I Drank the Koolaid and Bought the Harley Davidson of Handguns

[Gary Busey]

Robstafarian I have not. That is my understanding as well. I was making a joke because everyone I talk to about the pre '83 models always bring that up as a major drawback.

[TEA]

I read somewhere that those doing the tests (California DOJ?) to find a problem with the 1911 design had to make a special frame and slide device to drop their test 1911 in order to get it to drop on the muzzle, as the weight of a loaded magazine causes the pistol to rotate butt first if dropped. Even then, they had to drop it something like 20' or 30' to generate enough momentum to cause the firing pin to travel forward with enough force to set off a round. I will be very careful not to drop my pistol under similar conditions. ;)

Follow up. I swapped out the stock grips with some darker ones, as I like the darker wood better.

The wood of these darker grips was a bit dry, so I soaked them in BLO (boiled linseed oil) for 24 hours, wipe off the excess and then hand rubbed to take down some of the shine.



I put a dot of bright yellow paint with an overlay of fluorescent paint on the front sight to make it easier to pick up and focus on in poor light.


I am saving up right now to swap out the A1 style grip safety with a Wilson drop-in beaver tail grip safety, as the standard A1 style digs into the web of my hand to the extent that it rubs a blister on the base of my thumb when I use a high hand grip (i.e. thumb on thumb safety).

[TEA]

After debating whether or not to have a McCormick beaver tail grip safety installed, which would require altering the frame, or go with the Wilson drop-in beaver tail, I went with the Wilson. Given that this is an original Series '70 and not one of the new reproductions from Colt, I decided I didn't want to make any mods that would require cutting or altering the frame or slide.

The Wilson drop-in safety required some fitting to my pistol but works well. I can now use a high hand grip without the grip safety digging into the base of my thumb.

[dwkfym]

TEA, how about a blacked out rear and FO front sight, like from Warren tactical? I statred to enjoy having a nice, wide rear sight now.

[Mr. Machette]

The USMC drank your Koolaid too...

http://dyn.politico.com/members/foru...readid=6859880

[TEA]

TEA, how about a blacked out rear and FO front sight, like from Warren tactical? I statred to enjoy having a nice, wide rear sight now.

I've already been thinking along those lines, but with a Tritium front instead of fiber optic. Novak makes a rear carry sight now that will fit in a standard 1911A1 dovetail and Trijicon makes a tritium front sight with a narrow tenon for pre-Series 80 frames. I've added both of these to my Amazon wishlist.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/892...cut-steel-blue

http://www.fusionfirearms.com/servle...dsh-mil/Detail


P.S. I've also added a pair of elk antler grips from Eagle Grips to my wishlist, too, but these are pretty low on my priority list and are purely for aesthetic reasons rather than practical reasons.

The USMC drank your Koolaid too...

http://dyn.politico.com/members/foru...readid=6859880

Yes, I read that on a couple of other forums. Pretty cool. There has been a lot of discussion/speculation, though, on why they went with Colt instead of Springfield (Made in USA vs Made in Brazil) and second guessing the decision to go with the Series 80 firing system.

[Mr. Machette]

There has been a lot of discussion/speculation, though, on why they went with Colt instead of Springfield (Made in USA vs Made in Brazil) and second guessing the decision to go with the Series 80 firing system.

IIRC Colt uses forged / machined receivers while Springfield uses investment cast parts produced by Imbel.

Having played with Colts and Springers alike there is defnitely a difference in QC. Colt makes a solid, heavy, well machined .45. Springfeild makes them "good enough". JMHO

[TEA]

Springfield 1911s have forged slides and frames (their M1A receivers are investment cast in Canada), but a lot more of the small parts are MIM than on Colt's and, as you noted, SAI outsources to Brazil for their 1911 parts.

[Robstafarian]

I sold my 1911 and all related items recently; I need the money for prototyping my inventions which, I hope, will allow me to get off welfare and build a life. I look at it like starting a business, without actually starting a business. As I near 30, the prospect of not being able to afford a wife and kids is on my mind more than it has any right to be (I'm single).

Someday, I'll buy a GLOCK 19 and set up for concealed carry, but it's all about affording my future now. All this becomes even more important if certain politicians make good on their promise to destroy my only source of income.

[TEA]

Just ordered the plain black Novak carry sight for standard 1911 dovetail and a narrow tenon (i.e. original USGI spec) Trijicon tritium front sight that I linked earlier. I also ordered some stag horn grips for purely aesthetic reasons. These are pretty similar from the same seller on e-bay:

Here's a pic of the Novak rear sight:

and one of the Trijicons:


Once I get all the parts and instal, I will post some updated pics.