1911 rebuild

[RunningOnMT]

Ok so I bought this Para GI Expert model 1911 not too long ago. I wanted one roughly equivalent to what I carried in the service, and I think that's what I got. It really isn't a bad shooter considering whose shooting it but I think it could be better.

Not long after I got that my local gun shop got in a shipment of RIA 1911's and I couldn't resist. While I shot groups just a little larger than the Para it is by far a more comfortable pistol to shoot. I can't imagine a better trigger.

The Paras trigger is rougher and definately heavier. When you dry fire it you can faintly feel something like a spring vibrating when the hammer falls. So obviously if I was going to rebuild this to make it better a trigger job would be a good place to start.

My question is...how do I know what to buy? If I have no reference to tell me exactly what springs I have, how do I know anything I'd buy would be an upgrade? Is the trigger the right place to start? I'd appreciate any info and advice anyone can offer as I know absolutely nothing about gun smithing but I want to learn.

[techoca]

If the gun was mine I would put Ed Brown parts in it. The Ed Brown trigger is a copy of the no longer available Videcki trigger, they don't get any better. Ed Brown parts are top notch.

[RunningOnMT]

Thanks Technoca. I went to their web site and saved it to favorites. Their rebuild kits are a lot less expensive than I would have thought. How hard would you say it is for a novice to do a complete rebuild?

[tranteruk]

A new set of springs would be a good start. once you start with sears and disconnectors it gets more complicated. I am not sure whats available over there, but if you can get a set of already matched lock parts, and custom springs, it will just be a question of replacing the parts. On a 1911 its a breeze.

[delta13soultaker]

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........

Going to be lots of opinions around about this. It's kinda like the Gospel.......so many churches ya know.


First off....that heavy Para trigger pull......

You can most likely fix that just by getting rid of the stock hammer spring (mainspring to some people), which is probably a 23lb-25lb. Just put in a 18lb-19lb spring and see how ya like her then Don't worry either....John Browning made that spring like 25% stronger than necessary to fire a primer.......many 1911 shooters have no idea.

Maybe $10 at most and usually come in packs of 3 to 5.


As for the rest.....+1 on Ed Brown.


As for dropping in parts.....yeah springs is easy. Some stuff though...parts and pieces...well.......man you may need to put a part to a cutting file and also 400 grit, depending who made the part.........

Understand that custom gunsmiths often diagnose 1911 behavior with a microscope...literally.

As much art as skillcraft, just my opinion.

Trial and error.


Based on what you said so far....I'll bet a case of beer that if you install an 18 or 19 lb hammer spring you'll think she's a hell of a lot sweeter.

[1shot1k]

Hi ROMT....good advice so far from all.

I am guessing you got the weapon "new"...?

The fellow I shot with two weekends ago, that I mentioned in muzzleloader post....was trying out his new Para GI Exp...was SS or satin finished of some type. And man...was tight as dicks hat band.... to me anyway.....cause after getting rid of my two Colts years ago ...regret I just have my Llama 1911...which I love, having got a good one, but it is still just a Llama.


So,,,was good for me to shoot this new one a bunch. But as I say...was extremely tight, including trigger feel, but...without any recent comparison for me...I just figured would lean itself out with firing.


I second the opinion about being careful around sear areas and try to avoid mods that may affect timing , etc.

Of course the Ed Brown parts are hard to beat.


Here is a link for a "main spring" pack....and just in case you dont have yours, a link to a pdf mnaul that includes parts layout at bottom...


regards,



http://www.edbrown.com/cgi-bin/htmlo...31499411202677

http://www.paraord.com/new/downloads/manual_GI.pdf



1911's forever !........

[RunningOnMT]

Thanks all. I really appreciate the input. Here are the contents of the Ed Brown rebuild kit. Do you all think this would do the job?

http://www.edbrown.com/cgi-bin/htmlo...25142112787638

1911_Rebuild.gif

Rebuild Kit for 1911 Frame
Includes Mainspring Cap, Mainspring Housing Pin Retainer, Hammer Strut Pin, Hammer Pin, Sear Pin, Mainspring Cap Pin, Magazine Catch Lock, Safety Lock Plunger Assembly, Barrel Link Pin, Ejector Pin, Mainspring Housing Pin, Mainspring, Mag Catch Spring. Every pin and spring needed to rebuild or complete a 1911 style frame.

[tranteruk]

Funny, looking at the parts in the post above I am reminded about my wonder at the safety plunger and spring. The way it works both ways on the safety and slide lock. The first time I saw it I was really impressed with the design, simple yet effective (Unless you have a jammed one, where the shroud has been bashed! that takes some fiddling).

[1shot1k]

Originally Posted by RunningOnMT

Thanks all. I really appreciate the input. Here are the contents of the Ed Brown rebuild kit. Do you all think this would do the job?

http://www.edbrown.com/cgi-bin/htmlo...25142112787638

Attachment 1482

Rebuild Kit for 1911 Frame
Includes Mainspring Cap, Mainspring Housing Pin Retainer, Hammer Strut Pin, Hammer Pin, Sear Pin, Mainspring Cap Pin, Magazine Catch Lock, Safety Lock Plunger Assembly, Barrel Link Pin, Ejector Pin, Mainspring Housing Pin, Mainspring, Mag Catch Spring. Every pin and spring needed to rebuild or complete a 1911 style frame.

..yes ROMT...that's a pretty good start...but unless pistol is used..."I" would start with "main spring" only....and keep others in dry safe place kit and replace as "needed" or etc....certain area parts should be changed at the same time, per my preference. If weapon is used..I suppose go ahead and change all or most out, and "save" the ones you take out for emergency repair or to help fine tune size/specs etc of replacements...etc...


Appears the new stuff is series 80 and up oK....just be sure and compare relative size of new parts to older ones...etc..


"If" the pistol IS new...remember that a good 250 rounds will probably do more for your trigger feel to yourself than a spring also....

[RunningOnMT]

Originally Posted by 1shot1k

..yes ROMT...that's a pretty good start...but unless pistol is used..."I" would start with "main spring" only....and keep others in dry safe place kit and replace as "needed" or etc....certain area parts should be changed at the same time, per my preference. If weapon is used..I suppose go ahead and change all or most out, and "save" the ones you take out for emergency repair or to help fine tune size/specs etc of replacements...etc...


Appears the new stuff is series 80 and up oK....just be sure and compare relative size of new parts to older ones...etc..


"If" the pistol IS new...remember that a good 250 rounds will probably do more for your trigger feel to yourself than a spring also....

Yeah, it's brand new. I have about 200 rds through it. Ok, I'll just try the spring first and see what happens. Thanks again. I'm sure I'll be posting more questions once I get started.