Way to learn about upgrading, performance and behavior of Autoloading pistols?

[AcceptableUserName]

I am just now getting into Autoloaders...well in the past year. As a kid I shot strictly single action revolvers and long guns. I can diagnose and operate a pump shotgun like clockwork...but when it comes to trigger pull issues, feed ramps, mag wells, etc. etc. this is just more or less martian language to me. I can take the slide, barrel and guide rod out of a pistol usually, beyond that...I know nothing..I want to be able to make my pistols run like a machine and bring them back to life easily when something goes wrong...


can anyone recommend any "mandatory" reading or watching to try and get caught up to the world of Autoloading pistols, both SA, DA, "safe-action", whatever. If it's a bottom feeder, I want to master it.


thanks!

 

[Diamondback6]

For the 1911, start with Kuhnhausen's books. Every 1911-owner should have these on the shelf as a starting bare-minimum, IMO... Mighgt give Patrick Sweeney's Gun Digest Book of the 1911, Volumes 1 & 2 a look as well.

I've heard mixed reviews about the AGI courses, but they might be a possibility too if an expensive one.

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[AcceptableUserName]

1911 seems like a good starting point even though i dont currently own one....any other pistol styles you guys would recommend to learn up on? Beretta 92? glock? Browning Hi Power? I want as general a knowledge of autoloader issues and fixes as possible.

 

[Grey Morel]

Learn the 1911 and the Sig 220.

I say this because most of the pistols on the market today are patterned after, or borrow heavily from those two guns. Lots of CZ-75's and clones out there as well, but internaly they are simply a twist on the Browning HiPower, which is based on the 1911.

 

[wilkersk]

I just finished watching "Customizing the 1911" from Clark Custom Guns.

This DVD is available from MidwayUSA. And it goes into detail about how they accurize a 1911. They talk about Slide tightening. Fitting ramped and non-ramped barrels. Installing aftermarked beavertail grip safeties and basic trigger work. There's also a section on turning the 5" full-size into a 6" longslide.

Pretty cool, even though it is just one long advertisement for Clark.

The Kuhnhausen books are great reference books. But, they are VERY difficult to sit down and read for any length of time.

 

[TEDDY]

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some of the ideas like clarks long slide takes some experianced work. two slides and cut and weld.just try your gun out and maybe you dont need most of the work.

 

[Quack]

if you read armorer's manuals check out www.biggerhammer.net there are a few on there.

 

[wilkersk]

?????? X2

posted by Teddy, today at 12:41pm???????????

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some of the ideas like clarks long slide takes some experianced work. two slides and cut and weld.just try your gun out and maybe you dont need most of the work.

IMHO, anything more than a field strip and clean should not be attempted by a casual shooter.

If you wan't to about the insides of a 1911 and what it takes to accurize and improve reliability of an autoloader, then find out how the pros do it.

Again, though - YMMV

 

[1SOW]

If you are handy mechanically, start with guns YOU shoot. This will make you careful AND give you specific questions to ask.

Many of the Forums offer very good step-by-step teardown, repairs and modification on specific guns. EG:. CZ, Sig, XD, Colt, STI, etc. Common gun problems/failures, trigger work, spring jobs and parts replacement are covered in a number of these forums.

If you're trying to become a gunsmith then generalized books, classes/schools, apprentice work in a gunshop/gunrange will help depending on how much time you can devote to it.

Maybe we'll be emailing you to find out if you can fit us in for your renowned trigger job on our favorite pistolas.

Good luck.

 

[BBstacker]

You could try AGI at www.americangunsmith.com. They have armorer's courses that will give a total teardown of a auto.