a brand new in the box Rock Island Armory G.I. 1911 for four bills.
I thought about picking this thing up and building a combat .45 out of it. You know, just a few gadgets here and there...basically all I would be installing would be a slotted hammer, beavertail, long, slotted trigger, extended/tactical thumb safety and probably a different set of sights.
Now then. Here are a few questions for our 1911 aficionados.
When installing a new trigger, beavertail and hammer, do I need to also change out the sear, springs and disconnector? Or can I still use the factory parts? Also, is this RIA 1911 equivalent to a Colt Series 70? Or does it have an internal firing pin safety?
I did a little shopping on www.midwayusa.com and found this list of parts that I thought would be a good choice for this new .45 and not break the bank.
STI Extended Thumb Safety 1911 Blue - $24.99
[Broken External Image]
Let me start by saying I don't like, nor do I need an ambi safety. The same goes for a FLGR. I just don't like 'em. I've noticed that STI stuff is a little cheaper than Ed Brown and Wilson parts. Are they just as good? Or is this another case of "you get what you pay for."
STI Trigger 1911 Long Polymer Black - $23.99
[Broken External Image]
I saw this trigger and fell in love! That's just the Glock in me I reckon.
Pachmayr Beavertail Grip Safety 1911 Series 70 Rubber Covered Black - $35.99
[Broken External Image]
I don't know about the rest of you, but I have this HUGE phobia of rust. Probably because I sweat like a pig. When I saw this beavertail safety with the rubber outer, I thought it would be perfect for sweaty hands like mine. I know it's not "traditional" but I think it would keep the rust off. If Pach made a rubberized MSH, I'd install one of those as well.
Wilson Combat Value Line Speed Hammer 1911 Blue - $28.99
[Broken External Image]
The name Wilson is synonomous with the 1911. Bill Wilson makes some of the best .45s out there and his parts are probably the best there are. If I could afford it, I'm sure I'd own one of his irons. So you can imagine how happy I was to see that he now offers a "value line" of parts. But tell me...are they as good as his top of the line parts?
Anyway...those few (but IMO essential) parts come to $113.96. By the time I pay my smitty to install 'em, I'm looking at over 150 bucks...maybe even closer to $200. Then, gradually, I'll add things like more magazines, larger (maybe tritium) sights and maybe some hex head screws or something, just to snaz it up a bit. I'll also probably take off the smooth wood panels that are on it now and change them out to a Pachmayr rubber wrap around grip. Again...the rust issue.
I just wanna keep this thing as bone stock as I can but still make it user friendly.
So. Hit me with your comments and snide remarks bastardos.