Top 5 Modifications you should make to a 1911 - Bill Wilson & Massad Ayoob - Critical Mas Episode 24

Not true! I shoot a gun at least 25 rounds before i clean it! OK, maybe I do clean a gun after 20 rounds…. :)

I actually like sitting down and cleaning my 1911 after a trip to the range. It's therapeutic.

Bill seems like a really humble guy. Wish I could afford one of his 1911's.

An often overlooked advantage of cleaning is it allows for a thorough inspection . Preventative maintenance .

My dad, before he passed away, was a gunsmith and somewhat of a collector of guns. Of the 30-something pistols he had, 13 were 1911 frames in various calibers and sizes,mainly.45 though. I had asked him “Dad, do you like 1911’s much ?” He replied, “Its the best and only automatic pistol made in my mind “. Thank you guys for all the content.

Amen on Bill's magazine choices. You can have an inexpensive gun or a tricked out Wilson. If you stick with those two mags, any feeding issues you had evaporate. Any mag that gives me a problem gets thrown away. The only ones that have survived? McCormick and Wilson. They are worth the price.

Thanks Mas and Bill. Also comment on Chip. More than 30 years ago, while living in NJ, I ordered some magazines from Chip. He called me to say thanks for the order. I still remember the pleasant conversation. And still have the mags. Respect to all.

I’m pleased to say that I now own my first Wilson Combat 1911!

I truly envy the wealth of knowledge that Bill has of the 1911 platform. Thank you so much for sharing some of it, and please keep it coming!

Listening to these men reminds me of growing up as a young boy, I was fortunate enough for one to have been brought up in the rural South where men and conversations such as this was common. Just as common was the likelihood that a rifle was in arms reach as much that a wrench, hammer or any other common tool was, and I thank God for it.

Two Masters. Top of their class. 👍🇺🇸

Back in the 1970s-80s I read everything I could find about Bill Wilson's recommendations and applied them to my own Springfield Armory basic model 1911-A1 a few years later: extended thumb safety (mostly to give my thumb some place to rest), extended slide release, beavertail grip safety, improved barrel lockup with match grade bushing carefully fit, etc. Even did my own ejection port relief for better ejection. It wasn't a pretty gun but it was reliable and accurate. And I still clean my guns once a year whether they need it or not.

My 1911 was issued in 1941 and spent the first four years of its life on a pacific island scouting for Japanese movements. When it came to me, it was beat up and lost all its park rising. Day I took it to the range and all eight rounds came out at once. Clearly it needed a rebuild. I brought it to Turnbull for restoration and then had it refinished. And also got a new trigger and several of the internals. Still has the same barrel it had during the war. At first I didn’t get anything you could call a group, so I handed it to a friend of mine, who is a sniper in the Marine Corps. He put all eight rounds through the same hole at 25 yards. Clearly I needed practice. But reliability and accuracy were certainly not an issue.

3 legends at 1 table, thanks fellas ⬆️💪🇺🇸

The Wilson oil is really good stuff. Since I live in Florida and it's almost always hot... I use the grease and universal oil. If it slides it's greased. If it turns it's oiled. After using it for over 3 years it really stands out compared to other oils. My EDC 45 gets deep cleaned every 60 days if I haven't shot it. I usually shoot my other 45 on the range. Anyway the grease is always still there and wet. I wouldn't want to run 100 rounds through it, but 8 or 15 rounds sure. I also use it on everything else. My 22s love it.

Wilson ETM mags are the best mags I’ve ever had period. A beaver tail and extended thumb safeties, slightly longer slide release, and barrel bushing were the first upgrades I made to my 1911. Best decision ever.

Good information as usual......In 1917, a corporal named York seemed to be pretty effective with a basic 1911.

When Bill speaks I listen. Wilson magazines are the only mags I'll use in a carry gun.

One of my favorite subjects. The mighty 1911!

As usual, I have zero arguments with any of this...you guys are pure 1911 gold! Speaking as a 50 year 1911 daily carrier, certified instructor and former L.E. instructor, Bill's remark about buying ammo and shooting the gun is 100% spot on. Better sights, better trigger, then go shoot the hell out of it. Frequently.