Question Concerning the FireStorm .45 Gov't

[mrvash]

Hey fellas!

Just got a FireStorm Government for my birthday, it's the Matte, grayish finish.. It's my first 1911 style pistol and I love it. I want to replace the trigger, grip safety, thumb safety and rear sight. Question is, should I just leave it as is and save up for a "higher end" 1911 style pistol or is this gun a pretty good, reliable firearm? I want to keep it as a defensive and hobby shooting gun.

[SAN JOSE]

Have you tried shooting it? What's wrong with all those parts you want to replace?

[mrvash]

I've shot it once, put about 100 rds through it with no hiccups.

[jnatv]

I would leave it alone and save for a pistol that has the features you want. I have seen a lot of people take a $400 pistol and add $200 in parts and end up with a $300 pistol.

[John]

If it works, don't .... fix it.

To elaborate a little, the safeties will have to be installed properly, or you will have an unsafe gun. The trigger change may or may not affect the firing mechanism rendering the pistol unsafe to shoot. The rear sight may or may not require a machining operation and if it does, you will be looking to a refinishing work too.

If the pistol works leave it alone. Remember what Col. Cooper used to say for the 1911. "All one needs in a reliable 1911 is a trigger you can manage, sights you can see and a dehorning job (if it is to be carried)". Reliability first, trigger control second and usable sights third.

[SFCBob]

I would have to agree with evreyone. I have a Gov Firestorm and it shoots fine, therefore I have not fooled with it. You will also find it may be trickier to find parts for the Firestorm. In the end, it's a reason to buy another 1911!!!! What could be wrong with that?

[more forty fives]

I have to agree.You will never get your money back.Save it. :nono:

[mrvash]

If it works, don't .... fix it.

To elaborate a little, the safeties will have to be installed properly, or you will have an unsafe gun. The trigger change may or may not affect the firing mechanism rendering the pistol unsafe to shoot. The rear sight may or may not require a machining operation and if it does, you will be looking to a refinishing work too.

If the pistol works leave it alone. Remember what Col. Cooper used to say for the 1911. "All one needs in a reliable 1911 is a trigger you can manage, sights you can see and a dehorning job (if it is to be carried)". Reliability first, trigger control second and usable sights third.

Mine didn't come with a rear sight :( But thanks everyone for the excellent input!

[SAN JOSE]

Mine didn't come with a rear sight :( But thanks everyone for the excellent input!


What you mean maybe is that it did not come with the kind of sight you want. The GI sight for most sometimes leaves a lot to be desired.

[mrvash]

Nevermind on the parts, nothing fits on this gun, not even grips..

[SAN JOSE]

Nevermind on the parts, nothing fits on this gun, not even grips..


Oh yeah???? Why don't you send it back for warranty?

[jnatv]

THe first post indicated it ran 100 rounds through it fine....but he wanted to make some changes. Even the firestorm page has a list of Colt 1911 compatible parts but does indicate gunsmith fitting is required. Gunsmith fitting is typical. :dead_hors

[mrvash]

Well, I just put on some nice checkered rosewood grips, and a new 18lbs recoil spring (the previous owner replaced the factory recoil spring for a colt commander's spring for some reason) So, I decided to take it out to the shooting range! This firearm is amazingly accurate! it shoots better than me! perfect trigger pull (for me atleast) the only problem I had was FTE, FTE five times out of 120 rounds. I was using Aguila, the brand, .45 auto 230gr Ball ammo. I absolutely love this pistol! if anyone can give me a few pointers on how to fix the FTE problem, it would be highly appreciated.

[SiRed91]

Are you on Honda-Tech? Someone there just asked the same question LOL....They are probably just low grain charges, whenever I get a FTE its do to a weak charge in the ammo.

Never heard of Aguila

[mrvash]

Are you on Honda-Tech? Someone there just asked the same question LOL....They are probably just low grain charges, whenever I get a FTE its do to a weak charge in the ammo.

Never heard of Aguila

Yeah, I am from Honda-Tech, and it was me that asked the question ahaha.

[SiRed91]

LOL right on

[mrvash]

LOL right on

Small world hahaha

[jumpsbilly]

I picked up my new tool a few weeks back and after cleaning all of the "Gunk" off that the factory poured on I headed to the range. I started with 230Gr. FMJ and sent about 100 down range. Then 230 Gr. JHP and next 185 Gr. CorBon SD rounds. In total I fired that first day 200 rounds and no problems noted. I cleaned the weapon and looked for the normal signs of the gun seating itself and found just what you would expect. I plan to change the grips to both Esmeralda and Hakan's of Norway because I like their work and that's it ! The gun shoots and eats like a high end gun and by the way, it's very accurate. Be happy you have this gun and be sure not to change it for the sake of change.

JB

[michael t]

Nevermind on the parts, nothing fits on this gun, not even grips

Iam sorry I have to ask Is this a Metro Arms made Firestorm or a old Llama Firestorm Reason I ask is the MetroArms is a 1911 compatible Where the Llama made isn't The grips is what caught my attention .
I wouldn't spend any money on it if a Llama I would save for a MetroArms Firestorm I believe a much better made pistol.

[jumpsbilly]

Iam sorry I have to ask Is this a Metro Arms made Firestorm or a old Llama Firestorm Reason I ask is the MetroArms is a 1911 compatible Where the Llama made isn't The grips is what caught my attention .
I wouldn't spend any money on it if a Llama I would save for a MetroArms Firestorm I believe a much better made pistol.

This is a Metro Arms and I am so happy with the first gun that I bought last month and I passed it to the wife an ordered another this past weekend for myself. No it is not a Llama or firestorm and yes it is made in the Philippines. Read the article posted on this site of the level of work, tooling, etc. For a Colt clone and at $500.00 out the door and that includes shipping you cannot get a better deal on a 1911.

JB

[SiRed91]

You have a Metro that does not take 1911 grips? hmmm

[sixguncowboy]

I just bought a Firestorm Dlx and it takes standard 1911 grips. I just put a pair of custom grips on it. SiRed91, I don't think he has a Metro. Since he bought his used I bet it's one of the former Llama made Firestorms & he's right 1911 parts won't work on it. He needs to sell it and get a Metro made Firestorm.

[SiRed91]

^ I agree.

[ftroop82]

Added new grips to mine:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/ftroop82/100_02290001.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/ftroop82/100_02320001.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/ftroop82/100_02380001.jpg

[shooter57]

If you want to stop the FTE go back to a stock 14lb recoil spring.

[larryh1108]

Isn't stock 16#?

[glennwih]

What adjustable rear site do you guys recommend?

[dg12]

Nevermind on the parts, nothing fits on this gun, not even grips..

Kimber Grips USMC EGA Rosewood - minor fitting

http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt33/dg12_bucket/ACII_2.jpg

[michael t]

My question was directed at mrvash He said nothing fit. The Llama is easy to tell. It has grip screw at very bottom of the grip and has a external extractor . He also said was a gray finish The nothing fits and gray finish points to Llama Plus will of course say made in Spain. These show nota metro arms. The only thing I have had to do on grips for a metro is due to extended slide lock Might need to round down top of L grip till slide lock clears and works Really only a small amount needs taken off .
My American Classic is a great pistol and I hope to have one of the first blue Commander when released I want in blue and already thinking about doing a bobtail to it. Since Dan Wesson has priced them selves out of my price range I see more American Classic in my safe some will be project pistols.