Dose anyone leave their 1911 stock?

[Monkeybear]

Cliff notes for those who don't want to read the whole post:

1.) I want to buy a new modern production 1911 for CCW.
2.) It seems like people always have work done on them from the box.
3.) I wonder if this is really the case or if most who shoot their guns regularly keep them stock.
4.) Regularly means thousands a year through the same gun.






I have owned a few different makes of pistols. Bought a lot of stuff and recently due to three back to back family emergencies all involving people wanting money from me, I only have a few. Since its gun buying time and I have recently become fixated on trying the 1911 again I have been reading up on them as much as possible. I want to see if I can make a 1911 work for me as a CCW.

One thing I come across again and again is the idea that a 1911 from the box is a "starter gun" or in other words- it needs everything replaced. I hear over and over again things like "First thing I do to all my 1911s is send them out for a reliability package" and that once you purchase your complete 1911 you should "send it to a good gunsmith and have him build your gun".

From what I read here and now over on the 1911 forum it would seem like no one shoots non-custom 1911s straight from the box. No one who shoots with any regularity that is. Based on the amount of guns in the US and the amount of people I see at the range I figure most people don't shoot their guns at all. I don't care if Mr. Box-a-year thinks his gun is reliable.

What I want to know is if any of you guys who shoot hundreds of rounds a month though the same modern production 1911 leave your gun stock?

If you do tell me about it.

If you don't tell me why.

 

[2nd 41]

Stock it is. And I'm leaving the grips stock. My 1911's are Range Only guns. I'v been firing about 100-400 rds per month.

 

[robctwo]

S&W1911PD Commander stock. Lots of rounds. Not as many as the stock Ed Brown Exec Target.

 

[MaxTrax]

I think with all the things most 1911 manufacturers have added to their "box stock" guns customizing is mostly just tinkering for fun. If you buy a good one no extras are usually necessary.

 

[Monkeybear]

I always thought that Ed Browns were considered "custom" guns, like NightHawk and Les Baer.

 

[Old Dog]

2.) It seems like people always have work done on them from the box.

Sorry, but I think just not the case. Granted, on an internet gun forum populated by many (self-alleged) experienced pistoleros, it would seem that a lot of 1911 owners typically customize their 1911s.

But I submit that the vast majority of 1911s are left bone stock (with the exception of swapping out stocks [grips] by those who like to add a personal touch or improve their grip ...).

What I want to know is if any of you guys who shoot hundreds of rounds a month though the same modern production 1911 leave your gun stock?

Sure. But "gun?" It's "guns." You can't stop at just one 1911 ...

 

[Hunter0924]

I leave my Government Models stock at least for the vast majority.
I did replace the MSH on my Colt 1991A1 with an arched one w/ a lanyard loop only because I wanted a lanyard loop on my CCW.

 

[Monkeybear]

Sorry, but I think just not the case. Granted, on an internet gun forum populated by many (self-alleged) experienced pistoleros, it would seem that a lot of 1911 owners typically customize their 1911s.

But I submit that the vast majority of 1911s are left bone stock (with the exception of swapping out stocks [grips] by those who like to add a personal touch or improve their grip ...).
Quote:

I agree. I also think most 1911s, or any gun for that matter, go unfired for the most part.

Sure. But "gun?" It's "guns." You can't stop at just one 1911 ...

The singular is meant to refer to each gun that you put at least several thousand rounds a year though. As I am getting ready to order a Dan Wesson CBOB and 10mm Razorback I know what you mean about having a hard time stopping at just one. I plan on trying to carry the RZ-10 full time and I have always wanted a CBOB, so thats the one thats just for fun. Even if I can't make the RZ-10 work for CC I figure I still end up with a RZ-10; 8 + 1 rounds of 10mm with a 5" barrel in a 1911 format.

 

[jdc1244]

Bone stock Colts, they work just fine.

 

[Treo]

RIA right outa the box. I shoot maybe 50 rounds a week out of it, but it's not my carry gun

 

[xx7grant7x]

I really liked the just show results option because I don't own a 1911 although i'd like to some day so the info is interesting

 

[Black Majik]

For the most part, my PII is stock. It just has different grips and a magazine well to aid in reloads. It gets shot weekly still going home hungry cuz I ran out of money, it eats everything. It's reliable, nothing needed modifying on it. If it does get modified, it'd be to better suit my taste, not because it needs work to run.

 

[sm]

#1 choice is how I voted.

While I do have access to, carry, and use other 1911s, such as Custom 1911s in 45ACP or 9x23, my preference, and has been since I made the 1911 one of the personal choices back in the 60's is bone stock.

Gun fit to me, and this platform fits me.

Gov't Model of 1911 , with USGI or Colt 7 round mags, dimple follower and solid base plate, is my preference.

A Colt such as Steel Combat Commander, or Lightweight Commander left as is is another 1911 I have decades of experience with as a serious CCW.

Springfield, again the GI model, is another one, with the same mags and configs shared about.

I prefer wood stocks , though sometimes I put on a set of Ivory or something else for a setting.

One tweak, is all I really really want on a Bone stock 1911, for serious real deal CCW and serious use.

Gold bead added to the front sight.

I and mine prefer that gold bead front sight on any serious use firearm we use, be it a 1911, a BHP or Revolver - anything!

 

[Steve C]

My Colts all have had a trigger job, other than that they're stock except a couple have different grips than they came with which really isn't "work" on the gun.

My Norinco on the other hand is a project pistol.

 

[BikerRN]

It depends on the gun if I leave it "stock" or not.

If it's a 1911A1 with an "ambi" safety, night sights and polished feed ramp I leave them pretty much stock. Take a look at the Springfield "Loaded" Model and you will see what I consider the perfect 5" 1911 for duty and carry use. The only thing I may change on it is the FLGR, and that depends.

I have 500 rounds through my two month old "Loaded" and all I've done is add some Skateboard Tape to the Frontstrap and purchased some Wilson 8 Round Magazines for it. I considered changing the FLGR to the original one, but haven't and probably won't.

My previous 1911 was radically changed by a Gunsmith to make it in to a "Loaded" Model. Hammer, Trigger, Sights, etc, etc were all changed to make the gun what I consider a good 1911. Since the "Loaded" comes with everything I would do to a gun already done, I see no need to change it.

BikerRN

 

[Walkalong]

I have them both ways.

 

[Spartacus451]

I don't shoot anything stock and I don't let anyone else work on my guns anymore. I would rather leave a gun to rot then pay someone else to work on it.

Mainly I do sights and springs and polishing and parts replacement for the trigger. No filing or stoning. This is usually enough to make a gun competitive.

 

[Tigerseye]

It's kind of like having a Harley, it's hard to keep 'em stock.

 

[surjimmy]

Got a Les Baer PII about a year ago. Only thing I changed was to put USMC emblem grips on it. I f it's not broke don't fix it. My LB is the best weapon I have ever shot, and I carry it everyday.

 

[Zach S]

I have all of my 1911s worked on one way or another.

This option fit the best, since all of mine are only lightly modded.

With the exception of sight changes, I do the changes myself. I dont like short triggers, arched MSHs, or FLGRs, so if it comes with any of those I swap them out. I also use Kimber rubber grips on all of them.

 

[kamagong]

I've only been shooting for about a year. I've fallen into the habit of shooting 200 rounds of .45 and a brick of .22 each month. Not much compared to the people here, but that's probably more than most gun owners.

I have two 1911s, a Kimber Custom II and a Baer Concept II, and I haven't replaced anything on them except the grips and magazines. I figure why fix something that isn't broken? That'll probably change though if I can find a stainless Springfield Mil-Spec for the right price. In that case I'll probably send it off to get customized and replace all the internals with quality stainless steel parts.

 

[AndyC]

I tinker with all my guns, whether it's to enhance reliability, useability, comfort, accuracy or beauty.

 

[Monkeybear]

It's kind of like having a Harley, it's hard to keep 'em stock.

I like my bikes stock, even the pipes. The reason why I don't like used bikes is the same why I don't want to look for a used 1911. People always want to mess what is already an excellent design and its cheaper to buy new than to put everything back as it should be. I am not claiming that anyone who works on their 1911 is messing it up, talking more about bikes with that one.

 

[Sixtigers]

1911s are a lot like old Fords--they work best with Chevy motors, so you have to tinker with 'em.

Now, what does it say that I like working on old cars, old harleys, and enjoy modding .45s?

Perhaps it's the tuneability, or the availibility of aftermarket parts for the weapon that draws many to it. While selling my wife on the idea of .45s (she has her own as well, a SA G.I. that she's taking to FrontSite), I told her it was the "small block chevy of the gun world".

It's definitely what drew me!

I stole my FedOrd from a gunshop that specializes in Kimbers. Somebody had tried to make an IPSC gun out of it, and had done a bushing/barrel, grip, trigger, and full-length guide rod/shokpad on it. Even with all that, he/she apparently couldn't take the embarassment of not having a Kimber during competition...So I stole it for $350. I've had it for half a year, put over 1000 rnds through it with a Kimber 10 rnd mag and a Wilson 7 rnd, and it's never jammed on me (WWB 230 gr. Hardball). I friggin' love this gun!

 

[HM2PAC]

I tinker compulsively.

Even if it's only to change the grips.

They both have functioned fine from the time I bought them, but I want them to be comfortable and concealable. So new grips it was for the SA Champion.

The RIA GI is undergoing extensive mods as I am trying to learn to do the work myself.