Questions About Custom 1911s

[2152hq]

I always figured the ring style Commander hammer came about on that Model originally as a nod towards it's overall idea of being small & lighter (alloy frame orig) than the full size 1911. All that for concealability and carry. The ring hammer was a simple 'no snag' modification.

Lots of shooters like the style and there are plenty of custom ring and loop type hammer spurs available.
I like the Commander ring hammer but it belongs on a Commander
I still keep the orig spur hammer on the 1911 & A1.

I really don't care for all the extras added onto the pistol and the modifications. I just like them the way they are.
Some Ivory or other nice grips and engraving is OK,,but save the fish-scale slide serrations, oversize slide release and beavertail grip safety.
Old conservative me...

But it's nice that anyone can make them up anyway they please.
That's what keeps the shooting industry and the sports going.
Lots of people make a living making all those extras and installing them.

 

[keithherrington]

Well, I have to agree with the OP, but only to a point...

I'm now 66 and have been shooting, carrying and modifying 1911s since I was 12 when my Dad gave me my first gun, a 1911A1 issued to an Army Air Corp Colonel. Over the years I came to some of the same conclusions as the OP. Only recently I came up with a recipe for what I consider to be the best combination of base gun and parts for a serious carry gun...not an IDPA or IPSC competition gun...not a bullseye gun, and not a night stand gun. Each feature was chosen based on the experience I've gained over the years to optimize the fit, the function and the performance of the gun. I started with stainless Colt Series 70/Model O 1911 MkIV with a 5” barrel in 45ACP. I had Nighthawk Custom (NHC) install their stainless match barrel and bushing. In addition, I installed VZ Operator II grips in dirty olive and 18# ISMI recoil spring, Novak wide-notch LoMount rear sight with Novak gold bead front, and 25 lpi checkered front strap and main spring housing. My goal was to create the best carry 1911 possible, from the finest quality gun and parts, for a reasonable price, in a reasonable period of time, that was both extremely accurate and totally reliable. I achieved my results. With the unfired Colt Series 70, I supplied NHC with the following parts: Cylinder and Slide (C&S) MARSOC hammer, disconnector, and sear, oversized hammer and sear pins; NHC thumb safety and recoil spring guide; Ed Brown machined Memory Groove beavertail grip safety and checkered mainspring housing; Harrison Design Extreme Duty hammer strut and trigger; Wilson Combat Bullet Proof extractor and slide stop; EGW firing pin stop; and Challis Hex Drive Grip Screw Bushings. IMO these are the finest parts you can use for a 1911 build. And since this gun is focused more on “Go” than “Show” I had NHC do two subtle upgrades - flat topped the checkering on the front strap and MSH, and black nitrided the entire gun. Normal checkering is famous for destroying the lining of garments for used for concealment. Flat topping the checkering eliminates this problem, while also providing an uncompromisingly good non-slip surface when gripping the gun. Using Black Nitride over stainless provides a low-signature look combined with extreme durability. The gun came back from NHC with the sights perfectly regulated for 25 yards with commercial ball ammunition.

Now, I'm sure I'll get some pushback from some folks regarding the parts I chose to use or the end result, and that's OK. For me it works to perfection.

 

[ContinentalOp]

the lightening holes in the trigger/hammer are designed to allow for a super light trigger pull (1.5-2.5 lbs) and also to decrease lock time.

Just to add on this...the reason for the lightweight triggers on light trigger pulls was to minimize the chance of the trigger's momentum causing it to fire unintentionally, potentially even going full auto. This is why the Gold Cups with the steel triggers had a sear depressor spring.

Of course, if you keep your trigger pull weight within a reasonable range, it's not really necessary.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Most wild beavertails improve the chance of properly gripping the gun when grabbing it from the holster in a panic.

Most of the other mods I feel no need to comment.

My own "pet peeve" is the added bump on the grip safety. I do not need it at all, and I would prefer not to have it. However, I understand that some folks like it A LOT, because they need it for reliability.

Not everyone was born the same.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Ditto for those big upswept beavertail grip safeties with the pointed end. Why?

In addition to the comfort factor mentioned before, most of those designs allow you to grip the gun higher, which helps with faster recovery and shot-to-shot times. How much of an actual benefit that offers, I can't say.

I will say that while I prefer the "retro" style 1911s, I do like the looks of the older "ducktail"/ring hammer combo. For example:

 

[ContinentalOp]

FYI running a spur style / Commander hammer is necessary if U R going to have an extended grip safety / beaver tail.

Not really. I've seen 1911s with beavertail grip safeties that had bobbed spur hammers. But they're certainly not as common as the round Commander-style hammers.

 

[Farmer17]

The 1911 is one of my favorite guns and I have owned Colts, Kimbers, and others but currently only own a GI style 1911 .45 made by Rock Island and it is near perfect for me and I have no desire to own other 1911s be it longer or shorter, lighter or heavier, or in different colors or calibers. Jeff Cooper once said the only thing the 1911 needs is bigger sights, a trigger job, and a different safety if you have trouble reaching it or are left handed.

 

[Valmet]

I own thee 1911s...a vintage Colt LW Commander, a Springfield Armory RO, and a Glenn Custom .38 Super. The latter is easily the finest 1911 I’ve ever laid hands on and I’ve been fortunate enough to handle a few (WC, Les Baer, Ed Brown, etc), it has a single-port comp, checkered front strap, beaver tail, bobbed hammer, and most importantly, has had 10k rounds thru it so it is absolutely buttery. I inherited it and am fortunate to own it as it would cost thousands to have Frank Glenn build another one like it.

But the Springfield Armory RO sees the most use from me, while it’s a production gun, it’s “semi-Custom” as far as features are concerned and it is extremely accurate, not bad for a $750 out-of-the-box 1911. It digests my handloads reliably, is comfortable to shoot (for me), and I can hit what I’m aiming at with it...well mostly.

As much as I like my custom .38 Super, if I wasn’t fortunate as I am to come into it, I prob would simply have bought the RO and stopped there.

 

[Westie1]

For me, mods to a 1911 are done to make the gun more comfortable in the hand. Also to help deal with my vision problems-normal irons just don't work. Beavertail safety and commander style hammer-check. Ambi thumb safety-check. I shoot thumb on safety-makes the gun more controllable to me, especially weak handed.

As to sights, it's either a specialized prescription or go the route I did. Both my Colt M1991a1, '90s vintage, and my custom built have ghost ring rear and fiber optic sights.