KJW 1911 Compatible Externals?
 

Hey everyone. I am planning a build and I had some questions. I've done some searching but most topics are on MEUs or hi-capas, and even then I'm not really getting the info I want or need. I do not want a MEU or hi-capa, I want to mod a standard 1911.

Anyway, I am looking at buying a KJW 1911 as a base gun. This one here: http://www.uppercanadatactical.com/K...CO2_p_980.html

Or the Skeleton arms M1911 by KJW: https://www.buyairsoft.ca/pistols/co...11-by-kjw.html

My question is...are these compatible with TM external parts? I am looking to change the slide catch, thumb safety, trigger, hammer, grips and slide. The slide is the most important thing I want to change so I can put some 3 dot irons on it. I hate the fixed sights that come on this model. I suppose my real question when it boils down is, are these 1911s capable of taking hi-capa slides?

After I get all the externals I want I was looking for internal upgrades as well, If I need them. But I will come back to that when I need to.

Before you tell me to go with TM...I own a few TM pistols and they are amazing. But If I get the TM 1911 and a metal slide for it, will it not eventually crack the frame? I also know I can get a full metal kit for a TM 1911, but they come with the slide that has the fixed sights that I hate, so I would have two spare slides laying around(the stock plastic and the one that comes in the FM kit). Unless I have no choice for what I want, I'd like to avoid getting a TM.

Anyway, sorry to bug you all with another 1911 thread. I just figured you all seem to know what you're talking about.

I would avoid the skeleton arms like the plague!

That kjw 1911 is pretty good! I got the exact same one.

All ur TM compatible parts should fit. Some will need minor modification that's just how it goes.

After market tm hi capa slides should fit on those rails. There are minor differences in frames between the hicapa and 1911 on the TM. You will notice on the left side of the 1911 tm model the rail will be slightly thinner. The corresponding slide will have a 'slide bar' inside to mesh with the rails. On the hi capa there is no slide bar and the rails are thicker on both sides. This is what the kjw rails look like. They are thick on both sides and should mesh just fine with a hicapa slide.

Kjw is a clone so note that changing mainspring housings may be a bit loose or very tight. Mainspring housings I find to be the most 'wiggly' when in non tm guns but could just be a late model kjw mold and tolerances could be off so and so forth.

Long story short. All your tm parts should fit with minor fitting

EDIT: grips! the grips on the kjw are curved on the inside to allow for the c02. You will need to heavily modify tm grips to fit this curved part if you want the grip weights. If you don't care about grip weights you only need to slightly modify them

Have you ever tried to fit one on? Just curious. I don't want to spend a load on a new slide that won't fit is all. It sounds like you know what you're talking about, and that's good. Thanks for the info...good to know.

Am I going to have to change mainspring housings for the hi-capa slides?

This is good news, I had a feeling they would because the KJW is a TM clone. I just wanted to make sure.

I was planning on making my own grips, actually. I know it's a bit of a pain in the ass to put the texture on them but I wanted to try to make them anyway. If I can't get it right I'll pick some up and remember what you said.

Thanks for the info!

EDIT: This is the slide I'd like to throw on that 1911: http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/pgc-sprin...l#.VsjnkubvFiU

I'm like 96% sure any hi capa slide will fit on those kjw rails. I don't have one on hand.. so I can't go test fit it for you sorry.

As for mainspring- it's the part below the grip safety and has no impact on the slide. It is used to give the hammer tension. And changing it out for an after market one is cosmetic.

Ah, I see. Thanks! I ended up grabbing the KJW, now I just have to hurry up and wait. Thanks for all the help. I'll have to post my build when it's all done.

To test this out for you, I just put a TM Hicapa 5.1 complete upper on a KJW 1911 MEU lower and it functioned beautifully.

Thanks Stryak, I appreciate the extra comfirmation. I'll have to post my build when I'm done.