1911 series 80 mod

[WildBill]

I did a little work on my Colt yesterday, finished up this morning and have all these parts left over

Did some work on the sear and hammer-hooks and installed an oversized medium-length Harrison trigger to replace the extra-long Colt trigger. I botched the trigger-fit ever so slightly - a tiny vertical wiggle - but now the trigger-pull feels good. I think I'll indulge in some coffee :)

You did all of this before coffee? Now I'm really impressed!

[timdsmith72]

I did a little work on my Colt yesterday, finished up this morning and have all these parts left over

Did some work on the sear and hammer-hooks and installed an oversized medium-length Harrison trigger to replace the extra-long Colt trigger. I botched the trigger-fit ever so slightly - a tiny vertical wiggle - but now the trigger-pull feels good. I think I'll indulge in some coffee :)

You did all of this before coffee? Now I'm really impressed!

I can't even spell my name before coffee.

[Smokey613]

This was the first of many "mods" I made to my new Colt DE SS 10mm in 1987. :)

[WildBill]

I've done it for other people for years now but never had my own Series 80 until recently - I finally got tired of looking at it, so got it done out of pure guilt

You did all of this before coffee? Now I'm really impressed!

Hammer-hooks and sears seem to get teenier as the years pass, and the Sumatran I like does seem to make my hands move around a little, so...

For me it seems to happen with most small objects, not just gun parts. I like the Green Mountain Sumatran!

[WildBill]

You do know that a real connoisseur has to try Kopi Luwak at least once in their lifetime, right? I'm not even tempted, personally

I think I'll pass [LOL] on that one.
Maybe I'll try it after a glass of Chicha.

[flintknapper]

Good deal !

So you installed a 'frame slot filler'?

I've never heard of an incident where the sear slides over and blocks trigger movement, but it is possible.

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/ ... 13121.aspx

[rentz]

you sir are a braver man than I.
i havent tried anything on my 1911's for fear of screwing up the fitting, i had a hard enough time filing down sights to fit on an H&K

[flintknapper]

you sir are a braver man than I.
i havent tried anything on my 1911's for fear of screwing up the fitting, i had a hard enough time filing down sights to fit on an H&K

^^^^^ Wise Man!

There are certain things you can do to 'slick up' a 1911, but I don't recommend anyone mess with the hammer and sear UNLESS you understand exactly how they function, what proper 'mating/engagement' looks like and what the minimum measurements and angles should be.

To attain a 'smoother' trigger pull....a lot of hammers and sears need nothing more than a LIGHT polish, being careful not to change the primary or secondary angles of the sear or shorten the hammer hooks.

Reducing 'creep' (sear engagement) is quite another matter and you really need to know what you are doing or you will ruin parts and/or end up with an unsafe weapon.

It isn't out the realm of a gun owner/tinkerer/home smith, but it DOES involve having an excellent understanding of the relationship of the parts. A steady hand is required, certain tools and techniques are advised and a willingness to make small changes and check them (read reassemble the pistol numerous times).

Andy clearly knows what he is doing (though I'd never do anything before I had my coffee) , as do others here....but I am certain he would not recommend others do trigger work if you don't know what you are doing.

I don't know what else was done, but Andy removed some 80 Series parts (firing pin block), installed the correct frame slot filler and effectively made the pistol a 70 series. The parts he removed (while safety features) are known to create a little 'slack' in the trigger pull and also friction. No doubt, he ended up with a smoother trigger.

[Lena]

I have done all of mine that had these parts and yes it sure does help, the Para's seemed to benefit more than the Colts, just teeek the leaf springs engagement and a mainspring change will make a difference.

[flintknapper]

I have done all of mine that had these parts and yes it sure does help, the Para's seemed to benefit more than the Colts, just teeek the leaf springs engagement and a mainspring change will make a difference.

Yes, typically the Para's had 'stamped' parts with sharp edges, you can remove them, stone them and reinstall or buy better aftermarket parts, but I elected to remove them in my P-13.

If you just want a 'lighter' trigger pull, you can bend/tweak the sear spring (though there is a limit) and reduce the weight by a couple of pounds or more, but you need to leave enough pressure that the sear resets reliably. Some pistols have a 'gritty' trigger pull owing to a rough dis-connector or D/C bore in the slide. Another thing to look at.

[Lena]

Agreed on the Paras, mine are the older ones and most parts have been replaced and they have an excellent triggers, I started working on 1911's in the military along time ago and every little bit does help all out together quite a bit, most of my 1911s' are competition pistols and the triggers are nor carry triggers now, and would have to be worked some to make them back again and remove the triggers with the over travel stop and go back to a fitted trigger, ironically the best 1911 style trigger we ever had was on a P13. Which I traded for a LDA.

[flintknapper]

Agreed on the Paras, mine are the older ones and most parts have been replaced and they have an excellent triggers, I started working on 1911's in the military along time ago and every little bit does help all out together quite a bit, most of my 1911s' are competition pistols and the triggers are nor carry triggers now, and would have to be worked some to make them back again and remove the triggers with the over travel stop and go back to a fitted trigger, ironically the best 1911 style trigger we ever had was on a P13. Which I traded for a LDA.

Yes, my P-13 was made in '95 (Canadian) all stainless, has always been reliable. So much so...it is still my EDC (primary).

Daughter has a Para Carry '9', with LDA trigger which I love.

Looking at the mechanism (draw bar) it would appear fragile...but it has held up fine through many thousands of rounds.

Remington recently acquired 'Para', so I don't know if they will carry on any of the line or not. Probably the end of the LDA, which is IMO a remarkable trigger system. Combined with the other 1911 safety features, it is hard to imagine a 'safer' pistol to be carried.