My new Rock Island Twin Pines

[Hawk1911]

Hello all,
This is my first post, though i have been reading previous posts for a while to kind of get a heads up on the 1911 world. I am new to the gun world in general I dint really have a need to be interested until hurricane Rita came to Texas. How the two relate is the fact that i realized while making the 13 hr drive from Houston to San Antonio (normally takes about 4 hrs) that although we think we are safe in our big cities and high tech world. we are actually on the brink on the collapse of society at any given moment. I realized while stranded in the eternal parking lot known as I-10 that i was not prepared. To make a long story short i needed to get prepared quick, so guns are my new hobby. I fist purchased a Norinco Hawk 98, and i just picked up a RI 1911 today at the gun show. Thus my user name Hawk1911 pretty creative, not. I chose the RI mainly due to cost ($330.00), and its decent reported performance as noted in other sections of this forum. note (i have a dremel and am willing to use it). Other than this info about me i do have an actual question for the rest of you guys. Since my 1911 is mil-spec is it possible to add the nice little beavertail to it? I personally think it looks better and it feels alot better too.

[Hawkmoon]

We have a forum for RIA pistols, so when I finish this reply I'll move your post there.

Beavertail? Sure. There are two ways to go. A couple of companies, including Wilson Combat, offer "drop-in" beavertails that will fit a standard GI 1911 frame. Usually with no fitting, sometimes with a minimum of fitting. But the trade-off is that the fit isn't quite as neat and perfect as a fitted beavertail.

The fitted beavertails require modifying the tang (the very aft end) of the frame to a specified radius that the beavertail rotates around. If you have a jig and are very good with your Dremel, you can perhaps do this yourself. For most folks, it is perhaps better left to a professional gunsmith.

You can see an assortment of available beavertails from several manufacturers in the Brownells catalog, or on their web site at www.brownells.com

[Hawk1911]

thanks for the response, sorry about putting it in the wrong section.... i think i already have planned out what mods i want for my new 1911 i definatly need to put the new tail on it and since its going to need some touch, what do you guys think of doing the frame in an olive green and leaving the slide black... i guess it would look like the springfield mc operator minus the light rail... i think that would look real nice. i also was reading al r's wanting to put the inset coins in the grips, would you mind if i copied the idea, i really think the phillipino pesos on each side would look great. tell me what you guys think. i will post a pic as soon as i can figure out how.