Posted: 6/8/2008 10:17:04 AM EDT
| Which companies make really good 1911 pistols but aren't going to cost an arm and a leg? Also what websites are there that sell parts for 1911s that I could later add that would make it an even better pistol? |
If you are planning to mod your gun take a look Springfield or Colt. |
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If I was in the market for a very accurate 1911, I'd go with a Springfield and install a match barrel bushing. The mass produced/assembly line installed bushings are 'combat accurate' but a well fit bushing will make a lot of difference. I recently installed a Wilson match bushing on a Les Baer--that was already scary accurate...I fit it tight and groups shrank by about 25% from the bench. Same ammo, same 15 yd range--went from about 1.5" groups to 1-1.25" I was so impressed with the difference that I bought another to put on my Springfield Loaded. That gun has always been reliable but just so-so on accuracy. Maybe 3-4" at 15 yds from the bench. I fit and installed the Wilson bushing the same way, and it now groups at 1.5" as long as I do my part. No match barrel, no peening or squeezing the rails--the only non-original part on that gun is the barrel bushing, and there was a HUGE improvement to my groups. If you don't want to fit a bushing yourself, you can call up EGW and give them the dimensions of your barrel and slide--and they'll send you one already fit for your gun for about $30. www.egw-guns.com/ eta: I would also give it a nice trigger job blindhogg.com/gunsmith/triggers.html Last but not least--keep in mind that every newfangled device you add to 'improve' the 1911 can (and often does) bring some negative aspect to the pistol. I'm not a 1911 purist, and there are certain aftermarket doodads that I really like....but in general, a 1911 tends to run better when it's in it's original form. |
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Don't know anyone else's experience but I bought a thing called a Dwyer Group Gripper for my old Combat Commander about 25 years ago. It is a replacement barrel link and recoil spring guide. The idea is the spring in the back of the spring guide puts upward pressure on the notch in the front of the link which always raises the rear of the barrel to the same spot in the slide each time. It made a big difference in my gun's groups (stock barrel, bushing) and I never had it break. Don't know if they still make those things or not. |
When it was all but impossible to find an oversize barrel for fitting we used to do a lot of things. Weld up barrel feet, etc. The Dwyer Group Gripper was a less complicated way, but results inthe gun 'riding the link' if there is any actual play for the gripper to remove. A hard fit after market barrel withe a matched bushing is a more reliable way to improve accuracy over a typical factory fit. |