New grips

[Brad]

Decided I was ready to get rid of the rubber grips that came on my 1911. They just don't have the gription I want.
Decided to go with some from VZ Grips.
These aren't sharp enough to hurt but they do stick to the palm way better than the Pachs did.

 

[Ian]

Nice. When you get your mill you can touch-off a couple thousandths from the bottom of the screw holes and make the slots line up.

 

[Brad]

I tried but don't want to take a chance of cracking anything.

 

[Creeker]

Looking sharp. No pun intended.

 

[freebullet]

Nice! Now for the trigger, ejector, & extractor if it's anything like the colt I had.

 

[Pistolero]

Look nice, Brad.

Bill

 

[smokeywolf]

I tried but don't want to take a chance of cracking anything.

Like everything else, "risk vs reward" applies also to machining.

Nice looking 1911 Brad.

I've always had a soft spot for the 1911. Started shooting a 1917 manufactured Colt 1911 at age 9. Carried that same pistol throughout my years in law enforcement. Never had the desire nor felt the need to accurize it. Range Master at Ventura Police Range asked me one time, if I'd put an accurizer barrel and bushing in it. Told him nope, it's bone stock. He said, "Don't change a thing".

 

[Pistolero]

I hope you still have that fine machine, smokeywolf. A friend has one like it that her
grandfather carried in WW1. She enjoyed shooting it, but eventually broke an extractor.
I installed a new one, and suggested that she shoot it a bit less often as it passed the century
mark. She purchased a Ruger SR1911 which she enjoys shooting. Also at my suggestion, she
purchased a Ruger .22/45 for more affordable and lower recoil practice.

Fine old gun, sir. Thanks for the story.

Bill

 

[Ian]

The 1911 was an intuitive choice for me, not sure why. Jeff Cooper may or may not have influenced me through his writings. I didn't get to shoot one until my late teens, but it was and is everything I ever wanted in a sidearm. I have four of them in three calibers and will probably fill the .45 ACP full-size, all steel niche with a RIA one day.

 

[Pistolero]

I competed with the 1911 for over 30 years in IPSC, own a number of them and carry one
every day. That should tell you something.
If you can ever manage to scrape together $1400 to $1500, the Pointman 7 Dan Wesson
can be a lifetime solution to the 1911 itch. People imagine that DW 1911s are competitors of
the Kimbers and the Springfield Armory guns. This is way off base. Their competition is
Les Baer, Bill Wilson and Nighthawk Custom guns -- really. I own a matched pair of Wilson
LE Comps, one in .45 ACP and one in .38 Super, and a couple of Dan Wessons. The DWs
are every bit the gun that the twice as expensive Wilson custom guns are.

Bill

 

[smokeywolf]

While I don't fancy ambidextrous safeties, would like to get a hands-on look at a S & W Performance Center 4.25" 1911 one of these days.

 

[Winelover]

Not coming standard with ambi safeties is one of the reasons I don't gravitate towards 1911's. I'm surprised Ian does, IIRC...........he is a southpaw, like I am.

 

[Ian]

John, I either buy Kimbers or fit my own Ed Brown or WC ambidextrous thumb safeties. All the other operational controls are well suited to lh operation just as they are.....and in a pinch I DO still have a perfectly good right hand.

 

[Winelover]

Too many other semi-autos on the market that don't require thumb safeties, to warrant the extra cost of adding one. I own one 1911 style pistol.......a Browning HP and I went through the added expense of putting an ambi on. The main reason I don't like the 1911's are the fact that they are SA, which require safeties and slide stop levers, that only add to the excessive girth of the piece. With the exception of my Ruger Mark II...................every centerfire semi auto pistols, I own, is DOA. With the Mark II, I don't use the safety, just keep the chamber empty till I'm ready to fire...........it's either that or reach over with the right hand and make it safe. PITA

 

[Ian]

Difference of opinion makes good horse racing and a diverse handgun market. I cant see how you can say the side safety adds to girth, though, since the clubby, brick-like standard form of the dao also will have a slide lock lever and be about .100" wider or more in width.

 

[Intheshop]

Brad,a small shop vac will suffice on your new mill for wood.The nozzle can be cut to fit around mill tooling. That's where I stop but..... the next level would see clear lexan shield around the vise,clipped or bolted to Tee slots. I wouldn't make a career of it but it isn't that bad.Revolver grip "inletting" is down right child's play on a vert mill BTW.

 

[waco]

My only 1911 to date is my 5” Kimber. I got it about 20 years ago brand new for $599

 

[John]

Waco, I have it's twin, for the same price. I just had to mentally go back to be sure it was 20 years.

 

[Pistolero]

I have a pair of those, too.

Kimber Classic Custom, or Custom Classic, I always forget. I bought my 1st about '99, IIRC. Used by a
co-competitor for about 3-400 rds, then to me. I put a 2 lb trigger on it and competed with it for
about 35-40,000 rds worth. Very reliable gun. Have added green fiber optic front sight to help
my old eyes. Brad handled it, may have shot it, not sure. No broken parts, runs like a train.

Since it was "used" I only paid $400. I still grin about that deal.

I like it. Bought a backup about three years ago, a Clackamuas gun., very early.

Bill

 

[JonB]

I have been considering the $29 ebay buffalo bone grips for my 1911.
My RIA 38 super came with smooth wood grips, I'm not crazy about them...but I should add, I still haven't shot that gun yet...I should shoot it, before I order new grips, right?

Image borrowed from that ebay seller