After my latest range session (another couple hundred rounds, plus 13 Speed Gold Dots that my gun ate up happily) I've finally come to admit to myself that as much as I like a bone-stock 1911, mine can't stay that way. Now that I've shot the medallions off the Pachmayr grips and have been shopping for new grips, I've pretty much determined it's time to make a list of things that ought to be upgraded for concealed carry use.
Here's what I got so far.
I'm torn on whether or not the slide release/stop is in need of an upgrade; on one hand, I'm worried it'll develop a bad habit (I've always been taught not to use it as a slide release), but on the other hand I'm also concerned about how I'd be able to manipulate the slide if my off-hand were injured.
With all that out of the way, what are the common upgrades you guys give your 1911s for concealed carry, and why?
-B
Here's what I got so far.
- Grips: I'm beginning to suspect that the Pachmayr grips are altering how my hand(s) would naturally wrap around the gun's grip. I'm considering inexpensive Ergo XTR or Hogue panels as a stop-gap, but I'm at a loss to do after that.
- ILS: While I appreciate Springfield Armories' concern for my safety, I don't need the ILS. At all. I'll be removing that soon (which would also give me access to the trigger if I wanted to adjust that), but I'm not sure if I want to keep an arched MSH or get a flush one. Suggestions?
- Sights: Put simply, they're not very visible and I highly doubt that under stress I'll be able to utilize them very well. I need something a little lower profile but brighter.
- Thumb Safety: The standard one has a surprisingly sharp edge on the top and bottom and is really good at eating my thumb up. Need something smoother and more thumb-friendly.
I'm torn on whether or not the slide release/stop is in need of an upgrade; on one hand, I'm worried it'll develop a bad habit (I've always been taught not to use it as a slide release), but on the other hand I'm also concerned about how I'd be able to manipulate the slide if my off-hand were injured.
With all that out of the way, what are the common upgrades you guys give your 1911s for concealed carry, and why?
-B