Thread: 1911 upgrades for a Plain Jane 1991A1

Kimber is to a custom 1911 what a Taurus 92 is to a Beretta 92: They look very similar. Whether you think they are a poor quality knock off, or a way to get the same item without paying as much, is how you look at it and what you expect from it.

Custom work on any gun is not cost effective if you plan on reselling it and getting your money back. If done for your shooting pleasure and to make the gun fit your needs better, go for it. On 1911s the only things I need are a good trigger (between 4 and 5lb) good sights and a beaver tail grip safety other wise a standard gun is fine.

I have the same Colt as you (1991A1) and of all the 1911s I have owned it is the best shooting one - as far as accuracy - but I still want to do a few things to improve it. The first thing I did was install a full length guide rod I made myself. The accuracy improved dramatically (it shoots into 2" at 25 yards bench rested and with good handloads) but I do not think it was because of the FL guide rod but something I may have 'stumbled' on after making it. I also made some of my own shock buffs and they really do reduce felt recoil. I plan on a trigger job and fitted beavertail grip safety next and that will be about it. You might want to take a look at my pictures of the modification I did to turn the stock sights into a three dot style.