So you pulled the trigger and bought a 1911, and now you’re wondering how to upgrade it and make it a custom pistol. Maybe you’re browsing 1911 upgrades online or asking friends for recommendations.
Haven’t chosen a 1911 yet? Here’s our guide to what really matters when buying a 1911, our shopping guide for what to look for all around in a 1911, and some information on what makes an ideal tactical 1911.
Take a moment to consider these tips before you decide what to spend your upgrade budget on and when to do it.
1. Practice Holds Power
Many people think upgrading their guns will automatically make them better shooters, improve their performance, or improve their accuracy.
“No,” John McClain from the Armscor team explains. “Practicing how to be a good shooter is how you become a better shooter. You cannot buy skill. You cannot buy performance.”
While certain upgrades may assist your grip and feel or help accommodate recoil, they will not make you a better shot immediately without experience and practice.
1911 pistols are fairly reliable right out of the box. So unless you’re an experienced shooter or competition shooter, don’t invest into upgrades unless you know exactly what you need to change and why you need to change it. If you’re a new shooter, spend your upgrade budget on ammunition instead, head to the range to get your practice in, and learn what about the gun.
“If anyone asks me if they should either put money toward ammo or new parts for their gun, I would absolutely tell them 10 times out of 10 to buy ammo,” said John. “Upgrades are not necessary, especially with something like a 1911. It’s already a really good platform.”
Before you purchase anything to upgrade your 1911 pistol, take it to the range, get in plenty of practice, and figure out what things about the gun do not work well for you as a shooter.
2. Upgrades to Consider WHen You're Ready
Once you’ve gotten comfortable enough with your gun to figure out what things you are comfortable with and which things you’d like to change whether it’s sights, grips, or beyond.
“The goal should be that you have a firearm that you enjoy shooting and look forward to getting to the range to shoot with,” explained John. “If there's something about the gun that you absolutely hate, then that's the first thing you should change.”
For example, for John, the sights or typically the first to change. But if your thumb safety butchers your thumb regularly and makes you bleed or if you hate the trigger feel, then you might start with those upgrades instead.
“If they are an experienced shooter, they might buy a 1911 to upgrade it for competition or preference,” said John. “In that case, the first upgrade I recommend for anyone is their sights. Everyone’s eyes are different. Everyone sees things differently. Everyone wants to collect information visually in their own way.”
John’s preference is to have a thin front sight with a green fiber optic paired with a wide, flat serrated rear site that’s tall and black. Others may prefer to have a red fiber optic or no fiber optic at all.
“Whatever sight picture makes it easier for you to get on target and aim is the first upgrade,” said John.
Next, people may consider the trigger — think again before spending money on what may be an unnecessary upgrade.
“Sights and triggers are the first things people adjust on any firearm. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 1911 or a Glock. The trigger is not as big of a deal on a 1911 because the trigger is already nice,” said John. “The trigger is already one of the best out-of-the-box triggers you can find in the gun world.”
Though many mechanical upgrades are not necessary for the less experienced gun owner, there are things you can do to make your 1911 your own whether you’re new or experienced.
“My favorite thing to do when we’re talking about the customization of a 1911 is to send it off to a cerakote/laser professional to make your gun look awesome,” explained John.
These artists specialize in making your gun look exactly how you picture it, including a simple color change such as pink or blue, adding a fun pattern or stencil like the U.S. flag or animal print, theming it after your favorite TV or movie character, and more.
“I know people that have a paint job on their gun now or a cerakote job that just makes it look super bright with colors and polka dots all over the place or paint splatter,” John added. “If are you a fan of a hockey team, then you can put your hockey team's logo all over the gun.”
This is one of the most fun ways to transform your weapon and, of course, get plenty of compliments at the range or at matches.
“That's how a person can customize the gun to exactly their type of personality,” said John.
Another way to customize your gun without going to a gunsmith is swapping out the grip panels.
3. The Pros Know Best
Keep in mind that most gun owners are not gunsmiths. While Glocks are easier to customize, many 1911 upgrades and customizations aren’t that simple.
“1911s actually require tuning and fitting by a gunsmith,” said John. I’ve tried and failed and had to throw parts away because I took too much material off. And now the part doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to.”
Save yourself the time and heartache, and take your gun to the gunsmith when you do decide you’re ready for upgrades — whether it’s the trigger, slides, springs, or any other core gun mechanic.
