GeorgeD
Member
Hello all, hope everyone is as good as a Smith. I recently purchased a new 1911sc and was wondering if anyone had opinions on who makes the best aftermarket parts that will fit or can be fit without changing the actual frame or slide?
SW1911Sc Upgrades
- Thread starter GeorgeD
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My opinion is that you leave it alone until you figure out what parts really need to be upgraded, if any.
In a 1911, most parts need to be fit. Even the parts that are allegedly "drop in".
Just adding parts to it because they fit, isn't going to make it any better of a gun, or any more special. Smith does a pretty good job of thinking out what parts and configurations will be good from the factory.
If you do determine that a certain part will benefit your ability to shoot or carry the thing, let a pro do the install unless you are certain enough of your abilities to work on someone else's gun yourself.
The most common upgrade is going to be night sights or other low light sights, if not already equipped. That best left to a gun smith.
The next most common preference change is grips. Usually you can do that yourself unless you need to change grip bushings for overly thin or overly thick grips. 90% of the time, you'll be fine with the ones already in the frame.
Outside of that, just feed it a lot of ammo and enjoy it. Congrats on your purchase. 1911SC is a great gun. Post pics and be proud of it!
In a 1911, most parts need to be fit. Even the parts that are allegedly "drop in".
Just adding parts to it because they fit, isn't going to make it any better of a gun, or any more special. Smith does a pretty good job of thinking out what parts and configurations will be good from the factory.
If you do determine that a certain part will benefit your ability to shoot or carry the thing, let a pro do the install unless you are certain enough of your abilities to work on someone else's gun yourself.
The most common upgrade is going to be night sights or other low light sights, if not already equipped. That best left to a gun smith.
The next most common preference change is grips. Usually you can do that yourself unless you need to change grip bushings for overly thin or overly thick grips. 90% of the time, you'll be fine with the ones already in the frame.
Outside of that, just feed it a lot of ammo and enjoy it. Congrats on your purchase. 1911SC is a great gun. Post pics and be proud of it!
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SW1911Sc upgrades
DanP7, thanks for the reply. Now, an explanation and a little history. I have put 150 rounds through Her and there is a mark developing on the right side of the trigger. I can already catch it with my fingernail. I am worried that after a significant amount of rounds that it will be real damage.
Now for some history,this only my second 1911.My first was an Sr1911. It was a nice looking gun but there was a lot of play everywhere and I didn't trust it so I sold it.
For Cristmas I decided to buy myself a new gun and had my heart set on a Sig P226 Elite Stainless 40. They are very hard to come by though. I went to the LGS with that in mind and saw the mm Smith. I was in love. I purchased it that day and picked it up the next.
The first range report would be that it is the finest shooting semi I have ever fired. Narrowly beating out a Sig 226 Elite Dark I used to have.
Overall, the BEST title goes to 2 separate 627pc's. They were the cats meow. unfortunately I no longer own either one.
Anyway, here are the pics and I apologize for the long winded reply.
DanP7, thanks for the reply. Now, an explanation and a little history. I have put 150 rounds through Her and there is a mark developing on the right side of the trigger. I can already catch it with my fingernail. I am worried that after a significant amount of rounds that it will be real damage.
Now for some history,this only my second 1911.My first was an Sr1911. It was a nice looking gun but there was a lot of play everywhere and I didn't trust it so I sold it.
For Cristmas I decided to buy myself a new gun and had my heart set on a Sig P226 Elite Stainless 40. They are very hard to come by though. I went to the LGS with that in mind and saw the mm Smith. I was in love. I purchased it that day and picked it up the next.
The first range report would be that it is the finest shooting semi I have ever fired. Narrowly beating out a Sig 226 Elite Dark I used to have.
Overall, the BEST title goes to 2 separate 627pc's. They were the cats meow. unfortunately I no longer own either one.
Anyway, here are the pics and I apologize for the long winded reply.
George thats one rung below the Performance Center model. It's pretty well upgraded from the factory.
I'm unclear. Is there an issue with the wear, or is there an issue with metal catching on metal? If it's metal catching metal, it's likely a fit issue that can be quickly addressed either by S&W or by any competent gunsmith, or possibly even by your own hand depending on what we are talking about. Until we have close up pics, it will be hard to tell. S&W Customer Service has been on the ball lately, and may be able to help you out. In any event, any "drop in" parts are unlikely to fix the issue fully.
But let's see a pic of the issue you are talking about.
Nice gun.
I'm unclear. Is there an issue with the wear, or is there an issue with metal catching on metal? If it's metal catching metal, it's likely a fit issue that can be quickly addressed either by S&W or by any competent gunsmith, or possibly even by your own hand depending on what we are talking about. Until we have close up pics, it will be hard to tell. S&W Customer Service has been on the ball lately, and may be able to help you out. In any event, any "drop in" parts are unlikely to fix the issue fully.
But let's see a pic of the issue you are talking about.
Nice gun.
Thanks for the info George. When you finally do take a 1911 all the way apart you will be wishing you had years earlier George. Your new smith will serve you for years without any mods. Best of luck.
rog8732
US Veteran
Welcome to the forum GeorgeD.
As pointed out a little "stoning" on the trigger and trigger channel will take care of that glitch easy-peasy.
Most aluminum triggers will have far more wear marks than what you show, but I understand not wanting what is perceived as a scratch.
Although for me, it is the same as wear on the slide rails. They are a "bearing surface", and no matter how much or what kind of lube used, it will eventually leave a marked wear pattern.
If, you reduce the sides, bottom and top, of the trigger to stop leaving a mark you may then get a little "rattle" which you already found objectionable in your Ruger.
I am not an advocate for Ruger, nor am I intending to school anybody, or diminish your expertise in the 1911 series, but, many times those 1911s with "too much play" can be more reliable in function, than one with overly tight tolerances.
Anyway, I went adrift on your original question. I have only one Smith 1911; the Doug Koenig Signature... Being "righty" I don't like extended nor "ambi-safeties" on any 1911, and on two ocasions at the range,with my bone stock pistol, I had my gun come to be safety locked, with no conscious effort on my part...Thumb safety up.
I called S&W and they sent me what I needed, (single-side GI safety) and it "fell" in to place, passed all safety checks, and was reasonable in price.
So, if you want to change out some parts,you might want to try the OEM first, and see how they stack up.
I echo the advice of T-Bird. Tear in to that booger and see whats in there. Your'e gonna have to anyway if you start changing out parts.
I promise, you will be no more lost in the 1911 innards than some of us other dummies, and you can always come back and get some MORE forum advice. It only cost what it is worth.
As pointed out a little "stoning" on the trigger and trigger channel will take care of that glitch easy-peasy.
Most aluminum triggers will have far more wear marks than what you show, but I understand not wanting what is perceived as a scratch.
Although for me, it is the same as wear on the slide rails. They are a "bearing surface", and no matter how much or what kind of lube used, it will eventually leave a marked wear pattern.
If, you reduce the sides, bottom and top, of the trigger to stop leaving a mark you may then get a little "rattle" which you already found objectionable in your Ruger.
I am not an advocate for Ruger, nor am I intending to school anybody, or diminish your expertise in the 1911 series, but, many times those 1911s with "too much play" can be more reliable in function, than one with overly tight tolerances.
Anyway, I went adrift on your original question. I have only one Smith 1911; the Doug Koenig Signature... Being "righty" I don't like extended nor "ambi-safeties" on any 1911, and on two ocasions at the range,with my bone stock pistol, I had my gun come to be safety locked, with no conscious effort on my part...Thumb safety up.
I called S&W and they sent me what I needed, (single-side GI safety) and it "fell" in to place, passed all safety checks, and was reasonable in price.
So, if you want to change out some parts,you might want to try the OEM first, and see how they stack up.
I echo the advice of T-Bird. Tear in to that booger and see whats in there. Your'e gonna have to anyway if you start changing out parts.
I promise, you will be no more lost in the 1911 innards than some of us other dummies, and you can always come back and get some MORE forum advice. It only cost what it is worth.
AveragEd
Member
I actually purchased that model for a carry gun even though I have a 5" Performance Center 1911 due primarily to the E-Series gun coming with Frijicon night sights, something that is lacking on the PC version of the Sc model.
I think the Sc gun comes equipped about perfectly for its intended purpose, which I consider to be concealed carry. The only addition to mine might be a magazine well like the PC gun's but that's not definite.
Ed
I think the Sc gun comes equipped about perfectly for its intended purpose, which I consider to be concealed carry. The only addition to mine might be a magazine well like the PC gun's but that's not definite.
Ed
rog8732, thanks for the welcome and advice! First off, I am far from a 1911 expert.This is only my second one and the first didn't come until last summer although I have been a gun owner for 30+ years. I am not a wealthy man, this is probably the most money I will spend on a firearm, unless the 1600.00 magically appears for a 627 V-Comp, so I am just trying to avoid problems before they happen.
AveragEd, beautiful guns man. When I bought this one the LGS also had a 4.25" PC. I didn't like the blue grip panels though, and the porting looked like it would be a pain in the *** to clean so I went with the one I got. I have an M&P40 Pro Series 4.25" that is my carry. The .45 is mostly for hd and target shooting, and although I have only had it at the range once so far, it did not disappoint!
Well Fellas, the first time is complete! Although it was not the .45 I have now taken one of my semi's down to the frame and back. I went to the gunsmith today to have him put the sights and the Apex parts on my M&P. His response after looking at the trigger and R.A.M. kits went something like this " man this is going to be a pain in the ***". So, I decided to have him put on the sights and I brought the Apex parts home with me. I went on you-tube and watched the video instructions a couple of times and went to work. End result, the parts are in and although I have not fired it yet, everything seems to be functioning correctly!
Have any of you pulled both, striker fired and hammer fired firearms apart? And if so, which is more complicated?
Have any of you pulled both, striker fired and hammer fired firearms apart? And if so, which is more complicated?
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The SCE Commander like in AverageEd's picture above is my every day carry gun and I'm quite pleased with it. It shows a little holster wear, as will any gun that's carried much. A tip I'll share with you guys that have this gun is that Colt's 8 round magazine - with flush base - their model SP574001 fit's and works perfectly in this gun and allows you to carry 9 rounds in a magazine with a flush base.
AveragEd
Member
Actually George, those aren't ports. They are slots in the slide, not barrel, to lighten it which supposedly allows the recoil spring to cycle the slide faster. Accordingly, cleaning a PC model is no more difficult than any other 1911. I'm with you on the grip panels, though...
Ed
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