Need some 1911 work done

[Guest boyce89976]

Hi all, 

I have a full size, Rock River Basic Carry 1911 and want to get some work done to it.  It's a parkerized finish, standard sights (not night sights), and is currently completely stock.  It shoots like a dream, and would surely live up to it's 2.5" @ 50 yards guarantee in the right hands, but I'd like to do a couple things to enhance carry-ability, and also kind of take it to the next level.  I've seen several guns done by Heirloom Precision, and to my eye, they are the cream of the crop.  Everything they do, just looks AWESOME and probably shoots just as good.  I'm not looking for that level of refinish, but would like to do a "budget version".  At the end of it, I'd like a pistol that I'd be proud to carry, shoot and eventually pass down to my kids.      

 

Here's what I'm looking to do:

1.  Install Heinie Straight 8 Night Sights, zero'd at 25 yards

2.  Tighten the frame to slide fit (there's a VERY slight bit if movement in battery without lube.  With lube, it's not noticeable).  I don't think it needs to be welded and recut, maybe just a pressure fit.  I don't want to do this to improve accuracy, just want her tightened up a little.  

3.  Refinish the entire pistol (minus the barrel, bushing, guide rod, trigger and hammer) in a flat black Ion Bond, or Ceramic finish (is there another extremely durable finish I'm not thinking of?).  

4.  Install new Kart NM .45 cal barrel, hard fit to the slide, flush cut and target crown

 

Obviously, being a $1600 pistol that is no longer made, I won't trust it to just anybody.  Can you guys recommend a great 'smith in Middle TN that can do the work described above?  

 

Any and all help appreciated!

Bill 

 

 

[TrickyNicky]

I think Tim Calhoun(sp?) is in middle Tn. Everything I've seen of his has been excellent.

Just curious, why would you want to tighten up the slide to frame fit if not for accuracy? My (limited) understanding is that the tighter the fit, the better the accuracy but it can take a toll on reliability.

[Guest boyce89976]

^  Thanks for the info.  I just like a gun with no "wobbles", and feel a pistol of this quality (which was meant to compete with Les Baer's guns) should be tight.  

 

The slide to frame fit has very little to do with accuracy.  The most important thing for accuracy is barrel to slide fit.  If the barrel returns to battery in the same exact position in relation to the slide every time, the gun will be accurate.  This is because you sight the weapon based on slide/sight position, not frame position.  As long as your sight picture is good, and the barrel locks up to the slide tightly and consistently in line with the sights, you'll have an accurate gun.  

 

Not sure that's the best technical explanation, but hopefully that helps.    

Edited April 12, 2013 by boyce89976

[R1100R]

Tim Calhoun

[willis68]

Yes,

I would let Tim do it, that is a great 1911!

[TrickyNicky]

^  Thanks for the info.  I just like a gun with no "wobbles", and feel a pistol of this quality (which was meant to compete with Les Baer's guns) should be tight.  
 
The slide to frame fit has very little to do with accuracy.  The most important thing for accuracy is barrel to slide fit.  If the barrel returns to battery in the same exact position in relation to the slide every time, the gun will be accurate.  This is because you sight the weapon based on slide/sight position, not frame position.  As long as your sight picture is good, and the barrel locks up to the slide tightly and consistently in line with the sights, you'll have an accurate gun.  
 
Not sure that's the best technical explanation, but hopefully that helps.    

Thanks for the info, that makes sense.

[gregintenn]

I'd leave it stock and build what you want from parts.

 

Sam Hoster is the 1911 guy in Gallatin.

[Guest boyce89976]

Thanks for the info, guys!  

 

gregintenn - I am looking at that option too.  

[AH1356]

I would have Tim Calhoun build you one from the ground up.  That way you have 2 guns when you're done (more is better), and one of them is exactly what you want.

 

Tim has built 2 guns for me, and worked on 2 others.  I shoot his guns in competition and he is a good friend so I am biased, but I won't let anybody but Tim touch my 1911's. 

 

Tim will tell you that accuracy is more about the fit of the slide, barrel, and bushing (if applicable) than slide-frame fit.  A gun can have a little wobble between the slide and frame and still be very accurate.  As for reliability, a poorly fit gun can be tight but unreliable.  Tim can fit a gun as tight as you want.  If it starts out extremely tight it will need a break-in period, but after a couple hundred rounds if you feed it good ammo from good mags it will be 100% reliable.  I have between 2,500 and 3,000 rounds on my newest single stack gun.  I'm still waiting for a failure of any kind.  

[Guest boyce89976]

I would have Tim Calhoun build you one from the ground up.  That way you have 2 guns when you're done (more is better), and one of them is exactly what you want.

 

Tim has built 2 guns for me, and worked on 2 others.  I shoot his guns in competition and he is a good friend so I am biased, but I won't let anybody but Tim touch my 1911's. 

 

Tim will tell you that accuracy is more about the fit of the slide, barrel, and bushing (if applicable) than slide-frame fit.  A gun can have a little wobble between the slide and frame and still be very accurate.  As for reliability, a poorly fit gun can be tight but unreliable.  Tim can fit a gun as tight as you want.  If it starts out extremely tight it will need a break-in period, but after a couple hundred rounds if you feed it good ammo from good mags it will be 100% reliable.  I have between 2,500 and 3,000 rounds on my newest single stack gun.  I'm still waiting for a failure of any kind.  

Thanks AH, that's quite an endorsement.  I have thought about a raw build on a Les Baer frame and slide, but I don't think my budget will allow it at this point (damn Uncle Sam!  I wouldn't mind paying my fair share if they would use it responsibly.).  

[Guest boyce89976]

Sent an email to Tim Calhoun last night with a request for two options:

1. Upgrade my existing Rock River
2. Raw build on a Less Baer frame with commander slide, with Wilson or Brown parts

Hope to hear from him soon. Dies anyone know what his current turn around time is?

Thanks!