I inquired recently about firing an unfired Fed Ord 1911

Loaded up some mixed brass with a dose of AA#5 (mid range load) and 195 grain Lees from a long ago mold (1980s).

Used an old mag of know function is case there were issues with loading/firing/ejecting.

No issues with the first 15 so I walked back to the house to step the load up a bit and see what happened. &.7 and 8.5 of AA#5 with 1.240" OAL.

Nother 6 and all functions were perfect. Higher powered load and I found NONE of he brass. I have to get someone to watch what happens with ejected brass, it is slightly to my right and behind me on both of them.

One impact in my berm was in soft wet clay section and at 50, I got a nice 3-4 inch opening and about 7" of penetration. In drier firmer clay I got from 10 - 13" of penetration.

Time to actually start working on a load for accuracy, not function check!

Unfired no more but Mr Browning should of had better front sight in his otherwise perfect design.

Heck I am even getting to where I love the way 1911 fits in my hand.

Lousy sights

SHOOTERS MUST HAVE HAD BETTER EYES

that pitiful front sight.

Would hate it in real combat, would have to point shoot.

A least with this slide I have no issue with whacking a dovetail across it.

I told ya those things were addicting. Load up a whole bunch of cast bullets and teach yourself to pointshoot - then you'll really be hooked.

A cheap metal detector will help find most of that brass.

Just enough to use but rugged and snag free enough to stand up to the rigors of combat.
many of us mananged to qualify expert with those "Lousy sights"

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Of the Troops & For the Troops

........when you qualified, whippersnapper?

Otony

using these unparalleled weapons.

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Of the Troops & For the Troops

I love how they fit mine but my new Series 80 feels different than what I'm used to with the spur hammer and standard grip safety. I was going to change it but I think I'm gonna stone the sharp edges off both the hammer and grip safety and see if I can learn to shoot it really well as is. I like the look of spur hammers...we'll see how it goes I guess.

I have bobbed and dehorned one Series 70 hammer, and I've dehorned several revolver triggers (mostly S&W, plus one Charter Bulldog), and I think you would find stoning a very slow process.

In the past, I have used Swiss-pattern files, but I wore those out, so most recently I tried diamond-type needle files. IMO, those are only a so-so replacement for the real thing.

If you don't have a full set, a half-round file, plus a full-round file should be enough to get the job done.

Here is the 'bob- & dehorn-job' I did on my Behlert Series 70 hammer using only hand tools.

The original shop work included narrowing the sides of the hammer to prevent it 'dragging' on the slide, but they left the edges pretty sharp, and there was a minor machining flaw near the end of the spur on one side. My meager efforts, while somewhat crude, rectified both matters.

You might also find emery cloth useful in 220- and 320-grit for cutting, and 400- and 600-grit for finishing.

Lastly, you can use good old 'Scotchbrite' to restore the finish on the sides of your hammer (I mainly use Norton-brand, in both green/coarse and gray/fine, with the latter being just about right).

HTH

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On the GS I could probably get by with a stone just to break the sharp edges and the hammer has sharp edges too. I didn't want to start by shortening the hammer much because I didn't think it wold look very nice, hence the stones to try and knock off the sharp edges. But, I really like the looks of that hammer/grip safety combo and I think I'm gonna do the same thing to mine. I'm going to copy that image and go to work:) I do have a large assortment of files...and hammers:)

I have about 25 lbs cast and lubed, but I use my airsoft to practice point shooting. The 1911 seems to be a good platform to do that easily and "accurately out to 10-15 if the airsoft is any indicator.

I'm wanting to get a good accurate load so I can shoot 50 now and 90s when the trees lose their leaves.

I have a HIGH dollar detector so if I will fill it with juice I can start fining the missing brass. 7.7 AA #5 made a fairly small little pile that I found most of them in, 8.6 and I have found one!

I have to admit . . . Sadly though

It seems to point shoot better than any of my wheel guns. And Wheel Guns are whats happening!