Questions on replacing MIM parts in new XSE

[SubSolar]

I just bought a new XSE Government and love it. However, I don't like the downward beavertail, it hurts the webbing of my hand because I use a high hand grip. I was going to have my gunsmith replace it with a drop-in Wilson Beavertail High-Ride and figured, what the heck, might as well have him replace the three MIM parts while he's at it. I just wanted to make sure I bought the right parts and that they're not MIM also.

According to the sticky, the only MIM parts are the sear, magazine catch and disconnector. Does magazine catch mean the magazine release or the magazine catch lock? I was just going to get Wilson parts for everything, is this what other people are replacing the MIM parts with? These are the Wilson part numbers I came up with:

Beavertail: #429SG
Sear: #314
Disconnector: #R30
Magazine Release: #31TS
Catch Lock: #15 bee ess (the letters, for some reason the forum censors the letters)

I'm not sure if the Disconnector is non-MIM cause it says "factory plus."

If anyone could confirm if the above part numbers are non-MIM that would be great. Or which brand and part numbers you used to replace the MIM parts. Thanks.

[wichaka]

I like Wilson drop-in grip safeties, they fit very well.

For the other parts, I would recommend the following;

Nowlin Pro-Match Sear........it's sold steel.
Berryhill disconector...........good steel.

The other parts should be good go.

I happen to like a mag release that has an extra .060 button length on it. makes for more sure/positive mag changes, and the buttoon is the same diameter.

[wetidlerjr]

Questions on replacing MIM parts in new XSE

As for MIM parts; if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I own quite a few Colt 1911s (more than 6, less than 100) and I haven't had any MIM parts break in any of them. :D
Just my opinion which is, in no way, humble and worth every penny you paid for it.

[DuckRyder]

I used Ed Brown "perfection" sear and disconnector plus an Ed Brown magazine release.

[Blackhawk]

I think your parts list is correct. You will be pleased with Wilson BT. But dont know that I would change internals unless you have encountered a problem or are skilled enough to do all the fitting yourself.

[leade45]

Subsolar mentioned he is working with a Gunsmith.

The Wilson BT should be fine. Nowlin, EGW are fine for ignition components.
I think Ed Brown, Perfection sear/disconnector is a very good pre-fit drop in combo.

If your gunsmith really knows his way around a 1911, a drop in part is not necessary.

[OD*]

According to Richard Churchill with Colt, the magazine catch is cast.

MIM
sear
disconnector

CAST
Thumb safety
grip safety
mag catch

FORGED
slide
receiver
barrel
slide stop

MACHINED from bar stock
hammer
all pins
bbl link
bbl bushing
trigger finger piece
ejector
firing pin
firing pin stop

[ferretray]

I have a new SS Colt Government Model. Not being one for plastic or MIM parts, I decided to change them out.
I went ahead and installed a Dave Berryhill Ultimate Spur Hammer Ignition kit.
The rest:
Mag. Catch- Dave Berryhill. I've also used Ed Brown unit's.
Trigger- Greider short/solid/serrated, from Dave Berryhill.
Mainspring Housing- Smith & Alexander smooth/flat.
I recently installed Hogue "Extreme" checked aluminum grips. I'll have the sights changed sometime this winter.
I have installed Kings drop-in beavertail grip safeties in pistols in the past.
Good luck with your new shootin' iron. Ray

[SubSolar]

One other question, the gunsmith offered to do a "trigger job" on it while he was at it. This sounds good, maybe get the XSE trigger pull from around 5-6 lbs. to 3-4. I'm from the Glock world and that usually means putting in a lighter lb. connector and polishing things. Is this the same for 1911's? What parts would the gunsmith replace for a trigger job? Should I order parts from Ed Brown or Wilson to make sure they are quality and non-MIM? If so, what parts would I need? Thanks again.

[edmorales]

the extractor on my xse combat commander is mim. unlike my orm gm, which is barstock.
ed

[LOBO]

The only thing that I have done to my blued XSE is to replace the plastic MSH to a checkered steel piece from Wilsons. The Wilsons MSH is a great addition. The fit is great and the finish matches almost perfectly. I feel that its a worthwhile modification.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a266/LOBO2/CCWsColtXSEwithWilsonsMSH11-10-2007.jpg

[John]

the extractor on my xse combat commander is mim. unlike my orm gm, which is barstock.
ed
A MIM extractor?? Where is this world going?

[auto45]

If you hold a "high gun" with your thumb on the safety, you might find the drop-in beavertail unsatisfactory because of the edges that still exist...it's not blended with the frame. At least the one I saw and handled.

If you have a good local 1911 "smith" and a "set" budget, I'd consider spending more of that money on a well fit, blended beavertail.

Then, I'd buy a high quality sear, have the trigger job which includes a check of the series 80 timing...that's important. I discarded my Colt MIM sear at 30,000 rounds. But, if your going to pay someone for trigger work, another $30 for a higher quality sear is probably wise.

As far as I know, Colt has a good quality hammer. I've got close to 45,000 rounds on a Colt MIM disconnector and have "read" they are good...so you may be wasting your money replacing it. Not expensive to replace though.

I'd replace the mag catch only if you wanted an extended type.

Just some thoughts.

[OD*]

the extractor on my xse combat commander is mim. unlike my orm gm, which is barstock.
ed
Do you know when your pistol was made, Ed?
Colt tried the MIM extractors for a very short time, 2001/02 +/-. My 2002 WWII repro had one as did my 2003 Series 70 repro, my 2003 WWI repro did not have the MIM extractor, nor did my 2000 M1991A1. Colt no longer uses MIM extractors.

[NordicRX8]

The only parts I changed out in my LW XSE is the GS (Stainless Wilson Combat drop in) and the mainspring housing (Ed Brown Arched Stainless). I'll replace some internals after I've put a lot more rounds through her... maybe when I change out the springs. I'm not too fond of the ambi-thumb safety either, and just ordered an STI part (closest color match to the Colt thumb safety - without additional work).

[edmorales]

Do you know when your pistol was made, Ed?
Colt tried the MIM extractors for a very short time, 2001/02 +/-. My 2002 WWII repro had one as did my 2003 Series 70 repro, my 2003 WWI repro did not have the MIM extractor, nor did my 2000 M1991A1. Colt no longer uses MIM extractors.

according to cathy of colt, the 1991 orm (2723xx) was made in 1993 while the xse combat commander (fc258xxe) was made in 2001. i will take pics later and post it
ed

[RickB]

My circa 1998 ORM .45 had a MIM extractor, but my '04 NRM, does not.
I have a Wilson drop-in beavertail on my Delta Elite; I did a little grinding on it to improve the fit, and refinished it with Brownell's spray/bake. Of course, with a stainless part, any offending edges can be filed/ground/polished off, with no real need to refinish, but a quick beadblast would be cheap.