1911... do I modify the frame or the new part to fit?

P

pavmentsurfer

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
346   0   0
Location
Minden
Just working on my first 1911, the cheap norinco from the Can-Am deal. Ive learned that just because it says its for a 1911 doesnt mean its a drop in for EVERY 1911... lol.

So I did get the new trigger in... took a while to figure out where to file but I got it. And the extended mag release dropped right in with no trouble. But this beavertail grip safety is going to take ALOT of work. I think I know the answer but im still going to ask, for an install like this, do you modify the frame or the part? To me, modifying the part is going to look alot worse and be way harder to hide than altering the frame of the gun. Furthermore, the frame is steel, so it can be blued. The part appears to be aluminum, so it cant.

Im just wondering if there is any sort of "best method" for something like this. Im almost thinking I cant do it myself as there is so much material that will have to come off... but knowing what I should be looking at doing will better tell me if I can or cant.

Last question, does anyone know where I can find an extended slide release lever in canada. Brownells wont ship these parts to canada due to some manufacturer registration issue or something. The rest of my parts came fine but even keeping the order under $100 still resulted in a no go for the slide release.

Thanks
 
Often, when a beavertail safety is fitted, the frame is altered. There are little button jigs which allow both sides to be filed to the appropriate contour. Makes a neater installation than cutting the safety to fit. Have a look at Brownells for the jigs.
 
always fit the cheaper part to the more expensive, or the one thats easier to replace to the harder one. In this case, you always modify the part to fit the frame. Great information in the above threads, good luck!
 
Thanks for the excellent links guys. Looks like a job I COULD do... But ill wait to do it until im ready to send the gun out to be refinished. No point in having it all hacked looking without getting it nicely re-done.

Thanks again for the links. Explained exactly what I was wondering.
 
i was told never alter the frame otherwise you lower the value of the actual gun. the beavertail is suppose to be fitted to the gun i always thought
not the other way around :p
 
Wilson Combat has government and commander model grip safeties that fit the normal GI style frame and the newer frames with the shorter cuts to accomodate extended grip safeties. I installed one on my series 80 Colt.

My advice would be to fit the part to the frame.
 
Generally a good idea to fit smaller parts to the frame, but properly installing a grip safety so it looks like it came with the gun is a different matter. If not wanting to mod your frame a drop in beavertail GS often works fine and solves hammer bite.
 
masa said:
i was told never alter the frame otherwise you lower the value of the actual gun. the beavertail is suppose to be fitted to the gun i always thought
not the other way around :p
Click to expand...

No, you CAN't alter a beavertail to fit a stock frame and make it work. And installed correctly, the beavertail will add value, unless your foolish enough to add it to a collectible colt or other surplus pistol. It certainly wouldn't decrease the value of a norinco 1911
 
yohann160 said:
Wilson Combat has government and commander model grip safeties that fit the normal GI style frame and the newer frames with the shorter cuts to accomodate extended grip safeties. I installed one on my series 80 Colt.

My advice would be to fit the part to the frame.
Click to expand...

but they look like crap compared to a proper one. To the OP, make sure you know how to set up the grip saftey properly when installing the part, there's a bit more to it then moding the frame. But the frame is the hard part (to make look nice) get the jigs mentioned and take your time
 
pavmentsurfer said:
Last question, does anyone know where I can find an extended slide release lever in canada. Brownells wont ship these parts to canada due to some manufacturer registration issue or something.
Click to expand...

Weird I just got an extended slide release from brownells like a week ago.
h ttp://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/frame-parts/slide-catch-parts/slide-catches/1911-auto-extended-slide-release-prod16468.aspx
 
masa said:
i was told never alter the frame otherwise you lower the value of the actual gun. the beavertail is suppose to be fitted to the gun i always thought
not the other way around :p
Click to expand...

Definitely wrong

msroest said:
Weird I just got an extended slide release from brownells like a week ago.
h ttp://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/frame-parts/slide-catch-parts/slide-catches/1911-auto-extended-slide-release-prod16468.aspx
Click to expand...

They'll send slide releases...it depends not on the part (barrels/frames/major components aside) but on the manufacturer.
 
Wait wait wait. What I'm seeing here is that the great infallible 1911 is incapable of interchangeability of parts? Not only that, the legendary design isn't as desirable as portrayed as everyone seems to change the grip safety, the hammer, the trigger, the barrel, the slide stop, and the thumb safety. Just wanted to make sure I'm reading this correctly.

TDC
 
This may be the only case where the frame is cheaper than the grip safety... Definitely mod the frame to fit the beaver tail.
 
Correct on all counts TDC - most quality 1911 parts need to be fit and are not drop in interchangeable and the original design components on a GI pattern gun (grip safety, sights, barrel, hammer, guide rod, etc.) are often changed out for parts with a more modern design as you mention.

What's with the sarcasm?
 
Last edited:
TDC said:
Wait wait wait. What I'm seeing here is that the great infallible 1911 is incapable of interchangeability of parts? Not only that, the legendary design isn't as desirable as portrayed as everyone seems to change the grip safety, the hammer, the trigger, the barrel, the slide stop, and the thumb safety. Just wanted to make sure I'm reading this correctly.

TDC
Click to expand...

Are there people who think 1911s have drop-in parts and that the original design is the peak of 1911 performance?

After years and years and years around 1911s...that may be the first time I'd ever heard that.
 
misanthropist said:
Are there people who think 1911s have drop-in parts and that the original design is the peak of 1911 performance?

After years and years and years around 1911s...that may be the first time I'd ever heard that.
Click to expand...

Yeah...kids nowadays, eh? It's all 'CNC this' and "precision casting' that.... It wasn't so long ago that it was automatically assumed that 1911s had to take a trip to a gunsmith to get good accuracy AND reliability installed, and custom parts installation was an arcane practice done by wizards named King, and Pachmeyer. The Norinco guns are the equivalent of those old Colts and Springfields...they will generally 'go bang' okay, but they need some work before they really perform. You can't just mix'n'match parts at will...
 
dallasm said:
Correct on all counts TDC - most quality 1911 parts need to be fit and are not drop in interchangeable and the original design components on a GI pattern gun (grip safety, sights, barrel, hammer, guide rod, etc.) are often changed out for parts with a more modern design as you mention.

What's with the sarcasm?
Click to expand...

misanthropist said:
Are there people who think 1911s have drop-in parts and that the original design is the peak of 1911 performance?

After years and years and years around 1911s...that may be the first time I'd ever heard that.
Click to expand...


I haven't met a 1911 fan yet who didn't think the almighty 1911 is the best, perfect, be all pistol ever made. Just wanted to clear up any confusion about the fact that 1911's are 200 years behind the rest of the world with regards to interchangeability of parts(accredited to Jean-Baptiste Vaquette de Gribeauval a French General (1715-1789) and made popular by Eli Whitney of the cotton gin) and the fact that the "original" design is not the "perfect" design as everyone seems to change it if its not already being offered in a variant format. That is all...

On a serious and educational note. Why wouldn't you alter the part instead of the frame?

TDC
 
TDC at times you offer some good information, but I wish you would stop with foolishness like your above statement(s).

Regarding the topic, Larry Vickers explained it best:

How do I know if a 1911 is the right choice for me?

That is a tough question as I feel most people are best served NOT using a 1911 as a primary sidearm. Two criteria come to mind a) A passion for the 1911 platform and b) you are willing to be your own armorer and can fix relatively minor problems or fit certain parts yourself. If you are the kind of guy that doesn’t mind tinkering with your Harley Davidson motorcycle to keep it running then you are a candidate. If however you treat your pistols like we all treat our lawnmowers then don’t get a 1911 – use a Glock.
Click to expand...

Misanthropist clearly knows which candidate he is. And, it's obvious which candidate you are...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom