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Parts Question - Work Up on USGI 1911A1

580 views 18 replies 10 participants last post by  Grizzlygunner999  
#1 ·
Hey, everyone! I like to dabble in collecting military sidearms, most of which I don’t shoot. I recently picked up another CMP 1911 that would be a great shooter candidate to do some work on. I intend to start with the USGI stripped 1911A1 receiver and stripped slide. I’ll admit, I love collecting 1911’s, but I know little about working on them.

My question: If I were to go on Wilson Combat’s website, as an example, and buy every single part I need to complete a stripped receiver and slide, are there any particular parts I should be looking for as far as compatibility for a USGI 1911A1? I do understand that certain parts usually need hand fit and I know a lot of stuff is personal preference too. An example, there are 16 1911 grip safeties to choose from on the Wilson Combat sight.

Please don’t roast me haha. Thanks for all the input!
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#4 ·
Ask some of the custom builders if they have take off parts from a Colt gov't, that they would sell or donate to the project.
There should be a bunch of Colt bbl's sitting in these guys parts bins from builds over they years
Just a thought
 
#5 ·
If you want to build a restored USGI gun, I would highly recommend buying old USGI parts. Lots of them at gunshows and Ebay. Get a few books and (Poyers is a start) and start accumulating.
 
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#7 ·
Whats your final vision of this build? USGI build (Original design) or a Custom vision take on it.
Depending on what grip safety and sights you choose,you may need to cut frame tangs and cut sight dovetails
on slide.And if your wanting a new barrel,you'll need to have one fitted to that gun.
Everything else can be done at home with slight fitting of some parts.
 
#9 ·
It's only original once. A collector on down the road will curse you for altering it.
 
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#18 ·
Hmmm, far be it from me too tell someone what too do with there pile of parts..... So I will just make this segestion. Keep it all USGI because you have the USGI frame and do all the careful hand fitting of a custom pistol you would be surprised how good your pile of parts and the end result becomes. Case in point here is my junk box parts pistol using cast offs from buddies swapping out parts for better condition parts and one or two gunshow pick ups along the way all fitted together.
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The small parts are mostly USGI I'm assuming, except the frame I know with 100% certainly that the slide is a 50's Colt USGI replacement, barrel is a 60's Colt chrome lined replacement and the G/S is also a USGI Colt replacement. Everything fits snug as a bug, slide on frame retracts and goes into battery just as slick as you please. Well you get the point, I could go on and on......... Build you a stocker that's a shocker!