Mr. Rawles,
I read your post about the rattler and the changes you made to the Colt .45. I’m glad things worked out well and you obviously have a nice touch with your work. I worked for a gunsmith for 5 years and would recommend to your readers that they make one modification at a time, then check for function and reliability. It just saves time if something – this way just one thing – doesn’t function properly. It takes more test ammo, but there is no substitute for reliability.- C.G. in North Carolina
Dear Jim,
First let me say that I really enjoy reading your blog and I have given my copy of “Patriots” to everyone I know and it has really opened a lot of eyes. I am eagerly awaiting the expanded edition. I have also purchased your survival course for my parents and the rest of my family.
My main reason for emailing you was that on July 27, 2006, on your blog you stated that you were upgrading your 1911s. There were some things that I took issue with, particularly the extended slide release. I have personally found and I think you may already know, that the extended slide release can lock the slide back prematurely for several reasons but mainly due to the shooters grip under recoil. I like the idea of being able to manipulate all the controls on my 1911 with one hand, but for me and several other members of my family it just isn’t a reliable modification. I also had some questions about your target triggers. I have had instances of triggers with adjustable over travel stops working loose and becoming a problem, that may be something you want to keep in mind. Hilton Yam just cam out with a tactical trigger that has a fixed over travel stop that I have on my pistol. Again you probably already have quite a bit of experience in this area but I thought I would add my $.02.
Right know I am building up my own 1911. Here is how my gun specs out.
Springfield Armory Slide and Frame (1980s vintage)
BarSto Barrel
National Match bushing loose enough to field strip easily and be reliable
Standard recoil guide
Wolfe springs
Front slide serrations
Dawson Lightspeed Rail
Hilton Yam 10-8 trigger w/ fixed over travel stop
Cylinder and Slide 24/7/365 tactical trigger (some of the best trigger parts on the market)
Kings ambidextrous safety
Ed Brown Beaver tail with pad
Novak night sights with front sight vial installed after zeroing pistol at 25 yards
Flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop.
Beveled mag well, no feed chute
Pachmayr Grips but I am thinking of changing them
Pistol is completely dehorned and tuned for maximum reliability with ball ammo
Wilson 7 round mags (I have not had good luck with the 8 rounders)
I highly recommend the Dawson Rail. It can be added to any existing 1911 and the Marines have it installed on their ICQB pistols. It does not alter the balance of the pistol if no light is attached and it doesn’t affect the ability of he pistol to fit in most standard 1911 holsters. Safariland make a 6004 specifically for 1911’s equipped with the Dawson rail and several surefire lights. The Marines use the Military light with system kill switch and the dev group tape switch. I personally use a Nitrolon light with system kill and dev group tape switch. Just in case you are not familiar with ordering a Surefire Pistol light the “on/off switch can be ordered as a constant on (mostly used by cops) or system kill (mostly military to prevent accidental “white light discharges”). For daily carry I do not have the light attached as I have a regular Surefire that I carry, so I use a regular holster with no problems. I do however have the Safariland with my web gear and armor near the bed. I attach the light every night before I go to bed so I can just gear up and be ready to respond.
Thanks for letting me provide my input and for providing a great service to the community. – Dustin in Arizona
JWR Replies: Thanks for your comments. In reference to over travel screws: I recommend using Green LocTite on these screws. I’ve never had one come loose that was secured by LocTite, after thousands of rounds fired. But I will definitely look into the Hilton Yam trigger. Thanks for making that recommendation.
Regarding extended slide releases: I consider them essential for anyone that needs to shift their hand in order to press a standard slide release. (About 95% of shooters.) God has blessed you if you a have a thumb long enough to hit a standard slide release without shifting your grip.
Proper training can assure that both of the thumbs are resting side by side (looking like a “Baby’s bottom” when seen from behind) and in the “up-left” position except for when manipulating the safety, magazine release, or slide release. Proper grip and thumb position will prevent any mis-manipulation of any of the controls. Perfect practice make perfect.
FWIW, I consider extended or “speed’ safety levers more of a hazard, since in my experience a wider-than-usual and/or a longer-than-usual safety is more likely to receive inadvertent contact with the side of the thumb during firing than is a longer slide release.
As for magazines, I have never had any problem whatsoever with original Colt factory 8 round magazines. These are actually made for Colt under subcontract, by a company called Metalform, using Shooting Star brand followers. (OBTW, Metalform also sells identical magazines directly, sans the prancing pony, for less money.) The majority of 1911 reliability problems can be traced to magazines. So my advice is to pay a bit more and buy the best. Reserve your after-market magazines for your barter box, or better yet for your range days when you want to practice immediate action drills–since cheapo aftermarket magazines will give you plenty of chances to clear jams! Because magazines are the most fragile part of an autopistol and prone to loss, I consider 6 spare magazines a bare minimum. Getting eight to 12 spares is more like it, especially if you look at life in terms of providing for your kids and grandkids.