Picking 1911 Parts, And Reasons Why, For Kimber 1911 Project

The 1911 is one of the most iconic handguns in American history. It’s also one of the most versatile pistols when it comes to aftermarket support. Unlike striker-fired pistols that tend to rely on modularity and factory upgrades, the 1911 rewards a different kind of shooter: the one who wants to fit, tune, and tailor the gun until it feels like it was made just for them.

This isn’t about building a race gun or an ultra-modern space blaster. This is about picking smart, functional parts that elevate your 1911 from good to great—and learning the value of quality upgrades along the way.

I started my project with a Kimber Custom LW, part of the Kimber Club Bundle package that includes a solid Kydex holster and mag pouch. Out of the box, this Kimber 1911 was already a solid shooter. But once I gathered the right components and sat down with some tools, it became clear that this would be the perfect donor gun to explore parts that just make sense.

The result? A refined, carry-ready 1911 with enhanced control and better performance. And best of all, it provides a level of detail you only get after spending time making the gun your own.

Why the Kimber Custom LW 1911?

I’ll admit—when all the parts started rolling in, I almost considered using a different base gun.

Truthfully, the Kimber Custom LW is a sleeper of a pistol. It comes with just enough factory refinement to justify the effort of working it over, but not so much that you feel guilty replacing parts. Plus, it’s affordable and reliable. Truly, this Kimber is a perfect candidate for an upgrade project.

The holster and magazine pouch in the Kimber Club Bundle come from Mission First Tactical. I found this gear to be pretty great for a factory pack-in. With a few smart component swaps, this gun transformed into something worthy of everyday carry.

Where to Source 1911 Parts

Plenty of companies make and market 1911 parts. For this build, I leaned heavily on Wilson Combat. Its name carries weight for a reason. Wilson Combat parts are clean, thoughtfully engineered, and well-supported. The Wilson team is also responsive to questions, which is a big deal when you’re hand-fitting something that almost drops in but needs a few file strokes to run perfectly.

That’s worth stating up front: 1911 parts are not all plug-and-play!

In fact, most of the good stuff isn’t. But the average shooting can get a lot done on their own with a permanent marker, a set of small files, some quality abrasives and a little patience. I always recommend covering surfaces with painter’s tape if you’re worried about marring finishes during fitting; it’s cheap insurance.

Frame Parts Highlights

Extended Safety
The Wilson Combat extended thumb safety offers a much better landing pad for your thumb. It improves control during recoil and makes for cleaner manipulation. Fitting a safety does require some careful work: you’ll mark the inside with the permanent marker, check contact points and gently relieve material. Done slowly and deliberately, this is a ten-minute job. Use a little cold blue on those file marks to cover worked-over spots. Doing so keeps it rust-free.

Flat-Face Trigger with Adjustment Screw
Swapping in Wilson’s flat-faced trigger gave me a cleaner wall and a crisp break with minimal overtravel. It changes how the gun feels in live and dry-fire. Coupled with Wilson’s Bulletproof sear spring, my Kimber’s trigger press dropped to a consistent 3.5 lbs. I find it strikes a perfect balance for carry and precision work.

Extended Slide Stop
This was a big upgrade for ergonomics. The extended tab reduces the thumb travel required to drop the slide. For small-handed shooters or pistol manipulation under stress, it helps.

Round Magazine Release
Oversized just enough to improve reloads without risking accidental drops. Simple install, instant improvement in function—especially with gloves.

Slide Parts Highlights

Heavy-Duty Barrel Bushing
A tighter-fitting bushing up front ultimately leads to tighter groups. Wilson’s match-grade bushing dropped in with minimal fitting and contributed to a noticeable increase in accuracy at distance. The thick front flange has a great aesthetic as it lands flush with the end of the bore.

Concealment Hammer
This is one of those upgrades that’s easy to overlook until you carry a 1911 often. Wilson’s concealment hammer dramatically reduces the footprint of the gun’s rear profile without compromising performance. I left the factory safety on so you could see the contrast in size. It conceals cleaner, prints less and still functions flawlessly.

Titanium Firing Pin
Adding a titanium firing pin is about peace of mind. The Kimber Custom LW doesn’t have a firing pin block (like most 1911s); it also comes with a heavier stainless steel firing pin. It means that if dropped directly on the muzzle, a gun like this could potentially discharge. Titanium’s mass is lighter than steel’s, so if dropped there isn’t enough inertia to accidentally move the firing pin forward and make contact with the primer. This swap is cheap and safe insurance.

X-TAC Magwell With Backstrap Texture
This magwell/backstrap combo vastly improves the reload experience. The flared magazine well smooths out any fumbled insertion, and the aggressive texture gives your palm a firm seat. I find it especially helpful with gloves or sweaty hands. Reloads become instinctive instead of deliberate.

1911 Accessory Highlights

XS Night Sights
I installed a set of XS night sights for fast pick-up in dark conditions. Their high-visibility front dot paired with a high rear notch works incredibly well for point shooting and controlled presses alike. The profile of these sights also allows for one-handed racking off a ledge.

Chip McCormick Power Mags
Standard Kimber factory mags are fine, but I swapped them for Chip McCormick Power Mags, both 8-round and 10-round versions. They feed reliably, drop free, and allow you to carry more ammo.

VZ Grips
Grips are personal, but VZ’s G10 panels are practically the industry standard for a reason. The set on this gun is trimmed to fit flush with the magwell and includes a mag release relief cut. Colors are orange and black. The grip texture is both aggressive but clean; it’s grippy enough for range or carry use.

Side Guard Holsters
One of the most important parts of any carry setup is the holster. And with a full-size 1911, you can’t afford to get it wrong. The rig I used came from Side Guard Holsters, and it disappeared on my beltline better than I expected. Comfortable, stable and shaped for a full-size gun. If you reach out, tell Erik that Mitch sent you—he’s a good dude making solid gear.

Ammo That Delivers
For testing, I reached out to HSM Ammunition. They delivered both plinking and defensive loads that ran flawlessly through the build. The 230-grain FMJ plated load clocked in at 786 fps and printed sub-2-inch groups at 40 feet fired from bag rest. The XTP hollow point load ran faster, averaging 813.9 fps with equally impressive accuracy. All measured on a Garmin Xero Chronograph. When a gun is tuned properly, good ammo pays dividends—and HSM delivers.

Worth the Work

The 1911 isn’t just a historic platform—it’s a living one. It continues to evolve, both through the companies that build them and the shooters who refine them.

This project proved again that you don’t need a brand-new boutique pistol to get great results. With a good base gun, smart parts selection and a little time on the bench, you can breathe new life into an already capable firearm. In doing so, you build not just a better pistol,but a better understanding of why the 1911 has stood the test of time.