Sasquatch, I already have both volumes of the Kuhnhausen 1911 shop manuals , but am not familiar with Kuleck. What do the Kuleck manuals cover ?The M1911 Complete Assembly Guide by Walt Kuleck. Great reading if you ever plan to build one
For me it was a helpful guide when building my first 1911. Tips and helpful hints.Sasquatch, I already have both volumes of the Kuhnhausen 1911 shop manuals , but am not familiar with Kuleck. What do the Kuleck manuals cover ?
I disagree. From my experience the first thing to replace in a cheap 1911 is the fire control. Ironically the first thing most folks replace is a drop in barrel: even the lower quality barrels can typically "out shoot" the average person. You can mic the barrel and buy an semi custom bushing and guide rod and tighten up the front end with minimal investment. From what I have learned from the best smiths is an action job is the #1 modification for accuracy along with a trigger job. The action job starts by welding the rails and machining them for a tight but smooth fit with the slide, and then ensuring the barrel, link, hood, lockup is solid. I guess this sets a proper "smithed" custom apart from the rest.A word or two on parts swapping. If your gun budget is slim and you buy an entry level gun as a range toy, resist the temptation to put high end "upgrade" fire control parts in it. Save that money for ammo or reloading components and shoot your gun until the parts fail then consider "upgrades". You will very likely find the parts won't fail.
Well I'm definitely not going to take this 4.25 inch barrel gun and go shoot competitions with it so the first thing (which I try to do with all my guns) is to smooth up and or lighten the trigger if necessary. I'm sure this pistol I'm getting will out shoot me and thats just fine. I understand what you are saying, but I doubt I would even be able to tell a difference in my pistol shooting ability even if I did all that. Rifle....maybe, pistol ..no.I disagree. From my experience the first thing to replace in a cheap 1911 is the fire control. Ironically the first thing most folks replace is a drop in barrel: even the lower quality barrels can typically "out shoot" the average person. You can mic the barrel and buy an semi custom bushing and guide rod and tighten up the front end with minimal investment. From what I have learned from the best smiths is an action job is the #1 modification for accuracy along with a trigger job. The action job starts by welding the rails and machining them for a tight but smooth fit with the slide, and then ensuring the barrel, link, hood, lockup is solid. I guess this sets a proper "smithed" custom apart from the rest.
I will definitely shoot it a bunch before I do anything to it. But I was wondering about replacing the sights as thats the first thing about it I didn't like. I'm going to research that before I get it out being I have some time on my hands. Thanks for all the input, very much appreciated.Like Abby Normal posted above and at the risk of repeating myself
...... youtube .......
Why read a book when there is video you can pause , rewind, slow down or speed up right in front of you, doing step by step of all aspects of 1911 care ,cleaning, upgrades , modifications, etc..etc.. and not just 1911
just skip thru the youtube boobs and find the legit builders.
( actually some of the youtube-boobs are funny and you can learn what not to do )
AND don't modify anything till you have shot a few boxes of ammo. You'd be suprised how a 1911 can smooth itself out