1911 custom work

[sirgrumps]

I just assumed you had a budget. Most people do.

But I still stand by my original suggestions.

I would do this BEFORE checkering.

1.) reliability package - includes extractor tuning, ramp and throat job, minor bullet path polishing. Most of this work is coarsely done at the factory. A 1911 typically needs some fine tuning.
2.) trigger job - a good breaking 1911 trigger is something to be experienced. Like a glass rod breaking. It just snaps, cleanly, repeatable, and consistent.
3.) match barrel bushing - a well fit bushing adds a lot of the repeatability when it comes to accuracy.

After that, you can go nuts, look at the price sheet a decide accordingly.

[Mr. Blue]

Just as a budgetary note, the image of the work you posted would require an entirely new barrel that is fitted to your gun, as it is a bull barrel setup, the new guide rod plug shown in the image, and a new guide rod, for what I would argue is mostly aesthetic, but not very functional gains. Up to $500 parts plus labor, as well as the length of time you'd be out waiting for the gun to be fitted to said bull barrel setup.

If you just want the flush cut reverse cut crown, then you can do that, it won't look the same but it will at least you are only paying for the cost of the reverse-crown on the barrel and getting a significant amount of the look.



Ask your smith about a trigger job and a reliability package anyways. They will take the measurements and run the tests (and have the experience) to determine if the gun requires a reliability package or not. As for a trigger job, that's up to you to determine where you want it set at. I like 3.5 lbs. Others like 4.5. Personal preference. But a properly performed trigger job still feels better than stock.

Is your skin sensitive? Not meant to offend, a member here insisted on getting only a de-horning job all over because he had sensitive skin and hated snagging sharp edges. Determine if that's something worth it to you as well. Do you like the sights? I personally hate target sights, so I'm getting those changed out front and rear, but some people like those. Another thing you have to determine whether you like or not. So on and so forth.

[Mr. Blue]

I just assumed you had a budget. Most people do.

But I still stand by my original suggestions.

I would do this BEFORE checkering.

1.) reliability package - includes extractor tuning, ramp and throat job, minor bullet path polishing. Most of this work is coarsely done at the factory. A 1911 typically needs some fine tuning.
2.) trigger job - a good breaking 1911 trigger is something to be experienced. Like a glass rod breaking. It just snaps, cleanly, repeatable, and consistent.
3.) match barrel bushing - a well fit bushing adds a lot of the repeatability when it comes to accuracy.

After that, you can go nuts, look at the price sheet a decide accordingly.

[LateBraking]

Ok this makes sense now with the barrel thing. Ya I won’t be doing that. I’d much rather spend $500 getting the trigger exactly how I like it. And a few other things I’m sure. I hate target sights too. I ordered a Dawson precision fo front sight. As far as the rear sight goes I looked high and low but could find no replacement. I was told that there aren’t any replacements, other than kensight. So I may stick with the rear. Adjustment could be nice because I really like this gun and want to dial it in.

Trigger job shouldn't cost more than $300 so you'll be out ahead anyways. I believe my tritium rear sights on order made for the gun (I am having the exact same thing, a 1911 Target Stainless worked on) is made by Harrison Design, these. They make non-tritium as well if you just want blank serrated rear sights.

The reverse crowning of the barrel should be in the realm of the $150 range I think, give or take.

https://shop.harrisoncustom.com/springfield-armory-1911s

Edit for link, think it was this one, but anyways, Harrison is what was ordered. https://shop.harrisoncustom.com/hd-0...ar-night-sight

[freonr22]

Silly question, is barrel fitting, part of the bushing fitting job? Or reliability package, normally? Or normally, factory fit are ok? Thanks

[LateBraking]

Silly question, is barrel fitting, part of the bushing fitting job? Or reliability package, normally? Or normally, factory fit are ok? Thanks

I'm not a 1911 gunsmith but to my understanding and speaking generically, bushing job involves fitting the bushing. If just changing a bushing, the new bushing's OD will be fit to the slide's ID, and the bushing's ID will be fit to whatever barrel is being used's OD. Fitting of all the other contact points of a barrel to a slide is its own separate thing.

Reliability package I believe is more centered around feed ramps, extractors, interaction with magazines, and a general health check on springs and components. Last reliability package job I had done resulted in extractor clean-up, firing pin change, recoil spring change I know for sure. I know lots of other fitting was being done, but I was also going from .38 super to 9mm so a lot of it I think just muddled together into all the work I was getting done at once.

Factory guns tend to generally be reliable, and if they aren't, they come with warranties.

[redhemi]

Well your on a good start. If your going to try to keep your budget reasonable the mechanics of the gun is the place to start. Make it a good reliable shooter then go with the aesthetics. I'd go with what sirgrumps has suggested then work on how you want your gun to look like. If you really want a great shooter have them check the fitment of the barrel or get a better barrel. The flush cut and reverse crown looks nice but if you do this make sure it's with a match barrel bushing. I would also go for the undercut trigger guard. I have medium sized hands and one of my 1911s has a undercut and my hand fits it so much better. I hope to eventually get some of my more favorite 1911s undercut. Another thing I know I want to do to several of my guns is flush cut the slide stop and countersink the frame. I think that looks so much nicer. Also something I want to get done to a few more of my guns is ball cut the slide. Just a few suggestions. And I wish this gun in this pic was mine.

[Mr. Blue]

Good stuff RedHemi, ya that wilson combat is very nice looking. My slide stop sticks out very far so I may have them flush fit that as well.