[msjdgman]

Just to help get some discussions going, I thought I`d ask what everyones ideas are concerning mods to their GI`s or Mil Specs. I have a new Parkerized Govt .45 GI that I will probably keep stock for awhile other than perhaps changing out the small combat sights. My eyes are old enough that quick sight/target acquisition is a challenge. I know the combat sights are fine for a point and shoot close range situation should that scenario ever unfold....but a little bigger set of sights might also improve my odds. The only other mod I`ve thought of would be a trigger job. The stock trigger has quite a bit of creep, and has what feels like about a 6+ lb pull.

 

[ZeroTA]

It's all up to you. GI's and Mil-Specs are often used as base guns for full-on customs,but for some of the most common upgrades you can just move up to a Loaded.

I love the classic look of the GI. In your case,a trigger job and better sights might be all you need. Heinies or Novaks might look out of place though.

 

[gottripletsNC]

If its a GI, it has the infernal locking system in it, that comes with a 28lb mainspring in it. I'd either change the whole MSH with guts, or at least get new guts with a 23lb mainspring. Doing that alone smoothed up and dropped the trigger to acceptable limits for me.
Another thing I would do, but thats just me is a Beavertail. Standard grip safety eats up the webbing of my hand.

 

[msjdgman]

Thanks for the info on the mainspring tension. I`m a newbie to 1911`s (less than 1 year) and have a lot to learn yet. I didn`t realize the correlation between mainspring tension and trigger pull. The ILS part doesn`t matter to me...I could take it or leave it. But many others have discussed getting rid of it, and maybe it`s something I should try before spending exta cash on a trigger job...especially since MSH`s are realitively inexpensive.

 

[Bud White]

you can change the spring with a new Mainspring Cap and pin and not change the housing it will make it somewhat better but not a whole lot dont expect a 5# trigger to be 4# after words ..

 

[SpringerFan]

+1 to Bud's suggestion. Swapping out the Springfield ILS system for a standard MSH setup only takes a few minutes, but will reduce your trigger pull a bit, make it easier to disassemble your gun, and also give you the option of replacing your MSH to use an aftermarket one (for example, I was recently looking at an Ed Brown MSH, with 25 lpi checkering, which is much nicer than the factory MSH).

Another nice option is to install a trigger pull reduction kit. These can usually be done yourself, and will replace your hammer, sear, disconnector, and sear spring. You can get kits that drop your trigger pull to anywhere from 3.5 to 5.5 pounds, though I personally wouldn't go less than 4 pounds except on a pure competition pistol. Cylinder & Slide sells quality kits. A word to the wise: they are not 100% "drop-in", no matter how they are advertised. If you install one, usually there will be some kind of side effect, for example, your thumb safety or other related parts may have to be refit to work with the new parts.

 

[g19erusa]

I have a Micro-Compact G.I. and the only mod I have made was to have a local Gunsmith install a slightly more "open" rear sight. The weapon still looks G.I. but now I can at least see more of what I'm shooting at.

g19erusa

 

[SA4ever]

I'm leaving my SA GI mostly stock for nostalgic reasons (it's a lot like the ones I carried in the Army). I did replace the grip panels with the brown plastic ones and will probably replace the ILS when I get around to it.

I just bought it for fun, anyway. For social purposes, I carry my TRP.

 

[K9stang]

I actually sold the GI and later bought a Mil-spac, just couldn't see those sights.

 

[msjdgman]

other than the couple modifications we`ve discussed above...what`s not to love about the classic lines of this fine weapon?

 

[brahmabull8413]

My goal for next year is to get a GI to send off to Cylinder & Slide for their R&D pistol. I know for the cost you can get into some really nice similar guns, but I love C&S's work. Look's like a great pistol.

 

[Reconvic]

I have in most of my 1911 all C& S parts, Sear, hammer and Struts and Sear Spring. I do it myself but there parts are actually really drop in and of very high
Quality.

 

[Bud White]

C&S is as close to dropin as it gets for sure .. Only C&S kit i have used so far went right in no mods ..

 

[Reconvic]

Same here Bud and I use there parts in all my 1911's

 

[El Pistolero]

C&S is definitely a great way to go for drop in ignition parts. Well, they are great at anyting they make actually.

 

[msjdgman]

I`m home this afternoon, down with the crud, and got to doing a little research. On my new GI full size, I`ve been giving serious consideration to changing the MSH guts to a lighter set up, perhaps a 23 lb set up or maybe even as light as 19 lb. But I`m also thinking for now I`ll just keep the factory ILS MSH. I like the arched MSH anyways and I`m a cheap SOB. If you all convince me to just change out the whole ILS MSH for an aftermarket setup, do the offerings come complete? or do I also need the individual components in addition to the new MSH? In my efforts to research what all I would need, I`ve become rather confused (easy to do for me:hairpull. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would really appreciate the help.

 

[gandog56]

I've had three mods done. An adjustable trigger and skeleton hammer put in, a Wilson Combat Match Grade barrel after a slight reloading mishap, (fortunately I only got a bulged barrel), and a set of Crimson Trace Laser Grips because my old eyes refuse to focus on that tiny front sight. The match grade barrel itself about halved my group size, and the Laser Grips gave me more consistent groups. The trigger and hammer was a mere cosmetic thing.