Let me add on... Yes. What a refreshing little corner of TH-cam you have here. No attitude. No heavy metal background music. No super slo-mo’s. It’s like going over to your knowledgeable neighbors house on a Saturday afternoon. Thank you for all your years in LE too. Congrats on the new puppy. They certainly leave a empty space when they leave us...
What a pleasure to be educated by a softspoken, normal person. No nervewrecking gestures, no exhalted shouting, a pleasant voice that explains why yo do what...thank you sir..!
I enjoy these videos so much. No rushing. No bravado and nothing but a calm and patient tone. This is the third one I have watched. I have learned more from these videos than most any of the rest.
Thank you again for removing all the hype from "tuning" the 1911. I really love your videos. I learn so much from them. A cautionary tale about removing too much metal. My nephew "worked" on his 1911. He handed it to me without any words of caution and I was remiss for not dry firing an unfamiliar gun first. Anyway, the first shot "doubled" on me because I was not prepared and the second bullet went off into the air. I literally was worried that I might soon hear sirens even though the nearest house was a half mile away. I say NEVER EVER go below 3 to 4 lbs on any single action trigger. That's my rule for what it's worth. Again, great video!
Great video. You can read in books about these procedures, but having someone thoroughly explain while demonstrating the finesse needed makes a huge difference. I also tried your Clam Chowder recipe, and it is indeed most excellent. Thank you sir!
GB I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to see your boyish proud smile speaking of your puppy! And I also love when you expose the "super secret gun wizards" that have built up the theatre of magic to work on guns. Thank you for this valuable service to our community.
First video I've ever seen perfectly illustrating why you *don't* need to spend Wilson combat money on a 1911 trigger when you can clean the one you've got yourself at home. The algorithm hasn't presented your channel to me until randomly showing up in my feed today, and I've spent an entire day off watching 11 of your videos back to back. About jumped out of my seat hearing a kindred spirit talk about the gun cleaning nonsense I too have told people for decades they were wasting their time with! Will definitely be helping out with as many views possible in my spare time!
Subscriber here from the Far East 😊!.. WHERE the 1911 was First conceived!😊😁👍 Thank you very much Sir for imparting your valueble lessons. Am 75- now and have been carrying 1911s in All its configurations since a teener...and it seems it will take a Lifetime to learn everything there is about a 1911🙏
So glad to see you tell folks not to pull the spring out. I had a “gunsmith” pull out the spring on my delta elite right in front of me (which is two nested springs). I needed to cinch the ends again when I got home. Great video!
A friend of mine purchased a Series 70 Colt 1911. We shot it about 250 times, after which he disassembled and "cleand" it. At the next range session, the gun would jam after every shot. Turns out he had put the main spring in backward. After putting it back in correctly, the gun ran flawlessly again.
Thank you again Mr. GunBlue! I picked up a used Ruger SR1911 about a year ago. I've had all sorts of problems with the trigger. Sometimes it breaks a little over 4 lbs, sometimes closer to 8. When I saw your 3 way leaf spring compared to mine, I knew I had found my problem. Someone had attempted a "trigger job" in the past, complete with pliers jaw marks on the spring. I took my time and gently coaxed it til it looked like yours. Now the trigger breaks crisp and consistent at just under 4 lbs. I'm a patreon subscriber, but I know I'm getting the better end of the deal. Your videos have saved my thousands of dollars over the years. On this channel, I have learned how to epoxy bed rifles, accurize my M1A and Mini 14, disassemble and replace broken parts in my old 586 S&W, bullet casting, countless reloading tips, and so much more. Every time I see you in that Central Grocery apron, I know I'm about to learn something new. I love the cartridge talks too; 35 Whelen was my favorite.
I was a very fortunate lad when I was getting into firearms (8/9 years old) my grandfather’s friend whom was a master armorer a started letting me watch and help him. One of the firearms he worked on the most was 1911s mostly trigger works.😊😊 love your work Sir.
In my opinion:You might learn more in a plumbing class or locksmithing. There's nothing mythical or magical about the mortis & cam lock piece of bullet plumbing on a handle bar the 1911 is. As soon as you realize it, all the magical realism goes away. Armors just replace bad parts & do maintenance. Gunsmith is a person who attempts to improve a particular part or design with less education than the manufacturer's engineer relying on experience more than anything.
@opinionsvary yup but I spent the last 28 years as a licensed gun Smith. But all was because someone who was willing to help out a young man whom was interested in firearms
Your advice to remember the grip safety while measuring pull - might seem unnecessary, but I have had a moderately experienced gunsmith forget in front of me, during a pull check. Good point.
I agree. It would be most appreciated to have you demonstrate & explain what you would choose to do to elevate the action of a less expensive weapon for those of us who can’t afford the$750 & up models! This my first time watching your video and I thank you👍👏
Ummmm Kalan... He's starting with a Colt Gold Cup National Match. It doesn't need much tuning if any to begin with it semi-custom shop model for certain steps.
@@spartacus7646 I'm aware that it didn't need much tuning. That's why I was suggesting he use a more accessibly priced, lower quality 1911 and use his skills to improve it to the best it can be. That type of content could help a lot of people and would also be a great help to the 1911 platform.
The Tisas Remington Rand clones are considered "very good copies" by 1911 collectors and the CMP now has a cobranded model that they signed their name to. I said Rock Island in my first suggestion, but maybe a CMP Tisas would be the more appropriate baseline. If he can turn a CMP Tisas into a "National Match", he'd be doing God's work for the 1911.
Your 1911 videos are bye far the best on TH-cam! Watched one you made from 7 years ago that helped me put my 1911 back toghter and functioning ! Stayed with someone else is video and it left out some key things ! Glad I found your videos ! Have a Blessed day !
Excellent video, brings back old memories of back during the mid 1970''s. My first 1911 was a pre 70 Colt National Match. It was a fantastic 1911. I had it for a few years and shot bulls eye league a number of years. I lost interest and sold it. Big regret and I still regret I sold it. A few years later I decided I was going to shot bulls eye league again and purchased a Colt series 70 Gold cup and was unhappy with the trigger pull. Back in those days there was no internet and pretty much went by others experiences with their 1911's. I decided to do my own trigger job and was not brave enough and not sure what trigger parts to stone so I decided to try bending the fingers on the spring. Well I took my Gold cup to the range to test fire it and loaded up 5 rounds and pulled the trigger and my gun went full auto. Went back home and bent the spring back to what I thought it was before I messed with it. Going full auto scared the crap out of me and was my first and last attempt at a trigger job. I wish there was a video like the excellent video you posted. Great job on this and all your videos.
Thank you for the class. I received a 1911 about a month ago, and 100 rounds in I can tell I am already addicted. Glad you enjoyed your holidays and God bless.
I use an about 3 year old popsicle stick for the thumb safety plunger that works fantastic for installing the thumb safety and you never miss the plunger because it's just wide enough. Also works great when installing the extractor to align the notch and clocking all in one go. Greatest free tool for a 1911 ever.
It is a real pleasure to watch your videos! I can't thank you enough. Yesterday I went to the range with my Mini-14 and I had my tablet with your excellent video in front of me. I followed through as if you were in my house. No music, no distraction, just sharing your vast knowledge, I have no words to express my gratitude...Thank you, Sir!
Subscribed. When I was apprenticing I was amazed at how often the smith would tell me to look something up on TH-cam. Usually it was for reference on assembly and disassembly, but he also recommended watching for videos like this because you never know it all. He’s been a smith for probably 40 years and still learns from others. I find myself learning the same way now in my own shop. Thank you.
Accurate information delivered in an intelligent manner - very much appreciated. Nice to hear it delivered with no accent too - I'm a NH transplant in CA for now.
OMG, I don't expect you to see my comments to this insightful video So articulate, so professional and WOW your down to Earth family ideals are refreshing! Thank you for your for your TH-cam channel!! God Bless!
Thanks brother great to hear Murphy is doing well my boy Cole is laying in front of me as i wright this 3 years old now, i have a Colt 1911 Combat Target made one year like 96 or 97 looks like a Gold Cup but no NM barrel or royal blue love it a gift from my Wife of 50 years, im gonna pull it apart and look at the trigger parts thanks for the class . God Bless
Thank you so much for such well presented, informative videos. I'm down in South Africa with a Norinco 1911 I got in 1991. Everybody down here is all about 9mm hi-cap now, I don't know anyone else with whom I can discuss my choice of firearm. It's really great to get down-to-earth advice on how to make my shooting experience better. I look forward to every time you drop a new video. :)
@charlesatkinson4053 With most of my polymer-loving friends, I have learned to avoid discussing 1911s altogether and to keep conversation centered around relatively safe topics like politics and religion.
Congratulations on your Norinco 1911. There was a lot of talk back in the 80s and 90s about Norinco and Polytech products being "Chinese Junk." I have sense heard that the steel in their products is fantastic.
@CharlesRushing-ck2qm well, it's been 34 years, and nothing has broken at all. :) Sure, it's not match grade, things are what they call a 'rattling good fit' but it's reliable and I don't think any mass-produced Colt used by the military would be any better. Norinco was pretty popular around here during that era, and I never saw any articles or reports of issues. Seemed fine to me, but I guess it's natural to distrust some of the Chinese goods especially back then.
I thank you for takiing the time to explain and demonstrate this procedure. I have a Colt 1911 and it has a trigger pull of 5lbs. I am going to apply your methods and hopefully get it to the 3.5 lb sweet spot. I bought it used and have added several Wilson Combat parts including the sear and disconnect, plus the main spring. The parts have a much finer finish than the originals and are supposed to be made of superior metal and manufacturing technics. It is a beautiful pistol that I've always wanted. Now the only thing left is to tune the trigger weight. I appreciate you and can tell you are a decent and respectable man from, 'The Old School.' I know you must have been a great employee, a great husband, father and grandfather. I would welcome anyone like you to be my neighbor. I sure do miss, The 'Old Days,' when , as Archie Bunker used to say, "When girls were girls, and men were men." God bless and take good care.
I don't think it can be said enough, but thank you sir for the very informative instructional videos. I have a Ruger Mini-30 that has an absolutely wonderful trigger now thanks to your shared info. My 1911 will probably have one too pretty soon. Thanks again
Dan's Whetstone has a novaculite quarry and produces many different shapes of stones. I've used one specialty stone on my Lee 5-stage press where I was having a hang-up. Cleaned the issue right up! Love these stones!
Glad I happened across the channel. I had installed a cylinder & slide trigger kit in my 1911 awhile back. Had meant to tweak the sear spring and never thought anymore about until I watched your video. Hit pause and did that. Can't wait to shoot it tomorrow.
"Don't be lured into spending thousands of dollars unnecessarily on a so-called custom gun to get a nicely tuned trigger!" I just picked up the new 5" Tisas double stack 1911 and it had a 7lb trigger out of the box with a really nice break. I was surprised when the scale said 7lbs because it felt so much lighter than that. Thanks to your video and a few minutes tuning the spring and reducing the sharpness of the various contact points you mentioned with my 4" Arkansas stone it is now a very nice 4.5lbs. I could go lower, but I plan to carry this gun sometimes and I am extremely satisfied already. I thank you sir for making such informative videos and cutting through the bs and bad information that is prevalent in the gun tinkering community. I have been subbed to your channel since the first video I watched quite a few years ago. It was easy to tell that you really know your stuff and you are a man to pay attention to when you speak on authority. Enjoy the new pup!
❤ I enjoyed watching this episode very much. I bought a Kimber Custom ll back in 1995 I think and outta the box it had a 2.6 lbs so smooth. I think the pull is less now but I have not checked it in years. Most accurate 1911 I have ever had or shot.
Thank you for the video. We just got a new pup, he's a 9 week old Lab. He's adorable and a handful but very good and sweet too. He'll make an amazing hunting dog I can tell.
For holding the plunger for the thumb safety,... for 30 years I've used my "Widget", helps with the recoil plug on one end and the flat end for the safety. BTW love your videos, I've learned a lot!
Got a Springfield, 10mm. Saw that all the internals were cast with a plastic trigger blade. I bought a high-grip WilsonCombat beaver tail and filed the frame to blend it. Factory trigger was over 5 pounds. I'll get the sear right once the frame gets back from getting DLC and shoot for 3.25 lbs or so. Thanks for the great videos.
I own a 1954 National Match Colt. Sweet trigger. Suggestion: go to Harbor Freight (or on line), and buy a 4" and 6" magnetic metal bowls. They work well for holding your metal parts as you disassemble firearms or similar objects. They won't roll of or disappear as you work on the piece.
Now Harbor Freight has blue silicone parts organizers. They have several sizes and they all have several compartments. Game changer. Especially because I never have to worry about parts being magnetized by accident.
Great video! You inspired me to do a trigger job on my new GCNM. When I got it, the trigger was heavy..right from the factory at just over 6 lbs! Terrible for a match pistol. I was going to bring it to an expert 1911 tuner and it would have cost $185. I did the job tonight and did about 3 spring adjustments until I got down to just under 4lbs. Amazing what can be done with the existing parts! Thank you!
Really appreciate this video. It amazes me how some companies sell you on their trigger jobs. I wont name names but when I see the actual work they do it looks like their idea of stoning and polishing is to go bananas with the dremel tool. Grinding away areas that make no contact. Or simply cant be felt. And ive never heard someone discuss the breaking the edge off the sear. Its always "you have to buy this jig and reface the sear and shave the hammer hooks to the point that they are non existent. And the mechanics of it all just didnt make sense. Thank you for this video. It really proves that some times the simplest solution is the best solution and that you can overwork a part. Im going to be following these steps with a gun that just needs a tuning. Not a rebuilding. This helped tremendously. Thank you.
I’ve seen many people complain of their trigger pull and have found the sear was completely dry of oil. Less than half a drop of oil makes a difference
One suggestion: a still shot of the leaf spring's orientation when you've got it bent to where you want it would have been helpful. Other than that, good info!
I'm very happy you are enjoying your new dog, Murphy. I hope you have many enjoyable years to come with him. Enjoy every stage of his development as he grows. God Bless!
I just followed this video and did a trigger job on a new Colt 1911 Competition. Reduced trigger weight by two pounds; down to 4 pounds and exptremely smooth. The sear and disconnector needed your stoning.
Didn't know you built computers too! It's awesome to see an older guy who's tech savvy and it reflects in your videos/production quality. Especially the audio, drone footage etc. People underestimate how important audio is, it's honestly more important than the picture quality in most aspects and I'm still trying to figure it out myself
Thank you for this very informative video. I just bought my first 1911 (Springfield Ronin 10mm). I am trying to understand as much about my new gun as possible. At this point, I'm very happy with the trigger. Honestly, I wouldn't trust myself to attempt this delicate trigger work after watching one video. Luckily, my range has a great gunsmith. Take care and Happy New Year!
Thankyou for passing this knowledge. I know from personal experience with a person in my life that very knowledgeable guys can sometimes be called back home sooner than you might think taking that knowledge with them.
Outstanding video. Been a 1911 fan all my life, best fighting pistol in my book, own three but now thinking about a Gold cup like yours. Rangers Lead The Way
Very nicely done, I was surprised when you said you can build computers, I am close to you age and seems like most men in our age group know very little about computers, so good for you. For me anything less than 3.5 lb. Trigger pull on a 1911 is almost dangerous, that's about what mine is and I've had other people shoot it and they often fire 2 rounds by accident because of the recoil and short reset of the trigger.
I agree. Maybe for a range gun. Never for a carry gun. I am happy at 6 lbs or more. One you start shooting, you forget about the trigger. I even forget to hate Glock triggers once I'm blasting though a mag. And I have a beautiful 1911 that I love...!
Awesome video and good instruction to. I have the same 1911 and its a very nice Colt. Out of the box mine was pulling at 5 pounds and Colt said 4 to 4 1/2 pounds. I didn't want to send it back so I did a trigger job and know it pulls at 3 /12 pounds. That Murphy has Brighton your life. Happy New Year!
Great tutorial! And except for the disconnector polIsh I followed this exact procedure a few years ago based on info from Jim Clark, on my Colt Series 70 and also ended up with a very smooth 3.5 lb break. Ross Seyfried correctly says that the proper pull should feel like snapping a thin 1/4 icicle, and that’s a good description. That’s a gorgeous stock NM pistol you have there, and I wish I knew about those rampant Colt double diamond grips as I would have tried to snag some for my 1978 Series 70 years ago! I appreciate your clear presentation, as it confirms the way I did it but adds even more good detail (although I took way longer than you!). Thank you. 🙏
Enjoyed the video. When working on 1911s I'll also pull out the trigger. I use crocus cloth to remove any rough edges on the top and bottom of the trigger bow. Also polish the flat back that bears on the disconnecter. Top and bottom of the trigger that ride in the frame should also be smooth. Check the channel in the frame for burs or rough spots. This won't really affect pull weight, but can improve the feel of the trigger.
I can tell bye the look on your face and your attitude that puppy has already made a big impact on your life and im sure your wife as well good for you guys
I can't tell you how many times a pistol bench block has come in handy for disassembly and assembly of pistols/ar lowers/lever guns etc. It's also nice that it has sections with magnets in it to hold pins/screws/etc. Excellent video though, thanks! Will definitely use this for a reference later on.
Bravo: Another clean and straightforward instructional video, avoiding all the BS and keeping to the basics. Some people make this look and sound like some sort of voodoo, but you Sir keep it simple and give great explanations of functionality and the process. Thank you!
Thank you sir for this video ! I love to tinker and see how things work and have recently took my 1911 completely apart. It is a little intimidating, but just take your time and you can do it. Never messed with the trigger , yet.
Aww man at that point I wouldn't be able to resist doing some in-home trigger tuning. Light tuning of course. As we all know, ya can always take a little more off but ya cant put it back on. Once I take my pistols apart I start "the critical eye" phase of the process. Haha Just can't help but tinker.
While you are presenting some ideas that may be useful for a slight improvement for the do it yourself individual for a one off pistol, for consistent results from a professional standpoint much of the information is wrong. It would also be much honest to reveal that you are not working on a stock pistol since at least the trigger, sear, and sear spring have already been replaced in the pistol.
Nice piece of equipment and nice demonstration on how to tune up a perfect trigger. I won a 1911 Wilson Combat CQB Elite, I am very happy with everything is in it. Nice and smooth yet nothing rattles.
Good video but I'm surprised while the gun was broke down that far you didn't pop the trigger out and check for burs and dirt in the channel the trigger bow rides in. I have often found that channel to have burs and left over metal shaving and dirt from the manufacturing process on assembly line 1911's.
Sounds like you were an NRA conventional bullseye competitor. For EIC hardball match 45s shooting 230 gr roundnose full loads, minimum trigger pull used to be 4 lb. For 45 wadcutter conventional guns shooting light loads, minimum trigger pull was 3.5 lbs. I stopped comp shooting about the time they started allowing 9mm Berettas to be fired for EIC matches. Excellent video on what match 1911s were ... especially Colt Series 70. Beautiful gun. Mine all look like hell from jostling around in a gun box for years. I have yet to see any plastic wonder 9 outshoot a 1911. I don't know if the AMU has ever attained 45 accuracy with a P235. I know it took about 4 years of development for Berettas to be competitive with 1911s, in the hands of AMU shooters.
Excellent video. I would like to point out a consideration for assembly and disassembly of match guns where the barrel and bushing are hand fit with both parts being slightly vertically oblong. The oblong allows the barrel to be pulled down by the link freely but maintain a tighter than normal side play thereby reducing windage errors. When barrel and bushing are oblong, use the "setback" method to remove and reinstall the bushing. Instead of locking the slide in place, open the slide by about 1/2 to 5/8ths of an inch. Moving the bushing down the barrel a little ensures the bushing is on a thinner part of the barrel where there is no oblong. Otherwise, you will be opening up the oblong to the detrement of windage precision. The opposite is true when installing the bushing. Difficult? Yes. Worth it? Yes. Basically, never twist a bushing with the slide in battery if you have a hand fit barrel and bushing.
Just happened to come across this TH-cam channel and I am glad I did. Definitely subscribing. This was a great tutorial on tuning the trigger on a 1911. I will certainly give it a try. Thanks.
Such a pleasure to learn from you! Great work! I would have to agree, great to listen to very refreshing. You can feel the knowledge as you walk us through.
You certainly look like a new man with the new pup around. Very happy for you. Any chance of a video going in depth about triggers? Such As appropriate pull weights and if aftermarket triggers are worth it?
Good idea. Have you seen his video on revolver pull weight and travel yet? This one: How to choose a defensive handgun watch?v=8rRmJtdg7qo I think a video on automatics, rifles and the use cases would make decisions easier. A lot of after market triggers sell what the customers heard they need. The very short reset on auto pistols is chased like a fox in the last few years. Unwanted doubles, quicker shots but more dispersed and not resetting the trigger when using other pistols can be the result. There a roles for all sorts of triggers, some can make use of less than 1kg, some 100g triggers in niche competition. Feel and weight is not the same, some triggers move straight back, some on an incline, distance to the trigger, shape, surface. The question might be when to get one. Some 'heavy' triggers 3-6kg on autos show some negative influences a very light trigger may mask. The good thing of some aftermarket 'drop in' triggers is you probably can go back to stock.
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Let me add on... Yes. What a refreshing little corner of TH-cam you have here. No attitude. No heavy metal background music. No super slo-mo’s. It’s like going over to your knowledgeable neighbors house on a Saturday afternoon. Thank you for all your years in LE too. Congrats on the new puppy. They certainly leave a empty space when they leave us...
What a pleasure to be educated by a softspoken, normal person. No nervewrecking gestures, no exhalted shouting, a pleasant voice that explains why yo do what...thank you sir..!
I enjoy these videos so much. No rushing. No bravado and nothing but a calm and patient tone. This is the third one I have watched. I have learned more from these videos than most any of the rest.
'The stone in your shoe'. Excellent way of putting it.
Thank you again for removing all the hype from "tuning" the 1911. I really love your videos. I learn so much from them. A cautionary tale about removing too much metal. My nephew "worked" on his 1911. He handed it to me without any words of caution and I was remiss for not dry firing an unfamiliar gun first. Anyway, the first shot "doubled" on me because I was not prepared and the second bullet went off into the air. I literally was worried that I might soon hear sirens even though the nearest house was a half mile away. I say NEVER EVER go below 3 to 4 lbs on any single action trigger. That's my rule for what it's worth. Again, great video!
Great video.
You can read in books about these procedures, but having someone thoroughly explain while demonstrating the finesse needed makes a huge difference.
I also tried your Clam Chowder recipe, and it is indeed most excellent. Thank you sir!
GB I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to see your boyish proud smile speaking of your puppy!
And I also love when you expose the "super secret gun wizards" that have built up the theatre of magic to work on guns. Thank you for this valuable service to our community.
First video I've ever seen perfectly illustrating why you *don't* need to spend Wilson combat money on a 1911 trigger when you can clean the one you've got yourself at home. The algorithm hasn't presented your channel to me until randomly showing up in my feed today, and I've spent an entire day off watching 11 of your videos back to back. About jumped out of my seat hearing a kindred spirit talk about the gun cleaning nonsense I too have told people for decades they were wasting their time with! Will definitely be helping out with as many views possible in my spare time!
Between the knowledge and the gentle grandfatherly manner of explaining, I truly enjoyed this video. Thank you sir!
Subscriber here from the Far East 😊!..
WHERE the 1911 was First conceived!😊😁👍
Thank you very much Sir for imparting your valueble lessons.
Am 75- now and have been carrying 1911s in All its configurations since a teener...and it seems it will take a Lifetime to learn everything there is about a 1911🙏
Glad to hear Murphy is adjusting well to his new home! He’s a cute little fella!
Hope you have a great 2024!
Great instructions and great delivery, watching this was like being an apprentice to a master gun smith.
So glad to see you tell folks not to pull the spring out. I had a “gunsmith” pull out the spring on my delta elite right in front of me (which is two nested springs). I needed to cinch the ends again when I got home. Great video!
Brought to you by Dremel.
A friend of mine purchased a Series 70 Colt 1911. We shot it about 250 times, after which he disassembled and "cleand" it. At the next range session, the gun would jam after every shot. Turns out he had put the main spring in backward. After putting it back in correctly, the gun ran flawlessly again.
Thank you again Mr. GunBlue! I picked up a used Ruger SR1911 about a year ago. I've had all sorts of problems with the trigger. Sometimes it breaks a little over 4 lbs, sometimes closer to 8. When I saw your 3 way leaf spring compared to mine, I knew I had found my problem. Someone had attempted a "trigger job" in the past, complete with pliers jaw marks on the spring. I took my time and gently coaxed it til it looked like yours. Now the trigger breaks crisp and consistent at just under 4 lbs. I'm a patreon subscriber, but I know I'm getting the better end of the deal. Your videos have saved my thousands of dollars over the years. On this channel, I have learned how to epoxy bed rifles, accurize my M1A and Mini 14, disassemble and replace broken parts in my old 586 S&W, bullet casting, countless reloading tips, and so much more. Every time I see you in that Central Grocery apron, I know I'm about to learn something new. I love the cartridge talks too; 35 Whelen was my favorite.
Wish I’d watched this 30 + years ago! It’s a great time to watch you all.
I was a very fortunate lad when I was getting into firearms (8/9 years old) my grandfather’s friend whom was a master armorer a started letting me watch and help him. One of the firearms he worked on the most was 1911s mostly trigger works.😊😊 love your work Sir.
In my opinion:You might learn more in a plumbing class or locksmithing. There's nothing mythical or magical about the mortis & cam lock piece of bullet plumbing on a handle bar the 1911 is. As soon as you realize it, all the magical realism goes away.
Armors just replace bad parts & do maintenance. Gunsmith is a person who attempts to improve a particular part or design with less education than the manufacturer's engineer relying on experience more than anything.
@opinionsvary yup but I spent the last 28 years as a licensed gun Smith. But all was because someone who was willing to help out a young man whom was interested in firearms
Good for you Sir, nothing better than enjoying the job your doing 👍
Your advice to remember the grip safety while measuring pull - might seem unnecessary, but I have had a moderately experienced gunsmith forget in front of me, during a pull check. Good point.
I miss Benny, and I love Murphy! God bless you and your family.
All good stuff. I would love to see you tear into a $400 Rock Island 1911 and make it the best it can be.
I agree. It would be most appreciated to have you demonstrate & explain what you would choose to do to elevate the action of a less expensive weapon for those of us who can’t afford the$750 & up models! This my first time watching your video and I thank you👍👏
Ummmm Kalan... He's starting with a Colt Gold Cup National Match. It doesn't need much tuning if any to begin with it semi-custom shop model for certain steps.
I agree, but with a Tisas instead of RIA. (Or both)
@@spartacus7646 I'm aware that it didn't need much tuning. That's why I was suggesting he use a more accessibly priced, lower quality 1911 and use his skills to improve it to the best it can be. That type of content could help a lot of people and would also be a great help to the 1911 platform.
The Tisas Remington Rand clones are considered "very good copies" by 1911 collectors and the CMP now has a cobranded model that they signed their name to. I said Rock Island in my first suggestion, but maybe a CMP Tisas would be the more appropriate baseline. If he can turn a CMP Tisas into a "National Match", he'd be doing God's work for the 1911.
GunBlue490 great to see you smiling again. Amazing what grandchildren and a new puppy can do. God bless😊😊😊😊😊
Your 1911 videos are bye far the best on TH-cam! Watched one you made from 7 years ago that helped me put my 1911 back toghter and functioning ! Stayed with someone else is video and it left out some key things ! Glad I found your videos ! Have a Blessed day !
Excellent video, brings back old memories of back during the mid 1970''s. My first 1911 was a pre 70 Colt National Match. It was a fantastic 1911. I had it for a few years and shot bulls eye league a number of years. I lost interest and sold it. Big regret and I still regret I sold it. A few years later I decided I was going to shot bulls eye league again and purchased a Colt series 70 Gold cup and was unhappy with the trigger pull. Back in those days there was no internet and pretty much went by others experiences with their 1911's. I decided to do my own trigger job and was not brave enough and not sure what trigger parts to stone so I decided to try bending the fingers on the spring. Well I took my Gold cup to the range to test fire it and loaded up 5 rounds and pulled the trigger and my gun went full auto. Went back home and bent the spring back to what I thought it was before I messed with it. Going full auto scared the crap out of me and was my first and last attempt at a trigger job. I wish there was a video like the excellent video you posted. Great job on this and all your videos.
Listen to this gentleman. He knows his stuff !! He has forgotten more about 1911's than the rest of us will ever know.
Thank you for the class. I received a 1911 about a month ago, and 100 rounds in I can tell I am already addicted. Glad you enjoyed your holidays and God bless.
I use an about 3 year old popsicle stick for the thumb safety plunger that works fantastic for installing the thumb safety and you never miss the plunger because it's just wide enough. Also works great when installing the extractor to align the notch and clocking all in one go. Greatest free tool for a 1911 ever.
good tip! And it won't mar the finish like a steel pin will.
Good tip. I've also used an old credit card.
For some reason I pictured an American soldier or MP pinching some tongue depressors for the other guys on the same detail lol
@@GunBlue490I'm curious about what you're opinion is of the tisas 1911 for a build platform? Or even a EDC
Ive been using the Popsicle stick method forever!
It is a real pleasure to watch your videos! I can't thank you enough. Yesterday I went to the range with my Mini-14 and I had my tablet with your excellent video in front of me. I followed through as if you were in my house. No music, no distraction, just sharing your vast knowledge, I have no words to express my gratitude...Thank you, Sir!
Excellent presentation on adjusting the 1911 trigger. Also, glad to hear about Murphy. He is a cute dog.
Subscribed. When I was apprenticing I was amazed at how often the smith would tell me to look something up on TH-cam. Usually it was for reference on assembly and disassembly, but he also recommended watching for videos like this because you never know it all. He’s been a smith for probably 40 years and still learns from others. I find myself learning the same way now in my own shop. Thank you.
Accurate information delivered in an intelligent manner - very much appreciated. Nice to hear it delivered with no accent too - I'm a NH transplant in CA for now.
OMG, I don't expect you to see my comments to this insightful video So articulate, so professional and WOW your down to Earth family ideals are refreshing! Thank you for your for your TH-cam channel!! God Bless!
Thanks brother great to hear Murphy is doing well my boy Cole is laying in front of me as i wright this 3 years old now, i have a Colt 1911 Combat Target made one year like 96 or 97 looks like a Gold Cup but no NM barrel or royal blue love it a gift from my Wife of 50 years, im gonna pull it apart and look at the trigger parts thanks for the class . God Bless
Super job showing how to do a trigger job on a 1911.
Thank you so much for such well presented, informative videos. I'm down in South Africa with a Norinco 1911 I got in 1991. Everybody down here is all about 9mm hi-cap now, I don't know anyone else with whom I can discuss my choice of firearm. It's really great to get down-to-earth advice on how to make my shooting experience better. I look forward to every time you drop a new video. :)
@charlesatkinson4053 With most of my polymer-loving friends, I have learned to avoid discussing 1911s altogether and to keep conversation centered around relatively safe topics like politics and religion.
Congratulations on your Norinco 1911. There was a lot of talk back in the 80s and 90s about Norinco and Polytech products being "Chinese Junk." I have sense heard that the steel in their products is fantastic.
@CharlesRushing-ck2qm well, it's been 34 years, and nothing has broken at all. :) Sure, it's not match grade, things are what they call a 'rattling good fit' but it's reliable and I don't think any mass-produced Colt used by the military would be any better.
Norinco was pretty popular around here during that era, and I never saw any articles or reports of issues. Seemed fine to me, but I guess it's natural to distrust some of the Chinese goods especially back then.
I thank you for takiing the time to explain and demonstrate this procedure. I have a Colt 1911 and it has a trigger pull of 5lbs. I am going to apply your methods and hopefully get it to the 3.5 lb sweet spot. I bought it used and have added several Wilson Combat parts including the sear and disconnect, plus the main spring. The parts have a much finer finish than the originals and are supposed to be made of superior metal and manufacturing technics. It is a beautiful pistol that I've always wanted. Now the only thing left is to tune the trigger weight.
I appreciate you and can tell you are a decent and respectable man from, 'The Old School.' I know you must have been a great employee, a great husband, father and grandfather. I would welcome anyone like you to be my neighbor.
I sure do miss, The 'Old Days,' when , as Archie Bunker used to say, "When girls were girls, and men were men."
God bless and take good care.
I don't think it can be said enough, but thank you sir for the very informative instructional videos. I have a Ruger Mini-30 that has an absolutely wonderful trigger now thanks to your shared info. My 1911 will probably have one too pretty soon.
Thanks again
Dan's Whetstone has a novaculite quarry and produces many different shapes of stones. I've used one specialty stone on my Lee 5-stage press where I was having a hang-up. Cleaned the issue right up! Love these stones!
Glad I happened across the channel. I had installed a cylinder & slide trigger kit in my 1911 awhile back. Had meant to tweak the sear spring and never thought anymore about until I watched your video. Hit pause and did that. Can't wait to shoot it tomorrow.
Glad to see someone using the K.I.S.S. method when tuning a trigger, too many time people go overboard.
"Don't be lured into spending thousands of dollars unnecessarily on a so-called custom gun to get a nicely tuned trigger!" I just picked up the new 5" Tisas double stack 1911 and it had a 7lb trigger out of the box with a really nice break. I was surprised when the scale said 7lbs because it felt so much lighter than that. Thanks to your video and a few minutes tuning the spring and reducing the sharpness of the various contact points you mentioned with my 4" Arkansas stone it is now a very nice 4.5lbs. I could go lower, but I plan to carry this gun sometimes and I am extremely satisfied already.
I thank you sir for making such informative videos and cutting through the bs and bad information that is prevalent in the gun tinkering community. I have been subbed to your channel since the first video I watched quite a few years ago. It was easy to tell that you really know your stuff and you are a man to pay attention to when you speak on authority. Enjoy the new pup!
Purchased my first 1911 a few weeks ago and appreciate the shared knowledge. Thank you for taking the time to help us all out
❤ I enjoyed watching this episode very much.
I bought a Kimber Custom ll back in 1995 I think and outta the box it had a 2.6 lbs so smooth.
I think the pull is less now but I have not checked it in years.
Most accurate 1911 I have ever had or shot.
@ronnydo
Kimberly were built better in 1995 than the ones they produce now, in my opinion anyway.
KIMBER NOT KIMBERLY, silly auto correct.
I like your style. Calm, and knowledgeable. You clearly convey the information with no extras. Thanks.
Thank you for the video. We just got a new pup, he's a 9 week old Lab. He's adorable and a handful but very good and sweet too. He'll make an amazing hunting dog I can tell.
For holding the plunger for the thumb safety,... for 30 years I've used my "Widget", helps with the recoil plug on one end and the flat end for the safety. BTW love your videos, I've learned a lot!
Got a Springfield, 10mm. Saw that all the internals were cast with a plastic trigger blade. I bought a high-grip WilsonCombat beaver tail and filed the frame to blend it. Factory trigger was over 5 pounds. I'll get the sear right once the frame gets back from getting DLC and shoot for 3.25 lbs or so. Thanks for the great videos.
Well done, Proof a man with time and experience is key life lesson. This is Something you can’t learn from google.
I own a 1954 National Match Colt. Sweet trigger. Suggestion: go to Harbor Freight (or on line), and buy a 4" and 6" magnetic metal bowls. They work well for holding your metal parts as you disassemble firearms or similar objects. They won't roll of or disappear as you work on the piece.
Now Harbor Freight has blue silicone parts organizers. They have several sizes and they all have several compartments. Game changer. Especially because I never have to worry about parts being magnetized by accident.
They will also magnetize your parts. Be aware. Magnets attract steel crap
Very pleasant, calm, clear and instructive vid sir, thank you..!
Great video! You inspired me to do a trigger job on my new GCNM. When I got it, the trigger was heavy..right from the factory at just over 6 lbs! Terrible for a match pistol. I was going to bring it to an expert 1911 tuner and it would have cost $185. I did the job tonight and did about 3 spring adjustments until I got down to just under 4lbs. Amazing what can be done with the existing parts! Thank you!
That's terrific!
Really appreciate this video. It amazes me how some companies sell you on their trigger jobs. I wont name names but when I see the actual work they do it looks like their idea of stoning and polishing is to go bananas with the dremel tool. Grinding away areas that make no contact. Or simply cant be felt. And ive never heard someone discuss the breaking the edge off the sear. Its always "you have to buy this jig and reface the sear and shave the hammer hooks to the point that they are non existent. And the mechanics of it all just didnt make sense. Thank you for this video. It really proves that some times the simplest solution is the best solution and that you can overwork a part. Im going to be following these steps with a gun that just needs a tuning. Not a rebuilding. This helped tremendously. Thank you.
I’ve seen many people complain of their trigger pull and have found the sear was completely dry of oil. Less than half a drop of oil makes a difference
Ultra light grease is even better. A small tub of CherryBalm or Red Line assembly lube will last you for years. Just a film is all that is needed.
One suggestion: a still shot of the leaf spring's orientation when you've got it bent to where you want it would have been helpful. Other than that, good info!
I'm very happy you are enjoying your new dog, Murphy. I hope you have many enjoyable years to come with him. Enjoy every stage of his development as he grows. God Bless!
Thank you! Right now, we are looking forward to his next stage of development when he stops teething! 😂
Thanks for another great video. I have been looking for a trigger video that does not require the use of a jig. This is great!
I wish I had a neighbor like you! I'd be bugging you all day!
Well done, thank you from a visual learner.
I just followed this video and did a trigger job on a new Colt 1911 Competition. Reduced trigger weight by two pounds; down to 4 pounds and exptremely smooth. The sear and disconnector needed your stoning.
Didn't know you built computers too! It's awesome to see an older guy who's tech savvy and it reflects in your videos/production quality. Especially the audio, drone footage etc. People underestimate how important audio is, it's honestly more important than the picture quality in most aspects and I'm still trying to figure it out myself
Thank you for this very informative video. I just bought my first 1911 (Springfield Ronin 10mm). I am trying to understand as much about my new gun as possible. At this point, I'm very happy with the trigger. Honestly, I wouldn't trust myself to attempt this delicate trigger work after watching one video. Luckily, my range has a great gunsmith. Take care and Happy New Year!
Thankyou for passing this knowledge. I know from personal experience with a person in my life that very knowledgeable guys can sometimes be called back home sooner than you might think taking that knowledge with them.
Outstanding video. Been a 1911 fan all my life, best fighting pistol in my book, own three but now thinking about a Gold cup like yours. Rangers Lead The Way
Very nicely done, I was surprised when you said you can build computers, I am close to you age and seems like most men in our age group know very little about computers, so good for you. For me anything less than 3.5 lb. Trigger pull on a 1911 is almost dangerous, that's about what mine is and I've had other people shoot it and they often fire 2 rounds by accident because of the recoil and short reset of the trigger.
I agree. Maybe for a range gun. Never for a carry gun. I am happy at 6 lbs or more. One you start shooting, you forget about the trigger. I even forget to hate Glock triggers once I'm blasting though a mag. And I have a beautiful 1911 that I love...!
Awesome video and good instruction to. I have the same 1911 and its a very nice Colt. Out of the box mine was pulling at 5 pounds and Colt said 4 to 4 1/2 pounds. I didn't want to send it back so I did a trigger job and know it pulls at 3 /12 pounds. That Murphy has Brighton your life. Happy New Year!
Great tutorial! And except for the disconnector polIsh I followed this exact procedure a few years ago based on info from Jim Clark, on my Colt Series 70 and also ended up with a very smooth 3.5 lb break. Ross Seyfried correctly says that the proper pull should feel like snapping a thin 1/4 icicle, and that’s a good description.
That’s a gorgeous stock NM pistol you have there, and I wish I knew about those rampant Colt double diamond grips as I would have tried to snag some for my 1978 Series 70 years ago!
I appreciate your clear presentation, as it confirms the way I did it but adds even more good detail (although I took way longer than you!). Thank you. 🙏
Thank you very much for the video. Just finished tuning my 45. It works! It's just RiA but the trigger works much better.
A plastic coffee stirrer is a good (and free) tool to push the plunger spring when installing the safety.
I love your posts. You are my go to guy for 1911's. So much knowledge you have! Thank you for sharing!!
what a great looking pup.
Your a Good Teacher. God Bless you..
Excellent video! I enjoyed watching that from start to finish.
Enjoyed the video. When working on 1911s I'll also pull out the trigger. I use crocus cloth to remove any rough edges on the top and bottom of the trigger bow. Also polish the flat back that bears on the disconnecter. Top and bottom of the trigger that ride in the frame should also be smooth. Check the channel in the frame for burs or rough spots. This won't really affect pull weight, but can improve the feel of the trigger.
People can get as crazy as they want, which is why some sell and others buy trigger track stones and such. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Can't t thank you enough.removed the bur on the sear and eliminated the creep on my charles daly 45.big improvement.
I can tell bye the look on your face and your attitude that puppy has already made a big impact on your life and im sure your wife as well good for you guys
Great expose on this trigger tune up ! Well done, sir...
Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge.
So shocked to hear you rattle off the specs of an ATX computer you built. Truly a renaissance man.
😉
So nice of you to share this video with us.
Thank You, your presentation is perfect for the task at hand.
Very informative.
Thank you Sir for another great video, also the puppy is absolutely beautiful, may our Lord richly bless you all, have a lot of fun with the Pup.
I can't tell you how many times a pistol bench block has come in handy for disassembly and assembly of pistols/ar lowers/lever guns etc. It's also nice that it has sections with magnets in it to hold pins/screws/etc.
Excellent video though, thanks! Will definitely use this for a reference later on.
I love my old roll of duct tape though.
This guy knows his shit, attention to detail. We thank you for your knowledge.
Excellent work. Wish I had seen this before I “tuned” my first 1911! Thank you
Bravo: Another clean and straightforward instructional video, avoiding all the BS and keeping to the basics. Some people make this look and sound like some sort of voodoo, but you Sir keep it simple and give great explanations of functionality and the process. Thank you!
So glad to see you thank you for the knowledge sir just bought my first 1911 looking forward to tuning my trigger now god bless
Good to see you back. Missed your videos.
Thank you sir for this video ! I love to tinker and see how things work and have recently took my 1911 completely apart. It is a little intimidating, but just take your time and you can do it. Never messed with the trigger , yet.
Aww man at that point I wouldn't be able to resist doing some in-home trigger tuning. Light tuning of course. As we all know, ya can always take a little more off but ya cant put it back on.
Once I take my pistols apart I start "the critical eye" phase of the process. Haha
Just can't help but tinker.
While you are presenting some ideas that may be useful for a slight improvement for the do it yourself individual for a one off pistol, for consistent results from a professional standpoint much of the information is wrong. It would also be much honest to reveal that you are not working on a stock pistol since at least the trigger, sear, and sear spring have already been replaced in the pistol.
Another wonderful educational video…you sir are an excellent teacher. Thank you. Happy New year and God bless.
Nice piece of equipment and nice demonstration on how to tune up a perfect trigger. I won a 1911 Wilson Combat CQB Elite, I am very happy with everything is in it. Nice and smooth yet nothing rattles.
Holy smokes! What a difference this made! Thank you❤
Simple step by stem w/ safety explain of stripping 1911 - Thank You
Fantastic explanation and demo thanks and happy new year
Good video but I'm surprised while the gun was broke down that far you didn't pop the trigger out and check for burs and dirt in the channel the trigger bow rides in. I have often found that channel to have burs and left over metal shaving and dirt from the manufacturing process on assembly line 1911's.
Sounds like you were an NRA conventional bullseye competitor. For EIC hardball match 45s shooting 230 gr roundnose full loads, minimum trigger pull used to be 4 lb. For 45 wadcutter conventional guns shooting light loads, minimum trigger pull was 3.5 lbs. I stopped comp shooting about the time they started allowing 9mm Berettas to be fired for EIC matches. Excellent video on what match 1911s were ... especially Colt Series 70. Beautiful gun. Mine all look like hell from jostling around in a gun box for years. I have yet to see any plastic wonder 9 outshoot a 1911. I don't know if the AMU has ever attained 45 accuracy with a P235. I know it took about 4 years of development for Berettas to be competitive with 1911s, in the hands of AMU shooters.
Excellent video. I would like to point out a consideration for assembly and disassembly of match guns where the barrel and bushing are hand fit with both parts being slightly vertically oblong. The oblong allows the barrel to be pulled down by the link freely but maintain a tighter than normal side play thereby reducing windage errors. When barrel and bushing are oblong, use the "setback" method to remove and reinstall the bushing. Instead of locking the slide in place, open the slide by about 1/2 to 5/8ths of an inch. Moving the bushing down the barrel a little ensures the bushing is on a thinner part of the barrel where there is no oblong. Otherwise, you will be opening up the oblong to the detrement of windage precision. The opposite is true when installing the bushing. Difficult? Yes. Worth it? Yes. Basically, never twist a bushing with the slide in battery if you have a hand fit barrel and bushing.
Love your videos, very informative.. and of course your new puppy…love the young girl with the puppy.. god bless ..
Just happened to come across this TH-cam channel and I am glad I did. Definitely subscribing. This was a great tutorial on tuning the trigger on a 1911. I will certainly give it a try. Thanks.
Such a pleasure to learn from you! Great work! I would have to agree, great to listen to very refreshing. You can feel the knowledge as you walk us through.
Thank you so much for the tutorial!
Superb demonstration and instructions! Pup is beautiful!
You certainly look like a new man with the new pup around. Very happy for you. Any chance of a video going in depth about triggers? Such As appropriate pull weights and if aftermarket triggers are worth it?
I'll investigate that suggestion!
Good idea. Have you seen his video on revolver pull weight and travel yet?
This one: How to choose a defensive handgun
watch?v=8rRmJtdg7qo
I think a video on automatics, rifles and the use cases would make decisions easier. A lot of after market triggers sell what the customers heard they need. The very short reset on auto pistols is chased like a fox in the last few years. Unwanted doubles, quicker shots but more dispersed and not resetting the trigger when using other pistols can be the result. There a roles for all sorts of triggers, some can make use of less than 1kg, some 100g triggers in niche competition. Feel and weight is not the same, some triggers move straight back, some on an incline, distance to the trigger, shape, surface. The question might be when to get one. Some 'heavy' triggers 3-6kg on autos show some negative influences a very light trigger may mask. The good thing of some aftermarket 'drop in' triggers is you probably can go back to stock.
I have listened to all your videos. You are an amazing person and thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. You are very impressive.