Swapping triggers: How?

[Bitterroot Bob]

Howdy,
I've discovered that a change to a better trigger delivers the most improvement to a firearm. How much trouble is it to install a good trigger on a bone-stock 1911-A1?
Whose trigger should I use? I will not be using this for any race-gun competition, I just want a clean 3-pound pull that isn't going to cause me to tear my hair out to install.
Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Bitterroot

[williamlayton]

It is a matter of fitting and finishing the pieces.
I would let a competent smith do the work. Too do the work yourownself would require a great deal of understanding of a system to do it successfully and safely .
Blessings

[Mikey]

Bitteroot Bob - naw, it's a piece of cake, actually.  But you didn't say what sort of problems you were having with your trigger.  If it is gritty or rough it may be able to be fixed with a new trigger or by working on the current one.  If the trigger pull is heavy it can be fixed without a new trigger.  If there is creep or excessive travel after let-off you should consider a new trigger.  You may be able to get your clean 3 lb pull without much work. 

If you let us know what sort of a problem you are having we should be able to help ya'll fixit.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Bitterroot Bob]

The biggest trouble is with me, actually.
I like to tinker a little and if there is a drop-in component that works, I'd like to try it.
1) The trigger is gritty.
2) The surface of the trigger is grooved, and I don't know if the stamped trigger can be remedied with a Dremel.
3) Did I say "stamped trigger"? Yeah. This is an ugly trigger. Aesthetics mean something.

Thanks,
Bitterroot

[Castaway]

It sounds like your problem is not the actual trigger but the trigger pull.  To fix the grittiness you need a sear/hammer job.  Sometimes though, polishing the trigger stirrup and inside the frame where the trigger travels will smooth things a bit but the biggest gain in a good 1911 trigger is to take it to smith for the hammer and sear engagement surfaces to be properlly polished and mated.

[Mikey]

Bob - gritty triggers can usually be smoothed with a bit of stoning of the trigger bar channels and the trigger bars themselves.  Sometimes the internal machining is not always perfect and you may have a burr or two and some rough spots - these usually come right out with an Arkansas stone if you have one that will fit into the trigger bar channels.  When you disassemble the pistol andpull the trigger look at the trigger bars to see if you can tell where there is any unusual wear that might result from a burr.  That is the area of the trigger bar channel that you need to pay the most attention to first and smoothing that/those areas may help dramatically.  

If you prefer something more aestetic than the factory stamped trigger try a Chip McCormick trigger - I like the profile and the trigger part of it is made from a black material that is easily re-contoured with a dremel to suit your preference.  I really don't care for the aluminum 3 hole triggers - never found one that fit worth a dang and they are much tougher to deal with - at least in my experience.  HTH.  Mikey.

[williamlayton]

Mikey is a good source of information.
I am not as skilled or confident of my abilities as he.
Listen too what he says if you have the skills and confidence.
Blessings