Mr Fixit
4th February 2008, 18:31
I posted this on my blog originally. I posted it here also, because I would like to have some feedback on what I'm doing to the pistol. If crosspoasting here offends or breaks rules, please let me know and I will remove it.
That's such a bad pun, sorry.
Fact is, the Sistema project is underway. You can go back and see where it all startedhttp://thefixitshop.blogspot.com/2007/07/im-working-on-it.html if you like. Be sure to read JPG's comment as well.
Back? Good.
In all honesty, I did write that post a bit tongue-in-cheek. I've never owned a 1911 before, but I read about them a bit. It seems every article tells you how you need this or that modification in order for the pistol to function. I honestly don't think all the mods are needed, and some of them may even be a detriment.
So, I started on a different path. I asked my self, "What is wrong with this pistol?" It was actually a short list:
Poor accuracy- with the issue barrel, it shot into about a 24" group at 25 paces.
Poor fit- I have small hands, and the 1911 just felt to long from front to back.
Poor grips- this is partially the cause of the poor fit, the grips were in very poor shape, and somewhat deformed.
Poor sights- tiny A1 sights.
Poor finish- as in non-existent. This pistol, and many like it had been worn a lot. The blued finish was completely gone.
Tight Magazine fit- had to push in and pull out. No drop free here.
Hammer bite- it got me several times while shooting.
I guess maybe it's not such a short list after all. However, all that can be fixed fairly easily.
The pistol was reliable, at least with the FMJ ammo I tried with it. No problem functioning at all with either the original magazine, or the new Chip McCormick Power Mag.
I tried to address the accuracy first. I read over on Xavier's blog about his Sistema, and getting a new barrel. Sounded like a good idea. I looked at barrels from several manufacturers. I decided on a Storm Lake "drop in fit" match barrel and bushing. My main reasons for the choice were the reputation, and the price. The barrel came "throated" for hollow points, which I understand the GI barrel wouldn't feed well. It was about $50 cheaper than the next "Drop in fit" barrel.
Of course they didn't drop in. The bushing was quite tight, and I had to work in in with a bushing wrench several times. The barrel didn't want to lock up completely. I couldn't figure it out at first, but it turned out that the OD of the hood area of the new one, was just a bit larger than the same area of the old one. I used a bit of sandpaper and carefully removed a few thousandths. That did it. Where previously I could move the barrel by pushing down on the hood, now I couldn't. Also with the old barrel and bushing, when it was locked up, I could take a finger on the muzzle and wiggle it in the bushing a bit. That no longer happens either.
At this point I had got a good look at the internals and springs. Lots of gunk inside. Instead of putting it back together and seeing how it shot, I decided to go ahead and order the rest of the parts for the rebuild.
Next time: Picking the parts
stay tuned
Mr Fixit
That's such a bad pun, sorry.
Fact is, the Sistema project is underway. You can go back and see where it all startedhttp://thefixitshop.blogspot.com/2007/07/im-working-on-it.html if you like. Be sure to read JPG's comment as well.
Back? Good.
In all honesty, I did write that post a bit tongue-in-cheek. I've never owned a 1911 before, but I read about them a bit. It seems every article tells you how you need this or that modification in order for the pistol to function. I honestly don't think all the mods are needed, and some of them may even be a detriment.
So, I started on a different path. I asked my self, "What is wrong with this pistol?" It was actually a short list:
Poor accuracy- with the issue barrel, it shot into about a 24" group at 25 paces.
Poor fit- I have small hands, and the 1911 just felt to long from front to back.
Poor grips- this is partially the cause of the poor fit, the grips were in very poor shape, and somewhat deformed.
Poor sights- tiny A1 sights.
Poor finish- as in non-existent. This pistol, and many like it had been worn a lot. The blued finish was completely gone.
Tight Magazine fit- had to push in and pull out. No drop free here.
Hammer bite- it got me several times while shooting.
I guess maybe it's not such a short list after all. However, all that can be fixed fairly easily.
The pistol was reliable, at least with the FMJ ammo I tried with it. No problem functioning at all with either the original magazine, or the new Chip McCormick Power Mag.
I tried to address the accuracy first. I read over on Xavier's blog about his Sistema, and getting a new barrel. Sounded like a good idea. I looked at barrels from several manufacturers. I decided on a Storm Lake "drop in fit" match barrel and bushing. My main reasons for the choice were the reputation, and the price. The barrel came "throated" for hollow points, which I understand the GI barrel wouldn't feed well. It was about $50 cheaper than the next "Drop in fit" barrel.
Of course they didn't drop in. The bushing was quite tight, and I had to work in in with a bushing wrench several times. The barrel didn't want to lock up completely. I couldn't figure it out at first, but it turned out that the OD of the hood area of the new one, was just a bit larger than the same area of the old one. I used a bit of sandpaper and carefully removed a few thousandths. That did it. Where previously I could move the barrel by pushing down on the hood, now I couldn't. Also with the old barrel and bushing, when it was locked up, I could take a finger on the muzzle and wiggle it in the bushing a bit. That no longer happens either.
At this point I had got a good look at the internals and springs. Lots of gunk inside. Instead of putting it back together and seeing how it shot, I decided to go ahead and order the rest of the parts for the rebuild.
Next time: Picking the parts
stay tuned
Mr Fixit