Some 1911 questions

[RangerTim]

I just recently bought my first 1911 (woohoo!) I have been a long-time admirer of the 1911 and have always wanted one but until recently couldn't afford one. I just picked up a Kimber Custom II and so far it is a great gun. For the $750 I paid for it, I am blown away by its fit, finish, and handling abilities.

Having said that, I wanted to grab some opinions on replacement parts. I plan on going ape **** on spare parts (pins, springs, etc) as I tend to lose parts like that. However, I also wanted to replace a few other components such as the mainspring housing, etc. In particular, I want to do something with the trigger, as mine has the slightest catch mere fractions of a centimeter before it trips the sear, and it messes with my accuracy. Would I be looking at replacing/polishing the trigger, the sear, or both?

Although I have always loved the 1911 I am far from knowledgeable about it and any opinions and assistance would be much appreciated. What should I replace, what should I keep, what should I stock up on (other than mags and ammo)?

[JustPlainT]

As far as spare parts go, few things ever beat going to the original manufacturer and getting OEM parts. I've bought from Kimber directly before, without any issue.

Personally? I say buy magazines and ammunition. Then get to the range and enjoy your new Kimber.

[Snakeman721]

"mere fractions of a centimeter".............that would be a millimeter. Sorry, I couldn't resist. There are tons of aftermarket parts for 1911s out there and also many on this board who tear down/ build 1911s for breakfast and who have MUCH more expertise than I in that field.

[rugersol]

No need to replace the trigger til yer sure it's a problem! Once ya detail-strip, ya can check if it moves freely er not!

Fer the trigger feel, I'd start with the hammer, sear, and sear spring... fer the time/money, I prefer quality replacement parts... C&S has drop-in kits with them three parts! If ya got a particularly heavy mainspring, ya might replace that as well... but if ya do, I'd get a Wolff recoil spring pack, and test for the heaviest spring that'll function reliably!

Probly a few YouTubes out there on detail-stripping!

I wouldn't worry bout spare pins! That said, if ya get a new mainspring housing, it most likely won't come with the guts... I prefer to swap mainspring housings, intact... so I usually buy new guts fer each one ... there's the mainspring, course... the stud, the cup, and the cup retainer pin!

[mmcnx2]

Parts swaps is the number one reason people claim 1911 don't run 100%. Just becuase they look the same don't mean they fit the same. Fitting parts is an art, not something to do with a vice and hammer. Progress with caution and skill.

[JustPlainT]

You may have a bunch of quality parts, but that doesn't mean those parts were meant to go together.

If you customize a ton, you may induce problems. Make sure that whatever you do has a purpose, and that all the parts are designed to function together.

[JJ]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/199119 ... kuhnhausen

Buy this book and read it. When you are done, read again. It should answer ALL your questions, and teach you how to do most anything on a 1911

[RangerTim]

"mere fractions of a centimeter".............that would be a millimeter.

THANK YOU! Good Lord I was sitting there for like 5 mintues... Dentameter...pentameter...minimeter... haha. I just settled for "fractions of a centimeter"

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/199119/the-colt-45-automatic-a-shop-manual-volume-1-book-by-jerry-kuhnhausen

Buy this book and read it. When you are done, read again. It should answer ALL your questions, and teach you how to do most anything on a 1911

I will check it out, thanks for the advice.

[Eric Marleau]

You have been reading too many posts on the internet.
What the guys have said to you is spot on.
I have had my Kimber Custom Target II, and shot it for so long and so much that the blueing is coming off.
I haven't replaced anything, and it still shoots the x ring out at 25 yards, and keeps everything in the black at 50 yards.
I have never replaced one thing in it so far. Just make sure to field strip it when you get home from the range and clean it.
A good trigger job never hurts, but I would put a couple of thousand rounds through it to give it time to break in first.

I do have a suggestion though. Only owning one 1911 is pathetic. I would now start thinking about a Springfield Range Officer, a Ruger R1, maybe even a Taurus PT1911, then move up to a high priced 1911 just to be a snob I wouldn't suggest to you anything that I haven't done.

Eric