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First 1911

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  • First 1911

    Well, this is my first 1911. I had a Para P12, but that was high cap... 12+1, and I can't even remember if it had a grip safety. It did have night sights, though, and I carried it cocked and locked.

    I was looking for a 1911-type... would have to be Mil-Spec, but with the rounded mainspring housing... don't like the sharp or abrupt end on the straight ones, especially the compact models. I couldn't find anything close enough at the last gun show, but found this one on Gunbroker:
    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=211870536

    It had nice grips, upgraded sights with the front standard dot night sight dovetailed in, and the muzzle crowned. It was in the price range I wanted and I waited until there was just two hours or so left on the 3-day auction. There were no other bids and I mailed the seller a USPS M.O. for the price plus $25 for overnight shipping. They used Express Mail Overnight Monday... $43.65!! It got here the next morning (Tuesday) and my dealer has kind of lazy hours: 11am to 7pm Tuesday through Saturday. The USPS carrier tries one delivery before his opening and then takes it back to the Post Office. My carrier sure wouldn't do that. BUT, I called the next afternoon and found what I expected had happened(not the first time for me). He didn't think he could get to it then, Wednesday, but would try Thursday AM. I waited without a call until about 3PM Thursday, and then decided to just go there... 12 miles. Sure enough, he had forgotten, but went and picked it up while I waited in the store with a friend of his. Well I finally got it and was shocked that the seller had paid $43.65 for Express Overnight!! The dealer said he could have sent it Priority. Had they used UPS, I could have had it Tuesday afternoon, or sooner with FedEx.

    I took it apart cleaned it a bit and lubed it a bit and the next day took it and my other .45's to the range. There's not much slack in the trigger... about 1/16", if that and then there's just a tiny bit of creep before hammer fall. I have no idea what the trigger pull is. My small digital scale only goes to 2Kg and the bathroom scale is digital and doesn't register gradual-push type weights.

    The gun came with one 8-round Wilson Combat magazine... not sure if it's the 47(?) type, but it loads easily with resistance at the mag catch and drops freely when released. I think I want more of those or at least the 8-shot flush ones. It has the hollow plastic follower and the plastic base is removable. I wouldn't mind a stronger spring, though. I had one instance of the gun chambering a round when I slapped the magazine home, but no more.

    I had one regular stainless 7-round mag that fit, but drags, especially at the catch and doesn't drop freely. I have to grab the floor plate protrusion to pull it out. This is a cheap one that I got with a bunch of different ones at CDNN... mostly Officer's size.

    I had few stovepipes and a few failures to go into battery... round cocked about 45° and up the ramp, but the big problem was the sights. They are the low "V" rear with white post and the standard front dot night sight. The gun shot low at 7 yards and I couldn't seem to figure out where to aim. I hardly ever got up to the middle of the target, and my groups were lousy... not that I shot a lot better with the other two .45's. I shot over 100 rounds of UMC, WWB, and Federal 230-gr FMJ and then finished with 20 rounds of Remington Golden Sabers. I'll post that target. My computer freezes up for minutes when I try to use most applications and I have to start over many times processing the pictures, so I'll post the text before I lose it accidentally... done that many times.

    Today I was measuring the dovetails and starting to look around online for sight options and I thought about checking the sights with my Bushnell laser boresighter. At 15 feet with the "i" dotted and the top of the dot on an aiming point, the laser dot was about 4" low and just a hair right. It's kind of hard to aim over a target to hit it and these sights aren't adjustable, so I need something different. All of my other sights are N/S with 3 dots and a square notch at the rear. I'm thinking this gun won't be carried much and not CCW, so I'm not sure I need N/S, but adjustable would be nice.

    I'll try to post some pictures here but it may take a while. Danged computer!

    Who just said I'm long-winded...?

    Dang! This is taking forever and I'm still getting further reduction in size from about the 97K limit to TINY! I'll see if i can do it any faster with Photobucket.

    Wynn
    Attached Files
    Last edited by wyntrout; 01-29-2011, 12:41 PM. Reason: To add photos.
    USAF Retired '88, NRA Life Member. Wife USAF Retired '96
    Avatar: Wynn re-enlists his wife Desiree, circa 1988 Loring AFB, ME. 42nd BMW, Heavy (SAC) B-52G's
    Frédéric Bastiat’s essay, The Law: http://mises.org/books/thelaw.pdf

    Thomas Jefferson said

    “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”
    and

    "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

  • #2
    Wyn with the Ashleys or Xs I guess they are now, you cover what you want to hit out to 20 yards or so then use the front dot like a post like you normally do. Your doing the 6 oclock hold and that will put you low all the time. It's takes a bit to get used to but I really like them. Fast and good for my experienced eyes to see both in daylight and night time too.
    http://bawanna45.wix.com/bawannas-grip-emporium#!
    In Memory of Paul "Dietrich" Stines.
    Dad: Say something nice to your cousin Shirley
    Dietrich: For a fat girl you sure don't sweat much.
    Cue sound of Head slap.

    RIP Muggsy & TMan

    Comment


    • #3
      Man, I was covering the bullseye with the dot and aiming at the top of the bullseye and I barely got near the center.

      I think that I must have exceeded some picture posting limit and now my photos are not allowed to be near the max of 97.7KB for jpegs and 640x480 resolution cropped down below the max.

      I don't like the sights! My eyes don't help, either.

      Wynn
      USAF Retired '88, NRA Life Member. Wife USAF Retired '96
      Avatar: Wynn re-enlists his wife Desiree, circa 1988 Loring AFB, ME. 42nd BMW, Heavy (SAC) B-52G's
      Frédéric Bastiat’s essay, The Law: http://mises.org/books/thelaw.pdf

      Thomas Jefferson said

      “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”
      and

      "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

      Comment


      • #4
        I was a bit luckier than you on my 1911 sights. The SIG C3 and SA Ultra Compact both have night sights. At 10 yards the SIG is about 1 1/2 inches high and right. The Springfield was dead level and 1 inch right. I had to send the Springfield slide back to remove a scratch, and ask that they adjust the sights. The SIG, I can adjust and be 1 inch high - I can live with that. The Rock is also 1 inch right, but I can adjust that when I'm sure it's broken in.

        Comment


        • #5
          Your comments on mags caused me to look at mine. Both the SIG and Springfield came with two SS flush-fit mags that are extremely well made, but have no name or markings anywhere on them. They are exactly the same size and are identical except for one thing - The SIG mags hold seven rounds and the Springfield six. They have the same witness holes, but the bottom one one the SA mags doesn't show a round when loaded. All drop free easily.

          The RI came with one blued ACT eight round mag with the plastic buffer on the bottom. For a spare, I bought a seven round flush-fit SS Kimber mag. They both drop free.

          I've noticed another thing about the 1911 mags. All are much easier to hand load than my other 45's, even the single stack ones. Obviously the springs are weaker, but it doesn't effect function at all.

          Comment


          • #6
            Nice! is that a 4"??
            If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?

            When the Government is wrong, it's dangerous to be right!

            Be who you are and say what you feel... because those that matter ... don't mind .
            .. and those that mind ... don't matter!

            Comment


            • #7
              Sorry... been doing chores. Yes, it's a 4" bull ( I think) barrel, no bushing. I didn't want the full-sized model with the 5" barrel. I really like the Champion 4".

              With the slide locked back you use a plastic spacer that clips onto the recoil guide rod. Then you release the slide (gently) and then can line up the slide lock with the disassembly notch and the slide lock pin pushes easily out. Then the slide is removed by sliding it forward. Then you can remove the recoil spring assembly and the barrel then slides out the front of the slide. You have to get the barrel link forward for sliding in and out of the slide. The slide lock pin threads through that on assembly... kind of like the lug on the Kahr barrels. I've done this a few times and was hoping I got it back together correctly before going to the range. I just figured the slide lock pin had to go through the barrel link... evidently I did good.

              I've been playing with the sights, using a Bushnell laser boresighter and a laser level to check the boresighter and lining up the sights. I've figured that if I set the base of the front sight on the rear white bar, that's spot on with the laser boresighter at about 15 feet. The "dot" is no help and in the way. I definitely want to get new sights.

              I've tried to measure the dovetail base widths, front to back and the angles, but so far most sights are referred to by types, like Novak cut or Kimber, etc. I'll eventually figure it out and find something. I think I can probably get these out and new ones in. The rear ones have hex set screws and the front is dovetailed in.

              Wynn
              USAF Retired '88, NRA Life Member. Wife USAF Retired '96
              Avatar: Wynn re-enlists his wife Desiree, circa 1988 Loring AFB, ME. 42nd BMW, Heavy (SAC) B-52G's
              Frédéric Bastiat’s essay, The Law: http://mises.org/books/thelaw.pdf

              Thomas Jefferson said

              “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”
              and

              "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

              Comment


              • #8
                Hey, Bawanna. I've been trying to figure out what magazines to order for my "new" 1911. I know you said those Wilson 47D's fit the PM45 and locked the slide back, but I haven't seen those with metal followers. I think the Wilson Combat mag that came with my gun is that model or close and it has the plastic follower like the upgrade kit I bought... Wilson Combat, which adds one round capacity. Anyhow, mine has the plastic follower and won't lock the slide back. The ones I ordered all have hybrid feed lips, not the wad-cutter ones.

                Here's a good discussion on the followers:

                http://how-i-did-it.org/magazines/feeding-time.html


                I got online trying to find some magazines and those Wilson mags are all over $30 each. I did run across some good words and test on the 1911 Forum about Check-Mate mags and their patented followers. They have a front skirt and are more stable in the tubes. After a lot of studying the stuff I could find on those, I went ahead and ordered a bunch at Top Gun:
                Products ordered
                SKU WL Product Item price Select Qty Total
                CM45-8-S-H Check-Mate .45ACP, 8RD, SS, Hybrid - Full Size 1911 Magazine $18.95 5 $94.75
                CM45-7C-S Check-Mate .45ACP, 7RD Compact, SS - Officer's Size 1911 Magazine $16.95 1 $16.95
                CM45-8-S-RB-EXT Check-Mate .45ACP, 8RD, SS, Hybrid - Full Size 1911 Magazine $21.95 2 $43.90
                Subtotal: $155.60
                Shipping cost: $9.95
                Total: $165.55

                They seemed to have good prices and the shipping was cheap. I also ordered the compact 7-round offers model to try in the PM45. I probably should have gotten the six round, but I think they're the same size length-wise.

                I'll have some more testing to do in a few days. I still need to find a set of sights that I can install or someone with sights that can install them for me. I think the big deal was that the front sight is too tall, or sits too high as mounted... AND I hate the low-vee with post rear sight. I still don't know if I want to get night sights or not, though, but I need finer sights for punching paper.

                I'm still having computer software halts just about any time I try to change folders and get to files like pictures... a BIG PITA. It just took several minutes to add one picture. I'll post this and try to edit and add some more. What a PITA.

                I got some flush and a few with the extended base like the 47D's. I hope they work well and in the PM45 as well. the followers sound very promising.

                Wynn
                Attached Files
                USAF Retired '88, NRA Life Member. Wife USAF Retired '96
                Avatar: Wynn re-enlists his wife Desiree, circa 1988 Loring AFB, ME. 42nd BMW, Heavy (SAC) B-52G's
                Frédéric Bastiat’s essay, The Law: http://mises.org/books/thelaw.pdf

                Thomas Jefferson said

                “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”
                and

                "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

                Comment


                • #9
                  These Check-Mate Industries followers have the skirt to stabilize them in the magazine tube, and they emphasize slide lock actuation... and they retain the extra round capability... and they are METAL, not plastic that will wear.

                  Wynn
                  USAF Retired '88, NRA Life Member. Wife USAF Retired '96
                  Avatar: Wynn re-enlists his wife Desiree, circa 1988 Loring AFB, ME. 42nd BMW, Heavy (SAC) B-52G's
                  Frédéric Bastiat’s essay, The Law: http://mises.org/books/thelaw.pdf

                  Thomas Jefferson said

                  “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”
                  and

                  "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Link to Photobucket, I hope:

                    http://s1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/
                    USAF Retired '88, NRA Life Member. Wife USAF Retired '96
                    Avatar: Wynn re-enlists his wife Desiree, circa 1988 Loring AFB, ME. 42nd BMW, Heavy (SAC) B-52G's
                    Frédéric Bastiat’s essay, The Law: http://mises.org/books/thelaw.pdf

                    Thomas Jefferson said

                    “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”
                    and

                    "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Wow! Just got an email that Top Gun has shipped my magazines already... small flat-rate box Priority Mail. That's pretty fast!

                      Wynn
                      USAF Retired '88, NRA Life Member. Wife USAF Retired '96
                      Avatar: Wynn re-enlists his wife Desiree, circa 1988 Loring AFB, ME. 42nd BMW, Heavy (SAC) B-52G's
                      Frédéric Bastiat’s essay, The Law: http://mises.org/books/thelaw.pdf

                      Thomas Jefferson said

                      “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”
                      and

                      "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by wyntrout View Post
                        Wow! Just got an email that Top Gun has shipped my magazines already... small flat-rate box Priority Mail. That's pretty fast!

                        Wynn
                        Which mags did you order Wyn?
                        http://bawanna45.wix.com/bawannas-grip-emporium#!
                        In Memory of Paul "Dietrich" Stines.
                        Dad: Say something nice to your cousin Shirley
                        Dietrich: For a fat girl you sure don't sweat much.
                        Cue sound of Head slap.

                        RIP Muggsy & TMan

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I posted that yesterday, I wondered if you were snubbing me. <sniff> But here they are... CM45-8-S-H Check-Mate .45ACP, 8RD, SS, Hybrid - Full Size 1911 Magazine $18.95 5 $94.75
                          CM45-7C-S Check-Mate .45ACP, 7RD Compact, SS - Officer's Size 1911 Magazine $16.95 1 $16.95
                          CM45-8-S-RB-EXT Check-Mate .45ACP, 8RD, SS, Hybrid - Full Size 1911 Magazine $21.95 2 $43.90 .

                          Basically, I got 7 8-round SS with the hybrid feed lips... 5 with flush welded base and 2 with removable polymer bases. I got one 7-round compact officers model to try with the PM45. maybe these followers will work. One of the problems is the proper spring... strength and how it pushes up the front of the follower... so many variable trying to mix things. It seems like a good idea to try these. They should get here quickly and I'll comment on them before and after testing.
                          I'm trying to figure out what sights to get at Springfield Arms... not a lot of pictures and I'm not sure they can install what they have without more milling at extra expense. There's just so much you can do to these guns! I probably should have sprung for the SS Champion somewhat loaded for $800 to $950 or so, but I'm sure Wifey would have been a little more "interested" in a purchase that big. I really like the gun, but I need something I can aim with. The regular military sights on that AO that I shot were okay, but adjustable may be what I need for a range gun.
                          The front sight is not very bright in the dark and I don't know how useful it would be as a night sight. I don't know its history and there's no date on them like the Trijicon. If I can get them back, I'll just send them to you. It may not be much of a "gift", though.
                          I don't think the person who installed them knew what they were doing. The front sight is just too high... OR the rear sight is too low. They sure don't boresight to any of the described aiming points... 6 o'clock, center, or even 12 o'clock! Like I said, with the laser boresight on a point, the only way the sights line up is if I set the base of the sight... where it's connected to the slide, on top of the post.
                          Well, I have to run and do a few errands. I need to get a card for my daughters 36th birthday and send her some money. I know she can use the money.
                          I have 8 officers' size 6 and 7 round magazines... well, one is that Brolin Arms... for whatever that fits... like 6-rounder size, but holds 7... officer's 6 round. Oh, one of those is a 7-rd regular with the Wilson kit making it an 8-rounder. That's the only other mag that fits the 1911.
                          Well, toodles for now.

                          Wynn
                          USAF Retired '88, NRA Life Member. Wife USAF Retired '96
                          Avatar: Wynn re-enlists his wife Desiree, circa 1988 Loring AFB, ME. 42nd BMW, Heavy (SAC) B-52G's
                          Frédéric Bastiat’s essay, The Law: http://mises.org/books/thelaw.pdf

                          Thomas Jefferson said

                          “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”
                          and

                          "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Sorry Wyn, I looked back and see that somehow those two post about the mags you made got by me. I honestly didn't see them.

                            I would certainly have persuaded you to go with the Wilson. It's weird though another fella here said his officer size wilsons worked in his PM45, I tried my officer size wilsons in mine and they didn't work. But my full size 47D's all work perfectly. Same exact follower, (plastic, that you will never wear out). Only a shorter body and no doubt corresponding shorter spring.

                            I've not bothered to mix and match followers and I haven't even taken them apart to compare between the two sizes but outside they are identical.

                            One of lifes mysteries for sure.

                            Those sights can be a nightmare to figure out as you say too. With all the various dovetail cuts (really not that many) but trying to figure out which one you have is a challenge. Hopefully you can get some help figuring that out. There are some nice adjustables, I have adjustable XS's on my full size Para LDA Double stack. The down fall is they are more money, bulkier, and once you get them set you generally never adjust them again although I guess it's a good option to be able to with different loads etc.
                            http://bawanna45.wix.com/bawannas-grip-emporium#!
                            In Memory of Paul "Dietrich" Stines.
                            Dad: Say something nice to your cousin Shirley
                            Dietrich: For a fat girl you sure don't sweat much.
                            Cue sound of Head slap.

                            RIP Muggsy & TMan

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              ----------------------

                              congratulations on your 1911 Wyn,God bless John Moses Browning

                              Comment

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