Well, It's Done.

[Josh Smith]

From the outset, my "No nonsense carry pistol" was to be based on the MEU 1911 pistol in use by the Marines and SOCOM. I figured I'd delete what I didn't need or want, add what I did want, substitute what I had to, and call it good.

I started with a Rock Island Armory pistol, new in box. After firing it and bloodying my hand, I figured I needed to take a look at the specs for the MEU, custom built at Quantico, and get started.

Here are the MEU's specifications set forth by the military, and my answer to it:

match quality 5" barrel - The one that came with the gun with the RIA is very accurate as is. I didn't feel this was necessary.

Novak LoMount Sights - Maybe eventually. My shooting style, however, is point shooting, at most indexing the sights at close range. If further out, I want the precision of small sights, thus the milspec sights are staying for now. To those who say that you can't see small sights under stress, I can and have.

lowered and flared ejection port - RIA was already equipped

heavy recoil spring - I have an 18.5lb Wilson I may drop back in, but the 16lb is doing fine, and recoil is not as prevalent with the 16#. I figure that if I replace the 16# every 3,000 rounds or so, I should be fine.

standard recoil spring guide - I agree! No FLGR here!

trigger job - done, but to make it heavier, not lighter. RIA had it at around 3 pounds. I wanted five more.

ambidextrous thumb safety - Yup, but while they use King's, I've had a hard time finding one of these. Everyone's sold out of King's and Kimber, and the waiting list is longer than I want to wait. The price has gone up too, due to demand.

"beavertail" grip safety - Done. I'm using the same one they are, and Ed Brown without the memory bump. I am given to understand that the next generation of SOCOM 1911s will have the speed bump, but I prefer not to have it.

checkered flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop - I've got no use for a lanyard loop, and the MSH is lined instead of checkered. I cannot tell any difference in my grip, and I prefer the straight vertical lines.

beveled magazine well - It's there.

Wilson Combat eight–round magazine - I have seven round Wilson #47s. The reason for this is that, from what I'm hearing, the #47D they use is only loaded to seven rounds for reliability's sake.

Pachmayr wrap–around grips - I equipped with these and like them. The nice, shiny Corian grips I had on there before looked nice and functioned well when my hands were wet, but when they were dry or dusty, keeping a firm grip was hard. The only PITA was relieving them for the Swenson style thumb safety.

Lightweight trigger - I have one, I tried it, and I just like the feel of the original trigger better, so it stayed.

Here's what I ended up with:


This thing shoots wonderfully.

I really like the way it feels now. The hammer and grips were the finishing touches, and I have a member of one of these several forums I'm on to thank for it.


This blends in well with the rest of my carry equipment. Everything is utilitarian and not designed to be pretty.

At the range, it performs. The heavier trigger is not a hindrance due to its crisp break. I fired 85 rounds to ensure sear/hammer engagement, and I did much better than with the 3.5# trigger pull.

I might eventually bring it down to 5lbs with a lighter trigger and hammer spring (and a correspondingly heavier recoil spring) but I just don't see the need, right now.

Unless I find a huge flaw, it's done. I'm very satisfied with it, and no longer feel the need to improve its handling for me.

Josh <><

[Paul]

Looks good, glad you had fun improving it! now go :do2:

[Disposable Heart]

Good build. I agree, Swenson makes a decent product, heaven help you to fit it though. Its built RIAs that make my heart feel great! I will now bobtail my Taurus after seeing this!

Trigger Pull: The biggest thing I did to my 1911s: Light sear spring, lighter mainspring (about 10 bucks there) then flitz the contact points on all your bearing surfaces inside the gun. That alone drops a "felt" pound. I polished until I could tell color differences between my pupil and my iris when I looked into it. Then lube with a light oil (Rem Oil).

Those RIAs rule though. I may have to pick up their compact one day! Great Build!

[esrice]

I never have to use this emoticon when Josh posts.




Thanks for the pics!

[Dogman]

very nice.

[sparkyfender]

Home smithing is not my cup of tea, but it is your gun and your money and elbow grease, and it looks like you did a good job.


Have you had any reliability issues at all since the mods?

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

Not at all!

Josh <><

[Glock Lover]

Just got a RIA. I'm completely new to 1911's. Any suggestions for improvement that is easy to do, and where I should get the parts.
Like grips, mags, etc.
Thanks.

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

Which model? The standard military or the "Tactical" model?

First, go out and shoot 200 rounds through it. Note what you don't like about it. After you've found out what you dislike, report back and I and others will be able to guide you better.

I'm thinking that right off the bat you'd probably want an arched mainspring housing since you're used to the Glock grip angle.

But let's see how it shoots for you, stock. Pay attention to anything that gets in the way of your draw, or anything that abrades, pinches or cuts you.

Josh <><

[shooter521]

I'm not a 1911 guy, but I know nice work when I see it. Good job.