Posted: 2/19/2005 10:38:21 AM EDT
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I am looking to revamp my Milspec. I want to get a beavertail grip safety, novak sights, and the springfield delta hammer first, then later maybe some frontstrap 20lpi checkering and a smith and alexander magazine funnel, to basically make it like the Springfield Professional Model. Problem is, when I add all this stuff up, it basically comes out to the price of a new gun ($600 or there-abouts). This is how the labor basically breaks down: Re-cut slide for front dovetail and rear lo-mount sights Cut slide for beavertail grip safety & blend Machine checker frontstrap to 20lpi Blend magwell into frame And I don't think there's any cutting to be done for an extended thumb safety, but I am not sure. That, all the parts I would have to get, plus the final refinishing comes out to a lot. Are there any smiths out there that can do all this well and fairly inexpensively? I wanted to check with ARFCOM first before I send it off to simply have Springfield do it all. 
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| 1911's are money pits. I have a $600 used ParaOrd with over $700 spent on forged parts, refinishing, and night sights, and I still don't like it. I shoot a Sig P228 box stock a damn sight better. I would keep the milspec, its a sweet gun on its own, and spend the $600 on a used Kimber or SA loaded with the stuff already in it. |
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I did the same thing. Bought a mil-spec and pimped it out. I've probably put another $200 in it all said and done. Nice thing is you can spread it out over time. I've bought a lot of stuff through Chip McCormick's web site. Quality parts, cheap, and free shipping. A couple things also from Wilsons that Chip didnt have. I have installed most everything myself. My add-ons: Wilsons--beavertail, shock buf kit (recoil spring & buffers), allen head grip screws, and extended slide stop. Chip--trigger, hammer, flat backstrap/mainspring housing, full length guide rod, drop in rear sight, ambi thumb safety (not installed yet). The only thing i didn't install myself was the beavertail (needed to be fitted) and the thumb safety (unfortunately not a drop in). Oh, and a hogue grip. |
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If you're itching for an upper end, but not true custom 1911, I say go for it. Maybe it's something from SA, Kimber, S&W, that's the fun part for you to go out exploring and fondling guns. Keep the Milspec as a truck gun, but no sense in getting rid of it. If something were to happen to the better 1911 you'd have a temporary replacement that was compatable with the mags and ammo. |
You'll enjoy working on it. Here is mine, and the link will take you to the details of my upgrades. www.uzitalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7807 |
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Really nice Mil-Spec you there cookie!!. FortyFive, you may want to try the 1911 Forums. There you can find some recommendations on some good pistolsmiths out there. They will do good work and use some good tool steel parts and it will come out better than a factory 'loaded' model. No such thing as a 'cheap' gunsmith unless you can do it yourself where you will save money on the labor.
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Of the better smiths out there, I can name two that have very good prices for the caliber of work they do. One is Don Williams of the Action Works, and the other is Chuck Rogers. They ar eboth top notch, and their prices are cheaper than most good smiths. www.rogersprecision.com/ www.theactionworks.com/ |