accurizing the 45 acp

[swifty]

Hi folks.
I am an a wannabe bullseye shooter. My practice needs to pick up before I feel comfortable in shooting in a 2700 match(NRA competition for handgun at 25 and 50 yards using 22 caliber, centerfire, and 45 acp).
The only 45 I own is a sig 220 with no-adjustable sights. I have it up for sale on consignment.
Problem is I want to buy a good solid 45 (Springfield Amory Military Specs) and have a gunsmith accurize the gun. I checked with Clarks in La.
They want $900 plus my gun for the job. Ouch!!!
Is there someone out there who will do a good job for around $400.
Dropping in a match grade barrel , a trigger job and polishing the feeding ramp is not rocket science. Tightening and polishing the rails and slide  
should not be that much work.
Do any of you have any recent experience with a gunsmith that did a job you are happy with and why?

[Mikey]

swifty - when you get your Springfiled Armory 45, get it set up from the factory for bullseye shooting.  Clarke is a great gunsmith but the Springers that are set up from the factory are excellent target pieces - check into that first before you spend the extra money on a custom gunsmith further customizing what is already as close to custom as you can buy from the factory.

The other thing too, is to make certain you can outshoot the pistol before you spend the extra $ to get a pistol that can outshoot you.  Just my 2 cents worth though and hth.  Mikey.

[Buford]

swifty, Clark did a basic accuracy job on a Colt 1911 for me years ago - 2" ten shot group at 50 yards - and that was with the factory barrel.  I just checked and they will do the same accuracy job now for $300 - go for the accuracy, then as you can afford it - get the rest of the work you want don.  Clark Custom does excellent work.

[Questor]

Do yourself a favor and just get a dedicated bullseye gun first. The best way to acquire one at a lower cost is to go to the bullseye matches and find out who has a used one for sale.  Either that, or pay the 1400 to 1500 for a new one. Don't buy a Clark unless you like hassles. Rock River is excellent and you will not find or want anything better.

If you take the course you describe I can virtually guarantee that you will either have two guns-- the first one and a dedicated bullseye gun, or you will get out of the game.

Been there, done that.  I still have the now seldom used Kimber that I started with. A dedicated bullseye gun built by a bullseye gunsmith is the only way to go.  Yes it is expensive, but it is for very good reason as all systems are the gun are not only tuned for accuracy, but for reliability, balance, and suitability for the game.

[Iowegan]

I've been building and modifying 1911s for a good many years. Most of my customers start combat or bullseye shooting with a standard production gun. Like Mickey says, after they get better than the gun, they will start having modifications done.

A good trigger is a must. 3.5~4 lb with no creep is the most desired. Many organized competition groups have limits on trigger pull so you have to stay within their standards. Unless your gun has a defect, there's no reason to replace parts for a good trigger job.

Next is sights. Combat shooters like the 3-dot systems and bullseye shooters hate them.  Most new shooters want adjustable rear sights, the old timers want fixed rear sights. Once the fixed sights are registered, the shooter uses a "hold over" for 50 yard targets. So save yourself the grief  and have a good set of fixed target sights installed.

The most critical accuracy modification is the barrel. I use Kart barrels and match bushings. Both parts must be fitted to the slide for a real solid lock-up. The top end functions as a solid unit. This means the barrel hood must lock into the breach face with minimal movement. The bushing must be very tight in the slide and the barrel must fit the bushing very snug. Actually, the frame-to-slide fit does nothing for accuracy unless it's real loose.

Some other typical "good" mods are: custom grips, beavertail grip safety, and a trigger that matches your finger length. These parts might total $100 and maybe a few bucks to have the trigger fitted.

The barrel, bushing, and sights will cost about $200. A trigger job, and the gunsmithing required to mount sights and fit the barrel can run as high as $200. The rest of the frufoo stuff is just that. You can spend a lot of money on non-value added modifications that don't do a thing for accuracy or function except bragging rights.

So for about $500, you can make an excellent bullseye or combat gun from most any quality 1911 platform. I would avoid foreign made guns with the exception of Springfields Armory. The Norinco, Charles Daly, and Rock River have poor metallurgy and will wear out with competition type shooting.