But I recently polished part of the slide on my friends S&W 1911 and couldn't finish the job due to the fact that I could not remove the external extractor without risking damage to the slide.
What makes you think this? You just tap a pin out.
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But I recently polished part of the slide on my friends S&W 1911 and couldn't finish the job due to the fact that I could not remove the external extractor without risking damage to the slide.
Lets say you take the gun out of the box and it shoots accurately with no stove pipes, extraction issues or any other issue. Then you replace the factory nub guide rod, spring and extractor with a Wilson Combat full length guide rod, spring and extractor, and it still shoots accurately with no stove pipes, extraction issues or any other issue. Did you make the gun better or did you only make your wallet lighter? I actually don't know what they will say to the general public. The person I got it from knows people and they told him he doesn't have to do anything to the gun.
The guy wants to know if he should buy the gun and that's my input. Buy it. It's a good gun out of the box.
If the OP hasent purchased yet, i hope he takes a look through the NES classifieds
Nope, just asking a honest question... I have had Lou do work on my M&Ps so I think is work is fine but usually when you make a broad statement such as "this is the best at a given price range" there are qualifying reasons other than "I am Lou "
I have heard other gunsmiths say the same, but usually what they are saying is (summary) "all 1911's are made with relatively crappy parts under $1k so if your going to buy one you might as well buy a cheap one (ruger) so you can bring to to me and spend another $800-$1k making it better"
This is not a negative against Business End, or Ruger.... Just saying there are "bests" for different reasons
Edit: I would whole heartedly agree its is the best 1911 under $750... $750-$1k. I would much prefer STI, SA or S&W
I believe its the best option for a base gun that is avaliable from a dealer in MA.. Free state..Colt SA , DW STI
22,23,30,21,27 and 19. All no problems, never even a bobble. A couple of them when they first came out.
The early 9s may have had some issues but i never ran into it....
No doubt some guns have issues repeatedly. But then there is the guy that gets one lemon and cries on 17 different gun forums and all the sudden the gun is a POS.
Wasn't the problem with gen 4s related to the springs?
Just got one from Gunbroker for $555. First 45 I have actually owned even though I've shot and carried them a long time.