1911 project gun - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

msu33 · 06-24-2008, 11:58 AM

I am thinking about getting a 1911 as a project gun. Im just not sure which 1911 to start with. I think I want to start with a colt or a sistema. I will be buying it used and in stock condition. Other than a colt or a sistema. Whats a good basic used 1911 to start with?

NDB_MN · 06-24-2008, 12:53 PM

For a "base" you could go with a Springfield GI or Mil-spec, Rock Island, or Taurus in addition to Colt. Never really seen Sistema. I'm sure used you'd get them pretty cheap, I've seen really nice used Springfields in the $400-$500 range.

tomfoolery · 06-24-2008, 01:15 PM

For the price i would suggest a used Springfield G.I. or a Rock Island Armory G.I.

Both of those are basic 1911 pistols that all you to upgrade everything if you want.

Tricky · 06-24-2008, 01:42 PM

What about how tight the frames are on the slides? I am not sure you would get spectacular accuracy with those pistols. Am I wrong?

tomfoolery · 06-24-2008, 01:46 PM

That can be fixed with relative ease. Im not sure of the detailed process (i had my smith do mine), but i think it involves a dead blow or leather hammer and some good old fashion whacking.

DISCLAIMER....do not do this, its only a thought on how I think its done.

msu33 · 06-24-2008, 01:50 PM

you can definately make them tighter. I plan on doing most the work myself, but I may leave that to the professionals.

tomfoolery · 06-24-2008, 02:00 PM

I would...only because to tight a fit could really eat up the metal on the rails and frame. Not enough is just pointless in the first place.

There is a guy locally (best in this region reputation) who i took my 1911 to and had him fit a match grade barrel and bushing as well as tighten the slide to frame fit. For the barrel, bushing, and labor i think i paid $130

I'd put my gun up there accuracy and reliability wise with dang near anything.

Deadcenter · 06-24-2008, 02:33 PM

I would recommend the Rock Island Armory Tactical over the GI - it has most of the common upgrades already and you would save a lot of Gunsmith money. It has a beavertail grip safety, AND Novak cuts in the slide - this gives you a wider variety of choice in sights. You could concentrate on the finer details of what you want it to be rather than the costly basic upgrades.

I had a beavertail grip safety and commander hammer added ... cost me more than I paid for the pistol the first time :-p Had to have the beavertail, it was biting me

10 yards offhand WWB FMJ stock EDBD sights

06-24-2008, 11:58 AM	#1
msu33 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 140	1911 project gun I am thinking about getting a 1911 as a project gun. Im just not sure which 1911 to start with. I think I want to start with a colt or a sistema. I will be buying it used and in stock condition. Other than a colt or a sistema. Whats a good basic used 1911 to start with?

06-24-2008, 12:53 PM	#2
NDB_MN XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Champlin, Minnesota Posts: 422	For a "base" you could go with a Springfield GI or Mil-spec, Rock Island, or Taurus in addition to Colt. Never really seen Sistema. I'm sure used you'd get them pretty cheap, I've seen really nice used Springfields in the $400-$500 range. __________________ SA-XD40 Bi-Tone: Trijicon Night Sights, Don's Guide Rod 22#, PRP Match Trigger, Magloc Mag Well, Hogue Handall grip Beretta PX4 Storm Subcompact 9mm Kimber 1911 Stainless TLE II Beretta AL391 Teknys 12ga Ruger MkII: Volquartsen Target Grips, Adjustable Sights

06-24-2008, 01:15 PM	#3
tomfoolery XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 5,288	For the price i would suggest a used Springfield G.I. or a Rock Island Armory G.I. Both of those are basic 1911 pistols that all you to upgrade everything if you want. __________________ "It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees." "One is none, two is one, and three is just a good time." Clint Smith, referring to the number of guns you carry daily.

06-24-2008, 01:46 PM	#5
tomfoolery XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 5,288	That can be fixed with relative ease. Im not sure of the detailed process (i had my smith do mine), but i think it involves a dead blow or leather hammer and some good old fashion whacking. DISCLAIMER....do not do this, its only a thought on how I think its done. __________________ "It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees." "One is none, two is one, and three is just a good time." Clint Smith, referring to the number of guns you carry daily.

06-24-2008, 02:00 PM	#7
tomfoolery XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 5,288	I would...only because to tight a fit could really eat up the metal on the rails and frame. Not enough is just pointless in the first place. There is a guy locally (best in this region reputation) who i took my 1911 to and had him fit a match grade barrel and bushing as well as tighten the slide to frame fit. For the barrel, bushing, and labor i think i paid $130 I'd put my gun up there accuracy and reliability wise with dang near anything. __________________ "It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees." "One is none, two is one, and three is just a good time." Clint Smith, referring to the number of guns you carry daily.

06-24-2008, 01:42 PM	#4
Tricky XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Statesboro GA Posts: 164	What about how tight the frames are on the slides? I am not sure you would get spectacular accuracy with those pistols. Am I wrong?

06-24-2008, 01:50 PM	#6
msu33 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 140	you can definately make them tighter. I plan on doing most the work myself, but I may leave that to the professionals.

06-24-2008, 02:33 PM	#8
Deadcenter XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Trucking the USA Posts: 919	Rock Island Armory Tactical I would recommend the Rock Island Armory Tactical over the GI - it has most of the common upgrades already and you would save a lot of Gunsmith money. It has a beavertail grip safety, AND Novak cuts in the slide - this gives you a wider variety of choice in sights. You could concentrate on the finer details of what you want it to be rather than the costly basic upgrades. I had a beavertail grip safety and commander hammer added ... cost me more than I paid for the pistol the first time :-p Had to have the beavertail, it was biting me 10 yards offhand WWB FMJ stock EDBD sights Last edited by Deadcenter; 06-24-2008 at 03:19 PM. Reason: photo

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