JayDee

I have mostly H2 buffers in my various rifles, including the ones with adjustable gas block. This is not totally necessary, but I often swap uppers and lowers depending on the objective at hand. Desert tortoise mentions just about everything you would need for a build. A punch made for the bolt release pin is a good investment: it's handle is flat on one side, letting you install the roll pin without marring the receiver. Well worth the $10+/- if you are going to build or work on ARs more than once. The more you build, the easier it gets

I prefer the feel of a rifle length system, but intermediate can be made to feel just as nice with low mass bcg and adj. gas block. re: #2, that is a fine place to start. I use H2 buffers in most of my rifles and they work great. re: #3, miculek comp works great and is the least expensive one out there that actually works. re: #4, I've had great performance from CMC triggers. <$200, good options for trigger profile, smooth break, crisp reset, easy installation.

Hard to pick only one,,,, so here are my two favorites: 1. 1994 vintage 75 CZ Compact. Why? It is tight and wicked accurate for a 4" barrel production gun 2. Tactical Sports. Why? Amazing trigger and great ergonomics. I have 9 & 40 top ends and it is a great system for USPSA Limited Major, Lim Minor, Steel Challenge & 3Gun.

All are good options, you can't go wrong with DW. I have owned PM9s, Valors and a couple other DWs. A couple notes: If you get the Specialist, double check the weight of Specialist to make sure it is SS legal, the 9mm versions often weigh a bit more than 45s. Also, BladeTech makes a basic molded holster that works with the rail. Valors are the top-of-line and typically have a bit more fit/finish than the other models. The brushed finish will show some wear with a kydex holster. The Duty Coat versions reportedly hold up better. They lack front cocking serrations but I am OK without them in single stack. PM9 is hard to beat for SS-minor. Only need a magwell to be competitive in USPSA.

+5 for PM9. Will not regret a DW in the collection.

That is kind of what I was wondering..... none of my other 1911s have this issue.

I'll check that out. Thanks.

I'm trying to troubleshoot an issue with an STI Edge. When the slide is removed, and the safety is engaged, pressing the trigger will drop the hammer. With the slide on it functions as one would expect. Is this a hammer/sear issue or perhaps sear spring? Any advice before I call a gunsmith?

I have a TS that has been tuned by CZC (flat trigger & TS race hammer) and I believe it has the OEM trigger return spring. At a match this weekend, shooting Can you Count (06-03) I got some trigger freeze probably because I was trying to hammer out 5 rounds as fast as possible. I'm sure it was because I didn't allow the trigger to reset completely. Aside from training myself to relax and let the trigger reset all the way, is there way to improve the positive reset of a TS trigger? I ask because I've had this happen a couple times with my TS but never with my 1911. Any suggestions?

Interesting..... I did not realize that the SSC was also available in 9mm. In that case, a magwell , better grips and ambi safety is probably in the range of $200-300 in value. The other $100-200 in price difference comes by having a pistol that very few own. Perhaps this is more desirable in the long run. I recently saw a used DW (.40 cal) listed on gun broker sell for $1400. DW has a bit of a cult following amongst 1911 fans and tend to hold their value.

@bofe954 Do you want a 9mm or a .40? The extra cost for the SSC is because it is the only DW .40 cal offering and is made in small quantities for CZCustom only. The PM9 is much more plentiful, available to dealers all over the country, and is 9mm only. Quality and fit should be similar. Only major differences besides caliber are that SSC comes with magwell and ambi safety. If you are competing in gun games, you will probably add a different magwell to either choice.

I had a PM9 and regret selling it. I also have 2 DW's in .40L SSC and a Marksman 40 from the DW custom shop. Hands down, the nicest 1911s I've owned. Fit and finish is impeccable and DW is easy to deal with if there is an issue. RE: SSC or PM9 for IDPA/USPSA/SC, If you want to score major, SSC. I replaced the magwell on mine with a Dawson Ice and have been totally happy.

One trick that worked for me loading 40 major and 40 minor, was to keep the powder charge the same and simply switch to a much lighter bullet for minor. In my case, I use VV N320 and 180s for major. Simply loading 155s while keeping everything else on the press the same results in a pleasant minor load, about 139PF, which is plenty soft in 40.

I've been very happy with Win, Starline and Federal and use these for my match ammo. The mixed brass goes into practice ammo.

I bought a used gloss blue 75B .40 slide a few years ago for $250.

I've owned a bunch of Tripp and Wilson ETM 9mm 10 rounders...... all great!

When I had a similar issue with my old 9mm 1911, I went to a GI guide rod and dremeled material from the inside of the grips. Magpul 1911 grip panels are super light compared to VZs. I didn't notice any difference shooting GI guide rod vs. FLGR.

I have an original SSC in 40 and it is a fantastic pistol. I also used to have a PM9. Very similar. Regardless, you will want to upgrade the magwell to something larger for USPSA. It sounds like the new SSC9 is an exclusive to CZC, so perhaps made in the DW custom shop?

I finally got to shoot it today and am reasonably pleased with the accuracy. I am not a bullseye shooter and I do not expect that level of accuracy from any gun. resting on a bag, I was able to keep a group around 3-4" at 25 yards which is about par for the course with my other gun and vision. It rattles more than my other guns, but it ran a variety of ammo at various COALs with no problem and the sights settle onto target nicely. @72stick & @zzt - thanks for the suggestion, I will check this out. The barrel appears to lock up super tight. No noticeable play anywhere. Thanks for the input!

I measured the gap between frame and slide with feeler gauges. They are accurate to about .002".

I've had great experience with Tripp and Wilson. Great product and great customer service. Aaron @ Tripp tuned my mags after 5 years of use for no charge and I bought a bunch of extra springs and followers. Couldn't be happier.

For smaller hands, Magpul grips or VZ Operators (with thumb scoop) make reaching the mag release a lot easier. I also use Wilson extended mag release and it works great. If you plan on reloading quickly (e.g. USPSA single stack), then a magwell is a good investment.

Ok, I know that some of this has been covered in other posts, but usually in regard to vertical play. From what Ive ready here and on 1911 forum, barrel to frame fit is more important than slide to frame fit for accuracy. I am interested in a friends 2011 (STI Edge) and it has a super solid barrel lockup, but the slide is loose compared to my other 1911s. It has some vertical play between the slide and frame (approximately 0.005") on each side. It also has some lateral play and the slide can be pushed from side to side at the muzzle (about 0.012" on each side, 0.025" total play). Not sure of round count and I haven't shot it yet. I'm not sure that peening the rails will fix this amount of slop. Is this a good candidate for Accu-rails, or another fix? Or, is this a big deal at all? Thanks for the qualified opinions and insight.

Much of this has been covered in various other replies, but my experience, going from a 2011 to a CZ Tac Sport was a good one. I sold my 2011 and got a TS 40, upgraded front sight, magwell, grips (necessary for fit and function) plus trigger/hammer (not necessary, but marginally nicer). I also got a 9mm top end, and 6 mags of each caliber. The total investment was about $2400. Pros of TS - My TS required zero gun smithing to run & has been flawless - TS runs better with factory ammo - TS has less muzzle flip than my 2011 - TS Factory trigger is exceptional - TS is good value for the investment. Used TS can be found for $900+/-. Make it easy to try Limited on a budget. Cons of TS - Fewer gunsmiths specialize in CZ. There is one CZ gunsmith in my area, so I usually ship to CZ Custom in AZ for service when needed. There are at least a half dozen gunsmiths in my area that work on 19/2011s. - Aftermarket CZ accessories are more limited, but improving, compared to 2011 aftermarket parts. This includes magwells, magazines, sights, holsters, triggers, etc. - My TS mags do not allow >1.18", so if your pet load for major is 1.2", you will have to adjust. - TS has a pivoting trigger (compared to a straight-back 1911 style). May take some adjustment if you are used to 1911s, maybe not if you are used to production. - TS can be a couple ounces heavier than polymer framed 2011s

I use 4.5 grains of N320 under a 180 coated Eggleston, and 4.9 grains of N320 under Rainer plated. OAL 1.145" Makes 170-173 PF from my 1911 & my CZ TS.