Spec Sheet For My SA Loaded 1911, Am I Missing Anything?

[The1stWright]

Ok i've been shooting my SA Loaded for quite sometime now and i've got the itch to start upgrading some parts as well as making my 1911 as "business like as possible" i'm going to send my 1911 to Dave Helton of dvcustom.com to have the work done. We've emailed back and forth a few times and I feel he is the correct gunsmith for the job.

Here are the upgrades i'm planning

$45 Match Barrel Brushing
$150 20 LPI Front Strap Checkering
$65 Trigger Job
$100 Magwell MSH
$125 Refinish Pistol to Satin Black (I don't like the parkerized finish)

Anything else i'm missing?

[Twiggz]

That’s a good list. Is he going to blend the magwell or just install it? Also, do you shoot with gloves or have tough hands? 20lpi will chew up most people’s hands. I have 25lpi on mine, and a few people have commented that it's still too aggressive for them.

Have you considered any aesthetic upgrades? Flush cut reverse crown barrel, recessed slide stop, etc? Now is the time to do them before the refinish.

[redhemi]

Sights?

[tdyoung1958]

Here are the upgrades i'm planning

$45 Match Barrel Brushing
$150 20 LPI Front Strap Checkering
$65 Trigger Job
$100 Magwell MSH
$125 Refinish Pistol to Satin Black (I don't like the parkerized finish)

Anything else i'm missing?

What about the barrel and feed ramp? Upgraded sights? Better grips? Better springs all around?

[Press Check]

I would recommend he weld-up the tangs and fit a .250 radius grip safety, and since we're working on ergonomics, have the front strap undercut.

I would go with the thick flange EGW bushing, and have the barrel cut flush and recrowned at 11 degrees.

Without knowing what you're trying to accomplish, it's hard to recommend anything.

[The1stWright]

Well I want to give my 1911 a more personal look as well as helping make this gun as accurate as possible.

I've already changed all the springs, polished the feed ramp as well. The night sights are fine as is.

[Press Check]

Springfield Armory is home to one of the best Custom Shops out there, so I'm definitely curious regarding why you're having the work completed elsewhere.

[The1stWright]

Springfield Armory is home to one of the best Custom Shops out there, so I'm definitely curious regarding why you're having the work completed elsewhere.

SA Custom Shop is super expensive.

To add a match barrel, brushing, 20lpi front strap checkering, and a trigger job would run $615 might as well do the TRP package for $895

[Press Check]

Machine Checkering at 20LPI is $150, and Springfield's checkering is the best out there. The Match Bushing is $60, and a Trigger Job is $100 using the existing components.

So far, you've saved $50.

Granted, the magwell is $180, but that includes the magwell, which is Springfield's custom version of the Smith and Alexander magwell. It is oversized at the base, and does not feature checkering, so for $180, it is machined, fit, blended and contoured to the frame, and machine checkered to match the front strap. It should be noted that the checkering on the most shelf-magwells are cast into the part, not machine checkered.

So far, you've saved $130, which is nothing to balk at, but not super expensive as you've indicated.

I can't address the refinishing without knowing what finish DV Small Arms uses.

[The1stWright]

Machine Checkering at 20LPI is $150, and Springfield's checkering is the best out there. The Match Bushing is $60, and a Trigger Job is $100 using the existing components.

So, far, you've saved $50.

Granted, the magwell is $180, but that includes the magwell, which is Springfield's custom version of the Smith and Alexander magwell. It is oversized at the base, and does not feature checkering, so for $180, it is machined, fit, blended and contoured to the frame, and machine checkered to match the front strap. It should be noted that the checkering on the most shelf-magwells are cast into the part, not machine checkered.

So far, you've saved $130, which is nothing to balk at, but not super expensive as you've indicated.

I can't address the refinishing without knowing what finish DV Small Arms uses.

I'm also thinking about skipping the magwell and just adding a match barrel instead.

You're right, I shouldn't cut costs. I should just go ahead and do the TRP package.

[Press Check]

The beauty in a 1911 is having the custom work completed as time and finances permit, and with that said, the TRP package might be overkill. You might consider having the action job done by a local Smith, and having the checkering, bushing fitment and likewise work completed by Springfield Armory, and I wouldn't omit the magwell from your project.

Self included, I doubt there's many CGN members that can outshoot the existing match grade barrel in your Loaded model, so having another match barrel fit might be overkill as well.

Moreover, having a bushing fit to the barrel and slide is a substantial upgrade in accuracy, and again, I would source an EGW bushing.

What city are you in?

[The1stWright]

The beauty in a 1911 is having the custom work completed as time and finances permit, and with that said, the TRP package might be overkill. You might consider having the action job done by a local Smith, and having the checkering, bushing fitment and likewise work completed by Springfield Armory, and I wouldn't omit the magwell from your project.

Self included, I doubt there's many CGN members that can outshoot the existing match grade barrel in your Loaded model, so having another match barrel fit might be overkill as well.

Moreover, having a bushing fit to the barrel and slide is a substantial upgrade in accuracy, and again, I would source an EGW bushing.

What city are you in?

I'm in Solano County, not many smiths around here. I've been thinking about doing an EGW bushing, but I need the correct tools to measure. I don't really need the magwell but i'd like to have it.

[Press Check]

Wow, you're right. I'm in Los Angeles County, but I know there's more than a few gunshops in Vallejo and Fairfield, but not sure if any of them have gunsmiths. Isn't there Russell's Gunsmithing in Dixon?

[The1stWright]

I've never heard of Russell's Gunsmithing before. Any reviews of his work?

[jeffrice6]

TRP package $895 + Used Loaded $800ish = Near $1700. Could just save your cash & sell the Loaded and buy exactly what you are looking for (TRP, Baer, ect)