Guidance needed for new SA Mil-Spec Owner

[Big D]

Hey yall. I am not new to 1911s, but haven't had one in quite awhile. I decided to purchase one of the Mil-Spec Defender Series for around $500. I have always preferred the look of the USGI 1911. I am not planning on turning this into a custom piece, but was thinking of several upgrades. I first plan to shoot the snot out of the weapon and then make a decision on how I want it modified to my tastes.

My first thought was to purchase one of the Harrison Designs retro GI dovetail rear sights and send the slide to Novak for their front dovetail and to possibly have a fiber optic sight installed. Next, a better trigger, perhaps a CMC or Wilson solid serrated type. I would like to stay with the standard grip safety, unless I can find a type that is similar in look to the GI version, but more comfortable to handle/shoot.

I plan to conduct a full review of the handgun to include pictures, bench/off hand groups from 7-25 yards, etc.

Overall, I want to keep the GI/retro look and feel overall, but improve handling and shootability where possible. Any input/recommendations would be greatly appreciated, along with the opinions of other Mil-Spec owners!

 

[JTQ]

My first thought was to purchase one of the Harrison Designs retro GI dovetail rear sights and send the slide to Novak for their front dovetail and to possibly have a fiber optic sight installed. Next, a better trigger, perhaps a CMC or Wilson solid serrated type. I would like to stay with the standard grip safety, unless I can find a type that is similar in look to the GI version, but more comfortable to handle/shoot.

If you're going with the Harrison rear sight, you may as well just have Harrison do the front dovetail and use one of his front sights that match his rear, and while he has it, just have him install a trigger for you.

http://www.harrisoncustom.com

 

[Garandimal]

The SA 1911-A1 is a hammer.

Shoot the piss out of it.

Only things I have done to mine are:
- Stone the elector-pencil serial number on the under side of the slide smooth.
- Upped the recoil spring weight to a Wolff 18.5 Lb.
- Changed the grips to Trigger Happy brand checkered nylon.
- Greased all sliding parts.

​

GR

 

[Big D]

My primary reason for wanting to update the trigger is because the factory trigger on my model has a plastic shoe......I do not know anything about the durability of plastic triggers in a 1911 style gun. They work in polymer striker fired guns, and it seems like the plastic trigger shoe would not have much stress imparted to it, but I just don't know. What is the consensus on plastic 1911 triggers?

 

[JTQ]

I don't have any first hand experience with a 1911 polymer trigger, but I think STI uses them in all their guns, and they seem to work just fine.

https://stiguns.com

 

[Fiv3r]

The only bad thing about mine is that it is the least accurate 1911 I have ever owned. Well, least accurate in my hands. I doubt there is anything mechanically wrong with it. Still it's a solid .45 for under 500 bones.

 

[ATLDave]

I don't have any first hand experience with a 1911 polymer trigger, but I think STI uses them in all their guns, and they seem to work just fine.

https://stiguns.com

Having a very low-mass trigger shoe is important from an ND-avoidance perspective if the gun comes with the grip-safety disabled or a user subsequently disables it. The straight-pull trigger of a 1911 can have enough inertia, if made out of non-skeletonized steel, to "pull itself" if the gun is dropped and lands on the beavertail or backstrap. This would lead to a muzzle-up discharge, which is quite dangerous (compared to a muzzle-down dropped-gun discharge).

 

[AK103K]

What is the consensus on plastic 1911 triggers?

I picked up one of the Defender series "mil-spec" Springfields earlier this year. Mine has a steel trigger in it.

For a while there back in the 90's, Colt was putting plastic triggers and MSH's in their guns, and it really annoyed me. I always just replaced them with steel.

I like an arched MSH, and one with a lanyard loop on it, something that most 1911 makers, including Colt and Springfield, seem to neglect anymore too.

This is the first Springfield Ive bought in about 15 years (I wasnt ever going to by another ), and so far, it hasnt done anything to upset me about it. Its been reliable and accurate. For as tight as it is (you cant take it apart with just your fingers), it better shoot well.

 

[Tallball]

If you can shoot with the tiny mil-spec sights, more power to ya. My eyes have gotten too old for that.

Other than that, everything about a standard mil-spec 1911 works fine for me.

When I had one I did buy some modern improved magazines for it.

 

[AK103K]

It seems the new mil-specs come with better (not "GI") sights. The Defenders do anyway. Mine came with three-dot sights.