Posted: 7/4/2007 11:50:09 PM EDT
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Hi all, I've had this gun for 6 years or so and have just recently started carrying it for as my CCW weapon. However, it is exactly like the one in this picture. My problem with it is that the sights are hard to see, and almost impossible at night, and the hammer/beaver tail safety, thumb safety and grips tend to dig into my side, especially when sitting down. Is it possible to change all of these things out to something more like what Kimber sells with their guns (I carried my buddy's Kimber for a few hours and it was a world of difference)? Is it easy enough that I could do this on my own (I am no gunsmith, but am fairly mechanically inclined), or should I take it to a smith? Or would it just be easier/cheaper to sell it and get a Kimber? http://www.airsoft.cz/shop/images/cy-180103.jpg Here is a Kimber like the one my buddy has. http://www.ahgmilitaria.com/Rifles/Kimber4.jpg TIA. |
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Keep the Colt in the original state it is... IT WILL BE WORTH MORE THAT WAY. Go out and buy a Kimber for carry, if the money is NO problem that is. You could do the work yourself, but if you are intent on modifying the COLT take it to a gunsmith who knows what he is doing. In case you are ever in a shooting, the DA cannot use the modification of your sidearm against you in court. He would more than likely try if you did the work yourself. .02 Bill |
Not likely that this one will be worth any significant amount in his lifetime. This model is much too common. As for changing it, you can go for a Wilson or King "drop-in" grip safety, a C&S "drop-in" hammer-sear kit and swap out the trigger. As for sights, you can go to a King -Tappan sight or a Yo-Bo "Retro" sight. Do it yourself if you feel you can or take it to a smith. That's a decision for you to make but keep the Colt and modify it.  C&S Hammer-Sear:  Wilson "Drop-in" Beavertail:  King-Tappan rear sight:  Modified 1991 ORM:  YMMV ETA:Spelling |
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Yes you could do that stuff yourself. You'll need a beavertail jig to install it if you don't want to go the drop in route. You'll still need to send it off to get refinished though as you have to file on the frame some to install the grip safety. So basically it might not be worth it to do it yourself; your call. I wouldn't worry about getting sued over installing a grip safety, sounds pretty out there. |
I think the only thing he will need to specify extra on the "O" package is night sights, but I may be incorrect.
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Probably not 
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Long story short, it WOULD be easier and cheaper to go with another weapon. What you have there is the "poor man's Colt". It's too common to expect any return as a collectable, and it's too ugly to put any money into for a custom carry 1911. The best options you have with that pistol are either to sell it for something more useful, or keep it bone stock and run it into the ground at the range over the years. The one important thing it has going for it is that it is a reliable firearm. It would make a solid platform for a customizer and some people do go that route, which makes partial sense, because most of the weaknesses of that weapon (trigger, etc) will be replaced. But then you are left with a pricey custom bearing those hideous K-Mart style rollmarks. At the end of the day, it would go down like this: - You will need a pair of night sights + installation - You will need a pair of grips that don't stick to you/your clothing and will work for CCW - You will need beavertail safety and a new hammer - Since you have to pull the hammer, you might as well remove that shit nylon trigger and get the complete job (matched trigger, sear, and hammer). - Throw out that nasty slide stop and get yourself a more attractive WC Bulletproof or EB Hardcore (you've gone this far might as well go whole hog) Your pistol will probably end up better than the box stock Kimber, especially for the fact that you can pick all the pieces and parts to truly make it fit your taste and style. The down side is that it will run you at least $650 (add another $ 100 for a match grade bushing and your smith to fit it for better accuracy). What are you left with? You have the baddest '89' Mustang LX with cloth seats in your neighboorhood. With as much as you put into the weapon for what it is.... you would be better off selling yours, buying an appropriate used Colt and sending it off to Yost for the *1 package. Who in the world would put $18K into their '89' LX when they could sell it and do the same thing with a loaded GT for only a few bucks more? If it were me I would go through the most trouble... I would sell the 1991, buy a prettier platform Colt and send it out for the works package like I mentioned. it requires the most legwork and a lot of money, but it is getting it done right the first time. But if you're not into the legwork and want to keep things affordable, then the Kimber would work best for you because it is a new pistol with the tweaks done by the factory, all of which is covered under a complete warranty. If you need a range blaster, you'll get better use putting mileage on the Colt then you would selling it, but you won't take much of a beating if you sell it privately. There's always one knucklehead too impatient to save a few bucks more for a GT, who's willing to dump too much money into that "LX" of yours 
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Yeah but then you are left betting your life on a 1911 that is full of lesser quality MIM parts. Why settle for mediocrity when your ass might be on the line? Make the Colt what you want and don't worry about it. The base models are not going to be rare collectibles. |
This is true. It is mostly an aesthetic opinion. The worst/cheapest/most inferior parts of the 1991 would be scrapped in the customization and it would make a solid platform. I am of the opinion that spending that much money should really be done on something that adds form to function, but it is just that, an opinion.
You don't have to tell me that. I clearly stated that I would do the long hard route that would pay off the most at the end. If the OP is willing to go through the hassle and spend alot of money on this Colt (possibly jeopardizing warranty coverage... depending how it's done) then we are all on the same page over the wiser course of action. I got the distinct impression that he wanted to keep things pretty simple, affordable, and hassle free, however. In that case Kimber would be the best solution for him, even if it's not the best solution overall. |
| Basically you are talking about spending 5-600 bucks on a $500 pistol to turn it into a $650 pistol. Keep it and just buy a Kimber. You can pick up a used Kimber with most of the options you want for just a hair more than you would spend on the Colt, and then you have a second 1911 to boot. |