1911 Modifications?? Need Help Please

[kellyII]

Hey guys/gals I have just recently purchased a Colt Commander and I want to have some work done on it. I want a new trigger, hammer, beavertail grip safety, full length guide rod. Thats a good start but I have no idea of a Good, Reliable quality gunsmith around here.

Any advise on this matter would be greatly appreciated

[dunndw]

Complete Gun Shop

308 South Water Avenue, Gallatin, TN

(615) 206-0075‎

His name is Sam. He build Useltons 1911s as well as custom jobs for others.

There is also Jeff @ Guns and Leather

[Guest JHatmaker]

The two above gentleman are the only two I know of as well. I can personally vouch for Jeff @ Hero-Gear. I'm actually having Jeff build a Commander Bobtail 1911 from the ground up. I've fired several that they have made and they are top notch (components, fit and finish etc.)

I've only handled Uselton's 1911's, never shot one. But they are extremely nice as well. I don't you could go wrong with either one of those guys.

[kellyII]

i will give Sam a call tomorrow. Thanks guys

[eapking]

IMHO the full length guide rod is not needed.

[Guest tennesseevolz]

I can also vouch for Jeff @ Hero-Gear- he worked on my Colt Defender, and I would not hesitate to take any other 1911 to him to work on---IF YOU HAVE NOT MADE THE DRIVE TO Hero-Gear--- DO IT!!!

[JDM175]

+1 for Jeff at Hero

He did a trigger job on a series 80 officer's model and is as we speak hooking up a full size on short notice

[Guest Ae-35]

FLGR is ok on a comp. gun, I , just won't have one on my SD gun. JMO !

[DavidD]

FLGR is ok on a comp. gun, I , just won't have one on my SD gun. JMO !

Hadn't heard that before, Why?

[Guest Ae-35]

That discussion has been going on for years. Ever since they were first used in competition. You have to have some kind of tool to disassemble. Now lets say , one hand is disabled , you're in a gun fight, you get a failure to extract. You can't take the gun and shove the muzzle end of the slide against a hard object, such as a door frame or such, and jack the slide back to get the case to extract, like you can with the standard recoil spring set up. Bottom line is there's no way to clear that type of failure one-handed with the FLGR set-up. Also it's never been proved that the FLGR improves the mechanical accuracy of a 1911, doesn't increase spring life ( as some claim) the only thing it does is add weight. Why have so many CO.s put it on their guns? Just like front slide serrations, guys have seen them on custom competition guns, and want them on there " Top of the Line" guns. You don't have to believe me, do a search on 1911.com. Lots of good stuff on why they're not the best idea for a SD gun. Read Clint Smith's opinion on FLGRs. Lots of things are getting hung on 1911s now days that make them "stylish", better competition guns, and easier to shoot. You've got to look long and hard. Because some of the stuff , do not make them better, more reliable SD guns. JMO. That said everyone must workout their own salvation.

[Chucktshoes]

You can't take the gun and shove the muzzle end of the slide against a hard object, such as a door frame or such, and jack the slide back to get the case to extract, like you can with the standard recoil spring set up. Bottom line is there's no way to clear that type of failure one-handed with the FLGR set-up.

This is why I am going to change out the OEM FLGR on mine to a standard length guide rod.

[DavidD]

.... You can't take the gun and shove the muzzle end of the slide against a hard object, such as a door frame or such, and jack the slide back to get the case to extract, like you can with the standard recoil spring set up......

I thought I'd heard all of the arguments and pros/cons for & against Full Length Guide Rods in 1911's before but this one is new to me and appears to be a valid on face value at least.

[Guest spoolie]

I can do all of the above thing needed. Takes about 2 hours after filing and cleaning.