Customize a GCNM?

[gsw]

I have a series 80 GCNM that I'm thinking of sending off to Yost-B for a bunch of work, including a match barrel & bushing as well as a better rear sight, etc.

Anybody had major work done on a GCNM? Any suggestions on what to have done and so forth?

Thanks.

[Joni Lynn]

I have several GCNM's. Some are factory stock, some have had hammer/sears replaced and two have been customized. One of them extensively.
A match barrel and bushing is a good idea, not that there is anything wrong with your factory barrel. (except it may not be fit real well)
I like beavertail grip safeties and long slotted hammers myself.
About the rear sight..........the Elliason isn't a bad sight and it will cost a good bit to put something else on in it's place due to the welding that may be required to fill in the top of the slide. Wilson makes a rear sight that works on the GCNM and I have one on my series 70. If I were doing it again .......I wouldn't. It's a little better but not by much.
Here's my series 80, Briley barrel/spherical bushing, Brown hammer/grip safety, Videcki trigger (similar to the new Kings trigger)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Joni_Lynn/GC80right.jpg
My series 70 has Kreiger rails, Kart barrel, new bushing, Dlask trigger, C&S hammer/sear/disconnector, Brown grip safety, Wilson sight, dovetailed front sight.
Both wear S&A magwells
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Joni_Lynn/SpaltedGoldCupL.jpg
I installed EGW sldie stops and firing pin stops myself. Wolff springs all around.

[dakota1911]

My personal philosophy is that I test out any new gun for some time before I decide to make any changes. I usually "sandbag" new guns to see how they do. Yes, I used to have a Ransom Rest, but it was too much like watching paint dry, and this IS my hobby, not my job. My Ransom Rest in on loan to one of my cousins. For 1911's I use 25 yards after initial function test.

Except for grips I haven't made any changes in my Gold Cups (1970 and 1980). They make about a 12 gauge slug hole from 25 yards. Moving upscale to my Colt Special Combat Gov or S&W 945 (Yes, not a true 1911.) they make a 410 gauge slug hole at 25 yards.

Or maybe the answer is I am happy with what I got and would rather spend my money on another gun.

But then there is the "gun as art", and yours look great. It is always interesting to find out who you sent them to and see the results.

The neat thing about the 1911 is that there are so many options.

[Joni Lynn]

The series 80 was built by a local gunsmith, since retired. The series I'd prefer not to identify the incompetent kitchen butcher that made such a mess of it. I had it 'fixed' by Bob Rodgers and now it runs correctly instead of only being able to feed hardball. The barrel installation was bad, as was the grip safety, trigger, slide stop, firing pin stop and the bushing fit was horrible. Nothing like paying twice for good work.
I highly recomend Bob Rodgers, he knows what he's doing! He's a gentleman as well.
Here's the pic of the series 70 Gov't Bob built for me. It's 100% wonderful!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Joni_Lynn/lgcolt2.jpg

[Kangal]

My personal philosophy is that I test out any new gun for some time before I decide to make any changes. I usually "sandbag" new guns to see how they do. Yes, I used to have a Ransom Rest, but it was too much like watching paint dry, and this IS my hobby, not my job. My Ransom Rest in on loan to one of my cousins. For 1911's I use 25 yards after initial function test.

Except for grips I haven't made any changes in my Gold Cups (1970 and 1980). They make about a 12 gauge slug hole from 25 yards. Moving upscale to my Colt Special Combat Gov or S&W 945 (Yes, not a true 1911.) they make a 410 gauge slug hole at 25 yards.

Or maybe the answer is I am happy with what I got and would rather spend my money on another gun.

But then there is the "gun as art", and yours look great. It is always interesting to find out who you sent them to and see the results.

The neat thing about the 1911 is that there are so many options.

++++ 1 I have a Colt custom shop CGC trophy with the night sight and the newest model CGCT they are very accurate and the dependable my third gold cup is blue and the beautiful but I got the take her picture.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/ksaatci/ColtGoldCupTrophy45059.jpg[/IMG] http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/ksaatci/ColtGoldCupTrophy45053.jpg[/IMG] http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/ksaatci/ColtGoldCupTrophy45064.jpg[/IMG] http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/ksaatci/ColtGoldCupTrophy45069.jpg[/IMG]

[Joni Lynn]

Nice GC's!

[Kangal]

Nice GC's!

Thank you....

[cameroni]

So, the new Gold Cup has a round-top slide? :(
c

[Joni Lynn]

The stainless is the GC Trophy and has a BoMar style rear sight, the blued GC is the traditional GC still, rib on top with Elliason style sight.

[cameroni]

Thanks for the photos!
My bifocals are a little steamy from seeing those beautiful GCs(slobber);but I didn't see a blued GC even on 2nd look. I have been a little unwell today.

The first GC pictured in this thread is wearing Elliason sights? Honestly,I am only familiar with the Elliason sights that came on my stock 70 series GC. Didn't know the Eliasons had dots. I want dots(orange front/green rear). :o

Couple of newbie questions:
1. Mag wells make it quicker/easier/faster to get magazines in,right? Any other advantage to them? Mag wells ever come stock on GCs?
2. What is a Kreiger rail?
Thanks in advance,
c

[Atreides]

FWIW,

I sent a GCT down to the guys at Novaks. Dustin did some nice work on it. I will mention that I was quoted 2 months for the "Carry Package". Door to door, it was just under 5 months.

The gun is tight as all get out. It easily shoots groups as tight as my Nighthawk Predator II.

Before you pour a bunch of money into a full custom job on your Colt, I recommend having it fitted with a National Match bushing to go with the NM barrel that came with it. This won't cost you much money or time. You will probably be quite happy with the bushing fit.

Try it and find out.

Atreides

[Joni Lynn]

I think a properly fit bushing is one of the first things to add for accuracy.
Great idea.

[Joni Lynn]

For me the magwell adds some length to the grip as well as a small amount of weight and somewhat easier mag changes.
Kreiger rails are metal rails that are added to the frame and matching channels are machined into the slide and then it has the effect of tightening up the sldie/frame fit. It has the same amount of play that my Les Baer does. !None! The gun now runs on rails.

[cameroni]

Are the collet-type bushings like on my ser.70 GC just an outdated concept. I'm just curious as to why they were production standard at least on some GCs if they need to be replaced ?

OR,have I misunderstood and "National Match" bushing is a collet-type?

c
PS:I'm saving up for the Kuhnhausen books.

[Joni Lynn]

The bushing with the spring like fingers on it isn't what you want if you're looking for the best in accuracy. A standard bushing that is fit properly would be much preferable.
I think when the term NM Bushing is used it means a bushing that fits the slide & barrel correctly. Snug with no play.

[cameroni]

Joni Lynn,how much if any trade off of no-play- rails accuracy to dependability(super-reliable feed&function)?
c

[cameroni]

And yet the quite unique "fingered" bushing was used on Colts top- drawer target model,the Gold Cup National Match pistols.
Hmmm.
c

[Joni Lynn]

I look that bushing as a cheap measure, not one of their better ideas.
The rails are ok on a range gun, if I was building it again I might not go that route.

[kmitch200]

I look that bushing as a cheap measure, not one of their better ideas.
Especially when, not if, the "fingers" break off. :mad:

[cameroni]

So,maybe this would be a "recall" product in the automotive world?
Doesn't sound like something the Colt company would be proud of.
Historically,who might be able to take credit for the collet/fingered barrel bushing? Why did this person think it might be a good idea?
Anyone want to play devil's advocate regarding this "cheap measure" of the Colt Gold Cup National Match pistol.
When,if ever, did Colt cease production of this apparently bad idea?
Not aiming to pick on anyone. The M1911 is the epitome of design IMHO.
c

[gsw]

Joni & friends,

Thanks for the input and great photos... when I send it off I think i'll have it hard chromed too... although I've always been partial to blued guns.

Appreciate everything.

gw

[cameroni]

I'm old-school re: gun finish=bluer than blue bluing is my visual fave;but hard chrome that has been finely wire brushed would be my personal pick overall.
Regards,
c