I don't know anything about the platform. I've assem-built several ARs from box of parts. Worked on Glocks.. etc.

I'm thinking of doing a 1911 build. Possibly from one of the %80 builds. Not because of some weird ghost gun non-sense. Just because that would give me the chance to hand fit the slide, lap the frame, and etc. Just that extra bit of love.

Anyone built a 1911? I understand there is much more work than throwing together a AR in a half hour. What should I look out for? Helpful suggestions?

Kinda leaning toward something like this:
1911 Builders Kit 9mm

Other than lapping slide contact points and re springing.I also bent spring in main frame to my liking on several.
I did some sights to.

Check the videos by Mosin Virus on full30.com.
He has done several builds.

PC

I love training so I'd probably do this or similar:

https://www.gunsite.com/classe...1911-armorer-course/

Adds $1,500 to the cost, but learning from a master gunsmith while building your own 1911 sounds awesome to me!

quote:

Originally posted by Strambo:
I love training so I'd probably do this or similar:

https://www.gunsite.com/classe...1911-armorer-course/

Adds $1,500 to the cost, but learning from a master gunsmith while building your own 1911 sounds awesome to me!

I've seen that. Seems neat but plus travel to Colorado just no way.

While some may welcome the challenges of building a 1911 from scratch getting it right is FAR more complicated than working on an AR or Glock.
Personally ( even if I was mechanically skilled- which I am not)
By the time you procure decent quality parts a slide a frame and get them running you will probably be into this project for more and in some cases much more, than buying an off the shelf Springfield or Colt. And keep in mind regardless of the outcome, a 1911 you spend 800-1000 bucks to build will only ever be worth half the money you put into it.

I love the 1911 platform so I took a class from Larry Vickers and it was educational. After you buy the parts and tools you will have a lot in your 1911, but if done carefully you can have a 1911 as good as a Wilson although it may not look as nice and you will better understand the 1911 and how to keep it running. As a sidetone Larry also referred to the class as "The Glock Appreciation Course". LOL

I have built many of them over the decades. The most recent was this long slide 10MM Auto a couple of years ago. Briley barrel with spherical bushing, 3 position Aristocrat rear sight with a custom machined front sight, ball bearing mounted trigger for a safe and repeatable 2.75 pounds and of course Thor's Hammer scrimshawed into the grips.



Here are a few of the others.



This was my first one in 9x23 Winchester (built around 20 years ago). I should probably pull it out and update the photo



If you really want to learn, and need to do it at home, The American Gunsmith Institute (AGI) has several online courses and DVDs that are a great place to start. There are many tips and tricks taught in those courses and they are much cheaper than even the plane fare to Colorado

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:
While some may welcome the challenges of building a 1911 from scratch getting it right is FAR more complicated than working on an AR or Glock.
Personally ( even if I was mechanically skilled- which I am not)
By the time you procure decent quality parts a slide a frame and get them running you will probably be into this project for more and in some cases much more, than buying an off the shelf Springfield or Colt. And keep in mind regardless of the outcome, a 1911 you spend 800-1000 bucks to build will only ever be worth half the money you put into it.

Ohh I totally get it. It's going to be like thinking you are doing a Polymer 80 Glock build to "save money". It aint happening.

This is more for the project sake. Plus a educational journey. I'll probably be in $1.500 with all the decking & frame cutting jigs. Sights & etc... Plus some files, grip, cerakote job. It won't be cheap. But it will be mine.

quote:

this long slide 10MM Auto

She is a beaut!!

Several years ago, one of the gun magazines had a series of articles on how to do such. It may be online by now.

Building a 1911 is on my list. After overhauling for the Dominator I'd really like to do one.

You can indeed "assem-build" a 1911, by ordering say a Caspian fitted frame and slide, and then appropriately selected parts. I may do one that route, and then another where more hand fitting is needed, such as these 80% kits available.

Actually taking a class would be great, but I don't mind burning some parts due to fuckups. Then again, I have some metalworking experience and some tools.

I'd say this is something that anyone who is honest about what they don't know, can enjoy by managing their own expectations and spending the appropriate time and money.

You can take classes, or you can do it by buying books and watching youtube. You might make mistakes, so what, how many mistakes have illustrious smiths made over time?

How not to make mistakes? Don't be in a hurry. You can always remove more metal. Putting it back means learning how to TIG, heat treat, polish and refinish...

Good files. A sturdy vice. Good punches. At least a drill press. Good sharp bits. Marking fluid. These are just some things that will ease your labor.

Unless you really fuck up, your 1911 can still be a shooter, rather than the ubersoldat you were aiming for.

I built one about 15 years ago, Caspian frame, Brown barrel, Colt slide. Fitting the key parts with hand tools was a huge amount of work. I would not do it again without a milling machine. But it came out really well and still shoots excellent groups.

If I can build this:


You can definitely build a 1911. Now it's not apples to apples, but I easily could've bought two rifles for the cost of the kit, receiver, tools and jigs. Depending on your desired level of challenge, you should at least know how to properly use a drill press, have a quality one (or access to one), proper bits and reamers, and the patience to file/stone/sand without resorting to a dremel. If you want more advanced, you're gonna need access to a mill.

The payoff is the pride that comes with shooting something that you really worked on to build. The cost is you're gonna want to do it again. And again.

parts are better now as far as building 1911's than there were years ago,

still, some parts may all drop in and work right from the get go,

others may need a touch or 3 of fitting,


gotta say, that kit for $1100,

personally I would just buy a used gun and rebuild or modify,

That Gunsite course would be fun.

I have built several 1911 and Para frame 1911 pistols. It is not difficult if you can be patient. I am lucky to have an amazingly talented and knowledgeable gun smith who helped me all along the way. All resources you need can be found on line. Files, and other essential tools can be reasonable if you shop around. The only thing you cannot get online, is the courage to begin. That you must supply. If you find yourself in a bind, feel free to reach out.

quote:

The most recent was this long slide 10MM Auto a couple of years ago

Damn! That is one pretty looking gal.
LUST!

Start off wth a "base gun" and modify...build it up your speces. It'll be a lot easier, imho.
This started off as a Springfield base "GI-45" and I built it up to better replicate a GI/WW-II 1911-A1.

In the end, i did have my 'Smith replace and tune the trigger, but I did the other work to get it into a decent shooting replica of something I can't afford...and wouldn't want to put a lot of ammo thru.

I dropped a few parts into my other 1911s over time and recently built up a cheap Armscor frame with a Sarco 1911 kit which was cheap and turned out to be very nice. If your considering it I'd say try a cheap parts kit first. I think I was out about $250 or so for that project. A few parts didnt fit and needed to be fitted but it wasnt a bear with patience.

I'm considering doing a full premium build myself and I think that armscor sarco gun will be the test bed for alot of the things I do on that gun. I'd rather work on my filing with a cheap gun than a quality part. I'll throw up pics but its been a long term project so I'm not sure when I'll start and finish.