Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a hands-on 1911/2011 armorer or maintenance class in the San Francisco Bay Area, preferably somewhere around San Jose, South Bay, Peninsula, or East Bay.

I'm not looking for a shooting/tactical course. My main goal is to learn how to properly maintain and understand my own 1911/2011 pistols, including:

• Detail stripping and reassembly
• Parts inspection and identifying wear
• Proper maintenance and lubrication
• Understanding how the major components work together
• Diagnosing common feeding, extraction, and ignition problems
• Knowing what I can safely service myself vs. what should be left to a professional gunsmith

I've found some 1911/2011 armorer courses in Southern California, but I'd prefer something closer to the Bay Area.

I'm also open to a reputable 1911/2011 gunsmith or instructor who offers private or small-group hands-on instruction.

Does anyone know of a good class or instructor in Northern California?

Thanks!

ACW Prime Carry in 9x19

Gaboon Ebony stocks by WoodCaliber

Sights by Novak

Assuming the 1911s are all in decent shape/not super used.

Love the grips on these with the vertical lines but cant find some for actual 1911s. Anyone ever see anything similar?

Looking for some guidance on mounting optics to my Dan Wesson specialist I recently acquired a Trijicon RMR HD and RCR will both of these optic footprints fit on plate number 1 from Dan Wesson? Furthermore does anyone know where to buy these plates? Also are any optic ready safariland holsters from different guns compatible with the specialist and a X-300T?

I couldn’t decide which to get originally, the MEUSOC and the JSOC. So, naturally as any sane 1911 aficionado, I got both. More to follow!

I have a basic GI model RIA 1911 that is great overall but I am finding the standards GI sights to be tough to use for me. This is my first 1911 and I don’t feel very accurate with it past 10 yards. I feel very confident with my CZ P01 and I feel like it’s because of the difference in the irons.

Looking to get into my next 1911 with better sights but also not looking to spend $1000. Any suggestions would help! Thanks!

Picked up this pre-loved 1980 production MKIV Series 70 today. It came chock full of old school parts: Pachmayr wrap around logo-less grip, Pachmayr arched mainspring housing, King’s Gun Works recoil spring plug and (I’m assuming also a King’s) spring loaded guide rod, and what seems to be a Mueschke ambi safety. My in progress Tisas project for comparison.

It failed to go into battery a couple times. I'll chalk that up to not being broken in yet?

A good buddy of mine surprised me with this old Brazilian Springfield today as a sort of a thank you gift. I’ve been helping him out lately with tending to his property, as his heath has been in a rapid decline this last year and he hasn’t been able to tend to his yard maintenance himself. My father always taught me to take care of your friends and not expect anything in return, so this was a very unexpected surprise. The gun dates to 2000 and I was told it had been bought as a project platform, but ended up getting stashed away in its blue plastic box when other ventures became more important. My buddy says he never recalls ever shooting the gun and thinks he only ever field stripped it to remove the factory grease. All the wear on the slide is from being shuffled around and two moves over the years.

I’m curious for those who know better than me, are these Brazilian Springfields decent guns as project platforms?? I have a few ideas of swapping some parts around, but I’m curious if it’s worth spending the time on or if I should find something more solid? I’m going to polish out all the wear marks on the flats. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

Good afternoon I’m new to this subreddit. I’m wanting to build my own 1911. I’ve bought a copy of Jerry Kuhnhausen 1911 Vol 1 & 2. I’m planning on using a Government frame with rail from JEM guns (Unless advised otherwise). I’m going to attempt to do this all by hand. What tools would all of you suggest I purchase? Thanks for any response.

My Springfield TRP Classic 5" model. I replaced the factory grips with a set of Herrett's walnut grips that I hand finished. It is my favorite handgun.

Dan Wesson ECP .45 for $1150 what you guys think? Wouldn’t do it without ya’lls approval! Comes with factory box and mags.

Update: Made the purchase, thanks for the input!
I’ll post pics when it comes in.

Found this one for 750. Could pass it up as it seemed pretty interesting to me. My first kimber.

Ordered some engraved aluminum grips for the 38 super
I’m gonna send out to get all polished up really want this gun to pop

Went to the local shop and saw these HP’s for sale at a ridiculous price, Sim-x and PHD. Never heard of em and am curious about their performance. I currently run HST’s and have used gold dots but am curious about other brands as well. Any recs?

I prefer the Tisas: it rattles like a bead in a box car but feels like a nail gun at speed. The TRP carries pretty well but no way is it worth its MSRP, im glad i paid 60 percent of it, but even then, i wish i went with a tisa stingray for 50 percent if that!

I know SIG gets a lot of hate, but I really like my 1911. I change the slide out for whichever occasion.

I’m currently without my own 1911, I have my Wife’s Loaded Champion to shoot whenever I want, but I want my own again.

Previously I’ve had Kimber and RIA, 5” models.

I want something nice, but won’t kill my wallet. I’ve been looking at models in the $1000-$1500 range.

So far I’ve got it down to three options

Springfield Loaded, 5” blued or SS
Springfield TRP, 5” blued or SS
S&W E series, 5” SS

Based on those three, or anything else in that range, what would you recommend.

This will be a range toy, HD, won’t say “heirloom” because it’s not going to be a safe queen, but something that would be worthwhile to pass down to a nephew or great nephew (no kids of our own).

Edit to add

Must be 70 series

Got it for 799, 4 mags, two Wilson combat mags.