Deacon KC

@Garrison Joe what a great explanation.

And Wolff does offer a 1911 spring pack with different weight recoil springs if you do want to experiment.

Thanks, I haven't tried the Cobras, I will have to look at them.

Okay, @Garrison Joe was helping another shooter out and I thought maybe I could add a few points to those new to the 1911. I have built and repaired many 1911s over the decades and learned a lot of things to use and to avoid, I hope this will be helpful.

#1 1911s demand good magazines. Cheap ones will fail you, spend a couple more bucks and get good ones. Genuine Colt, Kimpro, Wilson, MecGar, McCormick and Actmag are all good and reliable. Don't expect the regular Kimber magazines to be reliable and surplus ones can run well IF you put fresh Wolff springs in them.

#2 On the subject of springs, just go ahead and buy a Wolff spring pack when you get a used 1911. They are easy to swap out and well worth the effort in caring for Old Slabsides.

#3 1911s need good lubrication. I'm a dinosaur but have had great success with Miltec grease on the rails and barrel lugs and good old Remoil on the rest of the moving parts. Don't forget to put a drop inside the barrel bushing where the barrel rides.

#4 When you have to replace parts, get good stuff. Wilson, Novak and Ed Brown are the best you can get and will give you excellent service.

#5 Grip bushings can come loose if you are not aware and put too much torque on them. If you replace grips regularly this can happen, so if they start to loosen give the threads a drop of blue loctite.

#6 1911s are heavy, so get holsters made of thick, strong leather or they will flop around on you.

#7 Milspec 1911s have lousy sights. [Hey, they were designed at the turn of the last century] If you decide to swap sights, just go ahead and have a dovetail cut for the front sight, it will save you a ton of headaches in the future.

#8 Get a bushing wrench, sooner or later, you will get a 1911 with a really tight bushing. Oh, BTW, there are 3 types of 1911 shooters; those who are so new to 1911s they haven't launched a recoil plug yet, those who admit to it, and liars. You will eventually launch one...

GJ is dead on right. I've built several 1911s over the years and have never had a failure or problem with anything from Wilson.

The only guns I have seen or heard of actually needing them are alloy frame guns or those chambered for 10mm. Keep good springs in your steel guns and they will run fine without em.

The stop should have enough friction/pressure to fit snugly even without the firing pin pressure. It should take just a tiny bit of tug to slide out when the pin is pushed forward.

Wolff makes a complete spring pack that is really convenient. Any time I pick up a "new" [used] 1911, one of those kits goes in it.

I know it would be legal for Zoot Shooting, but is it legal for WB Traditional?

https://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/sights/rear-sights/1911-novak-cut-rear-sight-prod55698.aspx

Good for you guys! Good luck.

Okay, getting started in WB, and setting up my holster rig. How many 1911 magazines do I need to plan to put on the belt? Thanks