New Lightweight 1911
- Thread starter Marko Kloos
- Start date
- Status
Marko Kloos
Moderator Emeritus
Any time you want. I am free on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Took the little bugger out for a function test an hour ago, and it runs like a top. It even chugged through a few magazines of powder-puff 200 grain SWC, which are notorious 1911 chokers. No function issues whatsoever, and accurate enough to separate a dangling coke can at 15 yards without much effort. Recoil is just a hair more pronounced than an all-steel 1911, but it's an acceptable tradeoff.
The stock 7-round Metalforms work fine. I think I'll stick with 7-rounders for now, since all the magazine troubles I've ever had in 1911s was with 8-round mags.
Carry rig will be a DeSantis Inner Piece IWB. The whole package feels just right on the hip, and the gun feels just right in the hand.
Took the little bugger out for a function test an hour ago, and it runs like a top. It even chugged through a few magazines of powder-puff 200 grain SWC, which are notorious 1911 chokers. No function issues whatsoever, and accurate enough to separate a dangling coke can at 15 yards without much effort. Recoil is just a hair more pronounced than an all-steel 1911, but it's an acceptable tradeoff.
The stock 7-round Metalforms work fine. I think I'll stick with 7-rounders for now, since all the magazine troubles I've ever had in 1911s was with 8-round mags.
Carry rig will be a DeSantis Inner Piece IWB. The whole package feels just right on the hip, and the gun feels just right in the hand.
Lane Mullins
Member
I have seen TN-popo's gun in person. Those lightweights are very impressive. I also saw a new O.D. green Springfield yesterday that was fitted and finished as well as or better than anything in the production classes. They have got their feces consolidated over there at S.A.
Great catch Marko! A slightly stiffer recoil spring and a Shok Buff (opaque ones are best) if you so desire may tame the recoil. Some like Shok Buffs, some don't. Please note that a stiffer spring will slow the recycle time. Maybe you'll find some nice accessories this weekend. Happy shooting!
Tamara
Senior Member
19112XS,
Shok Buffs? Icky poo!
You gonna be at the show this weekend? Come say hi!
Shok Buffs? Icky poo!
You gonna be at the show this weekend? Come say hi!
I'll be there.
I've read the posts, extra part to fail, wimps only etc. Also read about the old guy who had to sell out, his wrist couldn't take the pounding any more. I admit here in public to using one, yes first thing in the morning and even when I'm alone. So there.
I've read the posts, extra part to fail, wimps only etc. Also read about the old guy who had to sell out, his wrist couldn't take the pounding any more. I admit here in public to using one, yes first thing in the morning and even when I'm alone. So there.
stupid question
Am I correct in assuming that replacing the full-length guide rod with a stubby GI rod, spring and plug was just a drop in replacement? I have never shot a 1911 with a full-length guiderod or disassembled one.
I'm loving my Springfield Milspec now that it's broken in and the extractor is tuned. I think that in a few months I am going to buy one of these Springfield Loaded Lightweight GMs. I handled one today briefly at a store. It was priced $725.00 new. Whew.
The ramped barrel on the aluminum frame makes sense to me.
Am I correct in assuming that replacing the full-length guide rod with a stubby GI rod, spring and plug was just a drop in replacement? I have never shot a 1911 with a full-length guiderod or disassembled one.
I'm loving my Springfield Milspec now that it's broken in and the extractor is tuned. I think that in a few months I am going to buy one of these Springfield Loaded Lightweight GMs. I handled one today briefly at a store. It was priced $725.00 new. Whew.
The ramped barrel on the aluminum frame makes sense to me.
Marko Kloos
Moderator Emeritus
Yes, the GI-type guide rod and bushing plug are drop-in replacements, no fitting required. As an extra bonus, swapping the FLGR with a GI setup will shave an ounce or so off the weight of the gun. Not a big deal for steel guns, but on this alloy-framed GM I want to see just how many ounces I can shave off the factory configuration. Next on the list are slimline grips and a polycarbonate STI trigger.
Will Fennell
Member
Aluminium
Marko,
If putting your new 1911 blaster on a diet is your plan, look into CASPIAN's Aluminium alloy mainspring housing[could go with a Colt nylon part] and their alloy grip safety.
I had WILSON include those parts on my STEALTH conversion of a SA lightweight compact[4" barrel], and its 23.5 oz[!] on the postal scales.
Also, just keep in mind, the BEST thing you can do for your alloy framed 1911 is change the recoil springs OFTEN. With the nice, long recoil stroke that your 5" 1911 has, I believe I would run a shok-buff......jsut change it even more often than the springs
Marko,
If putting your new 1911 blaster on a diet is your plan, look into CASPIAN's Aluminium alloy mainspring housing[could go with a Colt nylon part] and their alloy grip safety.
I had WILSON include those parts on my STEALTH conversion of a SA lightweight compact[4" barrel], and its 23.5 oz[!] on the postal scales.
Also, just keep in mind, the BEST thing you can do for your alloy framed 1911 is change the recoil springs OFTEN. With the nice, long recoil stroke that your 5" 1911 has, I believe I would run a shok-buff......jsut change it even more often than the springs
Tamara
Senior Member
Will,
Don't tell him stuff like this! He accidentally blurted out today that he was using a plastic stubby guide rod, but it was in the gun store in front of customers, so I'll have to wait until I see him again to give him a ration of crap about it.
*mutter, mumble* Plastic guide rods... Aluminum frames... Hmmph! When I was your age we all carried lead 1911's! And we were thankful!
Don't tell him stuff like this! He accidentally blurted out today that he was using a plastic stubby guide rod, but it was in the gun store in front of customers, so I'll have to wait until I see him again to give him a ration of crap about it.
*mutter, mumble* Plastic guide rods... Aluminum frames... Hmmph! When I was your age we all carried lead 1911's! And we were thankful!
Will Fennell
Member
To the BAT PHONE!
Tam,
Quick call his home phone! He may not survive the night with such an abomination in his blaster!
Marko,
When the dreaded "plastic stubby guide rods" go, and they will go, its a mess, and quite possibly a seriously jammed pistola. Spring for the steel part.....its hollow, and doesn't weigh enough to matter. If you are shooting alot....and it sounds like you do, buy a pack of shok-buffs, change them often, and let that do the protecting of your gun, not a plastic guide rod.
-or-
At least that is what I would do before Tamara gets upset with you........
Tam,
Quick call his home phone! He may not survive the night with such an abomination in his blaster!
Marko,
When the dreaded "plastic stubby guide rods" go, and they will go, its a mess, and quite possibly a seriously jammed pistola. Spring for the steel part.....its hollow, and doesn't weigh enough to matter. If you are shooting alot....and it sounds like you do, buy a pack of shok-buffs, change them often, and let that do the protecting of your gun, not a plastic guide rod.
-or-
At least that is what I would do
before Tamara gets upset with you........Marko Kloos
Moderator Emeritus
Hey, it was her gunsmith who gave me the part. I traded a perfectly good FLGR for it, and a GI bushing plug. Shoulda admonished Shannon for putting substandard junk into a customer's main CCW piece, Tams.
Oh, and I am running a Shok Buff in this 1911, against my usual 1911 habits. Alloy frame, and all...prolly can't hurt to have it in there.
Oh, and I am running a Shok Buff in this 1911, against my usual 1911 habits. Alloy frame, and all...prolly can't hurt to have it in there.
Tamara
Senior Member
Hey, I didn't look at it! (I wonder if Shannon did?) It seems to have gone straight from the Brownell's box to you. I'll grill him about it tomorrow...
Prodigalshooter
Member
Marko, which buffer are you using? I tried the Buffer Technology buffers, but had failure of slide to lock open on an empty magazine. That's not good, I prefer to know when I'm empty (just in case I lose count )
Also had an occasional failure to go fully into battery, pulled it out - no problem thereafter.
So, I'm a little wary of them.
)Also had an occasional failure to go fully into battery, pulled it out - no problem thereafter.
So, I'm a little wary of them.
Will Fennell
Member
Play it safe
Marko,
While I hope to ALWAYS have a alloy frame 1911 around as a daily carrygun, I have learned their limitations firsthand. After 5 years as my main CCW, and I'll admit...quite a few thousand rounds downrange, my Springfield Compact/Wilson Stealth custom conversion cracked its frame in 3[!] places.
While I'm pretty good about replacing worn recoil springs, I firmly believe that I could have extended the life of the frame by changing them more often......springs are cheap, frames are not. Its my opinion that its more important to run an appropriate recoil spring weight, and change it often, than to use an heavy "extra power spring" that batters your gun on the forward stroke as well. I don't run a shok buff in the compact 1911's because of the short recoil stroke, but I would in an alloy full size gun....again, cheap insurance.
Now the good news it that it was still running fine when I found the cracks......but it sure is not confidence inspiring. The even better news was that WILSON COMBAT stepped up and warrantied the frame[remember, this was a SPRINGFIELD ARMORY frame] by replacing it with a WILSON COMBAT alloy frame free of charge.
Marko,
While I hope to ALWAYS have a alloy frame 1911 around as a daily carrygun, I have learned their limitations firsthand. After 5 years as my main CCW, and I'll admit...quite a few thousand rounds downrange, my Springfield Compact/Wilson Stealth custom conversion cracked its frame in 3[!] places.
While I'm pretty good about replacing worn recoil springs, I firmly believe that I could have extended the life of the frame by changing them more often......springs are cheap, frames are not. Its my opinion that its more important to run an appropriate recoil spring weight, and change it often, than to use an heavy "extra power spring" that batters your gun on the forward stroke as well. I don't run a shok buff in the compact 1911's because of the short recoil stroke, but I would in an alloy full size gun....again, cheap insurance.
Now the good news it that it was still running fine when I found the cracks......but it sure is not confidence inspiring. The even better news was that WILSON COMBAT stepped up and warrantied the frame[remember, this was a SPRINGFIELD ARMORY frame] by replacing it with a WILSON COMBAT alloy frame free of charge.
Marko Kloos
Moderator Emeritus
Wilson Combat.
Good observation. Not too many people are aware of the fact that a too-heavy recoil spring can beat up the gun just as much as a too-light one.
denfoote
Member
Marco,
If you intend to carry that IWB, I suggest you lose those grips!!
On second thought, carry the little bugger for a day under a shirt and you will see (or feel) what I mean!!
Tamara
Senior Member
denfoote,
He does carry it IWB every day, and has for about a month now. Also, this ain't his first Springfield rodeo, neither...
He does carry it IWB every day, and has for about a month now. Also, this ain't his first Springfield rodeo, neither...
Probably won't be his last, or have you broken him of the "this is the perfect gun, I'm never going to part with it . . . hey, that's pretty. Let me trade for that. This is now the perfect gun I'm never going to part with . . . hey, this sounds familiar. Where did that other gun go?" syndrome?
Marko Kloos
Moderator Emeritus
Today, I had the 'smith install a nylon MSH, a short steel guide rod, and a synthetic Colt factory trigger with smooth trigger face. The whole gun now weighs 27.3 ounces empty...not too shabby for a service-sized 1911. It was closer to 29 ounces out of the box.
buzz,
like a friend once said...if it wasn't for all the trading I do, I never would have been able to own 200+ guns, and it would have taken me much longer to figure out what works for me.
buzz,
like a friend once said...if it wasn't for all the trading I do, I never would have been able to own 200+ guns, and it would have taken me much longer to figure out what works for me.
V
VictorLouis
Guest
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Its my opinion that its more important to run an appropriate recoil spring weight, and change it often, than to use an heavy "extra power spring" that batters your gun on the forward stroke as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good observation. Not too many people are aware of the fact that a too-heavy recoil spring can beat up the gun just as much as a too-light one.
I've always thought pretty highly of accessory number 307
http://www.kingsgunworks.com/newcatalog/page04.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Its my opinion that its more important to run an appropriate recoil spring weight, and change it often, than to use an heavy "extra power spring" that batters your gun on the forward stroke as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good observation. Not too many people are aware of the fact that a too-heavy recoil spring can beat up the gun just as much as a too-light one.
I've always thought pretty highly of accessory number 307
http://www.kingsgunworks.com/newcatalog/page04.html
V
VictorLouis
Guest
Haven't held onto any of my 1911s long enough
to find out. Seriously though, with a proper recoil spring for your ammo, you probably shouldn't encounter the shock-plunger. When you do, and you can feel it to a certain extent, then you know it's time for another recoil spring.
to find out.
Seriously though, with a proper recoil spring for your ammo, you probably shouldn't encounter the shock-plunger. When you do, and you can feel it to a certain extent, then you know it's time for another recoil spring.- Status
