Posted: 8/10/2008 5:36:22 PM EDT
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OK. My first ever thread. My girlfriend bought me a slightly used Colt 1991 (stainless) (Best girlfriend ever). I'm thinking of sending it off to get upgraded and don't know where to send it. If anyone can offer some advise I would appreciate it. The second thing is I'm planning on using this as a carry/home defense gun and the additions that I was thinking of adding to it were: 1- Smith and Alexander Mag well 2-Change out all the internals to Ed Brown internals. Is this the way to go or just the Hammer and grip safety? I've heard that Colt has great internals but I figured that if I'm sending it off then I might as well do everything. 3-Add Novak night sights to the front and rear. This will mean adding Novak cuts to the slide. 4-Re crown the barrel 5-Should I pay to have the slide tightened to the frame? The rattle doesn't bother me but if it helps with reliability/accuracy then I'm all for it. 6-It lacks a full length guide rod. Should I add one? 7-Front strap. Should I leave it smooth or 25lpi or what? I might just add Pachamyr grips like my SA MC Operator has. 8-Should I put a new barrel in it or not? If I put a new one in it then what should I add? My budget for upgrades is $1000, I may be able to fudge that number a little but that's the ball park. |
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2. Colt internals are fine. I would recommend changing to a beavertail grip safety and ring hammer. But I suppose if you change those you might as well change the fire control parts to your preference. 3. Novaks are great sights 4. Not really needed 5. Accuracy is really in the fit of the barrel and bushing 6. GI recoil set up is so much easier to assemble/disassemble 7. Personal preferrence 8. Not really needed unless it has tons of rounds through it Novak has a good reputation for custom work but look at the top of the 1911 forums and find a 1911 gunsmith. |
I can't really help you there, the guys I like don't do piecework.
Don't. I did and regretted it. Using proper technique it isn't necessary, and it can interfere with getting a mag seated.
Get new everything, to include the trigger, and a properly fit beavertail.
Novaks aren't bad but Yost-Bonitz sights, 10-8 sights and Heinies have a better sight picture.
Anyone who is qualified to work on 1911s can easily do this. Get a new bushing installed if you don't get a new barrel.
I like how a fitted gun feels during recoil but it isn't important. Remember that you can fit a barrel after welding up the frame rails, but you can't do it the other way around.
No!
25LPI hand cut is great. If someone who has soft hands wants to use it, consider something softer. My carry gun has serrations. Much softer on my ribs and clothes.
I have both Kart and Nowlin barrels. Pick one or the other based on whether you want carbon steel or SS. In that order. I like SS, so I will get Nowlins in the future. They are harder to do, because the smith has to do more to them.
You're gonna have to pick and choose of your list to achieve that, particularly once you consider refinishing. Probably won't afford the barrel. I would consider saving up and doing a full house gun. Once you've had one of those nothing else compares. |
Have you done this to a 1911, the welding of the rails? Did you weld-up the entire length of the rails or just the 1" at the front and the back? |
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I know my limitations. Jason Burton, Steve Bailey and Ted Yost at Heirloom precision do ALL of my 1911 work, except for cleaning and oiling. Literally. And I am not competent to explain how they do that procedure, although I think I know. But I sure like the results. 
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