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From: megatek!avf@UCSD.EDU (Andy Funk)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Dressing a .45
Message-ID: <35129@mimsy.umd.edu>
Date: 1 Jun 91 15:15:02 GMT
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Organization: Megatek Corporation, San Diego, California
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I'm getting a Colt Combat Elite. After evaluating it's out-of-
the-box performance, handling, and looks, I may want to add some 
goodies (read dollars) to it. I'm thinking along the lines of 
grips, sights, trigger, mainspring housing, safety, slide stop, 
magazines, and so forth.

The intended shooting use will be informal paper punching, home 
defense, and perhaps some IPSC. I've already got a "shooter" .45 
(Fed Ord). Now I want a pretty one. I'm more interested in 
opinions regarding the "best", rather that the least expensive.

Any and all comments will be appreciated.

I. Grips

I've always liked the Pachmayrs on my other guns, and I'm sure 
I'd like them on a .45, but what about the rubber Hogues?

I'm really leaning towards nice exotic wooden grips. I only know 
of two makers: Kim Aherns and Aaron Hogue. Anyone seen these? Are 
there other makers I haven't heard about? Where would one get a 
set of horn or other exotic grips?

II. Sights

I'll probably replace the stock three dot system with and 
adjustable target-style system. Any recommendations regarding the 
Pachmayr adjustible rear sight? Bo-Mar? Witchita? Others?

How do I replace the front sight? Knock it out with a punch and 
restake a new one? How's Millet?

III. Mainspring Housing

I'd probably like a checkered flat housing in SS to match the SS 
frame of the Colt. I've never seen any anywhere. In fact, the only 
aftermarket housings I've seen were Pachmayr (not counting the 
surplus beaters I've seen in SG News). Does Colt offer flat 
housings at all? Anyone else?

IV. Slide Release and Safety

These are quite ubiguitous, but has anyone seen any exemplary 
examples? I actually prefer the stock ones to the extended ones 
I'm using now (Fed Ord).

V. Trigger

I know there's a lot to this one. It may even be a religeous 
issue. I want a long trigger, light in weight as I will be 
working the trigger pull. Who makes primo triggers? Steel vs. 
aluminum vs. nylon vs. carbon?

I bought a Wilson Combat aluminum trigger once and was quite 
dissapointed. The machining was rough and the holes were 
misaligned. I installed it in my ugly gun. 

VI. Magazines

Ok, most any mag will work, but who makes the best? Colt? Wilson? 
Pachmayr? Does anyone have any experience with the 8 round mags? 
How about the 11, 15, or 20 round guys?