High Standard 1911- A Base for Upgrades

[Electric Factory]

I went into a local shop today to look at the Sig P6 as a range gun and instead bought a High Standard 1911 at a semi reasonable price. I've read reams on both the RIA and High Standard, both seem capable base 1911's but I stumbled onto this High Standard first. i intend to use it as a base platform to gradually upgrade, as upgrade funds become available and all while being able to shoot and break it in.
Right away though I'd like to replace the trigger, then both front and rear sights with something a little easier on the eyes.
What sights did you go with and why ? What about a reasonably priced trigger ? Will most after market mags work with the High Standard ?

[ZOMBIEHUNTER]

i just looked at one yesterday for the price its a good start plus a high dollar gun means nothing unless you can shoot well

[radioburning]

I just ordered one yesterday from DD's Ranch. I think they're sold out now, though. Even though it's not a $2,500 1911 I'm pretty excited. Like my friend says, "even the cheapest 1911 will outshoot most people."

[aplinker]

As someone who's owned dozens of 1911's here's my advice to you:

If you're going to build up a gun custom don't waste your money on a High Standard. Customization should be for guns that will hold the value of the smithing (Colt(or one of the top-end custom frames like Caspian, STI, Baer, etc...) > Springfield >>> anything else) Spending $1000 on customization for a $300 pistol to end up with a $500 gun just isn't worth it - and you could save money and get a better gun if you save now and get a built-out gun (see below).

If you want a High Standard to shoot the hell out of, buy it and enjoy it!

If you're planning on shooting a 1911 I would VERY HIGHLY recommend two changes be made, and more often than not it's far more economical to just get the "Loaded" "Tactical" etc. etc package. 1.) Extended beavertail (hammer bite is no fun) 2.) sights (you can't hit what you can't see). Remember changing the sights on a base 1911 requires machining and refinishing, so it's often many times cheaper to just buy the enhanced pistol to start.

If money is really crunched go with a RIA Tactical. If you can afford a few more $ or the time to save it, get the Springfield Loaded or a Kimber.

[tankerman]

Aren't these the same as RIA's and made in the Phillipines?

[aplinker]

Aren't these the same as RIA's and made in the Phillipines?

Yes

[adamsreeftank]

I somewhat agree that it isn't worth putting a lot of cash into the high standard gun. One of the appeals of them is that they are pretty close to the original 1911A1, so it is a good gun to learn with and use as a range beater. Giving it a trigger job and maybe a beavertail is about as far as I'd go. If you are thinking about new sights and a match barrel, then you will need a top notch smith, and you might want to use a better quality base gun.

That is why I have a Springfield GI stock and a fully custom Valtro. They are worlds apart in every way, but they are both fun to shoot at the range.

[IH8CALAWS]

The high standard is a good starter 1911 if you want to learn how to work on them you'r self. I am thinking of getting one as a good range beater I'll probably add a new trigger , beaver tail (since I already have the jig), and possibly some SS take off's from my Mil-Spec. I also agree that if you want some thing nice buy it built, after my springer gets home from the smith I could have almost baught a TRP. It isn't always cheaper to do it you'r self, but if you want a shooter you can't beat the price.

[gn3hz3ku1*]

its a generally good gun for its price.. but from what i read it is like my friends who put thousands of dollars into a civic to end up being the same speed as a bmw... could have just put that money into the bmw to begin with? does that make sense...
buy 500 dollar gun put thousand dollar into it.. end up shooting the same as 1000 gun

[Electric Factory]

I'm really not expecting to convert this into a race gun or anything, just want to improve the trigger [ first thing ] and then find some decent sights, again nothing extravagant.
In fact I wish I could replace them with something better [ ie easier to see ] w/o milling the slide at all.
Any suggestions for ;
- a decent trigger
-a decent set of sights, front and rear

I'll probably shop Brownells.
Here's a pic,

[railroader]

Electric factory, try replacing the mainspring with a 18 or 19lb spring from wolf. That should help some with the trigger. When you get the wolf spring it will come with a firing pin spring too. Install that spring also. When I got my armscor pistol it came with a super heavy firing pin spring. They are that way to make sure they absolutely will pass the cali drop test but it was heavier than it needed to be. As for any customizing I agree with the other posters that you will never be able to recoup what you put in. Shoot it like it is, you can sell it later if you want and get something with the features you want for a lot less. Mark

[aplinker]

You don't need to replace the trigger at all. Parts are parts when it comes to 1911s. Sure, you can get better ones, but they're mostly better because their surfaces have been tuned and polished. Just spend some time learning how to do a 1911 trigger job. The only thing missing would be an overtravel stop, but you're not looking to speed your doubletaps, etc. etc...

Really, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how it shoots stock.

[Electric Factory]

http://www.fusionfirearms.com/

Fusion Firearms, Thats where I got my replacement sights for my 1911a1.
It had the regular "GI" style small sights and the narrow stake frontsight. Fusion has direct replacements for the "GI" style dovetails/narrow stake front without machining(standard 1911a1 GI). But all the nicer sights, and adjustable target sights would need a different cut for the sights. These are the sights I have for my standard GI slide: http://www.fusionfirearms.com/servle...or-1911/Detail

FAN-tastic.
I'm going to place my order tomorrow.

[dgey]

look at the brownells web site. They have a video do it yourself... Trigger pulls can be enhanced by polishing surfaces on the gun. Try that out..., you'll be amazed at what YOU can actually do..., and it won't destroy your gun...
remember polish, not remove

[oghl888]

If you want a high end gun, it's much better to start with a higher dollar base gun. I would go as far as saying that if you want a high end gun, and a Wilson/Ed Brown/etc already has most/all of the features you want, you are much better off buying the Wilson/Ed brown/etc.

Putting $2500 into a cheap base gun will likely not return a gun as good as a $2500 factory custom.