Springfield 9mm Target

[Rhyyke]

Picked up the SA 1911 Target in 9mm yesterday and hit the range for a brief meet and greet.

Put 100 rounds of WWB through it, using the mags that it came with. Did not go home to lube it up so ran it dry with all stock springs. Had one hangup where the slide did not return to battery for some reason. The breechface basically stopped against the disconnector. Cleared it and kept shooting, did not happen again.

Recoil was almost .22 light, accuracy was on point. The trigger was gritty and definitely heavier than my "tuned up" 1911s but that's to be expected.

Took it home and threw an old S&A magwell along with a 19# recoil spring and standard hardware. Also put in a 14# variable recoil spring in along with GI guide and plugs. Not sure if I should replace the firing pin spring with the one from the package too, I'll be bringing it along to the range in case I find I need it.

Detailed range report to follow!

[dfletcher]

Picked up the SA 1911 Target in 9mm yesterday and hit the range for a brief meet and greet.

Put 100 rounds of WWB through it, using the mags that it came with. Did not go home to lube it up so ran it dry with all stock springs. Had one hangup where the slide did not return to battery for some reason. The breechface basically stopped against the disconnector. Cleared it and kept shooting, did not happen again.

Recoil was almost .22 light, accuracy was on point. The trigger was gritty and definitely heavier than my "tuned up" 1911s but that's to be expected.

Took it home and threw an old S&A magwell along with a 19# recoil spring and standard hardware. Also put in a 14# variable recoil spring in along with GI guide and plugs. Not sure if I should replace the firing pin spring with the one from the package too, I'll be bringing it along to the range in case I find I need it.

Detailed range report to follow!

The factory trigger was my main complaint. I did a little cleaning up. I'm not new to 1911s and know what I can & can't do well and getting a clean, crisp but not too light pull is within my mediocre abilities. Great target sights though.

I'm kind of liking launching a 115 or 124 grain slug instead of the usual 185 to 230 grainer out of the same weight gun.

[Rhyyke]

I might do a little polishing tonight and see where it gets me. The lighter bullet (and cheaper ammo to boot) is a definite plus.

[User21c]

I also have a new one; looking forward to seeing the potential of the trigger w/ some polishing...

[FightonKC]

Sounds like mine.. gritty trigger and a bunch of shots where the slide did not return in the first 200 rounds. Since then, no more problems and lots of fun.

[Nick Adams]

I have one and the outside of the slide is not perfectly flat. It has a very slight ripple, mostly noticeable if you run your finger along the bottom edge of the slide or catch it in a certain light. Again this is on the outside, the inside where the slide rides the rails is fine. It functions fine, and 9mm recoil in a full size 1911 is almost nonexistent. I think a dehorn and bead blast will mask the mostly cosmetic flaw, but I will always know its there.

[JTROKS]

I might do a little polishing tonight and see where it gets me. The lighter bullet (and cheaper ammo to boot) is a definite plus.

What are you planning to polish?

Here's the latest one I did.

[Rhyyke]

Very nice JTROKS, is that bead blasted all around? I'm planning to take another range trip or two to test out the new spring setup before handing it over to Dave's Metal Works for some front strap checkering. I think I'm going to do all matte on the frame with matte round/brushed flats for the slide.

I was looking at some DIY trigger job guides online, will probably try to clean up the action myself a bit.

[Chief-7700]

Want a great trigger pull. Get John Harrison's HD-120-TR sear, disconnector and hammer. You will have to refit the thumb safety.

https://www.HarrisonCustom.com

[Rhyyke]

Want a great trigger pull. Get John Harrison's HD-120-TR sear, disconnector and hammer. You will have to refit the thumb safety.
www.HarrisonCustom.com

I got my sights and a couple Cobra mags from Harrison's and was looking at his ignition controls. Did you fit it yourself or is it more of a gunsmith job?

[tmh1]

I can tell you that mine just loves the 10 round magazines from Dawson Precision. A bit on the spendy side, but I have never had a single feeding/firing issue with any of these magazines:

https://dawsonprecision.com/dawson-competition-ready-mag-kit-w-dawson-9mm-10-rd/

[1911whore]

I would like a fixed sight version of it to start on a custom build.....

[JTROKS]

Very nice JTROKS, is that bead blasted all around? I'm planning to take another range trip or two to test out the new spring setup before handing it over to Dave's Metal Works for some front strap checkering. I think I'm going to do all matte on the frame with matte round/brushed flats for the slide.

I was looking at some DIY trigger job guides online, will probably try to clean up the action myself a bit.

I bead blasted the whole gun, but the owner of the gun wanted the flat/sides brushed contrast.

Depending how light you want it might make you spend money on premium tool steel hammer and sear. The MIM sear and hammer is good enough for a clean crisp 3.5 lb. Even SACS require replacing the hammer, sear for customers wanting a trigger pull less than 4.5 lbs. With my personal SA LT and RO both in 9mm I got the trigger at 2.5 lbs with the stock sear/hammer/disconnector. An RO in 45 I worked on the stock sear will not hold the cut. Seemed the heat treating did not go deep enough. So word of advice if you need to take off steel to give the sear a new angle and relief cut. The pictures SA LT 9mm has EGW ignition parts for the owner wanted a very light racegun trigger at a sub 2 lb.

[Rhyyke]

I would like a fixed sight version of it to start on a custom build.....

I was thinking the same but decided to pass on a N prefix with fixed sights in favor of the NM with target sights. Will be throwing HD fixed rear and fiber optic front on it after a refinish.

JTROKS that's a good looking finish! I'm just messing around with the stock parts for now; eventually this piece will be turned over someone competent for a real trigger job (ACW, OC Gunsmith, and Harrison Design being top contenders). Probably not aiming for anything less than 3.5 lbs.

[Gary13]

I can tell you that mine just loves the 10 round magazines from Dawson Precision. A bit on the spendy side, but I have never had a single feeding/firing issue with any of these magazines:

https://dawsonprecision.com/dawson-c...son-9mm-10-rd/

Looks like I will be getting one of these SA 1911 9mm soon. WC also makes 10rd mags. Any input on these or any other 10rd mags? So far they all seem to be in the $30 range.