Posted: 8/15/2008 5:25:08 PM EDT
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I picked up this LNIB Springfield Combat Black SS 1911, (PX9154L), and I'm thinking it needs some work. I don't like the trigger, I don't like the sights, and I don't like the thumb safety. Something needs to be done. Apart from fixing the above, I want more. I think that if I drop $700-ish on it at Springfield Custom Shop to have their Loaded->TRP package added that that isn't financially the best idea, since used TRP and MC Operators can be had for less than what I'd have into this. What would you do? Sell it again and just get a used TRP or MC Operator, or turn it into this sexy beast by doing the following.....  
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I can't remember if the front sight on that is dovetailed or not, but everything you've listed is doable at home. I mean, I can understand why many would want a trigger job done by a good smith--I'm not knocking that at all. Thumb safety is almost plug and play, and sights are easy too. This is the thumb safety I use and I love it; a King's: 
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I would add the following were it mine: Solid trigger (just like the way they look). Trigger job along w/that if need be to bring it down around 3.5-4lbs. I would add Heine Straight Eight sights, put in a different, more elongated thumb safety. Swap out the ILS just cause I don't like them. Either stipple or 30lpi checker the front strap. Add some dark (black) wood grips. And have it lightly dehorned for carry. Add a magazine well depending on the pistol's intended use. Thats about all I can think of off hand. |
+1 on the Heinie Strt 8's a nice MSH and Magwell from Smith and Alexander or Ed Brown...Some new grips from VZ, Davidson,Mil-Tac...and whatever trigger you like,should be able to almost all the work yourself,even with a gunsmith trigger job,should be less than the 700 you were talking about spending .
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I have the same model. Most of what I want to change involves getting a slightly extended safety, and getting actual night sights. Maybe ambi-safety, someday. Maybe. Since I disabled the ILS and swapped the FLGR for a GI-style, though, it's been a good pistol. A little looser than it used to be, in the slide-to-frame department, but the barrel still locks up...somewhat well, and fairly solidly (I can't get it to fiddle around hardly at all when it's in battery). Maybe someday I'll get a properly fitted barrel and bushing, and see about the slide/frame matching, and all that. But until then, since it works, I'm just going to shoot it as much as I can afford. |
Even when I first took that out, it still felt fairly tight...after another 500-600 rounds, though, it loosened up some |
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I have the same model. I replaced the ILS mainspring housing. I was going to send it off for a trigger job, ended up adjusting the sear spring instead, trigger was crisp just a little heavy. Now i'm looking for fiber optic sights. New grips would look nice but I like the way the originals feel. Form follows function for me. |
If you don't want to attempt the work yourself then I would find a good 1911 smith to send it to and have a trigger job done, add and extended thumb safety, learn to live with the sights, or have them changed out to some you like. Your complaints are easily addressable for a much less than $700 in work. |
I'm not sure how comfortable you are working on fitting parts yourself but my SA 1911 started out as a mil-spec and have become exactly what I want.The beavertail was a drop-in which is why there is a gap between it and the frame. I'll change it out one day but for now it works fine. I did all the work myself and has been 100% reliable since day one. The parts you want to change really are not expensive and considering the loss you might have when selling it I think upgrading it is the better option. |
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Thanks for the input so far. Changing out the items I listed above are really not a problem, and I'm very capable to do them myself, however, like I said, I think I want more. Dawson Rail, Match Barrel w/ bushing, fancy checkering or whatever. Just don't know. Does anybody know what the sight cuts are on these Springers? Novak? |
Novak-cut sights, I know that much. |
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I have the same model. Novak cut for rear. Front is what Springfield defines as a "standard dovetail". The front is a 60 degree x .330W. I can not remember the depth, but you can e-mail springfield and they will tell you exactly what the depth is. I have seen sights for this cut but it is not as common as the 65 degree cut. |
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Dawson sells a pretty wide array of sights for the Springfield 1911s. www.dawsonprecision.com/CategoryProductList.jsp?cat=SIGHTS+FRONT:Springfield+Armory |