Author Topic: Where are my 1911 gurus?  (Read 3723 times)

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Offline 357MAGNOLE

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Where are my 1911 gurus?
« on: August 09, 2022, 05:56:03 PM »
I refuse to join another gun forum.  But I just purchased my second 1911.  My first was a Dan Wesson ECO in .45 that I thought was an excellent little carry piece. However, I never really carried it.  It was too small to shoot just for fun and no longer served a role so I sold it locally.  This weekend I purchased online a new Springfield TRP in .45.  The non-railed version. 

I have been wanting a better than basic model and have always had my eye on one of these.  I am also considering sending it into the custom shop at either Springfield or Nighthawk for trigger work, slide to frame fit work, and some other touches eventually.  Kind of my way of getting into a custom shop gun with half up front and a half later. 

I will likely put a good 1000-1500 rounds in it before ever sending it off, but what are some common "upgrades" that are worth doing? On this level of gun, I wouldn't think there is a whole lot of room for improvement but I already know I will want to have a custom trigger, go to a single side safety instead of the ambi etc etc. Stock image below, ill have it in hand tomorrow.



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Offline jwc007

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2022, 06:52:20 PM »
I would leave it just as it is, as it already has every upgrade I would do to it.  :)
But that's just my take.  ;)
"Easy is the path to wisdom for those not blinded by ego." - Yoda


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Offline 357MAGNOLE

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2022, 07:24:17 PM »
I am definitely getting a custom trigger and single-side safety.  Without a doubt, I just don't really understand why people replace the some other components like the guide rods.  Is it just for the simplicity of take down?
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CZ 455 Varmit Evolution .22 LR
CZ Scorpion EVO 3
CZ 512 .22 WMR
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CZ_FANATIC

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2022, 09:45:04 PM »
Congrats on the TRP! I've been hunting for one myself, but they are scarce. I also want a nice Dan Wesson.
I added this Kimber Custom TLE II to my 1911 collection today. This makes number 4 


Offline mrcabinet

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #4 on: August 09, 2022, 09:50:57 PM »
Maybe change the grips?

Honestly, if you're planning on sending it in for trigger work in the not too distant future, I wouldn't do anything to it - other than enjoy it. I typically swap the main spring, stone the sear and hammer, polish the trigger channel and anything else that moves, adjust pre and over travel, and adjust the sear and disconnector springs for a 3 lb. pull that usually feels like 2. Any good 1911 smith will do all that for you.
No matter where you're going, there you are.

Offline bang bang

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2022, 10:35:26 PM »
Welcome

if you are a 1911 fan, hopefully you had a chance to shoot many and hopefully some with mods.

So, out of all those you shot, what were the features you liked or not?  I would start there.  I have no idea on whats on or not on the TRP.  But its your gun, your money and your research/work.

My retired LGS was a 1911 guru so i was able to get some of his 1911s that happened to make it back to the nest and up for sale.  But everyone that i have are different since it was people like you flipping the bill and then selling at a loss.  My gain  ;D.   

if you want, you can ask the people that will do the work this .....
Quote
what are some common "upgrades" that are worth doing?


Offline M1A4ME

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #6 on: August 09, 2022, 11:04:48 PM »
Mods?

To make it shoot better?

To make it more user friendly?

To make it shiny and glittery and pretty to look at?

Shoot it first to see if it needs any mods for that.  How will you know if it's the gun, the ammo or you?  You need a plan to try different ammo and how to insure you don't factor into it.  If it needs help with the groups then a match type barrel bushing should help some.  For the back of the barrel there's the effort of finding the right oversized barrel link to help with lockup.  Or, there used to be a part (assembly really) called a Dwyer Group Gripper.  Odd thing that does the same thing and forces the barrel into the slide the same every time.  It's a modified link with as ledge sticking out on the front.  The replacement recoii spring guide has a flat spring sticking out the back.  The flat spring catches against that ledge and pushes the back of the barrel fully up into the slide.  Really helped my old Combat Commander.

What user friendly mods do you like?  My first 1911 was a 1917 made 1911 Army pistol.  I still prefer flat mainspring housings.  I like the spur hammers on the full sized guns over the bobbed hammers.  Nice sights are a plus.  I'm fine with a set of magpul soft grips (but I like the CZ soft rubber grips, so that's not a surprise).  I missed the safety on my Combat Commander once, at the range, and I installed a set of extended ambidextrous safeties.  Never missed it again.  I put them on all my 1911's (except that old Army 1911).   I like a lanyard loop on the bottom of the mainspring housing, just in case (another thing I install on my CZs if they don't already have one out of the box.) 

Shiny bling stuff?  Nope, don't need it.

Good luck with it.
I just keep wasting time and money on other brands trying to find/make one shoot like my P07 and P09.  What is wrong with me?

Offline double-d

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2022, 12:02:48 PM »
Easy one for me----
Run about 3-500 rounds through them then off to either Terry Tussey (https://www.tusseycustom.com) or Alex Hamilton (https://tenring.com/about-alex/) with the following instructions;

- make it reliable
- make it accurate
- change out any parts deemed necessary
- give it a matte hard chrome plating

All but one of my 1911s received this treatment.

Unfortunately Terry has passed away and I don't know whom is running the shop now. 

More info on Alex (https://americanpistolsmithsguild.com/APGMember/1829) whom had his hands on this one


Offline Hammer Time

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2022, 06:15:59 PM »
I have a TRP - it's been a great pistol, and I haven't done a thing to it. I love everything about it, just as it is. On my example at least, slide to frame fitment and the trigger are both excellent right out of the box (and I'm comparing that to my two Dan Wessons).

Offline ams

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2022, 12:28:09 AM »
What do you consider an upgrade?

You can tweak the leaf spring (middle leaf presses on the disconnector/ trigger bar) to lower the trigger weight. Do you want a neutral sear angle with an escape angle? Could you tell if it had that? Lots of the upgrades are just swapping mim for steal parts. Swapping a trigger to a flat trigger, if that is your thing. 

Offline Claymore504

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2022, 08:21:38 AM »
The TRP is a great 1911. I would run it as is right now. However, I would look to Hilton Yam (10-8 Performance) for information. I consider him pretty much an SME on the 1911 and he has a lot of history with Springfield 1911s.

here are a few of his 1911 videos I find very helpful:

https://youtu.be/S-wGvGVYtNU

https://youtu.be/YGBc9XW-wOE

https://youtu.be/0fE4veJykLg

https://youtu.be/eVbReVjPhBY


Offline 357MAGNOLE

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #11 on: August 11, 2022, 04:45:50 PM »
 Appreciate all the awesome replies! I've been busy but I did get the TRP in.

For me I was looking more into reliability and ergonomic type upgrades. As my first full size 1911 I wasn't really sure what I'd like to change.

Now that I have it in hand I have a better idea. It's with a local Smith right now for a action job, install of Wilson extended slide and magazine release and a Wilson bullet proof extended safety. Single side.

He's also going to blend the magwell and I'm going to get the barrel crowned.
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CZ Scorpion EVO 3
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Offline 357MAGNOLE

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #12 on: August 11, 2022, 09:53:50 PM »
Welcome

if you are a 1911 fan, hopefully you had a chance to shoot many and hopefully some with mods.

So, out of all those you shot, what were the features you liked or not?  I would start there.  I have no idea on whats on or not on the TRP.  But its your gun, your money and your research/work.

My retired LGS was a 1911 guru so i was able to get some of his 1911s that happened to make it back to the nest and up for sale.  But everyone that i have are different since it was people like you flipping the bill and then selling at a loss.  My gain  ;D.   

if you want, you can ask the people that will do the work this .....
Quote
what are some common "upgrades" that are worth doing?

I have shot a few, but been completely spoiled as I have only shot custom shop or Dan Wesson varients that are already pretty well outfitted and smooth.  I know I like a oversized safety, I know I like an aggressive grip and a good magwell.

The TRP really comes with about everything you want, its just not refined and hand fitted.  Im basically just going to take it and have it gone through to clean up the action and replace a couple parts with extended versions.  Safety/Mag Release/Slide release etc
USN 2006-Present
CZ 455 Varmit Evolution .22 LR
CZ Scorpion EVO 3
CZ 512 .22 WMR
Cajunized P-09

Offline 357MAGNOLE

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #13 on: August 11, 2022, 09:58:33 PM »
What do you consider an upgrade?

You can tweak the leaf spring (middle leaf presses on the disconnector/ trigger bar) to lower the trigger weight. Do you want a neutral sear angle with an escape angle? Could you tell if it had that? Lots of the upgrades are just swapping mim for steal parts. Swapping a trigger to a flat trigger, if that is your thing.

Im quiet the trigger snob but I got no clue what you are talking about which is why I am here.  But yeah its currently getting a few mim parts swapped for extended machined parts from Wilsons "bullet proof" line.

Now you got me intrigued on the sear angle and how that works.
USN 2006-Present
CZ 455 Varmit Evolution .22 LR
CZ Scorpion EVO 3
CZ 512 .22 WMR
Cajunized P-09

Offline 357MAGNOLE

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Re: Where are my 1911 gurus?
« Reply #14 on: August 11, 2022, 10:07:55 PM »
Obligated photo

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USN 2006-Present
CZ 455 Varmit Evolution .22 LR
CZ Scorpion EVO 3
CZ 512 .22 WMR
Cajunized P-09