1911 spoons, what mods to make

masraum · 06-13-2014, 08:24 PM

So, say you picked up a very basic 1911, maybe something very entry level like the Taurus PT1911.

What sort of mods would you do? Are there any "must haves", like things that fix problems? Then I guess there would be "needs", well, it's not a must have, but it's something that you really should have. And then there would be "wants", definitely not necessary, but hey, if I can do what I want, this is something that I would do.

I guess question 2 would be, how about those .22 conversion kits? Have or tried one, how'd it do?

pitargue · pitargue's Garage

What is the 1911 going to be used for?

masraum · 06-13-2014, 08:59 PM

nothing fancy, range time, hanging around the house to stop the zombies. It's doubtful that it would ever see any carry action as it's full size and there are other, smaller, easier guns to carry.

Bill Douglas · 06-13-2014, 09:08 PM

Maybe price out the improvements you would like to make and add them to the purchase price of the gun. Usually it's best to buy a fairly good gun with the mods done as part of the factory build.

masraum · 06-13-2014, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Maybe price out the improvements you would like to make and add them to the purchase price of the gun. Usually it's best to buy a fairly good gun with the mods done as part of the factory build.

I don't have any mods that I want. I know that anything is possible with the 1911. I'm curious what others like, want or think they need.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

No offense, but I wouldn't go dumping money into any Taurus. You don't get your money back out of gun mods when you sell. And there are plenty of other 1911s out there that are better out of the box and already have the mods you might want. You can easily double the money you have into the gun and not make it worth a dime more. Buy a higher end one with those mods done at the factory and you'll be a lot closer to even money if you sell.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

No offense, but I wouldn't go dumping money into any Taurus. You don't get your money back out of gun mods when you sell. And there are plenty of other 1911s out there that are better out of the box and already have the mods you might want. You can easily double the money you have into the gun and not make it worth a dime more. Buy a higher end one with those mods done at the factory and you'll be a lot closer to even money if you sell.

+1 on what Rick said! Another thing to consider is that most aftermarket parts are specifically made to fit Colt pistols. Everything else "out there" runs the risk of having slightly different machining tolerances. Some parts will fit or can be made to fit and work properly, some maybe can't. Also, anything that is done to a 1911 to make it more accurate can potentially take away from it's reliability. I would much rather have a handgun that is 100% reliable than one that will print 1/4" smaller groups but is less reliable. About the only things I can think of doing to most 1911s these days would be to add a flared magazine well for easier/faster magazine changes and maybe changing the grips to whatever fits your hands the best.

targa911S · 06-14-2014, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

No offense, but I wouldn't go dumping money into any Taurus. You don't get your money back out of gun mods when you sell. And there are plenty of other 1911s out there that are better out of the box and already have the mods you might want. You can easily double the money you have into the gun and not make it worth a dime more. Buy a higher end one with those mods done at the factory and you'll be a lot closer to even money if you sell.

this....go look at the Dan Wesson 1911 or a Colt.

aschen · 06-14-2014, 07:07 AM

Nature intended for 1911s to be colt but I think plenty of the cheaper ones are OK as well. I probably wouldn't dump a bunch on upgrades on one though

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I'm a Springfield fan and don't like Colt. I just think Colt relies too much on hits heritage and name, while other 1911 makers concentrate more on building great guns and always improving. I've owned five Commanders and none of them shot well. Why the hell should I have to have the ramp polished to make it feed SWCs? Any 1911 today comes with a polished ramp. A few Commanders ago I had a stainless XSE. Sure was a pretty gun, but any of my way cheaper Springfields would outshoot it any day of the week.

You can get a real nice Springfield Champion or Loaded full size for $600 used. Ditto for Kimber if you really shop. I've started lusting for Dan Wessons, but I think they've finally gotten the respect they deserve and their prices now reflect that.

Keep the Taurus for a beater car, boat or garage toolbox gun. It'll go bang every time, but don't dump money into it other than with rubber grips and range time.

If you really hate money and want to buy the best of the best so that you'll never go back, step up to Ed Brown Les Baer.

masraum · 06-14-2014, 08:35 AM

I probably wouldn't spend much if any money on something like that, but I figured there might be some mods that almost universally improve the gun. I'm not looking to make the thing less reliable. I'm sure this thing is more accurate than I am anyway.

Lets forget the mention of Taurus. I'm just curious what sort of changes or mods that you guys would make and why. This is more of an educational thing than a shopping list. I'd like to learn about and understand what the various mods are and what the pros and cons of each are. I figure we have several knowledgeable people here that could give that sort of info (and enjoy talking spoon).

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Have you taken it to the range yet? That's the first thing to do before deciding on mods. My guess is you'll want new grips and maybe new sights. But then how does it shoot? Can you run 100 rds. though it without a hiccup? Learn how to field strip, clean and lube. You might get by with just some skateboard tape on the front strap instead of rubber grips. Does it have ambi thumb safeties? If not, are you left handed? Does it have hammer bite? If so, you'll want a beavertail.

For my last Springfield build, I got a stainless Mil-Spec for $175 delivered and it was just missing the barrel. So I ordered a new barrel, guide rod kit, night sights, beavertail, match trigger, skeletonized hammer and then mailed it all off to Robar for refinishing and assembly. I ended up with such a badass gun for far less than it would have cost to buy as was. Really regret selling that one, but I came out ahead on it.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Here's that Mil-Spec next to the Commander XSE and the Springfield was soooo much better.

masraum · 06-14-2014, 08:57 AM

The nice thing is that it comes with some of the common "upgrades" out of the box (hammer, beaver tail, checkered front strap, ambi-safety, trigger, sights, etc...).

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

That's actually very nice. Only thing I can think of would be a magwell. If it doesn't shoot great as is, I wouldn't dump more money into it. But it looks like it has everything you could need.

masraum · 06-14-2014, 08:59 AM

I am also an SA fan and was planning to get an SA 1911 eventually.

BlueSkyJaunte · 06-14-2014, 09:39 AM

I, too, would stay away from Taurus. In fact, I have.

"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory."

Buy a solid platform to start from. Colt, Ruger, S&W, Dan Wesson, Springfield, and STI are all excellent options. Either buy basic and upgrade from there or cough up the $$$ for a factory version of what you want.

These days I would avoid:

1) Taurus (unmitigated crap)
2) Philippine makers (Armscor/Rock Island Armory, Citadel, etc. etc. etc.)
3) Remington (horrible QC problems with their recent org changes)
4) Kimber (always been wildly hit-and-miss on QC)
5) Para-USA (have sucked since they left Canada. Recently purchased by Remington's parent company...not good)
6) Sig (hit and miss - but better than Kimber)

masraum · 06-14-2014, 10:21 AM

Ok, I get the point that pretty much everyone thinks the Taurus is crap.

Why? Are there pics of Taurus' that have exploded or fallen apart or something? What's the deal?

How many Taurus guns have you owned and what problems have you had with them?

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Very happy with my Springfield XD. 13+1 in the tube double stack magazine.

Grip safety, trigger safe like a Glock. Telltales for one in the tube and cocked. No thumb safety but I'm cool with that. 1,000 rounds thru it with no fails. A friend used it and accidently popped the mag release. Didn't even stove pipe....smacked the butt back in and it continued to fire.

Tear down is simple.

Weaver rail underneath for add on laser or spot.

masraum · 06-14-2014, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Very happy with my Springfield XD. 13+1 in the tube double stack magazine.

Grip safety, trigger safe like a Glock. Telltales for one in the tube and cocked. No thumb safety but I'm cool with that. 1,000 rounds thru it with no fails. A friend used it and accidently popped the mag release. Didn't even stove pipe....smacked the butt back in and it continued to fire.

Tear down is simple.

Weaver rail underneath for add on laser or spot.

I had an XDM 9 w/ 4.5" barrel. I sold that and got the XDM 3.8" compact 9mm.