ATI M1911 GI: An Impulse Buy, But It's Nice

**marks** · December 5th, 2011, 02:46 PM

Just a fun gun, perhaps to tweak/tune, but definitely intended as a range/"what'll I shoot today" gun.

I found one minor issue (because it bothered me, not because it didn't work): The grip safety rattled a bit. After returning from the range with it today, I bent the right-most sear spring blade back a bit and solved that. While I was at it, I also swapped out the grips.

The gun runs flawlessly with respect to feeding, firing, ejecting, slide action (locked back after the last round). This is the only 1911 I have with "standard" sights (all of the others have Novak sights), so it took me a bit to shoot it accurately. I've also been shooting the DW CCO a lot lately, and as would be expected, this trigger's got a different feel as well.

Overall though, I like it (despite having to tweak the spring). The slide to frame fit is good, the trigger's decent out of the box, and it fired it's first 100 rounds (Magtech 230 gr FMJ) flawlessly through a WC mag (The gun comes with an ACT mag, which I like, but prefer the Wilsons).

**Chazman321** · December 5th, 2011, 02:53 PM

Like any 1911, it's going to need a little tweeking... That isn't a bad thing, most every gun owner does it with a new pistol. First thing I did with mine was replace the mainspring from 19 lbs. to 17 lbs. and that alone made a big difference in the trigger... It's a 1911, feel free to tinker! lol

-Chaz

**Neko456** · December 5th, 2011, 03:26 PM

Sounds like it might be a pretty good base to build on. How are the sights on on it? 1911 A1 Military sights are usually terrible.

**marks** · December 5th, 2011, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Neko456

Sounds like it might be a pretty good base to build on. How are the sights on on it? 1911 A1 Military sights are usually terrible.

They're terrible.

Actually, they're okay, but I find that rather than aiming dead center bullseye, as I do with the Novak sights, I need to hold/aim more 12 o'clock with these sights.

Knowing that, and shooting in a well lit area, it's no big deal.

**marks** · December 5th, 2011, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Chazman321

Like any 1911, it's going to need a little tweeking... That isn't a bad thing, most every gun owner does it with a new pistol. First thing I did with mine was replace the mainspring from 19 lbs. to 17 lbs. and that alone made a big difference in the trigger... It's a 1911, feel free to tinker! lol

-Chaz

I've never tinkered with the others I've had (or have), so yes, I bought this with that in mind. I feel pretty good just having adjusted the spring with no problems.