Handguns

As a diversion from rifle work, I will occasional bring in a hand gun project.  Not much you can do on your own with these new plastic guns!  I started working on 1991s like so many other people.  This was before the array of boutique builders.  Then, you had to fit the parts your self – adjustable sights, beaver tail grip safeties, loop hammers,etc.  I have spent many hours with a checkering file to hand cut the front strap of a  1911s.

Revolvers are mainly Smith and Wesson manufactured guns.  Again, their Performance Center now offers so many options that you really have to second guess trying to build your own.  Also, the prices for used pistol continues to increase.  The old police trade ins are no longer S&W Model 10s, but Glocks!  So your cost for parts can reach very close to the cost of a new gun!

In the plastic world, I have focused on the Springfield XD line in 45 ACP.  My choice all comes down to feel – in 45 ACP the XD and XDm fits my hand the best.  There are a few things you can do to upgrade the XD pistols and I will cover them as I work through the process.