The Custom Sistema
One of my favorite pistols is a 1911 that I modified myself to meet my own specific requirements for a durable and accurate full sized carry 1911. With a hand fitted Wilson barrel, it is an inherently accurate gun.
Over time, I swapped out other parts, until I basically had a new gun.
After shooting a 1911 fitted with an Ed Brown grip safety, I decided that any 1911 I fitted a beavertail to would have one of his grip safeties on it. The Ed Brown grip safety requires the gunsmith to remove a significant amount of metal underneath the grip tangs. As a result, the web of the hand seats underneath the beavertail almost a quarter of an inch higher, placing the shooter's forearm closer to the bore axis for faster follow up shots and reduced perceived recoil. A couple of years back Ed Brown quit producing his grip safety without the "speed bump." That was a regrettable decision from my point of view. I prefer his grip safety, but I don't really care for the lump in my palm while shooting.
In a lot of ways, my modified Sistema is nothing fancy. It still has it's original military sights. The ejection port is GI. The grips are used rubber off a Kimber. The front strap has no checkering and there are no 1* inscriptions on the slide. What it is though, is a consistently reliable and accurate gun. You can read more about my modified Colt Sistema here.
Over time, I swapped out other parts, until I basically had a new gun. After shooting a 1911 fitted with an Ed Brown grip safety, I decided that any 1911 I fitted a beavertail to would have one of his grip safeties on it. The Ed Brown grip safety requires the gunsmith to remove a significant amount of metal underneath the grip tangs. As a result, the web of the hand seats underneath the beavertail almost a quarter of an inch higher, placing the shooter's forearm closer to the bore axis for faster follow up shots and reduced perceived recoil. A couple of years back Ed Brown quit producing his grip safety without the "speed bump." That was a regrettable decision from my point of view. I prefer his grip safety, but I don't really care for the lump in my palm while shooting.
In a lot of ways, my modified Sistema is nothing fancy. It still has it's original military sights. The ejection port is GI. The grips are used rubber off a Kimber. The front strap has no checkering and there are no 1* inscriptions on the slide. What it is though, is a consistently reliable and accurate gun. You can read more about my modified Colt Sistema here.
Labels: Sistemas
posted by Xavier at 9:57 PM
6 Comments:
I am a BIG fan of simple, purpose built firearms. If the Sistemas were still in a more affordable price range, I would strongly consider modifying one in a similar fashion. Do you think the same goal could be achieved with a Rock Island Armory pistol?
"consistently reliable and accurate gun" just about all that needs to be said. If everyone worried more about those two things, not on the latest greatest laser-polymer wonder,they would be better off.
It probably could Jordan, although I would advise looking for a well used Colt since you would be replacing the barrel and a lot of other parts.
Any chance you still have the original Sistema thumb safety in a drawer somewhere?
I had to replace mine with a GI safety. It works, but it's no longer original.
Picture here:
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m192/NVGdude/MEHSistema009.jpg
Sorry Mark, I sold the left over parts on ebay to defray the cost of the new ones.
If I had known......
Ed Brown speed bumps go away in a few moments of grinder work and a dip of blue. Just saying. Not that I ever would do such things to his parts...
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