Over 4 million M1911 pistols and variants have been produced over the years. It was an official service pistol in the United States for the vast majority of the 20th century, and due to its power and reliability, it remains a highly popular pistol.
Also, due to the fact that it was so widely used, there are still many M1911 pistols in circulation. Many owners come by stellar deals on high-quality handguns in surplus collections.
Also, due to the fact that many of these pistols are surplus pistols and have been owned before, select handgun parts are bound to fail sooner rather than later.
Here are three vital handgun parts to keep in your range bag so you can be better prepared, and use your time at the range more wisely.
Grip Screws
This ho-hum handgun part is nothing to get excited about, but the fact of the matter is that grip screws come loose and result in rattling scales.
Does that cripple the performance of a 1911? Not at all. In truth, it doesn’t hinder the categorical operation of the pistol whatsoever.
But, it is a distraction and it is very annoying to shoot a firearm with loose scales. That can potentially adversely affect your accuracy, too.
Keep a few grip screws in your bag as well as a screwdriver with a set of bits so you can be prepared for this minor inconvenience.
Extractors
Extractors are some of the more fragile parts of 1911 handguns (and other slide-action pistols, for that matter).
You can still shoot your pistol without them, but you won’t be able to use it as an autoloader. Compromised extractors or broken extractor springs will just cause jams.
One word to the wise, though: before you replace your extractors, clean them, and clean your chamber as well. Fouling is just as likely to interrupt feeding and cycling as old extractors are.
Recoil Springs
Recoil springs are a common cause of 1911 cycling issues. Oftentimes, kinked or fatigued recoil springs will fail to carry the kinetic energy necessary to reset the action.
You should keep a spare recoil spring in your range bag so you can make quick fixes if cycling becomes a problem.
Here’s another trick: don’t just carry a durable, high-quality replacement recoil spring. Get a recoil spring guide, too.
That will help prevent kinking and the fatiguing that results, extending the life of your 1911’s recoil spring and helping to ensure smoother, more reliable cycling.
Where Can You Get Handgun Parts like These?
Visit SARCO, Inc., online at SarcoInc.com for a wide range of handgun parts including the M1911 parts listed here. SARCO Inc. also carries pistol parts kits and build kits for a wide range of popular pistols – including popular Glocks such as the Glock 17 and Glock 19.
Whether you’re looking for a corrosion-resistant, stainless steel recoil spring or some night sights to update your concealed carry pistol, SARCO, Inc., is your best choice. Visit their website or their location in Easton, Pennsylvania today for more information.
