[tenntyrant]

What can I have done to my springfeild 1911 a1 to soup it up a little that will not break the bank. I got it really cheap and would just like to make it better if that's feasible. I also just ordered two tripp cobra 8 round mags to go with my Tripp 7 and my two Wilson etm 8 rounders. .

[Olympus]

Depends on what you want out of the gun.

Go to Brownell's website and request their 1911 catalog. Then start imagining all of the possibilities!

[tenntyrant]

I want it to look great and shoot great. It will be mainly used at the range and HD.

[tenntyrant]

Want it to look great and function well not that it does not now I just like to upgrade where feasible.

[canebrake]

Here's some things I did to my Colt Government XSE;

I hate plastic! Everyone here knows that so I guess it isn't a surprise the first thing I did was to remove the composite mainspring housing!

I know, I know, most modern era 1911 owners don't even know that their MSH is plastic but I did and it needed to go!

I'm a high-ride grip freak and need my strong side hand up as high as possible on the grip. A flat, back-strap gave me the only reason I needed to change out the tupperware. My choice was a Smith & Alexander arched MSH with Mag-Guide. This arched MSH forces your hand up and into the beavertail, or in this case, the lousy duck bill grip safety on most Colts. I have had experience with S&A when I replaced the same part on my Defender and their quality and customer service is top rate! If you have a question about installation, give Alan Smith a call, he will walk you through the process until it's working! A conversation with Alan is like a pistolsmith lesson. Barbra Smith is equally knowledgeable and both are a pleasure to deal with!





Smith & Alexander - "The Mag-Guide People"

I got the government model arched stainless w/mag-guide; Model # GMAS MG for $78.95.

Installation is simple and the only extra step required is to install the spring and caps from the old MSH. (No sweat if you have a Wheeler Bench Block!)

While I had the gun apart I replaced both the main spring and the sear spring.

I went with the Wilson Combat Bullet Proof®Sear Spring P/N 417 for $6.95.

Bullet Proof Sear Spring

And I opted for the Wilson Combat Mainspring (Hammer Spring) "Reduced Power" P/N 27 for $2.95. This spring replacement results in a lighter trigger pull. The hammer is easier to cock by hand and while cycling which should improve ejection reliability.

Mainspring (Hammer Spring) Reduced-Power

Needing a pair of 'MagWell' cut grips I found these real stags from Argentina on ebay for $55.00.

[canebrake]

The following three segments will show the installation and fitting of a new high-ride grip safety on Fenrir.

I purchased the Smith & Alexander grip safety with palm swell. Model GS PS SS S80 - "PalmSwel" Stainless Steel Series 80 for $36.95.

The Smith & Alexander grip safety is NOT a drop-in part.



When changing to this safety I was required to purchase a fitting jig. $10.75



Smith & Alexander - "The Mag-Guide People"



This is the before photo. See how the grip safety points back and down.



This is the after photo. A true high-ride beavertail!

[canebrake]

High-ride beavertail swap, cont.

When the Colt grip safety is removed there is a segment of the frame's palm web area that requires removal. The radius of the S&A safety is .250".

Once the jig is installed, the excess frame material becomes evident.



This is Fenrir with the first few file passes made to the frame.



Note the black finish on the jig rounds. As you get closer to the finished radius you will start to notice the file starting to remove the black finish, (Your getting close when that happens.)



Almost there!

[canebrake]

High-ride beavertail swap, cont.

After fitting and function testing the parts were taped and put in the sand-blaster.

The frame;



The beavertail;



The final product;