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Extended pieces on .45. Really worth it?

NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited October 2007 in Ask the Experts
I recently had the pleasure of shooting several .45's including my own Colt Mark IV 70 series, a Springfield, and some others. One of the bunch had an extended slide release, extended magazine release, and the extended beaver-tail grip. These are billed as "up-grades" by many companies. To be frank, they made no difference to me. I have never had the hammer bite the webbing of my hand, I thought the extended slide releases stuck out too far, and didn't care for the extended magazine release either. I like the plain simplicity of my Colt. Am I missing something?

Comments

  • magicmanml2magicmanml2 Member Posts: 213 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have not had a hammer bite the webbing of my hand either; however, on my new 1911, the original safety cut the webbing of my hand. I put a beaver tail on it is alot more comfortable. I guess the other parts are more a preference thing.
  • john carrjohn carr Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I handload the .45 ammo for my Colt 1911 United States Property and experience no hammer bite with the "soft" loads. But with the hotter loads it causes a cherry on the web of my thumb. I think that was one of the changes to the A-1, trying to get away from that.
  • PearywPearyw Member Posts: 3,699
    edited November -1
    Extended beaver tail can be useful. If it doesn't cause you a problem, you don't need it. The extended mag release is useful if you are shooting combat type competition, otherwise it is un-necessary. The extended slide release can cause problems. The extra weight can cause failures to lock open on the last shot in a magazine.
  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    all so called better mouse traps to get you to spend your hard earned money.
    Retired Naval Aviation
    Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
    Former NSSA All American
    Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
    MO, CT, VA.
  • COLTCOLT Member Posts: 12,637 ******
    edited November -1
    ...I don't think you've missed anything, I do like extended BT's though. A few rounds with hammer bite, and you'll see why ext. BT's can be a very good thing.
    ...Unless the gun comes factory with the "extended" this or that, I don't/won't add it...and I won't carry a cluttered up gun that does have all that crap on it...[;)]

    ani-texas-flag-1.gif
  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It depends on what type of shooting you do. If you shoot IPSC or IDPA type of matches then a beavertail and extended thumb safety and mag release are very useful. For bullseye a beavertail might make the gun more comfortable.
  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello I will throw out my opinion but for the most partI agree with other posters. Each and every person has a different hand shape. Shooters that have a lot of meat on their hands may get bitten by a short spur on the grip safety others may need a built up area MEMORY swell to get the grip safety fully pushed in others like me shinny "boney" can use a vintage 1911 pistol with no discomfort from the grip safety. All other modifications may help the operation of the pistol but if BUBBA just puts the parts on a stock pistol or a pistol-smith fit them to the gun will determine if they help or just look "COOL" . CHROME DON"T GET YOU HOME so my take is I would rather spend hundreds of dollars on match grade parts properly fitted like barrels and sights then $10.00 each all the DO-DADS in the world.
  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The A-1 grip safety took care of hammer bite and the A-1 hammer spring housing took care of the grip angle and grip base bite.
    Other than installing proven accuracy mods it's foolhardy to try and guild the lilly.
    Paint never held an airplane together and chrome wont get you home.
  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    magicmamml2: Thanks, I might have to try that myself
  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    John Carr: Thanks. I have only fired 230 grn ball ammo through my Springfield so far. Maybe I'll notice the difference with hotter loads
  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    PearyW: Thanks, that explains a lot. You know how easy it is to run out and add more bells and whistles. I am just a ham and egger type shooter. I shoot a lot and often but for fun.
  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bobski: I wondered if that might be part of the draw. I was looking at a new Kimber with Desert cammo, bells and whistles, and the store wanted $1500! I paid $425 for my brand new Springfield parkerized mil spec with wood grips and it shoots great so I am saving my money...for another .45?
  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For Colt: Thanks, and if I never got back to you, I did check out the Colt in the Commander size and it looks like a great gun. I still have my old Model Mark IV 70 series with the plain combat sights but man does that pistol shoot well.
  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    for dcs Shooters: regrettably, I am just a regular shooter who loves the .45.
  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For Perry Shooter: What you say makes perfect sense. I have kind of a skinny boney hand and the standard .45 fits my hand just right
  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For v35: Thanks. That makes sense to me. I was at a gun show where a smith offers a trigger job for $75 dollars while you wait. I tried one of his guns but I actually thought the trigger was way too light for me. I wouldn't mind a slightly better trigger on my Springfield (it has has maybe 100 rounds through it) but that was too much for me.
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