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AR15.COM
1/12/2015 4:44:51 PM EDT
I have a Colt New Agent for my CC.  While I am decently happy with it, it could be a lot better I think.

For starters, I know it is a compact, but it is nothing compared to my full sized 1911's.  I bought it used, but it looked brand new. I think the previous owner had some of the same gripes I do, which is why he got rid of it right away.. Originally it was FTE'ing, I tightened up the extractor and shot 100 rounds through it, and a box of hollow points, seems to have fixed that issue.

The trigger is terrible.  Real gritty pull, spongy as well. The break isn't terrible, nor is the over-travel.  But I am thinking about replacing the sear spring (hopefully fix the spongy feel) and getting a different trigger with an over over-travel adjustment (Mainly I am changing it just for a different look), and buying the stones to smooth out the trigger well. (I would like to do this on my other 1911's, so buying them isn't a big deal). I know there is tuning involved with a new sear spring, and have played with it a bit on my full size, but never bought a new one. There is a local arfcommer that does trigger jobs, I may have him just do it though.

The recoil spring is something I want to play with a bit as well. My other 1911's have one recoil spring and changing them out is easy, I don't know much about how it works on the compact and the dual spring setup. So insight would be great. The slide cocking of the gun is a bit difficult. I assumed with the smaller size, the springs were just tighter, but would changing, or clipping the mainspring help with this at all as well?

Thanks for the info. My compact knowledge and research on the matter has been minimal, so excuse my ignorance.
1/12/2015 4:51:30 PM EDT
[#1]
no need for a new sear spring just bend the colt one. the spongy feel is most likely from poor hammer sear hook enguagement. these will need to be stoned to fix.

It would be cheaper just to pay for a trigger job than get all the parts required to do it right.

I would not clip coils on a mainspring esp a carry gun.

replacing the trigger is just cosmetic
1/12/2015 6:37:18 PM EDT
[#2]
Pretty sure you are stuck with the dual recoil spring setup on that small a 45.  And they have to have stiff springs to work right, too much going on in a too small package.   You start dicking with that gun, you'll be lucky if it runs right again.   The 1911 was never meant to work in a micro format, but some companies have made it work.
1/12/2015 6:45:49 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
Pretty sure you are stuck with the dual recoil spring setup on that small a 45.  And they have to have stiff springs to work right, too much going on in a too small package.   You start dicking with that gun, you'll be lucky if it runs right again.   The 1911 was never meant to work in a micro format, but some companies have made it work.
View Quote



Yeah, It runs pretty smoothly, just seeing if there was any info to make it better.

Thanks Greg, I will talk to the guy about the trigger job. Hopefully that clears up most of my gripe with it.
1/13/2015 9:05:10 AM EDT
[#4]
Does your have the novaks or trench sights? I bought mine used and it looked like someone had lined their holster with sandpaper. I thought mine only had one recoil spring but do not remember.
I dehorned
had it plated
added trigger
Grip safety
thumb safety
Mainspring housing
Hammer
Trigger Job 3#
Different Grips usually laser

The sights are hard to get used. I was carrying this when I got married so I don't see it going anywhere but I do not carry it anymore.

1/13/2015 12:02:58 PM EDT
[#5]
I had a gunsmith put a brass shotgun mid bead at the front of the trench.  Everyone at the shop thought it was rather nifty.
1/13/2015 12:14:15 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:
I had a gunsmith put a brass shotgun mid bead at the front of the trench.  Everyone at the shop thought it was rather nifty.
View Quote


Funny, I saw a post on one a year or so ago and a guy melted the edges and had it cut for novaks. I didn't understand why he paid for a New Agent to then put sights on it, when he could just buy the defender.. The shotgun bead isn't a bad idea though. I've seen people paint the trench white as well.  It is a bit different of a sight, you just have to shoot it a lot to get used to it. I always seem to hit a few inches high, but not enough to be worried.


Big Iron, nice looking pistol. I am going to get this thing cleaned up, you have inspired me.

1/13/2015 9:04:03 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:



Yeah, It runs pretty smoothly, just seeing if there was any info to make it better.


Thanks Greg, I will talk to the guy about the trigger job. Hopefully that clears up most of my gripe with it.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Pretty sure you are stuck with the dual recoil spring setup on that small a 45.  And they have to have stiff springs to work right, too much going on in a too small package.   You start dicking with that gun, you'll be lucky if it runs right again.   The 1911 was never meant to work in a micro format, but some companies have made it work.



Yeah, It runs pretty smoothly, just seeing if there was any info to make it better.


Thanks Greg, I will talk to the guy about the trigger job. Hopefully that clears up most of my gripe with it.


I can't help it...  As someone who seeks out, buys cheap and restores as many 1911s as I can find that have been "made better" by someone without suitable experience, I just love these threads!

Not meant to offend, OP.  Just make sure you do serious homework before deciding how to change the pistol and who to have do the work.
1/13/2015 10:25:08 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:


I can't help it...  As someone who seeks out, buys cheap and restores as many 1911s as I can find that have been "made better" by someone without suitable experience, I just love these threads!

Not meant to offend, OP.  Just make sure you do serious homework before deciding how to change the pistol and who to have do the work.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Pretty sure you are stuck with the dual recoil spring setup on that small a 45.  And they have to have stiff springs to work right, too much going on in a too small package.   You start dicking with that gun, you'll be lucky if it runs right again.   The 1911 was never meant to work in a micro format, but some companies have made it work.



Yeah, It runs pretty smoothly, just seeing if there was any info to make it better.


Thanks Greg, I will talk to the guy about the trigger job. Hopefully that clears up most of my gripe with it.


I can't help it...  As someone who seeks out, buys cheap and restores as many 1911s as I can find that have been "made better" by someone without suitable experience, I just love these threads!

Not meant to offend, OP.  Just make sure you do serious homework before deciding how to change the pistol and who to have do the work.



I am in talks with the HTF guy now. He is recommended by anyone who has done work with him in the HTF, so I feel pretty good about it.  But hey, you have to start somewhere, somehow, might as well do it on a Colt!
1/13/2015 11:22:34 PM EDT
[#9]
I put a Wilson Combat Beaver Tail, S&A Magwell and had Trigger work done by Aaron Hayes in Austin,TX.