Wife took my favorite 1911, so I got a new one!

[BirdsThaWord]

I finally got my wife to move up from a .22 to a 9mm as her nightstand gun. I took her to the range and took only 9mm guns. I started her out on “Buttercup”, my Colt Competition 9mm. I then let her shoot a SA EMP 4, Colt Defender, K9, MK9 and finally my EDC, a M&P 9c (sweet Apex trigger). She pretty much hated everything but Buttercup (named cause it’s a softy). So, she shot it some more. She actually started getting a nice spread. So... she loved it and had to have it. I told her that’s ok, so long as I get the replacement I wanted. I found a good deal ($600) on a SA Range Officer 9mm in stainless. I had read some good reviews and wanted one in stainless so I could polish it.(I’ve had the compact before in blue). I’m a bit let down as I think the logo, etc is laser etched pretty shallow, preventing me from polishing without losing some of it. I will at least put some grips to dress it a bit. Funny thing is, I let the wife see how much easier it was to rack than the Colt, which she kind of struggles with, but she still wants the Colt.

I have not shot it yet. Anyone here have one? What do you think of yours? I’m hoping I can shoot it as well as the Colt!

[berettabone]

I owned one, a compact in .45. Sold it...................not much of a 1911 fan. Really don't care for the grip, the way they break down and go back together, PIMA. Rough on the hand. Ok for the money, but could be a bit better in quality. Just my 2 centavos..............

[kenemoore]

If you like it, that's all that counts. I do not care for Springfield 1911's, had a 4" SS Champion, traded it. To me it seems like the Springfield grip is longer front to back. See how much metal shows on each side of the grip. Just doesn't fell right to me.

Like I said, if you like, that's all that matters.

[Bawanna]

I owned one, a compact in .45. Sold it...................not much of a 1911 fan. Really don't care for the grip, the way they break down and go back together, PIMA. Rough on the hand. Ok for the money, but could be a bit better in quality. Just my 2 centavos..............

What? I thought you got a Dan Wesson and were in love with the 1911 platform. Maybe I got my guys mixed up.

The Springfield I believe is a bit deeper through the grip. Auto Ordnance I believe is the same way.
It's not terribly noticeable to me in the grip but making grips I don't want to use an AO for a model. The grip will be too large on the others.

I'm not really a 1911 fan, I was rearranging the other day, (got a second safe) and found I had 9. I don't think Greg is either, I think he has 27 or maybe 52, I can never keep track.
Since I'm not a fan I'm kind of on the prowl for a 1911 9mm but it got pushed on the back burner, trying to fund a HI Standard 22 a sgt here has for sale.
Want's never seem to end for me. Keep thinking this is it, I got it covered, but nooooooooo.....................

[CPTKILLER]

I like my Kimber Pro Carry HD II in 38 Super a lot. It is my EDC pistol usually.

[AJBert]

I have a RO in .45 and love it. And, no, I'm not selling or trading it. Took me long enough to talk the missus into letting me get another SA 1911.

[Bawanna]

I like my Kimber Pro Carry HD II in 38 Super a lot. It is my EDC pistol usually.

One of my favorite set of grips I made on a Kimber Pro Carry. This one a 45.

https://i.postimg.cc/wjLRdCZB/DSC01971-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/KYbkc9hD/DSC01972-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[gb6491]

If you like it, that's all that counts. I do not care for Springfield 1911's, had a 4" SS Champion, traded it. To me it seems like the Springfield grip is longer front to back. See how much metal shows on each side of the grip. Just doesn't fell right to me.

Like I said, if you like, that's all that matters.


What? I thought you got a Dan Wesson and were in love with the 1911 platform. Maybe I got my guys mixed up.

The Springfield I believe is a bit deeper through the grip. Auto Ordnance I believe is the same way.
It's not terribly noticeable to me in the grip but making grips I don't want to use an AO for a model. The grip will be too large on the others.

I'm not really a 1911 fan, I was rearranging the other day, (got a second safe) and found I had 9. I don't think Greg is either, I think he has 27 or maybe 52, I can never keep track.
Since I'm not a fan I'm kind of on the prowl for a 1911 9mm but it got pushed on the back burner, trying to fund a HI Standard 22 a sgt here has for sale.
Want's never seem to end for me. Keep thinking this is it, I got it covered, but nooooooooo.....................
I'm not a fan either, only having a few more that you do Colonel darling.

FWIW, I've measured different makes of 1911 pistols (most recently, Colt, SA, and RIA) and found, with flat mainspring housings, they all are around two point zero something inches front to back. A noticeable difference is seen in where the contour for the front strap starts, Colt, Kimber, Dan Wesson, and others start the contour further to the rear than SA, RIA, S&W, and others do. The latter group have a much more abrupt contour than the former and having the contour start further forward makes the side of the frame look larger. This is further exacerbated by the narrow grips BirdsThaWord has on his RO.

Kimber, Colt, SA - notice where the front strap contours start
https://i.postimg.cc/jSsJwNRn/image.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
While I prefer the more gradual contour, the abrupt one is not a deal breaker with me in regards to how they feel in hand. Cosmetic wise, I feel grips can make a big difference.
Here's my 9mm RIA with it's stock grips:
https://i.postimg.cc/PfLpY2WD/zv6kg7.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
...and with after market grips:
https://i.postimg.cc/CK1LYxJ8/qxtttta2bt.jpg
I think it looks better with the slightly wider after market grips.

As to Springers:
I had a Range Officer and found it to a lot of pistol for the money. My one gripe with it was that they glue the ejector in place. This is not the end of the world, just something I don't like. My older Springer is drilled and pinned, so I had their custom shop do the same with my TRP. Speaking of which, the TRP's front strap has a more gradual contour than the others.
https://i.postimg.cc/44730yFH/14qqqj3fi0.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/FFB9gvrF/90gs.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/c4Gd5mnP/trp1_eeeeecopy1000.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Enjoy your new 1911 BirdsThaWord!

Regards,
Greg

[BirdsThaWord]

I owned one, a compact in .45. Sold it...................not much of a 1911 fan. Really don't care for the grip, the way they break down and go back together, PIMA. Rough on the hand. Ok for the money, but could be a bit better in quality. Just my 2 centavos.............. Yes, I had the compact as well, and yes theynare a bit of a pita (paperclip). Whle I do have a few officers, I think most are a little easier without that recoil assembly they chose.

[BirdsThaWord]

If you like it, that's all that counts. I do not care for Springfield 1911's, had a 4" SS Champion, traded it. To me it seems like the Springfield grip is longer front to back. See how much metal shows on each side of the grip. Just doesn't fell right to me.

Like I said, if you like, that's all that matters. You know I did not notice that until you pointed it out (thanks a lot, Lol). I do wish the grips covered the frame better. I thought something was a bit off when looking at them, but could not put my thumb on it. Now I know! I thought they just needed newrps, thinking SA made narrow grips.
Handling it, it feels great in hand to me though. I will see how she shoots this weekend. If a bit off, I will sell and search for another Colt Competition!

[BirdsThaWord]

Man, you crack me up!
Seriously, I wish I read your post earlier. I just ordered grips for it, having always drooled over some starburst grips. Had I known, I would have got with you about making some wider!

[BirdsThaWord]

Thats a sweet one there! I have an Ultra CDP ii that I got at a steal ($475) with a few rubs on the frame. This winter I will turn it into a polished jewel for my son. He currently shoots a Sig P238, but was eye balling that Kimber since I brought it home. I’ll post pics once I do it.
Some say Kimbers suck, but I’ve had excellent running ones every time!!!!

[BirdsThaWord]

Isn’t it funny? We are ok with something, but it’s not truly ok until the wife says it’s ok? Why isn’t my ok good enough? Lol! Been thinking about that one a lot lately! I better stop though, lest I get myself into some hot water! : )

[BirdsThaWord]

One of my favorite set of grips I made on a Kimber Pro Carry. This one a 45.

https://i.postimg.cc/wjLRdCZB/DSC01971-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/KYbkc9hD/DSC01972-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Wow! Those are a real masterpiece! I bet the owner was super happy. I’ve thought I’ve seen them all...

[BirdsThaWord]

What a lesson (thanks for that) and what a collection of beauties you have! Man I had no idea. I’m glad I started this post. I thought that , other than the “proprietary” fraed stuff that they were all just Colt re pops. Thanks again for opening my eyes to this! BTW, your TRP got stared at for a bit, as drool ran down my chin. : ) You are good a choosing grips (on all) too.

I'm not a fan either, only having a few more that you do Colonel darling.

FWIW, I've measured different makes of 1911 pistols (most recently, Colt, SA, and RIA) and found, with flat mainspring housings, they all are around two point zero something inches front to back. A noticeable difference is seen in where the contour for the front strap starts, Colt, Kimber, Dan Wesson, and others start the contour further to the rear than SA, RIA, S&W, and others do. The latter group have a much more abrupt contour than the former and having the contour start further forward makes the side of the frame look larger. This is further exacerbated by the narrow grips BirdsThaWord has on his RO.

Kimber, Colt, SA - notice where the front strap contours start
https://i.postimg.cc/jSsJwNRn/image.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
While I prefer the more gradual contour, the abrupt one is not a deal breaker with me in regards to how they feel in hand. Cosmetic wise, I feel grips can make a big difference.
Here's my 9mm RIA with it's stock grips:
https://i.postimg.cc/PfLpY2WD/zv6kg7.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
...and with after market grips:
https://i.postimg.cc/CK1LYxJ8/qxtttta2bt.jpg
I think it looks better with the slightly wider after market grips.

As to Springers:
I had a Range Officer and found it to a lot of pistol for the money. My one gripe with it was that they glue the ejector in place. This is not the end of the world, just something I don't like. My older Springer is drilled and pinned, so I had their custom shop do the same with my TRP. Speaking of which, the TRP's front strap has a more gradual contour than the others.
https://i.postimg.cc/44730yFH/14qqqj3fi0.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/FFB9gvrF/90gs.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/c4Gd5mnP/trp1_eeeeecopy1000.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Enjoy your new 1911 BirdsThaWord!

Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Sadly the man I made those grips for, he was the father in law of one of our sgts has crossed the river. He gave them to him for Christmas as I recall some years back. He actually cried. He loved and had several German Short Hairs and apparently those grips just hit him. Made me so happy.
He lived in California and we corresponded a lot after that, did some swapping and he gave me a few treasures.
I'm working on buying a Hi Standard Supermatic Trophy that belonged to him. Sgt is selling it.
After his passing the family gave me one half of that grip set, they kept the other half. I offered to just make another set but like they said it wouldn't be the same.
Making the grips thinner like on your new example helps to give them a thin feel. I tend to cover the frame near completely and one has to make the grip pretty thin on the edges so they don't feel like a, well a Glock.

Haven't had time to make grips of late, working too much and nice weather. Maybe with winter coming on I'll be able to whittle out a few.

Kimbers used to suck but I think they have them figured out and sure don't hear the issues that we used to. I know they fought that external extractor for years and wouldn't admit defeat. S&W could do it just fine but they couldn't. Once they went back inside things started looking up.

[gb6491]

Sadly the man I made those grips for, he was the father in law of one of our sgts has crossed the river. He gave them to him for Christmas as I recall some years back. He actually cried. He loved and had several German Short Hairs and apparently those grips just hit him. Made me so happy.
He lived in California and we corresponded a lot after that, did some swapping and he gave me a few treasures.
I'm working on buying a Hi Standard Supermatic Trophy that belonged to him. Sgt is selling it.
After his passing the family gave me one half of that grip set, they kept the other half. I offered to just make another set but like they said it wouldn't be the same.
Making the grips thinner like on your new example helps to give them a thin feel. I tend to cover the frame near completely and one has to make the grip pretty thin on the edges so they don't feel like a, well a Glock.

Haven't had time to make grips of late, working too much and nice weather. Maybe with winter coming on I'll be able to whittle out a few.

Kimbers used to suck but I think they have them figured out and sure don't hear the issues that we used to. I know they fought that external extractor for years and wouldn't admit defeat. S&W could do it just fine but they couldn't. Once they went back inside things started looking up.
Kimbers with the external extractor kind of sucked; as in some worked (my BP Ten II for instance) and some didn't.

Their early guns are an entirely different story. One could argue they were the best non custom 1911 pistols available during that period (and still top notch today).
https://i.postimg.cc/FzHfb32z/CS2t1000_zpsycsmokvo.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

People talk crap about the Series II guns (Schwartz safety, MIM parts, and barrels left in the white), but my TLE II has worked just as well as any other brand 1911 I own.
Regards,
Greg

[BirdsThaWord]

Sadly the man I made those grips for, he was the father in law of one of our sgts has crossed the river. He gave them to him for Christmas as I recall some years back. He actually cried. He loved and had several German Short Hairs and apparently those grips just hit him. Made me so happy.
He lived in California and we corresponded a lot after that, did some swapping and he gave me a few treasures.
I'm working on buying a Hi Standard Supermatic Trophy that belonged to him. Sgt is selling it.
After his passing the family gave me one half of that grip set, they kept the other half. I offered to just make another set but like they said it wouldn't be the same.
Making the grips thinner like on your new example helps to give them a thin feel. I tend to cover the frame near completely and one has to make the grip pretty thin on the edges so they don't feel like a, well a Glock.

Haven't had time to make grips of late, working too much and nice weather. Maybe with winter coming on I'll be able to whittle out a few.

Kimbers used to suck but I think they have them figured out and sure don't hear the issues that we used to. I know they fought that external extractor for years and wouldn't admit defeat. S&W could do it just fine but they couldn't. Once they went back inside things started looking up.
Wow, what a heart string tugging story behind those grips. It sounds like you have a great relationship with both your coworkers and their families. I would imagine yours to be a very (emotionally) rewarding career, given that you make those close connections. Those grips would have to be a masterpiece. I have seen some of the scrimshaw and some of the inlaid ones (bbq style) that have had me really applaud the skill and creativity of the makers. Those (yours) are certainly in that realm. I often whish I had both the skill and patience to do such things. I’m like you when it comes to my polishing projects in that I have to wait for it to cool down. That and the skeeter population has to head to wherever they go!
Yes, I had heard the same about the Kimbers. I feel luck has been on my side with them. Only one gave me any issues, an Ultra TLE II, but it was kind of expected given the gaping hollow points I was trying to run in it.

[BirdsThaWord]

Kimbers with the external extractor kind of sucked; as in some worked (my BP Ten II for instance) and some didn't.

Their early guns are an entirely different story. One could argue they were the best non custom 1911 pistols available during that period (and still top notch today).
https://i.postimg.cc/FzHfb32z/CS2t1000_zpsycsmokvo.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

People talk crap about the Series II guns (Schwartz safety, MIM parts, and barrels left in the white), but my TLE II has worked just as well as any other brand 1911 I own.
Regards,
Greg
The Classic Custom I had (1988 build if I remember correct) was an amazingly well built, great running and accurate gun. Out of all of the govt sized 1911’s I’ve had in .45 it was my favorite. I really messed up, getting rid of it recently. That’s it in the pic behind the K9. I am already keeping my eyes open to find another. I should not have sold it!

[BirdsThaWord]

Range report...
So, I am happy to say that I can shoot the springer as well as I can the wifes. Took me a few mags to sort out the poa and poi. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the mags are difficult to load past 6 rounds (will clean up follower edges to see if that helps) AND... Stovepipes and fte’s. Right now I’m blaming ammo and mags until I can try another another ammo, tuning the mags (or trying a Wilson/Chip/Tripp) and a clean up/lube. If that does not straighten things then I will start looking at the extractor, beyond the little round under it shake test when I clean and lube.
Oh, and the new grips are on (pic shown, came in the mail after the range). Love the woodgrain and feels great in hand. Thanks yall!!!

[Bawanna]

Get some 47D Wilson mags. They always work. Most of mine have never seen their factory magazines.

[kenemoore]

Here is a good real on 1911 magazines, it's about 10 years old, but still a good read: http://how-i-did-it.org/magazines/

I use Checkmates, Kimber Pro's, and Wilsons at the range, and carry Tripp Cobra's.

I have an old Ed Brown that I've had for 20 years of so, always ate everything I ever fed it. Until about two weeks ago, got a box of ball ammo the would jam on the first round, every magazine. I found the OAL was too long, and my recoil spring had been in service longer than it should have been. I shot the ammo in my PM45 to finish out the box, and replaced my recoil spring. Now no worries.
Point being, might be bad ammo causing your issues.

[gb6491]

The Classic Custom I had (1988 build if I remember correct) was an amazingly well built, great running and accurate gun. Out of all of the govt sized 1911’s I’ve had in .45 it was my favorite. I really messed up, getting rid of it recently. That’s it in the pic behind the K9. I am already keeping my eyes open to find another. I should not have sold it!
Darn, that's a good looking pistol. I have to agree that you "really messed, getting rid of it recently":( Hopefully, another, in just as nice condition, will come your way.
If it's any solace, the above makes me double determined to keep my Classic Custom Target.
https://i.postimg.cc/PxZpVkn5/cct.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

The new grips look good on your Springer :)

FWIW, the magazines that work best in my 9mm 1911 are Metalform 9FR-794
http://gregcotellc.com/cart/1911-metalform-magazines-c-182/metalform-1911-officers-9mm-8-round-stainless-steel-9frs794-p-1969.html

Regards,
Greg

[BirdsThaWord]

I have had great luck with Wilsons too. I think they have made it into the magwell of every 1911 I’ve owned, with a few Chip and one Tripp mag having also given good service. While I am yet to own a Wilsons gun, I can certainly speak to the quality of their mags. Thanks for the model #!

[BirdsThaWord]

Thanks for the link! I will defiinitely read the article. Yes, my first attempt at resolution will be to take her back for another range session with 2 or 3 kinds of ammo. Then switch mags (2 from the Colt and one Wisons I had hung onto). I figure it won’t hurt to run some more ammo too as the Springer was not very used when I got it. Need to break her in!

[BirdsThaWord]

Thanks for the kind words. Your target version is a beaut! I am becoming a big fan of the target rear sights. I know some don’t care for them, but I’m not sure why. They sure do make me more accurate!
I’m already hunting for another locally. I have seen one, but it has a bit too much “honest” wear for the price. That one I had was about 97-98% if you ask me. Plus, the local one for sale has that plum finish on the slide.