So, just purchased a CPO 1911 9mm Match Elite. I've always really liked the 1911 platform, but find I shoot my 9mm guns a lot more than my .45's. Ammo is cheaper, less recoil, and, because there is less recoil I'm faster on follow up shots. So I decided it was time to get a 1911 in 9mm.

I have to say, for the most part, I'm really liking this gun. So far I have about 200 rounds through it with zero problems. A CPO, this gun looked almost new and cost $2-300 less than what I could get for a new one. Gun is well put together and slide to frame fit is very good. Plus, it had upgraded Bomar style sights, which I prefer to the 2 dot rear sights the gun normally comes with.

My only complaints:

(a) SIG CPO's used to come in a red plastic box - this came in a cardboard box. For $800 bucks you'd think they could spring for something a little nicer.

(b) What's with the idiot lanyard thing they put at the bottom rear of the grip? After 100+ rounds at the range the heal of my hand doesn't appreciate the sharp edges that poke into my skin.

(c) Given how accurate the gun is and how well it shoots, it deserves a better trigger. Current trigger breaks at about 5 pounds and could be a little crisper. Seriously considering having a gunsmith try to bring it down to somewhere below 3 pounds.

Anyone else own this gun/have long term experience with it? I guess I'm old school, but to me a 9mm 1911 is the perfect pistol. Sure I own a couple of the newer polymer, striker fired wonders, but to me nothing points better or has better ergonomics than a 1911. Combine that with the low recoil of a 9mm and you have a match made in heaven.

I had a trigger job done locally on my SIG Nightmare 1911. Smith did a very nice 3# trigger using all the factory parts.

Been doing a little Googling to try to find a good local gunsmith. Recently moved from MA to CO, so don't really know anyone out here. Found someone in Arizona that looks like he's top notch, but then I'd have to pay to ship the gun to him and for him to ship it back. Plus, it could be months before I see my gun again.

I would think a good local gunsmith could get me close to 3 pounds with factory parts, which would be my preference since it would save me some $$$. The gentleman in Arizona would upgrade some parts as well and could probably get me down to about 2.5#, but that's going to be $200+, plus the cost of shipping.

You can always buy Nighthawk's Trigger job in a bag. $350 gets you all steel components, new trigger, and a 3.5# trigger pull. And if you decide to sell the Stuff, you can take it out of the gun and put the factory parts back in.

Thanks Dan. A little nervous about trying to do it myself since I've read that with a 1911 "drop in triggers" aren't necessarily drop in. After a little Google research it I think I've found a respected gunsmith in AZ who can get it down to between 2.5# and 3# for around $200, plus cost of shipping.

Am going to live with the gun for at least a few more weeks, put some more rounds through it and then decide whether it's worth it to me to spend some additional money to improve the trigger.

Based on past experience I suspect that's where I'll end up.

You didn't mention what part of Colorado, but you may want to consider PM Guns between Loveland and Fort Collins. I have known Pat for years, and he does quality work. he specializes in 1911's. Good luck with your search.

I have a Sig 1911 Stainless Carry. The trigger in it was already pretty good. I used a Cylinder and Slide drop in kit to reduce the trigger pull to about 3.5-4 lbs. Most of the internal parts are titanium coated. You can see the "gold" pins at the rear of the frame. They were all drop in parts. It has the best trigger pull of any 1911 I've ever owned. Better than some I've seen sent off to some smiths for a trigger job.

quote:

Originally posted by Houndog:
Been doing a little Googling to try to find a good local gunsmith. Recently moved from MA to CO, so don't really know anyone out here. Found someone in Arizona that looks like he's top notch, but then I'd have to pay to ship the gun to him and for him to ship it back. Plus, it could be months before I see my gun again.

I would think a good local gunsmith could get me close to 3 pounds with factory parts, which would be my preference since it would save me some $$$. The gentleman in Arizona would upgrade some parts as well and could probably get me down to about 2.5#, but that's going to be $200+, plus the cost of shipping.

Tim has always done a great job on anything I've taken in. Doing business with him for over 20 years.. https://www.tjsgunsmithing.net/

quote:

Originally posted by Micropterus:
I have a Sig 1911 Stainless Carry.

Nice pistol.

I've owned 3 SIG 1911s.

Traditional Match Elite in 9mm.
Stainless Carry in 45.
XO in 45.

I liked the Carry but never carried it and never shot it much, too many other pistols I guess so someone came along that wanted it more than I did so I sold it.

XO is good, it's my basic 1911 for single stack events. It shoots well and I like it quite a bit.

My Traditional Match Elite is a real gem. Let me put it this way, I've loaned it out to several different friends and I should have signed up with SIG to get commissions because I've sold a lot of these guns for SIG.

I use Wilson mags so I get 10 rounds of 9mm in it. About the only 2 complaints I have are that the wood grips are nice looking but I'll probably put G10 grips on it and the front sight that came on this model is a bit wide for my tastes although to be fair it's performed well for me in local pistol matches. I think I'd rather have the narrow, fiberoptic sight like on the Max Michel.

I think SIG makes a great 1911 for the price. I am NOT a 1911 fan, so I only have 4 at the moment but I see no reason to buy anything other than a SIG 1911 until you get up to the semi-custom guns like a Les Baer or Night Hawk etc. Which I'd never buy personally, not being a 1911 guy.

Sig Mann - I'm in Gunnison, which is pretty much off the beaten path - probably about 4.5 hr. drive to Loveland/Ft. Collins area. I will definitely check out PM Guns. Ultimately, I don't need a competition level trigger job, just looking for a reliable gunsmith who can get the trigger down to about 3# pull with a reasonably crisp break.

Micropetrus - that is a great looking gun. I assume it's a .45. Although I did have a license to carry in MA, and am thinking about getting a concealed carry permit in CO, I've never been someone who carries on a regular basis, and although I own 7-8 pistols they've always been primarily range guns and are full sized. If I ever decided to go with something more compact that looks like a really nice option.

Valkyrie - thanks for the recommendation. I will definitely check out Tim.

John3200 - I'm a pretty big fan of Sig (not surprising, since I'm on this forum). First gun I ever bought was a Sig 226 about 20 years ago. Have thousands and thousands of rounds through it and it is probably my favorite pistol. That's one of the reasons I grabbed the Match Elite. I do like the 1911 platform, and have confidence that Sig makes a high quality product that's also generally a good value.

Do it yourself.

When you have the gun stripped down for cleaning/inspecting stone/break all the sharp edges you see, polish the trigger channel,the frame where the hammer sets into, trigger bow, sharp edges on the sear spring, etc.
The only edges I do not touch are the interface surfaces between the sear and hammer.

Do this and you will have your crisp 3 1/2 lb trigger.

Bob