Hey guys I have a 1945 Sistema 1911 that's seen better days. And I'd like to upgrade and update it myself as sort of a project gun.

pics:



Some issues:
The original finish is long gone.
The barrel link pin is loose enough to just fall out.
The trigger pull feels like its about 8.5lbs
Arched mainspring housings make 1911's feel huge in my hands.
When I shoot it the hammer bites the living shit out of my hands.
Quite a bit of vertical slide movement

Things I'd like to do it:
Lower and flare the ejection port.
Install an Ed Brown beavertail
Install a drop in fire control group (Not sure which one yet)
Buy a new link pin and press it in
Fit and install a new flat and checkered mainspring housing
Have someone competent tighten up the slide and frame
New esmerelda grips and black cerakote.

So what do you guys think? I only paid $175 for the old girl a couple years ago.

Old_Painless seems to think it's worth it.

Here's his part one:http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu38.htm
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu39.htm
Part 2:

I would slap a .22 conversion on it and buy a newer .45.  In fact, I am shopping for this solution right now.

If you're doing the work yourself, go for it.

If you were thinking of shipping it off to get it tricked out, find a better base gun.

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The only thing I'd send it out for is the tightening of the rails.

I think it would be an excellent project gun, if you did the work your self. I even think that if you have moderate skills that you should be able to tighten up the rails your self.  I have never done it but I think it's something I would/ could do.

You could sell it for at least 300...

I'd say leave it alone and buy a Rock Island to work out on instead.

Have you fired it before? If it shoots ok do the work yourself, you haven't lost much. A new barrel tho will have to be fitted by a gunsmith and would make it cost prohibitive.

It is apparent from your post that you do not have sufficient knowledge of 1911s to successfully complete your project. I highly recommend that you purchase  Jerry Kuhnhausens COLT .45 Automatic: A shop Manual and The U.S. M1911/M1911A1 Pistols and Commercial M1911 Type Pistols- A Shop Manual.



http://www.gunbooks.com/index.html

Bought one several years back. Looked just like yours.



stripped it myself and used a home brew park solution.  Only part I changed was the grips



Mine shoots really good.  Even with the small sights.

It shoots absolutely fine. In fact I was planning on just fixing the issue with the link pin on the barrel, instead of buying a new one. I was also looking at one of the Wilson drop in beavertails to avoid the frame mods. At the very least I'd like to just replace the fcg, mainspring housing and add the beavertail. This way I can always return it to its original configuration. Might buy a new set of pins and springs whilst I'm at it too.

I would just fix loose link pin and change the mainspring housing and add a drop-in beavertail. Then I would shoot it after those changes and decide if you want a new fcg. (new springs are a good idea)

1) The ejection port is fine as it is.
2) The Ed Brown is a fine beavertail if you like beavertails. (I'd probably use a Drop in Wilson instead though)
3) I like the C & S fire control group
4) fine, probably should make sure you have the right size link as well
5) Agreed, I hate arched housings
6) Slide does not need to be tightened up.
7) Personally I'd parkerize it, rather than cerakote.

You forgot a new hand fit barrel bushing.