I picked up a 9mm Colt 1911 last year with an eye towards using it as a project gun. I've run about 400 trouble free rounds through it and I've been thinking of starting the project on that gun. The issue I have though is that the frame to slide fit is awful. I don't know that I've seen as loose a fit as on this one before. But, the gun is reasonably accurate and has proven to be reliable so far. I don't want to throw a bunch of money into this gun and the project would include doing a beaver tail grip safety, extended thumb safety, EGW internals, Novak sight cuts with TFX Pros, grips, front strap checkering and either a re-blue or Cerakote finish. My options right now are to have the rails welded and fit when it's in for the checkering and sight cuts, doing the project while ignoring the looseness or just leaving the gun as is and enjoying it as a simple plinking toy.
Ignoring the looseness and doing the project anyway would be doable, but the rest of my 1911s range from a small amount of slide movement to none at all. I don't know if I'm worrying too much about the battle rattle and should press on as is or go all out on the gun. I don't want to turn a $650 gun into a $700 gun that cost me $1500 to build. Right now, I'm leaning towards just replacing the internals and calling it done. But, I love a good project and that one could be a good project.
Ignoring the looseness and doing the project anyway would be doable, but the rest of my 1911s range from a small amount of slide movement to none at all. I don't know if I'm worrying too much about the battle rattle and should press on as is or go all out on the gun. I don't want to turn a $650 gun into a $700 gun that cost me $1500 to build. Right now, I'm leaning towards just replacing the internals and calling it done. But, I love a good project and that one could be a good project.