[Forstr]

I guess I didn't look at the pics close enough...I definitely like those sights. Has anybody swaped one of the staked-in front sights? Is there a special tool for that? I'd just as soon purchase a rear sight tool and do them myself, but I'm not sure how the front sight would be done. Thoughts?

OD, those are some good looking pistols. I'll try to post some pics of my stuff soon.

As soon as I can run a few hundred rounds through the GI, my lwt will be making a trip to Geneseo for the frame to be refinished (you'll see why when I post a pic of it).

 

[OD*]

Is there a special tool for that?

Yep, to do it right, you will need a sight staking tool, you can find them at Brownells.

OD, those are some good looking pistols. I'll try to post some pics of my stuff soon.

Thank you sir, they're just plain vanilla carry pieces. :wink:
I'd like to see yours too.

 

[tex45acp]

Springfield Champions!!!

When Springfield came out with this model...they truly named it correctly. I really like my Champion. I am on my second.

My first started life as a GI WWII Parkerized Champion with a bushingless barrel, and after I found out just how accurate and reliable it was, I decided to modify it to my liking. I then bought a Stainless model that has a barrel with bushing and have started mods on it as well. Here they both are:

 

[P95Carry]

Forgot to post the pic tex !!! :wink:

 

[tex45acp]

Springfield Champions!!!!

P95Carry,

I usually use what is in the UserCP/Attachments but I did not have the newest one there. So I had saved it to get to the attachments and now they are there.........Sorry!!

 

[P95Carry]

No sweat dude - just nudgin' ya :smile:

Nice job and that grip looks A1 for secure hold - nice to shoot I'll bet.

 

[Bud White]

Good looking pistols tex im sure i asked before but where did you get the Grips?

 

[Forstr]

All right...finally here are some pics. You'll have no difficulty seeing why I'm sending the compact abck for a refinish. I through in the M9 for good measure.

 

[Bud White]

How long did ya carry the Compact for the finish to wear off like that?

 

[P95Carry]

That's pretty severe - long time holstered?

I see in the first pic - they have just been removed from the machine, after the spin cycle - they look so dry :18:

 

[Bud White]

Yeah but what Model washer Chris

 

[P95Carry]

Probably a Kenwood Bud :icon16:

But I know you can tell me - oh oracle :wink:

 

[Bud White]

it looks just from that pic there like a Maytag or Whirlpool not enough of the Dials to be 100% sure.


Probley a Whirlpool With the quietpack II label

 

[Forstr]

It's a Maytag...

I can't remember exactly how long I had it before the finish started doing that, but it was inside a year. I've heard of one or two others that have had the same thing happen, although I'm not sure to what degree. It has seen a lot of carry and a goodly number of draws, but it should definitely hold up better than that.

IMO, an aluminum frame is probably not the best surface for a bake on finish. I'd much rather see a finish like the one that's on the Beretta.

 

[maclean3]

"Guns don't kill people; People with mustaches kill people."

HEY, I resemble that remark!
Seriously, that's some pretty severe finish problems. Reminds me of the trouble GM was having with their paint jobs peeling a few years back. You're much calmer than I would be.
Jack

 

[Forstr]

Well, there's kind of a story behind that. I can see why one would wonder.

First off, it doesn't effect the function of the pistol. Second, it stays concealed, so its ugliness is less of a factor than it otherwise might be. Finally, the first 1911 I ever got was a micro compact. It made several trips back to the factory. They finally replaced it with this model. (sidebar: SA has the best customer service of any company I've ever dealt with, guns or otherwise) So when I got a pistol that has functioned flawlessly to date (2000+ rounds), the finish became less important. Besides, only having the one 1911, I wasn't willing to send it back and be without a carry piece.

p.s. Mark, if I recall correctly, at SA did a sweet trigger job on it before shipping it out to me (free of additional charge). It's every bit as crisp and consistent as any high end custom I have dry-fired. He also swapped the ambi-safety out for a regular extended safety.

 

[OD*]

Forstr,

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or beer holder if you're at a bar :tongue. I'll take function-reliability over looks every-time.

 

[tex45acp]

Good looking pistols tex im sure i asked before but where did you get the Grips?

P95 & Bud,
The grips on the parkerized Champion are some Hogue Palm Swell Panels I picked up at the last gunshow I went to in Pasadena TX. I think they were $12.00. They went with the gun when I sold it to my best friend for CCW. I also had a pair of generic wraparounds that were checkered that he liked as well and I threw them in with the sale.

The grips on the Stainless Champion were a generic pair that I picked up in a gunshop in Victoria, TX. They were just laying there in the case, no box and no information on them as to who the manufacturer is either. They owner of the store said he got them in a auction bid package with all kinds of other junk and he decided to keep them. I personally am glad he did. I Paid $10.00 for them. They came without medallions but had holes for them. I was wishing that Springfield made some grip medallions like Wilson, Colt & Para Ordnance that could be inserted but none to my knowledge. I was walking through a clothing store with my wife and found two stainless steel buttons made to be sewn on through a tang on the backside, similar to those for buttoning up a thick coat. They were the perfect size to fit the recesses in the grip. The design on the front was pretty cool looking so I bought them for .50cents went home and installed them using a 1/2" long piece of stainless 1/32" dia. rod to hold them tight from the back. I grooved the back of the grip panel to keep the rod from rotating or coming out. I really like the uncheckered, textured surface and the way it wraps around the front strap. I wish I had two more pair to put on my Wilson's. They are super comfortable and really work well under fast shooting drills to keep the gun securely in my hand. I like the black contrast to the brushed stainless. Here is a better view of the grips.

 

[P95Carry]

Tex - yes that pic really does show them very nicely.

They look to me, for my sorta taste - the ultimate in good function plus, to my eye they look just great. If there was something on the market, exactly like those - I am sure they'd sell like hot cakes.

 

[tex45acp]

Chris,

I agree with you. I have seen many rubber wraparound grips from Hogue, Colt, Pachmeyer and so on. But I have yet to find them like the texture on these. I actually prefer the feel of the rubber on the front strap instead of the 30LPI checkering on my Wilsons. If Hogue made the wraparounds without the fingergroves, just the pebble texture would also be a viable option.

I was once given a pair of the Colt checkered rubber wraparound's that I tried and kinds liked. When trying to remove the Colt emblems pretty much wrecked the grips though. Just could not have the Colt logo on a Springer!!! Just my personal preferences. Glad they were free!!!

Oh...I like the way you updated your avitar.

Mike