New Guy with a SA 1911 LOADED(customization?)

[JoeBallers]

Hey Yall! Ive enjoyed reading your posts for about a year now, and now that I just bought a SA 1911 Loaded I decided to join in. Its a blued model with pachmayr grips and tritium sights (yellow in the back,green up front) in good/excellent condition, I paid $400 out the door for it. I used to have a SA stainless mil-spec, but had to sell it :( I sure do miss it now...But anyways I love the gun, but I would like a lighter trigger for competition purposes, do you guys have any you recommend? Is there anything else you would recommend to make this gun a better shooter? (I know I haven't shot it yet, but I just wanted some suggestions). I was going to buy a new Para SSP for $270 more, but all the gun store people told me to get a Springfield instead, did I make the right choice?

Joel-proud firearm(s) owner

[wichaka]

Welcome to the forum!

I've got a loaded that I use for duty, there's not much of it that's SA anymore.......but that's a personal thing I guess.

For a lighter trigger, take out the ILS and replace it with stock parts & a 23lb main spring. SA puts a 28lb spring in them, so you'll lose 5lbs of spring pressure right off, not trigger pull pressure. But will generally lose about a 1lb or so of trigger pressure. Do not go any less than a 23lb main spring though, for safety reasons.
If you want something better, then you'll have to look at aftermarket parts........hammer, sear, disconnect, sear spring, and have them installed by a competant 'smith. I would stick to nothing less than a 4 3/4 pull, but you'll get plenty of opinions on that.

Here's a pic of mine;


http://w3.gorge.net/scshields/loaded.jpg

[JoeBallers]

Thanks for your response, that's a beautiful gun! Where did you get those grips from? Is there any sense in getting a Wilson light trigger? Also, if I want a bi-tone look, is my only option buying a Caspian slide?

[wichaka]

The grips were made by Tony Rist, can get you his info if you're interested.

No need to get a different trigger, unless you want to. You can obtain excellent trigger pulls with the stock trigger. I went to a McCormick for the looks.

As for the bi-tone, you can pick up most any make of slide as long as it fits well to the frame. So if you find a SA, or Colt etc. slide, they should work well.

[JoeBallers]

How much do grips like those run for more or less? Was $400 bucks a decent price for the SA with tritium sights?thanks for your input,by the way.

[wichaka]

Grips usually run around 30-40.00

Depending on its condition, that's an excellent price. I paid 525.00 for mine used in its box, but it only had a box thru it.

[JoeBallers]

:cool: Thanks for the feedback. The firearm would be in the very good condition range, has seen some use, but finish is still unaffected and everyting in working order. I would be interested in contact information for Tony Rist, I really like the grips you own(not that i would get the exact same ones :D ) but something similar. By the way, whats your opinion on compensators\muzzle brakes?

[wichaka]

I've got the type that replaces the barrel bushing, they work.........but they are for specialized use.

Will get you Rist's info. when I get home.

[JoeBallers]

Cool.That's the type I was thinking about buying. Thanks for the info :D .

[Iceman]

Hey Yall! Ive enjoyed reading your posts for about a year now, and now that I just bought a SA 1911 Loaded I decided to join in. Its a blued model with pachmayr grips and tritium sights (yellow in the back,green up front) in good/excellent condition, I paid $400 out the door for it. I used to have a SA stainless mil-spec, but had to sell it :( I sure do miss it now...But anyways I love the gun, but I would like a lighter trigger for competition purposes, do you guys have any you recommend? Is there anything else you would recommend to make this gun a better shooter? (I know I haven't shot it yet, but I just wanted some suggestions). I was going to buy a new Para SSP for $270 more, but all the gun store people told me to get a Springfield instead, did I make the right choice?

Joel-proud firearm(s) owner

I also have a Loaded. Mine has target adjustable sights. Check out my signature for a close up pic.

I am putting in a S & A mag guide soon and thinking about getting my front strap checkered. Also ordered 4 mags with bumper pads. This gun is my service type match gun so no comps or electronic sights. [edited] :)

Also just bought a Safariland 012 comp holster and should have it tomorrow! :D

[sbvann]

welcome aboard-Bill

[JoeBallers]

Nice grips Iceman! Oh, and thanks Bill :D

[JoeBallers]

Anyone else out there want to share ideas for customizing a SA 1911? How about a Wilson trigger?

[Iceman]

Anyone else out there want to share ideas for customizing a SA 1911? How about a Wilson trigger?

Don't know about you but I use my SA in club comps and found a mag well is very useful for speed reloads...and also because I got long fingers, I found arched MSH also quite good to have...and then just need a nice looking pair of grips so you can say 'damn, that's a nice looking pistol!' everytime you look at her. :)

[JoeBallers]

Thanks for the idea Iceman :D