Love it or hate it, the 1911 is here to stay.
But sometimes, the ones you find on the shelf need a little more oomph. So, we’re here to help you elevate your pistol with the best 1911 upgrades to make it perfect.

We’re breaking it down into easy DIY mods, gunsmith required upgrades, and recommended products.
So let’s dive in!
Best 1911 Upgrades
In this article, we’re not diving into pushing the boundaries of performance and reliability for competition. Just some effective upgrades that can make your 1911 more suitable for your needs.
Lessons learned from upgrading several of our guns and even building one from the ground up. Also some links from our favorite vendors so you can find the best price at the moment.
1. Grips
All it takes is a few turns of a screwdriver to put in new grips that will give your gun a new look and feel. There are waaaay too many options here and it’s mostly personal preference.
For me…I always like extra grip over everything else.
I’m also a fan of the thumb groove that lets you hit the magazine release easier. Make sure to choose the correct size based on your 1911…most likely either Government (full-size) or Officers.

Magpul 1911 Grip
Cheap with moderate grip. What I have in the top-most 1911 above. Except I went above and beyond and also stippled it for extra grip.
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VZ Grips
One of the most well known and respected grip manufacturers of G10 material grips that are virtually indestructible.
My go-to race gun uses the Simonich Gunner Grips which are known to be the grippiest ones they have.
Warning though…you’re going to build up some tough hands after a long range session. Operator II’s and Alien’s are grippy but not painful.
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Hogue 1911 Wraparound Grips
No grip list is complete without Hogue grips. Here is the popular wraparound version which gives you finger grooves along with their trademark grippy rubber surface.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Alumagrips
Forget wood, polymer, and G10…Alumagrips goes with precision milled aluminum for a light and snug-fitting grip.
I really like their “Grater” model which gives a Goldilocks amount of grip.
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2. Magazine Catch
If you’re having problems reaching the magazine release easily you can swap out the magazine catch for an extended version. The hardest thing you might have to do is light sandpapering to fit it into your frame.
Wilson Extended Mag Catch
Extended version from the trusted Wilson Tactical brand.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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EGW Extended Mag Release
My preferred extended magazine release since in addition to making it easier to hit, it raises loose-fitting magazines a little higher into the magwell to make feeding more reliable.
I was having problems with feeding the first round of a new magazine and switching out the release to this one cured my race gun.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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3. Mainspring Housing + Magwell
Chances are your mainspring housing that came with your gun is fine.
However, you can choose to swap it out for a different checkering pattern (more or less aggressive), if you want a palm swell or not, or if you want to have a combo extended magwell.
All Mainsprings
Too many to count…choose one based on your criteria of pattern, palm swell, and even material.
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Ed Brown Maxi Well
My preferred mainspring housing incorporated an extended magazine well for easier magazine changes. The regular magazine well of the 1911 is pretty small and I find the Maxi Well makes it so much easier under stress.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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4. Full-Length Guide Rod
Beating a dead horse topic on forums…
I prefer to go with a full-length guide rod because it adds some weight to the front which reduces muzzle flip and it minimizes the recoil spring from potentially binding on the short guide rod.Â
I can deal with the slightly more difficult assembly/disassembly process. Plus if you hate it, you’re only out a few bucks.
Full-Length Guide Rod
Blue or Stainless options. You decide!
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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5. Extended Slide Release
Another quick and easy part swap for some decent gains if you’re having trouble hitting the slide lock during reload.
Wilson Extended Slide Release
What I chose in my build project and works great. Comes in blue or stainless.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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6. Magazines
If you’re having feeding issues, it’s almost always your magazines. The ones that came with your gun are probably not great.Â
And for the 1911, there are two names that are regarded as the best magazines.
If you want to really dive deep in this though, we have a dedicated article for the Best 1911 Magazines — 45 ACP and 9mm!
Wilson Combat Mags
7- or 8 round-capacity.

Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Chip McCormick Mags
8 round capacity.

Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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7. Best 1911 Sights
Probably the most important upgrade if your 1911 came with stock crappy sights. You can install them yourself but I’ve found 1911 sights require some fitting and sanding that is probably better left to the pros.
As for what sights are the best…it’s personal preference.

You will also have to figure out if your current sights are Novak or Bomar cut on the frame, and then choose a new sight accordingly.
Sometimes you will have to have a gunsmith mill the frame if you’re on a GI frame or looking to switch cuts.
Night Sights
A necessity if you are using your 1911 for self-defense purposes where most encounters happen at night.
Will probably be two-dot rear sight with one dot front sight. Cannot go wrong with Trijicon, Meprolight, or Truglo. More options.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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XS Big Dot
Another favorite for quick target acquisition since it’s just lighting up the rear “V” with the big front night sight.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Fiber Optic Front Sight
Really visible during the day and a small sight for more accurate shots. You can pair it up with a fiber optic rear site as well. I like running an rear adjustable sight with it. More options.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Adjustable Rear Sight
Pairs nicely with a really visible front sight such as a fiber optic. Adjustability allows you to really hone in your accuracy for a set distance and/or ammo.
Different choices of rear such as pure black or two dot sight. I run the black STI on my race gun.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Honorable mentions: Heinie Sights and 10-8 Performance. I haven’t personally tried them but I’ve heard rave reviews from competitors

8. Trigger
You could probably install it yourself with our guide, but it does require some custom fitting and tweaking. The end result is going to blow your current stock trigger away.
Wilson Ultralight Match Trigger
Several lengths and curves. I run two of the long, skeletonized, and with a curve.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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All Triggers
Lots of other triggers out there with different looks, I recommend getting one that has overtravel and pretravel tweakability.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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What’s your take on fixing up your 1911 trigger until it’s super light and super smooth?
9. Trigger Job + Springs
This is how people mess up their 1911s. We have a tuning guide if you’re up to it…but I would suggest leaving it to the pros if you’re not super confident in your skills.

And spring changing is how you end up making your 1911 unreliable. I should know…I have a box of different spring weights before I gave up and just went with stock springs.

10. Add a Rail
Do you have a 1911 without an accessory rail? Check out the Grip and Rail System from Recover Tactical.
This rail installs in just minutes with the supplied hardware and allows you to mount up modern accessories to your 1911.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Conclusion
This should get you started on getting your 1911 a modern facelift! Be careful in how you go about your upgrades and always save the old parts, you never know when you’ll want to revert something down the road.
What upgrades have you added? Got any “must-haves” that we missed? Let us know in the comments! Don’t forget to take a look at the Best Pistol Weapon Lights and the Best Pistol Mounted Red Dots to take your 1911 to the next level.
13 Leave a Reply
Great info guys. I want to add serrations to the front part of my 1911 grip, and dont have the time to do it myself. I have seen a few videos, but i must admit, this is beyond my skills. Could you recommend anyone that does this kind of jobs? thanks,
-Frankie
Checkering! I meant to say Checkering.
Very informative and very precise for a new shooter and even some of us old fogies. Was issued my 1st 1911 as an MP in Berlin 1966.
Very informative article. Thanks.
I carried a 1911 in the Army in Vietnam and I loved it and
depended on it. But short of knowing how to clean it I had
no idea the things I could do to upgrade it. I recently bought
a Government model and I want to upgrade it. My first concern
is the sights. As you know, the sights are almost non-existent.
Two questions - First is the rear sight replaceable? Next, Would
it be a bad idea to replace the slide its self with an upgraded one?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
What rail attachments did you add onto the 1911s? It looks like the rails are part of the frame but I know for a fact the colt does not come with a rail installed.
Am I correct in assuming that under the recoil spring table, the 10mm weights should be 18.5 to 20? It says 18.5 to 2, which doesn't make sense.
TRIGGERS: "GREIDER PRECISION" (BOB & JENNY GREIDER)--THEY PURCHASED ALL THE TOOLS, DIES, PRINTS, RAW MATERIALS, ETC. FROM MR. VIDEKI, WHEN HE RETIRED. GREIDER ALSO MAKES THE MAJORITY OF TRIGGERS FOR ALL THE "UBER-HIGH END & FANCY BRAND NAMES".
MAGAZINES: MCCORMICK RECENTLY SOLD HIS COMPANY TO "WILSON COMBAT", BUT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BOGATA, TEX. SHALL REMAIN. CHIP MADE ALL OF THE "WILSON" MAGAZINES SOLD UNDER THE TRADE NAME "WILSON COMBAT" SINCE DAY #1.
HINT: YOUR PISTOL COULD CARE LESS WHAT "NAME" IS ON IT'S PARTS !!!! PURCHASE HIGH-QUALITY PARTS WITHOUT THE "BRAND NAME". YOU GET THE SAME PART, BUT THE $$$$$$$ IS MUCH LESS !!!!!
Hi, Eric. Nice article. What mags would you recommend for a double stack 45? I have a Para Pro Custom that I love but the persistent feed problems where the round seems to enter the chamber at the wrong angle then gets stuck has kept it in my safe instead of at the range. Thanks!
Thanks for all the info.......Holland the worst country to own a colt 1911 .22. Info....parts etc is finding a needle in a haystack. Terrible but i love my colt 1911. I see in upgrades & mods nothing about red dot sights....i'd like to mount a docter or similar one. Question if powerful enough. Maybe some info would fill in some blanks........thanks again forr the info.
You're welcome, Peter! We have an article on handgun red dot sights here. But it's catering to those with slide cutouts.
great info.
hey found a spot that the thought dropped off
( cut off mid sentence)
Best 1911 Sights
You will also have to figure out if your current sights are Novak or Bomar cut on the frame, and then choose a new sight accordingly. Sometimes you will have to...........???????????
We will sometimes have to WHAT?
Thanks for catching that! It should read:
Sometimes you will have to have a gunsmith mill the frame if you're on a GI frame or looking to switch cuts.
Hey Eric, great article as always. I completely agree with your top two recommendations for magazines. Here's my #3 which I feel should be included.
Tripp Research Cobra Mags
https://www.trippresearch.com/store/store_1911.html
Great magazines, althought WC are my go-to first choice.
Take care!