May 15, 2024
I've been a fan of 1911s for a long time, especially the custom type. For years, custom builders have pushed major manufacturers to incorporate more enhancements into the out-of-the-box 1911. Today's pistols from Springfield Armory, Colt, Dan Wesson, and Kimber are much more shootable than his USGI-style guns of yesteryear. Still, some can be tweaked with some tweaks to improve performance or suit the owner's aesthetic preferences. Here are some simple upgrades you can make to your 1911 without venturing too far into gunsmith territory. We'll focus on his three areas that are most important when it comes to shooting ease: grip, sight, and trigger.
1911 Sight Upgrade
If the front sight is staked rather than dovetailed, it's best to leave it alone or send it to a professional. Once the dovetail size is established, the rear sight becomes less of an issue. Believe it or not, 1911 sights do not have a standard rear dovetail size. Returning to the Springfield Armory Garrison example, this handgun used a Novak cut in the rear. Assuming the rear sight can be removed by the enthusiast, which is not always the case, there are many options available. I love what John Harrison of Harrison Design makes. I used his Extreme Service Rear Sight on my Garrison in conjunction with the factory front. The XS sight is another favorite of mine for a defense-oriented handgun. XS has several styles available for each of the common dovetails, but the Big Dot Night Sight set will be one of your best options.
1911 grip
The quickest and cheapest way to customize your 1911 is to replace the factory grip panels. There are dozens of varieties to suit every taste and preference. If you're looking for a modern grip that adds functional texture and style, look no further than the VZ Grip. Prices range from the $29.99 Operator II Polymer to the G10 model, which costs $65 per set, and offers numerous styles, textures, colors, and varieties. When it comes to wraparound style grips that add texture to the front strap, it's hard to beat the classic Pachmayr ($44.98). These have been around for decades and are probably best known today for their use in the Marine Corps' MEUSOC 1911. I also love the classic checkered wood grip panels, and these are available from a variety of sources. When I was looking for a set to dress up the Springfield Armory Garrison, I purchased the walnut panels ($49.99) from Hogue.
A key element of the 1911's grip is the mainspring housing, which forms the backstrap of the pistol below the grip safety. Replacing the factory polymer housing with a checkered steel unit is an easy and worthwhile upgrade. These are offered by virtually all his 1911 parts manufacturers, but my favorites are made by esteemed custom his pistol craftsman Stan Chen. Stan manufactures both blue plated and stainless steel housings that are completely machined from billet steel. He offers smooth units and checkering of 20, 25, and 30 lines per inch ($47 and up). The company also makes the Shooter Install Magwell ($149), which combines an extended magazine well and mainspring housing to perfectly fit most factory frames.
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1911 trigger
Many of today's factory 1911s use fire protection parts manufactured using metal injection molded (MIM) parts. They usually work fine, but replacing them with machined steel parts is a worthwhile upgrade and usually results in a much better trigger pull and increased longevity. We do not recommend that untrained people tinker with trigger jobs at home. Your best bet is to purchase and install a kit from a single manufacturer, such as EGW, Nowlin, Wilson Combat, or Extreme Engineering. I'm happy with Harrison Design's Extreme Service Ignition kit ($129.95). This kit includes a hammer, disconnector, and sear. These should fit most 1911s, but in some cases you may need to file down the Sam-He safety to accommodate the new part. Instructions are included, but if you have any doubts about handling your files, please consult a professional. In the meantime, replace the factory polymer trigger with an aluminum unit. Please note that these are usually too large and will need to be filed or machined to fit. I use a milling machine, but you can also use a hand file or belt sander. please take it easy. With the Harrison kit, he achieved a clean 4.15-pound trigger pull with zero tuning on the Garrison. Another complete option is Nighthawk Custom’s drop-in he trigger system ($299, nighthawkcustom.com). A truly all-in-one drop-in solution, this module includes a hammer, sear, disconnector and hammer strut in one sealed unit. This is ideal for those who don't want to tinker with parts, but are interested in sending their pistol in for custom work. I tried it and it worked as advertised.
Next level 1911 upgrade
If I were to go a little further, the next upgrade would be to replace the thumb safety, grip safety, and slide stop with fully machined parts. These operations require a little more skill, but any serious hobbyist can do this task. As always, remember to work slowly and if in doubt, consult a professional. Be suspicious of much of what you find on YouTube unless you trust the source. If you can find a copy, the Make Ready with Hilton Yam 1911 Duty Tune DVD is a great resource for anyone looking to upgrade their 1911. Mr. Yam also offers some of his training resources online and his website. . The 1911 is one of the best handguns ever designed, but a few key upgrades make it much easier to shoot. For a variety of reasons, today's 1911s are some of the best ever produced, but that doesn't mean there's no room for improvement. Customizing a 1911 is a never-ending endeavor, and there are many good books published on the subject. Focusing on hobbyist-installable components is a great way to improve a handgun's functionality without adding significant cost.
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