Posted: 10/31/2009 9:18:54 PM EDT
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Howdy folks,
I have a pair of Colt MKIV/Series 70 1911's; one from 1971 (70G14###), the other from 1982 (70B24###). The '82 pistol is completely stock, but the '71 has been tweaked a bit with an aftermarket grip safety, flat MSH, and at least an aftermarket hammer. Fortunately, whomever WECSOGed the grip safety didn't screw up the tangs. In theory, I could return the 70G 1911 to box stock with very little effort. I'd say both pistols are 95%+ category. Now to my dilemma... I want to modify both pistols. MInimally, I'd like to get them both up to semi-modern spec with: High-ride beavertail grip safeties Novak Tritium sights Carry bevelled magwell Lowered/flared ejection port Ambi Thumb safety 25LPI checkering on the front strap, high grip VZ grips The above plus whatever would be needed for a reliability/accuracy package for the internals. All internal parts would be Ed Brown Hardcore or the equivalent. The finish would be polished blue on the flats with bead blasted rounds. Perhaps the best description would be: A Blued MUE(SOC)* with Novaks. The intent is to have a pair of carry pistols with the reliability and modern features needed for Gunsite and CCW. What says the arfcom 1911 crew: yea or nay? m * By MEU(SOC) I mean a fighting pistol with all of the bits needed for CCW/HD, but none of the bits folks add for looks or snob appeal. |
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Bluing for a carry gun is a waste of resources. You will be fighting a losing battle against rust. Gunkote is the best finish for a carry gun. Even phosphate finishes will drive you crazy with rust.
I understand that it is chique to replace the internals with ( drop a name brand) parts, but what for? You stated that the pistols are 38 and 27 years old and in 95+% condition. Other than the gun snob factor, what reason could you have for replacing perfectly good parts? Unless the pistols are having reliability problems, why alter the ports? The sights probably do need to be replaced. If you are doing so in order to make them more usable, then that would be a good mod. I personally do not care for checkering. After a couple of hundred rounds they make my fingers sore. I prefer the feel of rounded edges and corners and smooth grips stocks. Rubber grip stocks are even better. Adding the beaver tail grips safeties and Commander style hammers are always good mods. I have been carrying and training with my 1911s for several years and have never had the need for a flared mag well. They are like running boards on a modern pick up truck. They look cool, but aren't really necessary. |
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Quoted:
Bluing for a carry gun is a waste of resources. You will be fighting a losing battle against rust. Gunkote is the best finish for a carry gun. Even phosphate finishes will drive you crazy with rust. I understand that it is chique to replace the internals with ( drop a name brand) parts, but what for? You stated that the pistols are 38 and 27 years old and in 95+% condition. Other than the gun snob factor, what reason could you have for replacing perfectly good parts? Unless the pistols are having reliability problems, why alter the ports? The sights probably do need to be replaced. If you are doing so in order to make them more usable, then that would be a good mod. I personally do not care for checkering. After a couple of hundred rounds they make my fingers sore. I prefer the feel of rounded edges and corners and smooth grips stocks. Rubber grip stocks are even better. Adding the beaver tail grips safeties and Commander style hammers are always good mods. I have been carrying and training with my 1911s for several years and have never had the need for a flared mag well. They are like running boards on a modern pick up truck. They look cool, but aren't really necessary. Thanks for the replies, folks. The intent of replacing the internals is basically this: If the hammer is getting replaced, (and I would want to replace the stock spur hammer) it would seem to be a good idea to replace the sear and disconnector at the same time. Using good quality components isn't intended to be chic, it makes good sense. As for 'all' of the internals, perhaps I overstated that. On pistols of this age, there is no real reason to replace any of the parts which aren't worn beyond spec. Replace all in my post with 'hammer, sear, and disconnector'. I agree that the bluing might be an issue, and I may choose to go another route. But, I do like a nice blued pistol. I will disagree on the magwell, however. These aren't intended to be IDPA or IPSC competition pistols, so there won't be an external magwell grafted onto the grips, but I don't see any downside to cleaning up and adding a slight bevel to the existing frame. For the other folks suggesting a Springfield, I could do that, and I have Milspec. It's a nice pistol, I like it quite a bit, but it isn't a Colt. m |
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I've never been one for preserving the sanctity of a stock Colt made in the last 50 years.
The beauty of them is not what they are, but what they can be. Out of the box, the sights suck, the grip safety hurts, and the accuracy isn't anything to write home about. |
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Quoted:
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Quoted:
MInimally, I'd like to get them both up to semi-modern spec with: High-ride beavertail grip safeties Novak Tritium sights Carry bevelled magwell Lowered/flared ejection port Ambi Thumb safety 25LPI checkering on the front strap, high grip VZ grips * By MEU(SOC) I mean a fighting pistol with all of the bits needed for CCW/HD, but none of the bits folks add for looks or snob appeal. If you don't want any unnecessary bits, then lets whack away at your minimal list a bit. Start by deleting the lowered/flared ejection port and checkering and recontouring the frontstrap. Neither are indisputably necessary, IMHO. Checkering is simply a vanity issue. Having shot IPSC limited for 15 years with skateboard tape on my frontstrap, I have never missed checkering. For carry, stippling is more appropriate because it isn't as damaging to clothing. Regarding your ejection port, I have never had an ejection failure. I shoot a 1991A1 with a stock ejection port. I'm left-handed and very conscious where my cases are traveling (like toward my face!). This is a non-issue. I'd also rethink the ambi safety unless you are left-handed. I have a King ambi, which has a dovetail on the pivot pin that locks on the off-side lever. Most ambi safeties aren't nearly solid enough for my SHTF tastes. |