Remington 1911 R1 45ACP Handgun

[Four Fingers of Death]

I want to compete in SASS Wild Bunch shoots and ordered a Colt 1991 in 9mm (for cheap practice) and a 1991 in 45ACP (to compete with). My thoughts were that as the pistols were identical in everything except calibre, they would be good to compete with and also to practice with.

When I opened the package, there was a 1991 Colt in 9mm and a National Match Gold Cup! The shop wern't interested in swapping the guns and now I have a great handgun that I can't compete with. (I picked up a handgun that was about $650+ dearer than the one I paid for, but not suitable for the match I wanted).

Here is what I received;

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20150408_002939-1_zpsqoe0jawf.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20150408_002939-1_zpsqoe0jawf.jpg.html)

The 1991 9mm had a catastrophic failure on about round no. 600 (factory ammo, not reloads) and warranty in Australia is non existant, so I will repair it and sell it and go back to shooting my always reliable Norinco 9mm.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20150503_212848_zpsatmoq0gc.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20150503_212848_zpsatmoq0gc.jpg.html)
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20150503_212840_zpsyblct2d5.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20150503_212840_zpsyblct2d5.jpg.html)
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20150503_213318_zps11rpytbj.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20150503_213318_zps11rpytbj.jpg.html)
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20150503_213553_zpsnni1gunu.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20150503_213553_zpsnni1gunu.jpg.html)
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20150503_213715_zpsxgq2eu8e.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20150503_213715_zpsxgq2eu8e.jpg.html)


I am thinking of buying a Remington R1.

Has anyone had any experience with them.

Apart from my Norinco 1911 in 9mm, all of my 1911s have been Colts which have served me well until recently.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/201002069mmNorinco2.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/201002069mmNorinco2.jpg.html)

[osteodoc08]

Wow. I'd just replace the ejector and keep going with it. That's definitely an odd failure.

[Blackwater]

Same here. Looks like the ejector didn't get the right heat treat maybe? A new extractor and it ought to percolate just fine again. And the gouges on the slide's inside probably can be polished out with no real problem, I'd think?

[Four Fingers of Death]

I'm glad I wasn't in harm's way when the Colt failed, the slide jammed open and had t be driven forward with a padded hammer (no way could we move it otherwise). I then managed to strip it. The ejector 'legs' seem to be jammed in tight, they must have been bent badly I suppose and the ejector won't budge (so far, I will have another go at it later, I was pretty disgusted with it and left it in the safe).

Apart from that, I still need a GI style 45 to compete with. The adjustable sights and trigger of the Gold Cup mae it suitable for the standard match although it could be used in the open class, but all of the go fast gamers compete in that with fluro sights, etc and that does not interest me greatly (more fun than staying at home, haha, but not my thing).

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I've got a 1991-A1 and can report no problems. I've never seen exactly what you've got there (failure) and am wondering, was the pistol new when you bought it? Was there any problem with the ammo? I think I'm also in the fix it and try it again group. As for the Remington R-1, great pistol.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Pistol was in fact brand new, I stripped it and treated it with FrogLube and noticed that there was no brass deposits anywhere.

The ammo was from a slab of 1000 Geco factory loads that I bought. The modern pistols at the range handle them easily but they seems a bit hot for the 1911s, another Colt owner had a lot of hiccups, as did a Kimber owner (they were cheap and lots of fellow members stocked up on them). The other 1911s didn't fail completely like mine, just jammed open and went back into battery after a whack on the back of the slide.

I have since got rid of the rest of the ammo to other members using a Glock and a Baikal, they gobbled them up without a problem.

[dragon813gt]

I have a R1. It would not chamber cast bullet rounds until I throated the barrel. Since then it's run flawlessly. It's on the "loose" side of tolerances. Which is one of the reasons I bought it. But don't expect a bullseye pistol.

[Dan Cash]

I s Ruger available to you? I am not a big Ruger fan but recently shot one of their Commander size 1911 style pistols and am very impressed. Gun does not have the extra junk floating around that Colt invented for a firing pin block, had a fine trigger pull out of the box and was very accurate. We put 300 rounds through this fellows gun, both factory and hand loads and not one failure.

[OptimusPanda]

The couple R1's I've handled have all been great shooters. Little rattlely maybe, but they worked well.

[OS OK]

You know, My colt is a stainless commander so the finish is a little different on the interior but...looking at the no.2 pic., It looks like the fit and finish is entirely too rough, I don't see any of the mating wear marks normally seen on these pistols.
With that said...I also saw a documentary on 'clone .45ACP's' that are made somewhere down in S/E Asia, the doc. said that some of these clones were difficult to eyeball from the exterior, that these fellas could make the outside finish pretty well, but the inside was a different matter. The interior of the clones resembled the rough finish I see there.
Just a wild comment off the top of my noggin but like I said it looks peculiar.

[Four Fingers of Death]

The gun is an economy Colt so that would explain the ordinary finish I suppose.

The reason I ordered the 1991 in 45ACP and why I am now interested in the R1 is tgat I need a 1911A1 GI style 1911 to compete in Traditional class in Wild Bunch.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Well, considering the additional information you supplied about the ammo it sounds like maybe a combination of very hot ammo and an improperly heat treated ejector. You're stating that some of your friend's pistols jammed open and needed to be smacked forward to return to battery. I've got about 55 years invested in 1911 .45 ACP shooting, and I can't recall ever having had the slide remain open to the rear unless the slide stop got knocked upward or the magazine was empty. When the slide recoils rearward and is extracting the fired case from the chamber the only thing that the case directly contacts is the ejector, which is bent on yours, so I must have gotten an pretty good whack. Perhaps in addition to being soft it might be a little long, and either way a defective part. I think if you replace the ejector with a spec. part you should be back in business. Yes, I would certainly get rid of the ammo. I don't immediately have anything come to mind concerning the marks on the inside bottom of the slide unless that somehow occurred when you drove the side forward. It almost looks like something might have been present inside the gun between the slide and frame but......??

[Mk42gunner]

1911 ejectors are either a PITA to replace or so easy a five year old could do it, in my experience. You did remove the retaining pin first didn't you?

About twenty five years ago when I was carrying a .45 daily, I had the same idea of using a 9mm for cheap practice (mainly because 9mm ball was a lot cheaper than .45 ammo. A co worker had a 9mm slide that he had miss drilled while installing a Bomar sight so he gave it to me. I bought a 9mm barrel and some magazines, then scrounged the rest of the parts.

A steel framed 1911 in 9mm seems very docile in the recoil department.

Robert

[Four Fingers of Death]

The marks under the slide are from where the slide jammed open and forced down on the hammer as far as I can see. We have had 5 guys that I know of buy a slab of 1000 rounds of this ammo and the Glocks, a Baikal, a Walther and a S&W (Shield M&P I think) just gobble the ammo up, it is just the 1911s having trouble. Anyway, I have 2000 Winchester factory ammo salted away which will be used when I get one of the 9mms back on the road.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Oh, yes, I did remove the pin, haha.

[pietro]

.

I bought a new Remington 1911R1 the year after they were 1st introduced, and immediately swapped out the hammer for a Commander-type rowel hammer.

I had it for 5 years & 3500 rounds before I gifted it to my oldest Grandson on his 21st birthday (5 years ago).

My Grandson tells me that he's put an additional 2K rounds through it, and it still hasn't had a bobble.


.

[Four Fingers of Death]

My preferred style of 1911 is the 1911A1 style (although the standard grip safety chops the tripe out of my big paws), serrations on the rear of the slide straight up and down, arched mainspringg housing and a Commander style hammer. I was exceedingly happy with my Colt Commander, but the Government here confiscated it. Makes no sense, I swapped it out for a 38Super Government, a 9mm 1911 Norinco, a Colt 1991 9mm and the Cold Gold Cup. If they'd had the good sense to leave me alone, I would still be just shooting my Commander.

They confiscated it because the barrel was too short.

[hp246]

I'm using an R-1 for my primary WB gun. I had it throated and the trigger cleaned up a bit. It broke down on me once, but really unusual cirmcumstances and I don't think it was the guns fault. Since then flawless.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Thanks.

[Mk42gunner]

After looking at the pictures and thinking on it some more, it may be the long leg is binding due to the nose and body of the ejector being bent.

I would try putting the frame in a vise with a mag well filler (don't want to crush the frame) and gently tapping the extractor to straighten it. It just might free up and come out.

As a method of last resort, I would cut the ejector between the legs, (very carefully so you don't damage the frame). This should allow it to be removed if anything will.

I would make sure I had the replacement part in hand before doing anything drastic though.

Robert

[Four Fingers of Death]

Good idea. I have a Wilson Combat one to fit.

[FergusonTO35]

I thought I read in your first post that you ordered a particular gun but received a different one? Sounds like somebody screwed up.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Sure did, but once the gun was sent to my dealer it became registered and the shop were then not able to sell it as a new one and were not interested in swapping it, saying that I profited by the deal and they were happy to let it go. Much as I like the Gold Cup and it is a fine pistol, it wasn't what I wanted and I can't complete with it in the match I want to shoot.

[Wayne Smith]

What are your options for selling it, taking the profit, and try again to get what you want? Here in the states it would be easy, not so much for you, I think.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I can do that, but will try a few handloads with the softer spring and see if I like it enough to keep two. I should really sell it though.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Welllllllllllllllll, I bit the boolit today and rang my friend at the gunshop in Sydney and ordered a R1. I was toying with the idea of getting another Colt, but the cost stopped me. The R1 is $AU1295, the 1991 45ACP was $AU1895 and the Series 70 $AU1975. The Colts are only in stock interstate, which would involve a $50 shipping and handling fee and a fee of probably $50 for a local gun dealer to register it in this State and the R1 is just a matter of flashing the permit and walking out with it, so it ended up being a no brainer and the green box will be coming home in a few weeks.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I went past the big gunshop in Sydney today, but couldn't pick it up as I was on my way to the dentist. I had a look, nice looking gun, but I left my phone at home and couldn't take any photos, grrrrrrrrrrrrr!

I'll probably head down next week and pick it up (the shop is 120Miles away).

[Virginia John]

If you didn't live Downunder, I tell you just to send it to me and I would take care of it for you. With a little work that could be a nice gun.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Thanks for that VJ, but I'm sure we'll muddle along, Bwahahahaha!

Four spare mags arrived in the mail yesterday while I was away, 500 copper jacketed running in bullets are due shortly. After I sling them at the butt stop at the range it will be running Big Lube cast boolits and Black Powder (hopefully, if that works out well).

[Four Fingers of Death]

Well, the permit has been approved and should arrive on Monday or Tuesday and I'm off to Sydney on Wednesday, returning Thursday and I'll pick it up on the way home. Guess who will be opening up the range special on Friday?

[randyrat]

I'll be on the edge of my seat, the arrival of a new young one is always exciting, we want pictures also. I like the way they smell after a full mag has been shot.
I've been listening to my wife talk about her friend that had a baby.

[rfd]

i owned one of the first Rem R1's made, great 1911 value and it was more accurate than me as seen via a lock-down test. only loaded and shot cast for it. sold it because i'm done chasing auto brass and replaced with a Ruger gp100 357mag. :)

http://i.imgur.com/aCSaRrS.jpg

[Four Fingers of Death]

HaHa! Will do with the photos. Your R1 looks the goods.

As to shooting autos, I buy brass by the thousand where I can and pick up what I can see and throw the brass into a bulk container of some sort, never trays. That way, I don't know if I've missed one or two and don't bother chasing the elusive last couple of cases.

One positive has come out of it, I have a coupe of hundred 45ACP cases on hand, but oodles of brass somewhere downstairs (it's a bit disorganised at the moment) and two gallon ice cream containers full of 45Colt brass. I went looking for the brass and in the process, found my bag of 1911 custom bits I was gifted by a retiring gun tinkerer a few years ago.

My idea of a perfect 1911 is a standard blued Colt 1911A1 (must have the vertical frame cuts not slanted!), an original style Commander hammer, upswept beavertail and an arched mainspring housing and a sensible Smith and Alexander mag funnel. What was in the little bag? Wilson trigger, Commander hammer, trigger and beavertail, a Smith and Alexander Mag funnel and a Pachmyr arched mainspring housing. Win!!! All I need to make it perfect is a decent set of sights.

I can't modify the Remington, as I want to compete in Wild Bunch Traditional, but my 1991 Colt 9mm is about to be transfromed. I just need a beavertail jig and a few other tools and I'm set!

Happy days, haha! boys and their toys!

[Four Fingers of Death]

With top quality Colt emblemed double diamond wood grips which I forgot to mention.

[dragon813gt]

The brass trap was one of the best investments I made.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EB5OU06/ref=cm_sw_r_api_tpIWxbTVRVEHY

Set it up on a tripod right next to the pistol and it will catch, almost, every, piece. I say almost because a few will bounce out and fall at the feet of the tripod. But there is no more chasing brass.

I'm completely surrounded by tripods of I have the LabRadar to me left and the spotting scope slightly behind me :)

[Four Fingers of Death]

Actually, brass catchers are illegal in my State, but I'm sure ones that are not attached to the rifle escape those laws. They probably think we are going to use our target guns to moonight doing hits around town. As though anyone that was concerned about leaving evidence at a crime scene is going to worry about a few trifling rules. Amazon wouldn't ship it as it turns out. I guess I will just have to make my own butterfly trap.

Thans for the link to the naughty stuff.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Finally! Picked it up today:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20160901_200206_zpsft6atua0.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20160901_200206_zpsft6atua0.jpg.html)

Off to the range on Sunday!

[scattershot]

Looks like a nice pistol. Congrats!

[Four Fingers of Death]

Finally the rain cleared and I got the R1 to the range. Running in on Winchester Ranger Law Enforcement ammo.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20160904_140641-1_zpsdedxxr88.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20160904_140641-1_zpsdedxxr88.jpg.html)

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20160904_140756-1_zps2gjgfbae.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20160904_140756-1_zps2gjgfbae.jpg.html)

Shortly afterwards, two Remington mags on the left, Colt mags on the right. One fail to feed on the first two mags, worked fine after that. 70 rounds fired:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20160904_141304-1_zpshzvqll2y.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20160904_141304-1_zpshzvqll2y.jpg.html)

[Four Fingers of Death]

They reckon those grips are wood, but they sure look like plastic.

[Windwalker 45acp]

Lotta people poo-poo the R1, but I gotta say they're an exceptional value. The one I have shoots and functions just as well as my much more expensive and highly modded Colt. My only gripe with mine is aesthetics... I have one of the early production models and you can see cast lines on the front strap.

[Four Fingers of Death]

We didn't see them here in Australia until they had been out for awhile. I've seen a couple and they were all nicely finished guns. Mine seems well fitted and hardly makes a sound when you rattle it. I forgot to collect my target after shooting today. I finished off the ammo and the two guys that were shooting rifles, packed up just as I finished. I had been on the range as Range Officer for five hours, so I packed up quickly and got them to help with the gates. I will be back there tomorrow and will have a look.

I will also do a comparison with my Colt Gold Cup National Match and see how it goes.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Big guy problem, 1911A1 hammer bite, chomp a piece or two out of me everytime.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20160905_170457_zpsao5mxgwl.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20160905_170457_zpsao5mxgwl.jpg.html)

Two days snap shooting, 20yards, snap shooting running the gun in. I will adjust the sights when the gun is run in and I have worked out the best cast boolit load for the gun.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20160905_195834_zpskbw6geml.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20160905_195834_zpskbw6geml.jpg.html)

[mikeingeorgia]

I've had a blued one for a few years now, and loved it so much that I recently purchased a stainless one just for variety. But I've been very pleased with their reliablility, fit, finish and even accuracy. I shoot mostly home cast or plated bullets in them, and they digest them well.

[Four Fingers of Death]

170 Rounds of Ranger JHP ammo through it so far, 100 rounds left, then I have 500Berry's plated bullets to load and after that a big clean and cast boolits for the rest of it's (probably more likely my, it will be around long after I'm gone) life.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Gun now run in, nasty little grip safety, bites me every time.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20160907_163059_zpskmroz70m.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20160907_163059_zpskmroz70m.jpg.html)

[avogunner]

Ah....the 1911 hammer bite. Mine is a 1937 made civilian Colt A1 with the original grip safety. I've had it almost 40 years and have shot literally thousands of rounds through it. Now I have such a hard callous on the web of my hand ... I barely even notice it anymore.
Semper Fi

Sent from my LG-H820 using Tapatalk

[Four Fingers of Death]

I have a myriad of tiny little scars there, I guess I'm going to add to them again.

[Dan Cash]

Gun now run in, nasty little grip safety, bites me every time.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20160907_163059_zpskmroz70m.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20160907_163059_zpskmroz70m.jpg.html)

It is the hammer, not the grip safety that is biting.
Take a Dremel tool or a good file and grind a little off the hammer spur. It won't take much, just grind a little and try until it does not bite.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

It's odd, but some bite and some don't. My first 1911, a WW I Colt would treat me the way yours is treating you, so I installed a round Commander-style hammer. My second, an Ithaca 1911-A1 does not bite me so I left the hammer alone. As I continued to acquire, now up around 15 and used to have more, I found it about 50-50, with 1911s usually biting and 1911-A1s sometimes not biting, AMT Hardballers not biting, some Para Ords bite, some don't--it seems to be a highly individualized thing. I also have a hard lump in the web between the thumb and forefinger, but now before going to the range I put a Band Aid over that area with the pad of the bandage centered in the critical location. Never draws blood, although the spot is usually sore the next day.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I prefer the look of the Commander hammers, but this gun is going to be used for SASS Wild Bunch Traditional Match and that means standard grip safety and spur hammer. I will pack my bandaids next time, I forgot them yesterday. I must put a bunch in the gun box.

If I end up keeping the National Match Gold Cup I will fit a Beavertail Grip Safety and Wilson Commander hammer.

I might be able to spot heat the base of the spur hammer and lift the end up a tad so it doesn't pinch so bad. I will have a talk to my engineer mate to see if that is feasible.

[Windwalker 45acp]

Yep,Big hands or a high hold will cause that. Bob it or Beaver it and the meat of your thumb will thank you.

I prefer a high hold and only ever got bitten when shooting very, very hot loads, which prompted me to beaver my Colt a couple of years back. It's fairly easy to do yourself if you are a 'mind-to'.

[Ausglock]

FFOD.
I run a Para GI Expert for Wild bunch up here in Grafton.
A few have Norcs.
I run 230gn RN over 4.5gn AP-50.
Very accurate. ring 6" gong at 50 yards offhand with every shot.
If you want to offload the Gold cup, give me a cooee.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I have used buckets of AS50 (and the odd tin of AP50) over the years. Not well liked by most, but worked well for me. Horsley Park Gun Shop advertised 10Kg (22Lb) kegs of it in about 1988 or 89 and I went to the shop cash in hand and asked for two kegs, I had visions of ultimately ending up with two very cool wastepaper baskets. It was not to be as the kegs were out of stock but they gave me the same deal in 500Gm (1.1Lb) tins. I walked out of the shop with boxes that were bigger than slabs of beer. The late wife's eyes nearly popped, but she was a cool lady and soon adjusted.

She was a heavy smoker and for once she had me stop so she could get out of the car for a smoke. She was a tall slim lady with long legs and she wore above the knee skirts and halter tops as was the fashion then for hot weather as most of the cars here were not air conditioned then (well not the sort of old junk I used to drive!).

At one stage we stopped at a busy part of the inner city roads and there was nowhere to sit, but it was the only place I could park, so she walked about 30yards ahead and sat on the low retaining wall. Two cars stopped with a proposal for her, but were sent politely on their way and then a Motorcycle cop on his K100RT BMW pulled up to sus her out. Turns out it was my Brother in Law and my Brother's old Partner. HaHa. He is such a straight shooter, he nearly died when she told him about the gun powder. I still have one or two tins, I haven't used it much in the past few years, I've been using TrailBoss in Western Action.

I will try the AS50 and also AS30, as I have a ton of that as well.

For our American friends, AS30 and AS50 are shotgun powders made here in Australia by Thales / Australian Defence Industries (we can't ever go to war with the French, our silly Government sold our defence weapons and ammunition factories to them). AP30 and AP50 are pistol powders with the same burn rates, but smaller cut to meter better. They are sold in the USA by Hodgsons as Clays and Clays Universal, I can't remember which is which.

Thanks for the infoAusGlock, what is your alias for Single Action?

[Ausglock]

what is your alias for Single Action?

None that can be used in polite company.
We have a "Paddlewheel" and "Emerald" in our club, and they don't like any of the names I come up with.:D

Tupperware Trev is one I like, but they don't cause it isn't cowboy enough.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I've shot with Paddlewheel and Emerald on many occasions. Nice couple.

You register the alias, they don't have to like it, but will have to get used to it. Mind you, the Bible Bashers at SASS headquarters aren't as easy going us irreverent Aussies.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I finally got around to comparing the Remington R1 and my Colt National Match Gold Cup. The Remington shot well but the Colt's group was a bit tighter, which is to be expected. There is one flyer in the Colt's group and I don't remember giving a warning shot. Must have had a brain fade. Out of ammo now, so I will have to do the test again when I reload some lead boolits.

Winchester Ranger Law Enforcement Ammunition, 230 Gn JHPs, range 15metres, Bullseye is 4" across.

Colt group:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20160914_202921_zpsr5slahs9.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20160914_202921_zpsr5slahs9.jpg.html)

Remington group:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/4fingermick/Handguns/20160914_202943_zpsb9yndo7k.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/4fingermick/media/Handguns/20160914_202943_zpsb9yndo7k.jpg.html)

Back to the drawing board!

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I bought my first 1911 thru the DCM for $19.50. It was a WWI issue in excellent condition. I wish I still had it. I get the shudders when I see what they are selling for now. I like the wide hammer on that model and I used to buy them at the gun shows for $5. I have built 1911s out of parts and I still have one of them. I am attaching pictures of it with the early hammer. The original trigger was too long for my finger so I replaced it with the short one.

[Four Fingers of Death]

That is a nice looking hammer Gopher Slayer. Does it provide more clearance? The 1911s with the standard hammer and spur draw blood everytime I shoot them and my friends at the rang think I'm mad, haha.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

It doesn't pinch the web of my hand Wallace but my hands are much smaller than yours. It was the original design for the 1911 and was only changed to make it easier to manufacture. I don't know if you can use them in the Wild Bunch matches but they do make grip safeties with a longer hand protector, some are quite extreme in length. If I had to I would weld an extension on the safety you have. I don't like pain. I think the original hammers look so much better.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I was thinking of cutting the tip of the grip safety off with a thin Dremel cutting disc, welding a small extension piece in and filing it smooth. That should look original and stop the biteys. Alternately, putting a small cut half way through the hammer spur, spot heating it and bend it upwards a tad, welding it in the new position and clean up an file new grooves to match the originals.

[Texas by God]

Will the rules allow you to trim the hammer spur 1/16"? That's all it took to get a couple of 1927 Args to quit biting me.

[Mauser48]

:razz:I'd go for a springfield armory mil spec.

Edit: Guess I should have read through the whole thread

[Four Fingers of Death]

Will the rules allow you to trim the hammer spur 1/16"? That's all it took to get a couple of 1927 Args to quit biting me.

I suppose carefully done, it would be hard to spot. I don't need much, just a bit of clearance. I will have to have a good look at it. I have disobedient hands, I will proceed slowly, haha. The range is closed for the car races (we are on the side of Mt Panorama) and then I'm off on holidays, so the project will move to the back burner for awhile.

[Four Fingers of Death]

HaHa! I found another box of Ranger Ammo and the heavy duty Elastoplast Bandages, so the comparison test is on again tomorrow!

[Char-Gar]

The original USGI came with a short wide hammer and was not prone to bite the hand. The latter commercial hammers could bit the hand. Of all the ones I have owned, there was only one hand biter in the crowd. It was a circa 2005 Colt Government Model. I just took the hammer to a bench grinder and shorted it a smidge and then smoothed everything out and rounded the edges with a file and emery cloth. It has not bite me since. You have to look real close to see that is has been modified.

Here tis....

[Four Fingers of Death]

That will be the way to Char-Gar, thanks.

[Ausglock]

The range is closed for the car races (we are on the side of Mt Panorama).

Mate moved to Bathurst from Grafton last year. Joined Bathurst PC
Geoff Fischer.

[Multigunner]

Roll the web of your hand in under the tail of the grip safety. Its a very old trick I learned when I was carrying a Browning and a 1911A1. The 1911A1 never bit me but the Browning with no grip safety was constantly biting till I ran across the recommended method for avoiding this when using the 1911.

Its not so easy to do when drawing from a holster, but can be done with practice.