Sidearms & Scatterguns 1911 Modifications?

[186thFCo]

I have a Colt Rail Gun, it is my favorite out of my sidearms but other than the after market night sights it is bone stock. What are some of the things that can be done to improve how the gun shoots? Maybe something that would reduce the felt recoil?

Thanks Josh

 

[The Angler]

Well, how does it shoot now?
Does it jam?
Is it accuracy your after?
Have you tried shooting it from a rest?

The only thing I can think of that might reduce recoil would be to get a new recoil spring.
Wilson combat sells buffers, but I've never felt the need to try them, so I can't speak of their effectiveness.


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[Opticsspecialist]

I have used the Wilson buffers. I don't know if they have ever reduced felt recoil. I have discontinued use of them. Tuning springs and handloading may help with recoil. Label your factory springs so you can always go back. A nice pair of rubber grips like Pachmayr may make it more comfortable.

Personally I like an extended safety and mag release and an nice trigger. Hope this helps. Enjoy that 1911 they are great fun!

 

[Night Assassin]

+1 For Wilson Combat, flat wire recoil spring, The Shock buff will not reduce felt recoil.

 

[steve123]

http://www.sprinco.com/recoil.html

I've had one of these in my 2011 for 15 years or so, I'd buy it again.

 

[186thFCo]

Well, how does it shoot now?
Does it jam?
Is it accuracy your after?
Have you tried shooting it from a rest?

The only thing I can think of that might reduce recoil would be to get a new recoil spring.
Wilson combat sells buffers, but I've never felt the need to try them, so I can't speak of their effectiveness.


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shoots great, very reliable, i guess i'm just looking for a more manageable recoil, not that its bad i just would like faster follow on shots if that make sense.

 

[Downzero]

Assuming 45 ACP:

14 lb recoil spring (I use ISMI)
19 lb main spring
full length guide rod
Tweak sear spring for lighter but not crazy light trigger
Tons of magazines, ammo, and practice
Magwell
If you have the $$$, frontstrap checkering
If not, skate tape on front strap
VZ grips in your choice of grippyness

 

[The Angler]

shoots great, very reliable, i guess i'm just looking for a more manageable recoil, not that its bad i just would like faster follow on shots if that make sense.

I gotcha, well federal has low recoil hydra shocks, however they're not exactly range ammo ( maybe 25-30 bucks for a box of 20)
Buffalo bore also has a low recoil load; I think it's 185gr.
Be advised, shooting lighter loads may compromise cycling and reliability, but you can use lighter recoil springs to help cycling lighter loads.

As mentioned above you may just want to look into loading your own.


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[Roddd]

Can your grip be improved? I think a full size 1911 handles 45 ACP the best. Before throwing parts at it, try locking your wrists. It's free and I think it's your best avenue to achieving what you want.

 

[sidewaysil80]

Honestly, even though you have aftermarket night sights...I would swap to a nice fiber optic front/solid rear sight set. Obviously sized based on the type of shooting you are doing or goal you are trying to accomplish (i.e. more precise, faster, etc.). You can also swap/experiment with different spring weights for both the recoil and main springs. It may be a placebo, but I feel like the Wilson Shok buffs make it cycle smoother. Those are the first two things I would reccommend and frankly, your most likely options to give you a significant difference.

Colt's (at least the Rail gun I had) have a decent trigger out of the box so I really wouldn't waste the money on fire control parts unless I was swapping over to __________ ignitiion components. As others have mentioned, some from of front strap treatment will likely be beneficial as well. Grip is the most underestimated aspect of pistol shooting in my opinion and a front strap treatment will help faciliate a nice grip.

 

[NukeMMC]

I have been shooting 1911s competitively for a LONG time (first 2700 match was 1987). Shooting full-house 230gr loads will never be "easy" or comfortable recoil. Ask "Super" Dave Harrington. I talked to him at a USPSA match (2000 or 2001 GA Section?) and he was shooting a bone-stock 92F for the Beretta Team in Production. He said years and hundreds of thousands rounds of 45 had pretty much done his wrists in.
Anymore, I will throw a 16" spring in, shoot 185gr plated flat point loads for practice. Throw in the 19 or 20# (can't remember) spring and it's good to go for full-patch loads. Every once in a while it's good therapy to run a couple magazines of 230gr FMJ thru it to "clean the pipe". I use Federal Hydra-Shok 230gr for carry/home loads and figure the adrenaline will override the change in recoil.