Got my SARO back, very pleased so far!

My RO, bought used for $600, spent 9 months with Jon Eulette getting a rib, short roll trigger, and KKM 13 twist barrel. He advised shooting a bit heavier loads for break in than my previous 180 LSWC 3.7 BE, so I dug out some 4.0 BE and 4.6 231 loads. 

After a rough zero, I fired 5 magazines of 5, all different magazines and the two different loads, resting my arm on the bench. Overall group was about 10 ring size, or about half what it was with the stock barrel. If this is how it shoots at 50 with no load development and a rough rest, I suspect it's x-ring capable, and the trigger is fantastic! No malfunctions, and all the brass dropped in a neat pile just right of my bench.

Very happy with this package, a very capable, shootable, accurate w

ad gun for about $1900 all in, including the Holosun dot I put on it.

He must have fit yours a little looser than he fit mine since it has taken me a year to get it broken in and able to shoot lighter loads to function reliably.
It will now cycle 3.0 grs of Bullseye with a 185gr LHPSWC from Zero.
I've got the recoil spring down to 11lbs but was using a 12.5lb spring from EGW while breaking it in with 4.3grs of WST.

Mine should be a 12# spring, I have an 11 here somewhere if I have to get down lower. Eventually would like to find a load in the 3.5 range with the 180s that still shoots well at 50 so I can just deal with one load for everything. As for lockup, I don't know what a harder fit would feel like, this is my first and only 1911. It takes a very hard tug to unlock it by hand, and I can't feel any movement at all when it's locked up. In any case, I'm very pleased with it now.

Can you tell me what grips those are thanks

Also interested in what stocks / grips those are!
Thanks!

Trying to get a very slow low recoil 45 can be a challenge. Not everyone has a lockup or grip to handle it. It takes a stronger grip to get your 45 to cycle with wimp loads than faster loads. My SARO is mostly standard. It now has Briley Bushing, .200 slide stop, different mainspring and housing, and a short trigger. I say mostly standard because everything but the trigger can be changed out during a normal cleaning. I have found 2 loads I like a lot for it. 4.2 gr of Bullseye for the long line and 3.8 gr for the short line. Both loads are with a 12# recoil spring. Although the first group is with standard L-SWC I've actually switched to all L-SWCHP. That's a great bullet from Zero.

I'm surprised one of you eagle eyed shooters didn't notice the Wilson Combat full length guide rod.

I'll have to try more of the Zeros, I haven't tried the HP, although the 185 SWC shot well for me. I had switched almost completely to the Brazos coated SWCs since they were cheap, clean, and shot well. I'm not looking for super light, just something that will shoot well at both ranges to simplify my loading.

As for the grips, they are my own design, carved by me. Big Box store walnut, with the goal of incorporating a thumb rest and heel support without making the grip much fatter than slabs. I really like them but they're one of a kind (two, I guess, I have a similar pair I made for my 22/45 Ruger so they'd feel the same.

Fine looking gun! Always heard good things about Jon's work.

I know some folks around Richmond, CA will be elated to hear Jon is still alive & doing business. If any1 here can forward a message to him: “Richmond Rod & Gun Club remains faithful on his promise of delivering turning targets. It has been several years but We eagerly await his response or delivery.”-Sincerely, Thee dying breed of Bullseye shooters holding our breath…

Very nice job on the custom grips! I would love to see a picture of the other side.

I posted some pics of this set a few years ago when I first made them, if you search back on this forum for 'grips for SARO' or something to that effect you should be able to find them. Otherwise I can take a few when I get home later.

Dan Webb wrote:Very nice job on the custom grips! I would love to see a picture of the other side.

I think this is the older thread with pictures- (maybe not the same set of grips)

New grips for SARO (bullseyeforum.net)

Those are nice looking grips!

Yup, that's the thread, those are the same grips.

Dang, somebody actually got some work back from Jon Eulette? That's good to hear.

Cat got better

1911a145 wrote:Cat got better

*snort*

Patrick, Southern Minnesota Sportsmans Club fall league starts on Tuesday Sept. 3rd.Hope you can make it !
Chris

Hi Chris, thanks for the invitation! My kids' schedules got so busy I let my SEMN membership lapse. Would love to get back to the league but will have to hold off for now.

As for the apparent Eulette controversy, wow, I had no idea until I went back and read through the forum. I have never met Jon in person, just messaged him through the board PMs here, had good communication the whole time, and really like the finished product, so that's my 2 cents. Really sorry some others may have had worse experience than mine.

john bickar wrote:Dang, somebody actually got some work back from Jon Eulette? That's good to hear.

Ummm. I've been collecting parts... everything but a couple frames... 45  and a 22 Nelson ...

I'm in no hurry... should just forge ahead ...

Nothing but optimistic... my 'essential tremors' will become less 'essential' ... or "all'y'all" will benefit from the stash I'm a'piling...