[MULEMAN]

Just curious what parts or which manufacturer of 1911 parts you like best or have had good success with. I like the Ed Brown parts myself, though they are a little more pricey than some, they are high quality parts with very close tolerances. I have read some good reviews on Wilson Combat parts, but have never used any of their parts. Maybe you have found some off brand parts that are good??

 

[Maudite]

I have used parts from McCormick, Videcki, Smith/Alexander, Essex, Brown, Pachmayr- and maybe more. For the most part I have had good or great experiences with them. I have a McCormick Carbon Fiber trigger that I really like. The Smith Alexander all in one mag well is also excellent. Like the Pachmayr mainspring housing plenty.

The only part that I got that just didn't work out was that Videcki speed trigger. Maybe my fault- but I had other triggers that I was able to work out. Mixed blessing tho- replaced it with the McCormick.

M

 

[planeflyer21]

I don't believe there is one manufacturer (of 1911 parts) that has a wide enough selection, in order for a person to choose every part that would fit their select needs.

Every 1911 I've owned that I've tinkered with ends up as a Frankenstein...msp from here, trigger from there, safety from them, grips from a yard sale.

I prefer a solid long trigger, flat main spring housing, a standard profile extended grip safety (without the little "pad/button" on the bottom of it), and low profile fixed sights. The other levers and switches I'm still experimenting with and, whatever fails the "This works GREAT!" test, goes into the box marked "1911".

Jon

 

[Tomray]

If you're building a 1911, study the Brownell's offerings closely.
It's been my experience that the Major names, are NO better than the lesser names.
Early on, I was using Wilson stuff, until I saw the prices start to rise..........Nothing wrong with raising prices if the item is THAT popular, but I started to compare items and using a larger selection of vendors.
I like Clark, Wilson (still) Videcki, EGW, Baer, Colt (who really makes the small colt parts?) Caspian, Essex, Pachmeyer MS hs'gs, and many others. I like Lightened hammers, but I avoid titanium stuff, and all Stainless Steel fire control parts (hammers and sears).......Stainless hammers and sears can't produce the smooth working surfaces of good High carbon Steel.........I can get smoother, more precise trigger jobs with High Carbon Steel, with less work.

All the parts I use will be "Fit" to the gun and then polished re-finished with the entire gun, so the "as received" quality of the finish means nothing to me........I'd sooner have them in the "white".

Re: Tolerances...............I think ALL the mainstream parts found in Brownells meet the std tolerances, unless you're buying a part that requires fitting, which I do. Its common to find parts that will not fit to my liking without some amount of fitting, and thats a good and natural thing........If you mix and match parts from 3 Marlin rifles, re-fitting will be required!
I'm MORE inclined to buy a part that says "some fitting required" than a std part.
Lately, I DO watch and AVOID anything made in China or Offshore, If I can avoid it.........A 1911 is an American Pistol.........the parts should be, also.

In closing, remember that just because the little plastic bag says Wilson,Clark or Mccormick Doesn't mean they made the part.

Tom

 

[miatakix]

My Dan Wesson came with mostly Brown parts. Seem like good stuff to me.

I began fitting a new Wilson Combat Bulletproof ambi safety last night. It's quite the innovative design, I like it a lot. Made of barstock steel, too. If you need an ambi safety I'd definitely recommend taking a look at it. It's pricey but seems like it will be worth it to me as a lefty. When you look at the design...and the fit seems great so far, it just seems superior to anything else out there right now. I guess time will tell. I know for what it cost me I'm going very, very careful with fitting the sear stop lug. Surely don't want to ruin this expensive of a part through carelessness. I did get the tactical model, though, and the paddles are quite narrow. But they are perfectly finished, no sharp/rough edges, etc.

The Harrison trigger I recently picked up looks very nice, too. Does not look I am even going to need to do anything to fit it, either, except maybe go through the standard overtravel measurement and adjustment, etc. It just dropped straight in last night and the fit looked better than the one that came with the pistol...

I got a couple EGW parts, too, a new mag catch lock and barrel bushing. Look good to me, although I have not yet fit them. The sizing on the "pre-fit" bushing seemed fairly generous to allow for final adjustment for a perfect fit. Now I'll just have to see if I bungle the job or not ;D If so, it's only a $20 part...

 

[miatakix]

P.S. I'm going to do a write up and take some photos of this new ambi safety installation for any of you that may be interested in it soon. There is a trick or two that is required to do it right. I'm not sure if I'll have time to do that this weekend, maybe next.

 

[oscarflytyer]

just installed a new Wilson bbl link and pin. Bought the 5 piece set and used #4. Made a world of difference in tight lockup and group size for me. Very happy.

At the same time, I installed a Swenson drop-in NM bbl bushing. it helped as well. I was happy with it for the price as well - ~$13 @ Midway.

These are the very first parts I have ever bought/used and my very first 45 tinkering. They really helped my old broken in Thompson Auto-Ord GI 45!

I also have a Wilson mag that I am happy with.