1911 parts advice

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Coldfinger

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I have over a K of rounds through my remington r1. Now I want to put some quality parts in it. Just to have peace of mind with regard to longevity, and quality. What is the best? Wilson, Ed Brown, NightHawk custom, Les Baer, STI? Not concerned about the price of the parts just the quality. So what does the 1911 community think is the best parts? I plan to buy them tomorrow or Sunday.
 
Be careful. 1911 parts tend not to just drop in and work right. Every part I've switched on a 1911 required considerable tinkering to get the fit and function right (mainspring housings, trigger, grip safety) and I wouldn't drop in my own sear or hammer.

I'll let others comment on quality.

-J.
 
I would say many, if not most in the 1911 community shoot their guns, as is, and replace a part if it breaks, which is almost never.

The 1911 is not a Glock or AR. Parts just don't drop in like a Leggo set. It takes some skill and effort to fit most aftermarket parts.

Wilson, Brown, EGW, Cylinder & Slide all have very good reputations.
 
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45's and part's

Have been shooting, carrying, building and working on 1911's since the early 70's.....if your Remington is going to be a carry gun / SD gun, I would leave it alone...until it doesn't work. If you want to tinker with one, buy one to tinker with and tinker with it.....There is nothing " drop in" about 1911 parts. If you do find something like any internals that drop in and work 100%, then you have beat the odds.
There is a lot of fitting, mating contact surfaces and meeting correct tolerances involved when you start swapping out parts. I bought a new Colt Gov't model back in 72, and then bought a "beater" used so that I could tinker with it.....that got me headed down the path.....1911's are great platforms...but in my book the adage applies...."if it ain't broke - don't fix it"....as far as "quality" parts go...Remington components are about as good as they come. I have shot several dozen of the Remingtons and they are IMO very good 1911's.
 
I like Ed Brown parts. I shoot a Kimber in USPSA matches and the only Kimber parts remaining are the frame, slide and MSH. Every other part is Ed Brown including the barrel. I did all the work myself and have thousands of trouble free rounds through the pistol since the upgrades. I've had quite a few comments and questions asking about my Kimber during matches because it runs so well match after match. I like to think that I converted more than a few over to the 1911 dark side. I'm about to send the pistol to Dave Severns for his hard hat treatment. I've upgraded another Kimber the same way but didn't swap out the barrel yet. USPSA matches are tough on guns and if there's a problem it'll show up ... when everyone is watching usually.
 
I appreciate the advice gentleman. I own two 1911s. The Remington is my tinker pistol. My carry is a S&W 1911 E series. I do not intend to molest it in any way. I figure that the Remington at 600$ was a good platform to begin with. I'm no gunsmith, but was instructed by one on the art and science of 1911 upgrading. I intend to start formal gunsmith training within the next month or so. I want that to be my next career after I retire from the army. I understand that 90% or part are not plug and play. I have with help done one trigger job, these upgrades will be on my own. I have a competent gunsmith at my local indoor range that is going to mentor me. So I'm going to practice on my own pistol.
But nobody responded with "nighthawk custom" as a parts recommendation. They are the parts my local gunsmith recommended. So this is my set up...
STI light weight trigger
STI mag release and slide stop
STI full length guide rod ( I know, I know, but I like them for nothing more than the way they look)
Nighthawk custom sear, disconnector, and sear spring
Wolff reduced power main spring
Does this sound like the makings of a solid trigger? Thank you for the input
 
What are you wanting to do with it? If it were my gun, and had the series 80 safety, I would get rid of that first.
 
I have used Ed Brown and Wilson Combat "bullet proof" parts. I have had great luck with both. ALL parts have required fitting, but it is usually very minor. I have never had a parts failure from either of those brands after tens of thousands of rounds.
 
I've used most of the parts mentioned here with the exception of STI. I really prefer the wilson and EGW stuff.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Expect any replacement parts to require some final fitting work.
 
I have been told....(and I have mostly followed) that if you have a 1911 that runs well, don't mess with it. I have dropped full-length guide rods for short ones and plugs, and they work fine. The trigger in particular, messing with it is a good way to start a project that is never finished.
 
If you are going to mess with the trigger then buying something like the EGW Ignition Kit (Hammer, Sear, Mainspring, Sear Spring, Disconnector) is a great way to start. I have used a few of them and other than fitting the ball head disconnector, all of the other parts have been drop in. The triggers come in at around 4 pounds and are much better than any stock trigger I have found.

EGW stuff is very very well made. I have been buying parts from them for at least 20 years and have never been disappointed.
 
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