View Full Version : carrying a 1911 is NOISY?
Eagle5US
10-31-2010, 19:45
OK, so I recently started carrying a Para-Ordinance Blackwatch Commander 1911 (3.5in) LDA.
The thing has a grip safety on it, and every time I take a step the damn thing rattles like a set of keys hanging off my belt.
This is my first "carry" 1911 with a grip safety so I don't know if this is a "normal" thing or not. Makes me wonder why I wanted to switch from my HK to begin with:confused:
Educated opinions welcomed.
Eagle
The Reaper
10-31-2010, 20:08
OK, so I recently started carrying a Para-Ordinance Blackwatch Commander 1911 (3.5in) LDA.
The thing has a grip safety on it, and every time I take a step the damn thing rattles like a set of keys hanging off my belt.
This is my first "carry" 1911 with a grip safety so I don't know if this is a "normal" thing or not. Makes me wonder why I wanted to switch from my HK to begin with:confused:
Educated opinions welcomed.
Eagle
Eagle:
I am not a gunsmith, but I always thought my sear spring kept the 1911 grip safety under tension.
I could be wrong though.
TR
Snaquebite
10-31-2010, 20:12
Agree...sounds like the safety spring....
Eagle5US
10-31-2010, 20:13
Thank you Gentlemen,
I'll look into it.
Eagle
Snaquebite
10-31-2010, 20:31
Not familiar with how that particular grip safety is designed, but it it's "floppy" in any way something is wrong.
Eagle5US
10-31-2010, 20:41
Not familiar with how that particular grip safety is designed, but it it's "floppy" in any way something is wrong.
There is about 1mm of lever action movement pivoting from grip safety to the thumb flare.
Just enough to friggin rattle.:rolleyes:
Eagle
Snaquebite
10-31-2010, 20:43
I'd give Para-Ordinance a call.
Eagle5US
10-31-2010, 21:28
I just sent them an e-mail.
A little "googleing" shows this to be a common thng for folks to "notice" after they start carrying the LDA (Light Double Action) and the "common fix" of the sear spring as noted above doesn't work because the sear spring itself is not that of a traditional 1911. That being the case, there is also no "fix" on the internet that I have been able to find this evening
We'll see what they say. I am becoming more and more disenchanted with Para...I ordered a 14-45 Custom from them in DECEMBER of last year with a delivery date in May...still waiting:rolleyes:
Eagle
Team Sergeant
10-31-2010, 22:21
1911, LOLOLOLOLOLOL.
(Get a real gun.)
Remember the 1911 was "state of the art" 99 years ago.
Grip safety, LOL.
And you switched from an HK? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.:D
You made my day.
TS
Eagle5US
10-31-2010, 22:36
Just diversifying my options is all.:munchin
Eagle
TS: Hope you don't go against the guy who only owns a single 1911.
Eagle: Note JB dropped the grip safety on the BHP. I like to pin them on my personal 1911's
PS: I hate aluminum framed guns, plastic especially so; STEEL FOREVER!!!
MVP
Team Sergeant
11-01-2010, 20:13
TS: Hope you don't go against the guy who only owns a single 1911.Eagle: Note JB dropped the grip safety on the BHP. I like to pin them on my personal 1911's
PS: I hate aluminum framed guns, plastic especially so; STEEL FOREVER!!!
MVP
I have "one" too, a non-working piece. I keep it for laughs....:D
I always thought it fitting glock supplied their guns in tupperware boxes...
MVP
Mine is not noisy.
Then again it is a 70 series. Does that make it vintage?
My 1911 rides comfortably, as does the old 67 International truck.
I'm betting both will still be working long after the tupperware issued plastic guns, Prius and other hybrid cars are returned to the earth by way of land fill.
Fire it periodically w/o hearing protection and you won't notice any noise from the grip safety. ;) :D
Richard :munchin
mojaveman
11-02-2010, 12:19
My 1911 rides comfortably, as does the old 67 International truck.
I'm betting both will still be working long after the tupperware issued plastic guns, Prius and other hybrid cars are returned to the earth by way of land fill.
Well put.
I have plastic pistols but I like my M1911A1 the best. That three pounds of loaded steel felt good on my side while pulling guard duty on those cold dark nights in Germany 30 years ago.
How do you keep a '67 International truck running? :p
ZonieDiver
11-02-2010, 14:10
How do you keep a '67 International truck running?
Downhill... mostly! :D
Oldrotorhead
11-02-2010, 15:36
Well put.
I have plastic pistols but I like my M1911A1 the best. That 3 pounds of loaded steel felt good on my side while pulling guard duty on those cold dark nights in Germany 30 years ago.
How do you keep a '67 International truck running? :p
Does the 1911A1 or the 67 International work after being in the rain for 3 days or so?? MY 1911A1 has been a safe queen for about 25 years, and I wrecked by 64 Chevy PU at about the time the 1911A1 went into the safe. :D
Like the hot chick's father in "The Grqaduate" said plastics baby plastics.
As a last resourt pin the grip safety.
Downhill... mostly! :D
Currently has a well running 304 with a Dana 60 rear end, granny gear that will climb a tree, slow moving, but steady.
By summer the Mopar 392 will be finished.
Load up a full magazine and shake it to see if it's the cause of the noise. I had one years ago and had the same problem. Found out it was a loose mag.
The Old Guy
11-05-2010, 03:36
1911, LOLOLOLOLOLOL.
(Get a real gun.)
Remember the 1911 was "state of the art" 99 years ago.
Grip safety, LOL.
And you switched from an HK? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.:D
You made my day.
TS
I have 1911 which was rebuilt and tuned by a USAMU gunsmith six months ago or so, for simply the cost of parts. He was able to due it in 2 weeks and the gun is tight and shoots extremely well now, but it was a Springfield Arms to begin with.
TS,
Who are some of the better HK gunsmiths out there accepting work? I have a full size USP 45 that I wish to have massaged.
TOG
Team Sergeant
11-05-2010, 10:37
I have 1911 which was rebuilt and tuned by a USAMU gunsmith six months ago or so, for simply the cost of parts. He was able to due it in 2 weeks and the gun is tight and shoots extremely well now, but it was a Springfield Arms to begin with.
TS,
Who are some of the better HK gunsmiths out there accepting work? I have a full size USP 45 that I wish to have massaged. TOG
Good lord man you're kidding!!!
Every HK pistol I have can shoot holes through holes without any mod's. They have some of the best triggers I've ever pulled! (I sure wish HK would hire me as a salesman........:D)
TS
I interviewed for a sales job with HK Oberndorf in 2001, they didn't like my candor when I told them the SL8 could not compete with the AR platform...
Worked out better for me in the long run anyway!!! HAHa.
tom kelly
11-09-2010, 01:42
Like everything else, You only get what you pay for e.g. A Les Baer Custom 1911 in .45 cal. ACP can cost as low as $ 1690.00 or as much as $ 6995.00. His guns are made as the add reads "It takes Fifty-Three Precision Machined Parts, and hand fitted and assembled by skilled artisans. He also advertises that he can produce a gun as a customer request that will shoot 1&1/2 inch groups at 50 yds. This service is available on 5" &6" Les Baer pistols for an additional $295.00.......If you happen to get in a gun fight, What is your life worth? .....Regard's, Tom Kelly
HisDisciple
11-09-2010, 21:33
"...If you happen to get in a gun fight, What is your life worth?...
At least you'll have 7 rounds if not 8 to fight your way to a rifle. I prefer 16 rounds for my life, excellent point though.
Baer's price point is great if your into 1911's-I'm building one now, but I would carry an HK, SIG, Glock, M&P- if I knew that there was a probability of fight. I find it hilarious that all the "Pipehitters" TS and Defoor come to mind, that don't use the 1911 for reliability reasons and all the gunshow commandos swear by them. I tend to put stock in seasoned vet's experience gained through their sweat and blood.
I just wish that a plain jain version of a 1911 that John Moses designed would be created for battlefield (TDP specs.) use instead of match chamberings and finicky ejectors, etc.
Combat Diver
11-10-2010, 00:39
Handguns are tools, we each determine which we need for the designated task. Some work better then others and some we preform better with. I've carried both a M9 and a M1911A1 in the sandbox and still carry a 1911 when home. Make your own seclection, based on how it preforms for you and your needs.
Built this one in 86' and still carry it.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/1911_CTC_with_knife_right_side.jpeg
CD
HisDisciple
11-10-2010, 11:44
"...Built this one in 86' and still carry it.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/1911_CTC_with_knife_right_side.jpeg
CD
Combat Diver that's truly a working man's gun did you make that knife too? I'm really liking the blade and handle setup.
[QUOTE=Oldrotorhead;355047]Does the 1911A1 or the 67 International work after being in the rain for 3 days or so??
Seems to me the 1911 (with the right ammo) was rain proof tested pretty extensively between 1917-1918, 1941-1945, 1950-1953, and 1964-1972. My team still had them in 1992 and for the most part they still functioned reliably, pretty impressive since the last ones in military service were produced during WWII. Hard to get excited about a plastic gun that may have been a toothbrush in a previous life.
MVP
Oldrotorhead
11-10-2010, 13:53
[QUOTE=Oldrotorhead;355047]Does the 1911A1 or the 67 International work after being in the rain for 3 days or so??
Seems to me the 1911 (with the right ammo) was rain proof tested pretty extensively between 1917-1918, 1941-1945, 1950-1953, and 1964-1972. My team still had them in 1992 and for the most part they still functioned reliably, pretty impressive since the last ones in military service were produced during WWII. Hard to get excited about a plastic gun that may have been a toothbrush in a previous life.
MVP
I carried a 1911 sometimes in 1970-71 in wet weather it required maintanence at least once a day to avoid rust from just being carried and not used. My commments were half in jest (well maybe 1/4 in jest). I don't think the argument of Glock vs. 1911 or 1911 vs. H&K is worth a lot of time. Carry what you a comfortable with and can shoot well and be happy. Remember I still own my Colt Government model so you never know. :p
x SF med
11-10-2010, 15:19
Thank you Gentlemen,
I'll look into it.
Eagle
Duct tape. I can't believe you really used to be an SF medic... duct tape can fix it. PA school made you forget some important things. The good heavy almost black duct tape is the best...:D
Combat Diver
11-11-2010, 01:09
Combat Diver that's truly a working man's gun did you make that knife too? I'm really liking the blade and handle setup.
I bought the knife at a knife show in Pigeon Forge back around 95', don't remember who made it. Its dressed out a few deer over the years.
CD
english kanigit
11-12-2010, 20:38
Now that you've established the root of the problem allow me to add one more thing.
I notice you're running a Para LDA not a 1911. We had several problems with these at the range I work at. The drawbar that transfers the movement of the trigger to the rest of the lock work at the back of the gun has a habit of popping off the nub on the trigger to which it is attached. This happened on one of our rentals as well as a couple of customer guns. After this happened the trigger would not be mechanically connected to the rest of the gun and the slide would have to be removed to re-attach the drawbar.
Forewarned is forearmed and all that.
Ek
colmurph
11-13-2010, 10:46
Disassemble the pistol and take off the main spring housing. Bend the leaf spring under it until it puts more pressure on the grip safety and re-assemble. That should stop your rattle.
Eagle5US
11-13-2010, 10:57
-Para said there is nothing wrong with the grip safety and upto 1mm of travel was acceptable.
-Took it to a local gunsmith who disassembled it and put a shim to remove the lateral rattle of the grip safety which has solved most of the noise problem.
-There is no spring that places tension on the grip safety - it simply rests against a little "knob" that engages once the grip safety is depressed.
-It shoots nice enough at the range, 300 rnds without a failure to feed or fire and good groups thus far. It's another tool in the toolbox, and I got a good deal on it, so live and learn I guess.