1911 Modifications Thread:

[luke s]

what is wrong with the stock trigger, sear, disconnector?

im getting a SAM commander in 45 next week and i really want to upgrade the springs in this pistol as well as the trigger and sear/disconnector

every dealer ive approched has kindly said "we dont stock these types of parts" and left it at that

what i really want are use bits off of a higher end commander length pistol but my EE wanted Ad is not providing results

if you have parts and are looking to sell please PM me

thanks

Phil

 

[carsmovies]

what is wrong with the stock trigger, sear, disconnector?

Nothing really it's just that some prefer better quality parts for their fire components.

 

[TenHolePunch]

What a fantastic week in Kanukastan. Took my bran spanky new STI Ranger out for it's first spin early this week and put 414 rounds threw it (just a light break-in ). Not one failure of any kind! No hang-ups no feed problems, just as fluid as heck and shoots like a dream. The trigger was like nothing I've ever shot before, super light and as smooth as a prom queens thighs. Just total fun to shoot. The Bull Barrel and polished feeding ramp ate up two different grains and some hollow points that I just randomly mixed into some of the mags to really test the feed. I'm in love with this commander sized, full frame 1911 made by STI, an employee owed, smallish Texas firm. This coming from self confessed glock guy too!

So, now that I'm done gushing about the amazing functionality of this gun... I gotta say from an aesthetics pov, I didn't like everything about it, the matte finish on the barrel and the cheapish looking skeletonized trigger to name a couple.

Not so hot on the gray sad lookin barrel.

So yesterday I got out the Mothers and started rubbin... and rubbin... and rubbin and...

So happy with the final product, sharpens up the look imo

I was wondering if you guys had some links to neato triggers (don't want to mess with the internals or anything, it shoots great as is but something slicker for the bang button would be nice. Also perhaps some new grips with a psychopathic religious theme would be keen. Link me Link me! Thanks fellas

 

[alpining]

I have a Kimber TLE II that came with a full length guide rod, How ward is it to change that out for a mil-length guide rod? Would new parts just drop in?

Should be super easy. But you'll probably want a "solid" recoil spring plug to go with it.

 

[alpining]

im getting a SAM commander in 45 next week and i really want to upgrade the springs in this pistol as well as the trigger and sear/disconnector

every dealer ive approched has kindly said "we dont stock these types of parts" and left it at that

what i really want are use bits off of a higher end commander length pistol but my EE wanted Ad is not providing results

if you have parts and are looking to sell please PM me

thanks

Phil

Springs are easy to drop in. I get mine from Brownells because I've had EXACTLY the same problem that you describe in finding parts domestically. Choose Wolff springs, btw.

Triggers generally require fitting, and the sear and disco might also. Maybe you know how, maybe you don't. Kuhnhausen has a widely-recommended book on the 1911 that might interest you.

 

[phildude]

Nothing really it's just that some prefer better quality parts for their fire components.

Thanks for the backup brother

The stock trigger sear and disconnector have proven it be better than expected but I've gotten the feed ramp polished and the barrel throated and a full length guide rod put in, the extractor also needed to be replaced along with the recoil spring

She should be a shooter now. Range day next week

 

[636andy636]

Just got a Norinco 1911, Where would be a good canadian source for 1911 parts?

 

[relliott]

I was wondering if you guys had some links to neato triggers (don't want to mess with the internals or anything, it shoots great as is but something slicker for the bang button would be nice.

This one is nice: https://www.freedomventures.ca/products/sti-trigger-stainless-bow-aluminum-shoe-1911-2011

Also, I know you don't like the aesthetics of the stock unit but just so you are aware, they are actually a pretty good trigger. These triggers are the same glass filled plymer they use on the 2011 modular grips, which wear extrememly well and are very light to prevent intertial firing so lighter trigger pulls can be used. The stirrup is stainless steel and again, very durable.

Take note as well that any choice you make will require fitting to the gun. They don't just drop in.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[phildude]

I deal with Clarence at Bumblebee Machine Shop in BC

He is an excellent 1911 guy and really knows his stuff, lots of good advice even over the phone

bumblbee1@shaw.ca

He sourced the full length guide rod for my commander and is also able to do anything else with a 1911 that you need

best of luck

Just got a Norinco 1911, Where would be a good canadian source for 1911 parts?

 

[lokidric]

Didn't see anybody mentioning Kuhnhausen manuals. Those are bible for all 1911 junkies. I did excellent job first time on my Tanfoglio Witness Custom, on the budget too. Barrel bushing will be first on its way out, factory ones have too big of tolerance. Replace it with compensated bushing (70$ for really good one) and be happy if it needs custom fitting for thats where accuracy lives. If you can locate match grade chain link and custom fit it as well. Then close your eyes, say your prayers and beging compressing slide in the vise and punching slide rails for tight fitting and lapping slide to frame. Install cheap magwell, the one that goes under grips and cost around 20$. Trigger work you can do on your own as well, beware of roundig edges though and spend some time making a jig for accurate sear work. The whole thing may take a few fine evenings and some 200$ for bushing, chainlink and magwell.

I'm just starting on a Norc 1911 Gov.
So not a lot of talk of bushings to be found in this thread. A standard tight bushing or a compensated one? I have three compensated ones to choose from;

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/barrel-parts/muzzle-brakes-compensators/1911-auto-multi-comp-prod16450.aspx

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/barrel-parts/muzzle-brakes-compensators/ez-equalizer-1911-auto-bushing-comp-prod9898.aspx

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/barrel-parts/muzzle-brakes-compensators/1911-auto-triple-port-bushing-comp-prod7681.aspx

Thank you in advance for your time.

 

[adrian118]

hey guys,

just got my np29 and wanted to change out some parts.
do you know if these will fit?
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...mers/value-sear-sku965314100-16419-36921.aspx
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...e-nylon-trigger-sku791000063-22722-48542.aspx (Long Curve)
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...ews/blued-pak-of-4-sku080831004-925-3433.aspx
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...heckered-blued-sku296000209-56492-118500.aspx

Also where a good place is to get grips? i dont like any from brownells

 

[Dave P]

hey guys,

just got my np29 and wanted to change out some parts.
do you know if these will fit?
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...mers/value-sear-sku965314100-16419-36921.aspx
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...e-nylon-trigger-sku791000063-22722-48542.aspx (Long Curve)
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...ews/blued-pak-of-4-sku080831004-925-3433.aspx
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...heckered-blued-sku296000209-56492-118500.aspx

Also where a good place is to get grips? i dont like any from brownells

I bought vz grips. Everything not caliber specific that will fit on a colt will fit on a np29 the barrel is a smaller OD then a .45 so barrel bushings are unique to the np29. I just plated mine.

 

[adrian118]

Thanks for the reply, didnt know if the sti trigger would fit or not.
that looks real good. might get something like those grips

 

[Seven65]

here is the before and after pics.

That looks amazing! What was your process to get it to that point? What tools etc?

Edit: To clarify, I like the way that looks so much that, I am now thinking of buying a Norinco instead of a Ruger just, because if I bought a Ruger I wouldn't try to polish it like you did lol.

 

[Mister Donut]

I've had this 1911 for less than a week, haven't even shot it yet, and here I am messing with it. I started off with a decent 1911A1 from Norinco actually. This particular pistol had a decent finish (the exterior anyway), the slide to frame fit was nice and tight, and the barrel, barrel bushing and slide almost seemed perfectly matched. I actually ordered all the parts below before I even got my 1911, but if I'd known that the one I would get would be in such good shape, I probably would have left it alone.

http://1.bp.########.com/-fY047bn7R0w/Ue4dw_TcnZI/AAAAAAAARqU/mlyUcZy_uzg/s1600/P7211534.JPG

http://2.bp.########.com/-PszmV6KRkPk/Ue4dkdsavUI/AAAAAAAARp8/6rm2aeenqs0/s1600/P7211533.JPG

http://3.bp.########.com/-ULYAyle5zbM/Ue4d5gsXYXI/AAAAAAAARqc/4gWVzlIlPto/s1600/P7211536.JPG

http://2.bp.########.com/-iAY6fHfNrPY/Ue4d-6OqP-I/AAAAAAAARqk/qquK0_fa-7U/s1600/P7211537.JPG

Wilson Combat High-Ride Beaver Tail grip safety that was labelled as semi-drop in. It was definitely semi, haha, as it was a right pain in the arse to install and make fit.

http://4.bp.########.com/-Oo9yGXkl77I/Ue4eIuAg5jI/AAAAAAAARqs/JpV0vOYk28M/s1600/P7211538.JPG

http://3.bp.########.com/-bXwgfAb8HOA/Ue4eT-xw_gI/AAAAAAAARq8/U1mLChJvYw8/s1600/P7211541.JPG

I originally ordered just the hammer, but the more I read, the more I thought that I would probably have to order a hammer strut and hammer strut pin because the Norinco unit was all staked in and I would probably wreck it taking it all apart so I ordered the Smith and Wesson hammer strut and hammer strut pin to go with the Smith and Wesson hammer.

http://1.bp.########.com/--4eZh5Kh9NE/Ue4eaAFb4BI/AAAAAAAARrE/GeLB3t4et_I/s1600/P7211542.JPG

Of course, I also read about matching hammers to sears so i figured I couldn't go wrong by ordering the Smith and Wesson sear and disconnector, but in the end, I couldn't make it work and ended up using the Norinco sear and disconnecter with the Smith and Wesson hammer

http://4.bp.########.com/-t5MazNv29Hw/Ue4ehF7jkCI/AAAAAAAARrM/I0A5boHcY_U/s1600/P7211543.JPG

The top is the Smith and Wesson hammer/strut assembly, the one below is the Norinco 1911A1 Government unit.

http://2.bp.########.com/-jzGA-q5pJYg/Ue4eoiKjmaI/AAAAAAAARrU/bcXMPelv8WI/s1600/P7211544.JPG

The Springfield Armory flat main spring housing, below is the Norinco unit.

http://4.bp.########.com/-S-qMTszfrAw/Ue4ev3Ryx8I/AAAAAAAARrc/uJdzVm2lbtg/s1600/P7211545.JPG

The Springfield Armory unit fit right into the Norc without any modifications. I just had to strip the parts from the Norc one and trasnsfer them over to the SA one.

http://4.bp.########.com/-U9sNwzBoJg0/Ue4e2fFaB-I/AAAAAAAARrk/WwJfNP9qISY/s1600/P7211546.JPG

http://4.bp.########.com/-CGh_v3uhT-8/Ue4e_OVlClI/AAAAAAAARrs/roHHURErG6U/s1600/P7211549.JPG

Something I notinced, and I don;t know if it's important or not is, the S&W one had more play and wobble in it than the Norc one.


http://4.bp.########.com/-QpWkyygaa-0/Ue4fGUoQ8NI/AAAAAAAARr0/rK6sIv4NNJs/s1600/P7211551.JPG

Comparison of the Smith and Wesson sear and disconnector and the Norc units. The ones to the left are the Norc ones. It's a shame I didn't have the skills to make the Smith and Wesson parts work, since I bought them already.

http://4.bp.########.com/-y-Azik9lKQ8/Ue4fOUMJdJI/AAAAAAAARr8/qtsmBiGo1ak/s1600/P7211553.JPG

The Norinco 1911A1 Government trigger and the Wilson Combat Match trigger, long pull. It was not quite a drop in, but needed only a little massaging to fit. When I finally got it installed, it had less wobble than the trigger on my Remington R1E.

http://1.bp.########.com/-CoATqDdhqOk/Ue4fVaeo1cI/AAAAAAAARsE/2-Qq209TH6s/s1600/P7211554.JPG

http://1.bp.########.com/-21Y14WWoK8k/Ue4fkCBpUAI/AAAAAAAARsU/1M0ApcRpoaE/s1600/P7211556.JPG

Anyway, after essentially butchering it, I managed to make it fit. I'm sure in the hands of a real gunsmith, it wouldn't have been so messed up.

http://4.bp.########.com/-v40J4vA64FE/Ue4frdT31vI/AAAAAAAARsc/Tr5lbZEbU78/s1600/P7211557.JPG

I ended up filing the $hit out of it, being the expert gunsmith that I am. Anyway, it was a nightmare trying to make this thing work, but somehow I managed. It doesn't look pretty, but it functions, and it was sort of a fun learning process.

http://2.bp.########.com/-kInnaKlMvFA/Ue4fzzqHteI/AAAAAAAARsk/mPrvYgLKOiU/s1600/P7211558.JPG

http://3.bp.########.com/-OlipE8WaFlo/Ue4f7A_cpcI/AAAAAAAARss/DoOdJ9BLRiU/s1600/P7211561.JPG

http://1.bp.########.com/-axv30BGe3mE/Ue4gCBTKGVI/AAAAAAAARs0/sG7OpMjESIE/s1600/P7211562.JPG

http://3.bp.########.com/-KgreASHKU0Q/Ue4gJ83NsoI/AAAAAAAARs8/-iRY1mGAkuI/s1600/P7211564.JPG

http://2.bp.########.com/-f1tR8V7t-7I/Ue4gRIj4xII/AAAAAAAARtE/PT3jKzrZopI/s1600/P7211567.JPG

http://2.bp.########.com/-c7bXpkI_lyY/Ue4gXI9EjQI/AAAAAAAARtM/VEQqDTo0Znw/s1600/P7211568.JPG

http://4.bp.########.com/-CrN2xECV9i8/Ue4ge3VLFWI/AAAAAAAARtU/VomoVpFwWsA/s1600/P7211570.JPG

http://1.bp.########.com/-LqQX2y_594A/Ue4glVuBa7I/AAAAAAAARtc/GYEb-bVRWKQ/s1600/P7211571.JPG

I think I probably should have left my 1911 alone, but I couldn't resist. In retrospect, this particular Norc 1911 was a such a good example, and it had a classic look, I really should have kept it stock, and in the original 1911A1 Government look, especially since it didn't have any Norinco or Made in China markings. The finish was decent as well, but I didn't really thing about it until I started taking it apart. Well, I've kept all the original parts and didn't modify the pistol itself so it's not impossible to return it to the stock appearance.

Haha, maybe I'll get another one from Canada Ammo if they still have the deal in a month or so

 

[SSJChar]

The magazine catch on my new norinco 1911 is pretty tough and with my small hands is difficult to actuate well. Does anyone know where in Canada I can order a spring kit for the magazine catch? I know brownells carries them, but it'd be nice to buy in Canada.

 

[Halger280HVMag]

Taking a coil or so off the magazine catch spring might do the trick.
It's free and you get to stay in Canada Eh!

 

[SSJChar]

Taking a coil or so off the magazine catch spring might do the trick.
It's free and you get to stay in Canada Eh!

I could try that. its always under tension so I wouldn't need to relengthen it, though i'm still iffy, I don't want to screw things up

 

[Mister Donut]

I just can't leave well enough alone, haha! I've been watching this guy Jay Williams build a 1911 from the ground up and it's a pretty informative series. Before watching it, I barely knew how to detail strip my 1911, let alone mod it. Now I'm comfortable with the detail strip, and tinkering here and there, and even understanding some of the mechanisms. Some of the stuff that's still way beyond me is the contact points between the hammer and sear, and some other fitment issues like fitting a slide, fitting a barrel and bushing. I'll probably watch this series some more and use it as my 1911 bible. Here's the first vid in a series of 11 videos.

I didn't quite go that far, but I decided to at least start with baby steps and polish a few parts of my 1911, try to make it a bit smoother. I stripped it all apart and started and started polishing the trigger bow, but eventually I polished the trigger itself. All I had laying around was 320 grit sandpaper, Scotchbrite and Flitz:

http://3.bp.########.com/-_7m3GcMm9Wk/UfTYyEXHguI/AAAAAAAARv8/_bY-X7fytYU/s320/P7251614.JPG

http://1.bp.########.com/-IbxNCg7WY2s/UfTY3beqDUI/AAAAAAAARwE/Rb14NQqZMGY/s320/P7251615.JPG

http://2.bp.########.com/-CIajtpBt50o/UfTYv_3ZGzI/AAAAAAAARv0/k_ZuXOb8aVY/s320/P7251616.JPG

Compare it to the original:

http://4.bp.########.com/-Oo9yGXkl77I/Ue4eIuAg5jI/AAAAAAAARqs/JpV0vOYk28M/s320/P7211538.JPG

A lot of people polish the trigger bow track as well, but I didn't have the file or the smarts to do that so I just left it at this.

http://4.bp.########.com/-DHq5008Vats/UfTY_6Pq_VI/AAAAAAAARwM/wKB4veUs_70/s320/P7251617.JPG

Next, i did the sear and disconnector. I didn't have the courage to polish too much because I didn't want to start taking material off, just wanted to smooth out the surfaces a bit.

http://4.bp.########.com/-jmqBv9V0c3Y/UfTZHil4BzI/AAAAAAAARwU/oJKq6xCX6KU/s320/P7251618.JPG

Here's the other side of the sear before polishing.

http://3.bp.########.com/-d8Y29XfrhXE/UfTZP_vGY2I/AAAAAAAARwc/Hd36SN-kfsg/s320/P7251619.JPG

More shots of the disconnector.

http://4.bp.########.com/-Fsx8L9VLzmk/UfTZYMonefI/AAAAAAAARwk/Jr4TjISzx0w/s320/P7251620.JPG

I took some sandpaper to the track inside the grip safety for the hammer strut.

http://3.bp.########.com/-H9ZyibgSH6w/UfTZgy_L4FI/AAAAAAAARws/BUozdMKIBcA/s320/P7251621.JPG

http://1.bp.########.com/-L_jaAQ_fMqA/UfTZpiQlduI/AAAAAAAARw0/M8s15sfyXeQ/s320/P7251622.JPG

Again, I wasn't sure if my sanding would take off material so on the hammer strut, I sanded it for a bit, then quit when it felt a bit smooth enough. I may revisit it later to get it smoother.

http://1.bp.########.com/-ca_Zdbn9e0M/UfTZyg2AJ8I/AAAAAAAARw8/wqTgwCYmk3U/s320/P7251623.JPG

http://1.bp.########.com/-Q9vP01XfuxA/UfTZ63ywYXI/AAAAAAAARxE/VgjTM7UkGSs/s320/P7251624.JPG

Sanded down the side of the contact points of the hammer as well, but I didn't go anywhere near the contacts between the hammer and sear. No tools, no jig, no experience. Better leave that to a pro.

http://2.bp.########.com/-JjWJQY_483w/UfTaEe8EYoI/AAAAAAAARxM/EOAaPEjF2uM/s320/P7251625.JPG

http://1.bp.########.com/-iwkdwnbb_-U/UfTaNTHYixI/AAAAAAAARxU/yA6svNSGbCY/s320/P7251626.JPG

http://1.bp.########.com/-NWzvEGcTZNA/UfTaW_ScdtI/AAAAAAAARxc/eV9EItDlglk/s320/P7251627.JPG

I tried polishing a bit of the barrel, but that was a lost cause. Frig that steel is hard, so all I was able to do was polish a bit of the chamber feed lip.

Anyway, I slapped it all together and the trigger did feel smoother, but was still a heavy pull to break. I swapped out my curved Norc MSH and dropped in a flat Springfield Armory one. Is it possible that the SA MSH has a smaller cavity than the Norc one, thus adding more tension to the main spring? The SA MSH naked, with no spring inside, slid into the frame no problem, but under tension (with the main spring and mainspring cap retaining pin installed), it took a lot more effort. I checked the shape and length of the Smith & Wesson hammer strut and it looks to be the same size an shape of the factory Norc one, so my guess was the internal dimensions of the Norinco MSH are slightly different than the Norc one. I've read some people cut a coil or two from the main spring to reducing trigger pull, but I'm wondering if the same procedure will help the fitting of the SA MSH with all the hardware installed?

 

[judoman]

hi guys i have two 1911a1's from norinco, one in 9mm and one in 45acp, but i want a .22LR conversion that will fit one of them.

CAN ANYONE POINT ME IN THE DIRECTION OF WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR?

Thanks.