W/C Professional Upgrades

[Rick McC.]

15 years after she was built, I figured it was time to upgrade the old girl.

I’d been shooting the pistol off and on in IDPA ESP for several years (but not in the last few). I wouldn’t carry it because it had an ambi safety. I never changed it out (something I usually do as soon as I get one that came with an ambi) because the gun has an OD green frame and most small parts; not something that’s usually available when ordering parts. I finally decided to bite the bullet cost wise, ordered some stainless bullet proof parts from Wilson, and paid extra to have them finished in Armor Tuff OD green.

The single thumb safety that I replaced the ambi with took about 15 minutes to fit. Then I had to remove the mainspring housing, and remove the internals from that to put in the one piece MSH/mag well that I bought, which I then installed. I also ordered some flat-bottomed Wilson starburst G10 stocks (made by VZ) to mate up properly with the new mag well and MSH.

A bit over four months ago, I received a new 9mm Wilson ACP (American Combat Pistol) for T&E, and to write a review of the pistol, which came out on the M1911.ORG e-zine in February. Anyway, shooting the ACP for several weeks got me in the mood to start shooting a 1911 in IDPA again. That’s when I decided to make the upgrades to my old Professional.

I’ve been carrying it whenever I go out, which lately, based on current events; has only been once every three weeks or so.

I’d like to post a pic of the pistol with her facelift, but until this site starts allowing uploads of pictures from my iPad again; that’s not likely to happen. Wish y’all could see her; but it came out really well!