Best base 1911 for customizations?

[roger]

I would like to buy a good/best base 1911 style .45 cal, for which I can customize.

I prefer the 1911 style 45's, for which, the mil, self-defense, tactical styles suit my needs best.

The factors involved here are cost. I want to stick around $500 (* or less, if possible*). I do not want to spend allot of money this time, however, I'm tempted on dropping $1,500 for Springfield's TRP!

Some thoughts of mine are the Wilson Combat, Springfield(?), ...

As for later customizations, I will probably look at similar sites for which the Springfield TRP uses, etc..

[wichaka]

I would tend to go with a low end Colt or Springfield.

I know that you would be disappointed in a SA TRP, the parts inside are junk. SA has been lining my pockets lately from me replacing their parts. I've worked on a Mil-Spec, Loaded, Champion, TRP, & Pro models. Its strange that all five have the same parts inside, yet for the Pro & TRP you shell out 1,000 clams.

I picked up a Parkerized Loaded, and there's not much SA about it left. I left the barrel & bushing, as the gun shoots extremely well. I left the grip safety & thumb safety for now, but everything else has been changed out. I build 1911's for L.E. use, so its important that I install quaility parts.

So I would go with a SA Mil-Spec/GI, or a Colt Mil-Spec/GI. Colt still uses mostly steel parts. The cost difference at first will be a bit higher, but in the long run you'll save as you won't need to replace as much of the guts.

You'll get different opinions...............but this is mine based on my hands on experience on the 1911's that are out there.

C ya

[Dave Berryhill]

I agree with Wichaka. I'm underwhelmed by the quality of the parts Springfield is putting in their upgraded pistols but a Mil Spec or GI is a good base for a custom pistol as are the new Colt Series 70s and 1991s.

[John]

I do not want to spend allot of money this time, however, I'm tempted on dropping $1,500 for Springfield's TRP!
I am tempted too, but ......

Stick with the base military ones, like others suggested. If this is the base for custom work, you do not know if what the TRP has will suit your needs, better to have the basics and build it according to your own personal needs and preferences.

Rgds

[1911Tuner]

Bring back the Norincos! Write your congressman! Let's get a million of us together and march on Washington! Save the Norks! :D

Hey...It works for Greenpeach and the Spotted Owlninnies. :p

[Gammon]

Never tried the Norincos; are they any good? I tried some Tsing Tao beer one time, and it was so bad it scared me away from PRC products entirely. I have always used Colts for the basis of my single stack customs; by the time you're done, the extra cost is almost inconsequential.

[1911Tuner]

Norincos...assuming that they haven't been customized to death...are
in-spec...tough as pig iron..and have zero MIM or investment cast parts.
They have...or had...Honest to John Moses spring-tempered steel extractors
and chromed barrels that you'll go broke trying to buy enough factory ammo
to wear out. The guns met...and in some areas...exceeded original U.S Government requirements for the service pistol.

I missed my boat when they first hit the U.S. market. I saw the 250-dollar
price tag and "Made in China"...and envisioned small parts that were fitted
with a hacksaw and a bastard mill file...and that probably wouldn't accept
aftermarket repair parts.

When I finally got my first look at one, I knew that I'd screwed up in a major way. If I had my time to do over, I'd borrow money and buy a pickup truck full.

if you can find a decent used one that hasn't been "upgraded" with cheap aftermarket parts or a 3-pound trigger job...buy it. I'd be more likely to give a loaded Springfield price for a NIB Norinco than a Norinco price for a Loaded Springfield. If you buy one and gut it in order to customize it with Fluff, Buff, and Bling-Bling...I'll buy the small parts, including the barrel.

Cheers!

Tuner

[roger]

I was speculating going with a mil spec or GI issue, but wanted to get the info and opinions from the experts. ;-)

Yes. I will probably hunt down a good "Mil Spec" 1911 style. Have had a ($1300) colt in the past (blued on shiny stainless steel), and noticed a tank could run this sucker over and it might still work -- not quite as accurate, but it will probably shoot.

Since I will be keeping most of the working parts and only switching out such things as that trigger, grips, hammer, one piece guide rod (maybe), ...

I know SA is offering $500 GI issue 1911 styles & ~$700 for their mil spec.

The only issue that I'm worried about are the sites. I prefer to have sites similar to Novak or actual Novak sites (for a reason). I would bet that I would have to take the gun to a professional gunsmith and have them machine the slide to accept such sites? ( -- as long as the gun slide model allows it?)

SA Mil Spec ~$700
http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-ms.shtml

SA GI Issue ~$500
http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-GI.shtml

Colt 1991 $ ?
http://www.colt.com/CMCI/1991.asp

Colt Series 70 $ ?
http://www.colt.com/CMCI/Series70.asp

Looks like I just need some prices and do some deciding. As for the external parts, I've usually gone with Wilson Combat. They seem to make some really great quality parts, but their handguns seem to be quite costly.


btw, China has made *some* really good quality stuff. You
just need to *really* shop around. And I'm sure they're only exporting the cheap stuff as that appears to be the demand for most everybody (but not me ;-). I had a pair of corocan mil boots, and found they out performed many other military boots of the ~1995 years. ;-)

[Gammon]

Novak sights are, IMHO, the best deal for the money. They fit the stock rear dovetail so no machining is necessary. You will need a new front sight (I bought a jig from MMC for $100.00 for this purpose) so you might have to pay a gunsmith for this installation. Install an oversize (too tall) front sight and reduce its height to get the proper elevation and drift adjust the rear for windage. You now have the equivalent of a BoMar sight picture for a fraction of the cost.

[wichaka]

You shouldn't have to pay over 500.00 for a SA Mil-Spec.

[stumbler]

For a few more bucks, you could possibly have a Dan Wesson. Go on their website at www.danwessonfirearms.com (http://www.danwessonfirearms.com) they list suggested dealer prices. Contact them and check if they still sell kits.

[Black_Talon]

Here's (http://www.signaturegrade.com/baseguns.html) what Hilton Yam thinks.

[1911slabsides]

Either a Springfield WW II or a Colt NRM. I like some of the others but these two are clearly the best of the bunch. If you want something that can last and help you through the tight spots either one of them will roll right out of the gate, if you put some effort into either of them they won't pinch your hand. They are both real classics. Don't screw this up it's your life you asked about. :eek:

[wichaka]

Roger, I've got a SA Mil-Spec still with its case.
Its had a few changes, an Ambi Safety, Full Length Guide Rod & Adjustable Trigger.....all from a SA Loaded. I also took off the ILS MS housing, and put on a flat checkered MS housing with a 23lb main spring.

I've shot the gun very little.........maybe 300 rounds thru it. If you want it, its yours. let me know.

[roger]

Roger, I've got a SA Mil-Spec still with its case.

lol. & the real motive sneaks out. ;-)

But seriously, I am interested as it *sounds* like it will suit my needs just fine.

If you could, please send a digital photo to "roger <at> eskimo.com", and I will seriously consider purchasing. I am also somewhat familar with the procedecures of shipping, etc.

---

This thread was great help in ensuring I make right purchase, etc. Thanks all to who responded and I'm still reviewing some of the info. It's been a couple of years since I've researched all this and knew finding some of this info would be back breaking, until I noticed this forum!

oh, and thanks for your prewritten response. ;-) ..reading it now!
(http://www.signaturegrade.com/baseguns.html)

[wichaka]

I'll get a photo to you sometime today.........