1911’s in general, 9mm versions specifically

[Billogna]

@Formidilosus I sincerely appreciate the time you take to break down your processes for those of us wanting to learn. I'm sure you have a literal mountain of other things to do! It's truly selfless and only serves to bring others up to a higher level! Thank you!!

 

[CaptArab]

Trigger finger is out if the trigger guard and indexed up to the limit of its travel on the slide. Never put the finger into the trigger guard until actually pressing the trigger. It is the last step in the process.

In that video you see a draw and one engagement of a single target.

Last shot, full recoil-
View attachment 1065158


Finished firing, starting to break sight line-
View attachment 1065159


By this point I have broken the grip and already my right thumb is under the safety to apply it-
View attachment 1065160


Starting to flip it back on safe-
View attachment 1065161


At this point is is back on safe and my thumb is on top of it-
View attachment 1065162


The beauty of a proper thumb safety is that none of what I am saying makes it slower to shoot. All of what I am saying gives a larger margin for error on negligent discharges.

I appreciate the thorough response.

I can easily get my finger in and out of a Glock trigger guard while maintaining a solid grip, but the 1911 and stacattto C is much more difficult so the temptation is to get in there while pushing out.

I might have my knuckles pointed too far forward. I probably just need to work with an in person instructor.

 

[CaptArab]

Just playing with this a bit here in the office, rotating the wrist out a bit like I'm about to palm strike somebody gets the pistol a good bit higher and totally alleviates the issue I was having moving around the trigger guard. I'm going to experiment more with this.

 

[Formidilosus]

I appreciate the thorough response.

I can easily get my finger in and out of a Glock trigger guard while maintaining a solid grip, but the 1911 and stacattto C is much more difficult so the temptation is to get in there while pushing out.

I might have my knuckles pointed too far forward. I probably just need to work with an in person instructor.

This is a good basic primer on grip-

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus I sincerely appreciate the time you take to break down your processes for those of us wanting to learn. I'm sure you have a literal mountain of other things to do! It's truly selfless and only serves to bring others up to a higher level! Thank you!!

You are welcome.

 

[CaptArab]

Yeah form I'm a recovering reddit gundeals shit buying dork who only shot 200 rounds a year - I really appreciate you pushing us all to become legit shooters, and better men.

I'll make it to a shoot2hunt class one day - it's on the life goals list.

That grip issue "95 percent hold it incorrectly" at 38 seconds is me exactly.

Playing with this a bit more, I can see why you tout 1911 egg shaped grip as all superior - after rotating to a 90 degree trigger finger web grip, all I feel is corners and iggy on Glocks and even my c24. 1911 is Goldilocks

 

[Formidilosus]

Yeah form I'm a recovering reddit gundeals shit buying dork who only shot 200 rounds a year - I really appreciate you pushing us all to become legit shooters, and better men.

Haha. Aren’t we all.

And, you are welcome.

I'll make it to a shoot2hunt class one day - it's on the life goals list.

I hope I see you.

That grip issue "95 percent hold it incorrectly" at 38 seconds is me exactly.

Playing with this a bit more, I can see why you tout 1911 egg shaped grip as all superior - after rotating to a 90 degree trigger finger web grip, all I feel is corners and iggy on Glocks and even my c24. 1911 is Goldilocks

Yes indeed. There is so much more to a 1911 than the trigger- it’s actually one of the least important reasons the gun can be shot so well. Yet all the supposed experts just hammer “it’s the trigger, it’s the trigger” ad nauseam. A 1911 with a Glock trigger is way more shootable; than a Glock with a 1911 trigger.
It’s always same nonsense from people who might have long experience, but who haven’t actually understood what they are doing and why. The 2x4 rectangular grip, the bore axis, the grip angel… The properly designed thumb safety, and what that does for subconscious gunhandling and fundamentals cannot be overstated. Then add in the location of the mag release and slide release- and how neither can be reached, activated, or deactivated with a firing grip… just money. The whole thing.

It’s freaking silly to grab a war era 1911, or especially a 1911 A1, and see how easy it is to shoot. They were not loosy-goosy rattle traps when issued, and shootability is ridiculous as they were.
I’ve stated before that a few years ago I had a massive injury and had to relearn how to do everything all over again- after gaining enough strength just to hold a fork or spoon up. Keep in mind, I shot and shoot a Glock objectively- to an extremely high level. Once I could hold a pistol, the difference in my ability to hit and control the gun, between a 9mm tricked out Glock, and a 1911 45 auto shooting +P+ ammo (TZZ) was night and day. It was laughable how much difference in measurable performance there was between them when grip strength was barely enough to hold the gun, barely enough arm strength to hold the pistol at eye level, and barely enough strength to hold onto the guns during recoil. Now from my own experience I could see why woman and new shooters have always shot 45 auto 1911’s objectively better than 9mm other pistols.


The myth of the 45 auto being such a man stopper isn’t from the 45: it’s from the 1911. If WWI and WWII had been with a 9mm 1911, it would be called the greatest man stopping pistol cartridge in history.

 

[Sponge]

Well eff me. MIM casualty.


Edit, the MecGar 10 rounders were hitting the bottom of the ejector. Picture below of Mecgar inserted, and wear on bottom of ejector.

 

[Bc45]

I recently changed out my mainspring housing on my Tisas for a Wilson combat better textured one. I used my old spring and installed it and now my grip safety does not work, trigger will fire without grip safety engaged. Any ideas or should I just changed back to the original mainspring to not have it be an issue.

 

[Sponge]

I recently changed out my mainspring housing on my Tisas for a Wilson combat better textured one. I used my old spring and installed it and now my grip safety does not work, trigger will fire without grip safety engaged. Any ideas or should I just changed back to the original mainspring to not have it be an issue.

First I would double check to make sure all parts reassembled correctly.

The new mainspring housing may sit slightly higher in the frame causing the grip safety to rotate up and out of engagement with the trigger bow.

Here's a thread on another forum discussing a similar/same issue
https://www.kimbertalk.com/threads/grip-safety-issue-using-wilson-combat-main-spring-housing.73135/

 

[Sponge]

for this pistol, any opinions out there on which ambi safety to get? I'm looking at the Wilson Bullet Proof and the EGW HD. Both use an extended hammer pin to retain the right side lever, not an under grip dongle.

Any other MIM parts I should go ahead and replace for function and reliability? Slide stop? firing pin stop? all of them?

KC roll trigger kit is already in, so ignition parts are taken care of.
Magwell mainspring housing is already in an online cart.
I will also replace the MIM guide rod and all pins.

Current MIM grip safety functions fine, should I stop acting poor and upgrade that too?

 

[43.6N]

for this pistol, any opinions out there on which ambi safety to get? I'm looking at the Wilson Bullet Proof and the EGW HD. Both use an extended hammer pin to retain the right side lever, not an under grip dongle.

Any other MIM parts I should go ahead and replace for function and reliability? Slide stop? firing pin stop? all of them?

KC roll trigger kit is already in, so ignition parts are taken care of.
Magwell mainspring housing is already in an online cart.
I will also replace the MIM guide rod and all pins.

Current MIM grip safety functions fine, should I stop acting poor and upgrade that too?

I’m a big fan of the Wilson bulletproof wide lever thumb safety. I’d get the single sided over the Ambi if given the choice. Stronger design, and I have no practical need for ambi levers.

The ed brown extended mag release, and an extra power mag release spring would probably fix your overinsertion problem too. It will likely drop right in, but may need just a little fitting.

Looking over the autopsy photo, the mim didn’t fail due to mim, but due to the repeat mag overinsertion. That would ruin most any part. I’d be ok continuing to use the parts that are functioning well.

 

[Remington92]

I was thinking Hayes or KC's... but also curious who others would choose.

-J

Evolution did a total overhaul on mine and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

 

[Sponge]

I’d get the single sided over the Ambi if given the choice. Stronger design, and I have no practical need for ambi levers.

Single sided was my initial thought, ambi does look cool though.
If anyone has dissenting opinions on single sided vs ambi, I'm all ears, especially for practical applications.

Looking over the autopsy photo, the mim didn’t fail due to mim, but due to the repeat mag overinsertion. That would ruin most any part.

agreed. checking that will be part of the new ejector fitment, and will be part of the eval of any new mags in the future. Maybe a machined part would've bent instead of breaking, but it still would've been affected.
Thanks for the Ed Brown mag release suggestion, I'll get one of those.

I’d be ok continuing to use the parts that are functioning well.

Dude. how am I supported to convince my wife if my internet acquaintances don't even agree??
But you're right, I'll probably replace pins since a set is $15ish and leave it at that.

As an aside, how do you like the Ed Brown Magwell? especially the funnel? How is the Chainlink 3? I'm between that and Wilson.

 

[43.6N]

Single sided was my initial thought, ambi does look cool though.
If anyone has dissenting opinions on single sided vs ambi, I'm all ears, especially for practical applications.

agreed. checking that will be part of the new ejector fitment, and will be part of the eval of any new mags in the future. Maybe a machined part would've bent instead of breaking, but it still would've been affected.
Thanks for the Ed Brown mag release suggestion, I'll get one of those.

Dude. how am I supported to convince my wife if my internet acquaintances don't even agree??
But you're right, I'll probably replace pins since a set is $15ish and leave it at that.

As an aside, how do you like the Ed Brown Magwell? especially the funnel? How is the Chainlink 3? I'm between that and Wilson.

Ed Brown magwell beats the Wilson bulletproof magwell, and it’s not even close. Both are good upgrades. But if you’re going to spend the money, consider the following:


Side by side, the Wilson is 30lpi. The Ed Brown is golf ball dimpled (chain link iii). The Wilson feels pretty slick in comparison. I wish it had been 25, or 20lpi like the Springfield TRP.
You can see here the Wilson profile actually sits below flush with the sides of the frame, where the Ed Brown is appropriately slightly proud of the frame.


But the most important is the opening. The Ed Brown is significantly more beveled.

Their finishes also seem different. The Wilson is blued, and has picked up a nice patina.
The EB finish seems more durable. Possibly nitrided?

 

[Sponge]

Ed Brown magwell beats the Wilson bulletproof magwell, and it’s not even close. Both are good upgrades. But if you’re going to spend the money, consider the following:

thank you! exactly the side by side I was trying to get cruising different forums and clicking between photos.

 

[WhoGarrDen]

Do the Ed Brown (match, extended) and Wilson (wide) have a different radius on the underside? I like to load just a few rounds per mag to increase mag change experience, but found longer sessions starting to irritate the top of my thumb from putting the safety back on.

User error? Soft lady hands that need toughening?

Figured I'd get the Ed Brown safety since I'd be picking up the mag release and save on shipping... Are they substantially different? Wilson doesn't provide specs on size like EB's website does.

 

[Sponge]

Do the Ed Brown (match, extended) and Wilson (wide) have a different radius on the underside? I like to load just a few rounds per mag to increase mag change experience, but found longer sessions starting to irritate the top of my thumb from putting the safety back on.

User error? Soft lady hands that need toughening?

Figured I'd get the Ed Brown safety since I'd be picking up the mag release and save on shipping... Are they substantially different? Wilson doesn't provide specs on size like EB's website does.

I have the same general question.
FWIW I'll probably end up with Ed Brown match safety as I'm ordering a few other parts there. If it ends up being uncomfortable in places, I'm never opposed to taking a file to parts to soften edges or do minor re-profiling.

 

[43.6N]

Do the Ed Brown (match, extended) and Wilson (wide) have a different radius on the underside? I like to load just a few rounds per mag to increase mag change experience, but found longer sessions starting to irritate the top of my thumb from putting the safety back on.

User error? Soft lady hands that need toughening?

Figured I'd get the Ed Brown safety since I'd be picking up the mag release and save on shipping... Are they substantially different? Wilson doesn't provide specs on size like EB's website does.

Are you meaning the lateral edge of the thumb safety?

The Wilson ones have the hard edges taken off. Really a comfortable full sized safety.
Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with the EB safety to compare. I’m sure it would be a good product.
But I would have zero hesitation to take a file or dremel and knock the sharp edges off. Then touch up with some birch-wood Casey cold blue. That’s basically what you’d be paying a gunsmith to do with a “dehorn” package.



Here’s the Wilson on a Kimber, where the radius of the frame-bevertail left some overhang on the original safety side plate. Creating a hot spot in the web of my hand.
So it got the dremel treatment. Now no more hot spot. Not the prettiest refinish that I’ve ever done, but it fits my hand comfortably.