Accurizing a Sistema 1911

[John from the Cereal City]

I have a Sestima 1911A1 colt model semi-auto, and would like it to shoot a bit more accurately. I believe Colt parts will interchange, should I start with replacing the barrel?:dunno:

[hognfrog]

John,
I am a BIG fan of the Sistema. I have 2 that I have had worked over.

Barrel and bushing and sights were the first to be replaced.
Both are now great shooters, more accurate than I am.
Both have, as you can see, been refinished. Everyone at the range wants to see them up close because they all think they are Colts!!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/mjfrog1/Sistema1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/mjfrog1/Sistema3Right.jpg

Used colt parts.

Jim .......aka......hognfrog

[Truman]

I would let you be the judge about barrel condition, but if you replace it I would keep the old barrel to put it back original if it is numberd to the gun. But a new EGW taper fit bushing and new link and pin would probably do wonders. And a new high visability sight system would put the old horse back in the race. A different trigger (longer) might work better for you also. Just depends how involved you want to get, but barrel lockup and bushing tolerence is about %80 accuracy. FWIW Truman

[chuckindenver]

agree, the stock barrel should be fine, find a new bushing, that fits tight, a new link may change too much so be careful, have a real gunsmith do a trigger job, or buy a Wilson Combat drop in set.

[John Holbrook]

I am a great fan of the Sistemas. Many years ago I accurized one with great success. If I remember the gun weighs aprox. 2 ozs heavier than the original, and the dust cover is much heavier... They are fine pistolas!!!

I made the mistake of loaning it to one of my sons and have not seen it since!!!!

[John from the Cereal City]

Thanks for the info about improving accuracy, another question if you please;
The finish on the piece appears to be nickle, worn in places. Should I have it stripped and parked? or leave it as part of it's heritage.

[chuckindenver]

as for nickle strip, it can be done, but what iv found, is alot of pistols do have issues under the nickle, is the pistol worth spending 250.00 on?? thats about what that would cost you, give or take.

[chuckindenver]

http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp349/warpathvintage/002.jpg
this is a Colt SA that was nickled, and how it looked when i got it back from the nickle strip.
see how rough the surface is? it will need polished before i can refinish, and restore the lettering.
not all plated pistols look this rough under the surface, but some look worse, it all depends on how thick the plating is, and how the surface looked before it was plated.

[chuckindenver]

http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp349/warpathvintage/003.jpg
the cylinder, its not as bad as the frame, they do look pretty nasty when i get them back, the finished product, is well worth it.

[hognfrog]

Chuckindenver,

You are going to post pictures once that is done arn't you?? Please.

Or some other "before" & "after" pictures of your work. I am sure I am not the only one that would like to see them.

Thanks,

[chuckindenver]

if time permits, this isnt really a good one to use as a selling point, its was pretty rough, though it will look better, it will be far from museum quality.
the owner doesnt want to spend the money to make it right, strange, i notice he had a 7,000.00 price tag hanging on it when he dropped it off.
and about choked when i gave him an estimate.

[cafdfw]

Yes Chuck,
Can you post some 'after' photos when you're done?

BTW, I still get compliments on that tired looking Rockola carbine you refinished for me a couple of years ago. :beerchug:

~ Harlan