Colt Officer's 45

[ButchKent]

Just received Officer's model 45. I would appreciate any help on how best to restore it or upgrade for CCW.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/DSCF2017.JPG

[Hawkmoon]

It looks good to go just as it sits. Are there problems with it?

[ButchKent]

Only mechanical problem is that mag release is too tight and must be depressed slightly to insert magazine. Not good for CCW.

[clughog]

I'm with Hawkmoon, unless you don't care for the grips! Personally, I like the thinner grips on my New Agent for carry, but the Hogue wraparound grips, like those on my Defender, are perfect for getting a "grip" as a wake up in the middle of the night bedside pistol.

[Sarge45]

That should wear in with use. It looks like it's had very little. A very nice looking gun ! Get you a set of Wolff springs and keep them handy in the event your recoil spring gets spongy. Standard strength is fine - no XP required. Run her out with some ammo, get a good holster and you're ready to go.

[elijdub]

Great advice above! I think it looks great "as is" too... Congrats! That's a very nice looking Enhanced Officer!

[MCPO]

Looks good Butch!
Mine has right at 1250 rds and all I've done to the gun is replace the recoil springs at 750 rds. I did replace my magazine springs & followers with Tripp "Upgrade Kits" (http://www.trippresearch.com/CVS/products/1911/1911.html). I had a few last rds not loading properly an that solved it.

Mines very reliable & I'm still using the dual recoil springs.

Your guns cousin :)

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/ivan2001/ColtwithStagHorns.jpg

[ButchKent]

Looks good Butch!
Mine has right at 1250 rds and all I've done to the gun is replace the recoil springs at 750 rds. I did replace my magazine springs & followers with Tripp "Upgrade Kits" (http://www.trippresearch.com/CVS/products/1911/1911.html). I had a few last rds not loading properly an that solved it.

Mines very reliable & I'm still using the dual recoil springs.

Your guns cousin :)

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/ivan2001/ColtwithStagHorns.jpg

Those are great looking grips. Care to tell me where they are from?

[ButchKent]

Another thing is that I don't like the plastic trigger. Got any suggestions?

[paul45]

Very nice!! however, do my eyes decieve me.....or are your sights silver??


here's mine.........I changed the trigger out
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/paul10mm/100_0303.jpg

[ButchKent]

Yes the sights are in white as is rest of pistol except hammer, slide stop, MS Safety, ans bushing. I'm considering electroless Ni finish.

[MCPO]

Those are great looking grips. Care to tell me where they are from?

Sure, a Mr. William Jennings (http://www.stag-grips.com/) in Wyoming. I called him and he referenced me to some online photos. We agreed on a price and I told him I would send him a check the following day. He posted my grips the same day we talked.
A really great guy to do business with.

[ButchKent]

Very nice. It's great to find someone so pleasant to do business with. And from the appearance, his work is very good.

[ButchKent]

First range report. During first firing session, I experienced two problems. First, I experienced one failure to extract a fired case. I believe this will be corrected with a little additional tension on the extractor. Second I observed that on a fairly regular basis the trigger would hang up and not reset after firing. Tried the trigger without a magazine in pistol and it works fine. Insert a magazine and the trigger bow drags on the mag just enough to prevent free movement required for reset. Swapped mags from high quality aftermarket to colt and had same issue. When examined through the mag well you can see the trigger bow which is not damaged or bent protrudes slightly into the mag well. Apparently enough to cause the extra drag. Since I had planned to replace the trigger, hope that will correct the problem. Anyone ever experienced similar issue before?