Building a pistol or which one is the best bang for the buck but...

[WinchesterAA]

requires a lot of out of the box modifications to get running reliably?

Contemplating building a few of my own rifles really got me into gunsmithing in general, and I wouldn't mind at all for my first pistol to be built (atleast a little bit) by me.


I've never researched this topic before in even the slightest of senses, but why not?


Anywho, parts kits for pistols? Is there such a thing? Can I buy recievers? Is it cheaper than buying NIB?

Alternatively, buying a crappy pistol that has a lot of potential excites me almost as much as building one from a parts kit.

[kjeff50cal]

The only "parts pistols" I can think of is the JMB 1911. First made by Colt and now made by elevendy hundred "manufactories" the 1911 parts, for the most part, interchange within their frame (receiver) configs. They are not hard to put together and going through the options may take longer than building your project.

Receivers can be bought and you will have to do the paper work (4473) only on that part.

[WinchesterAA]

sounds cool, since I want a 1911 anyway!

any starting points you can think of off the top of your head for cheap prices?

[daysleeprx]

I think it'd be most cost effective to get an entry level 1911 like a RIA, take it apart, and then replace what you want.

You COULD go all out from scratch and get all your components from say, Caspian, but that'd be mucho dinero.

[svtruth]

but the Brownells catalog looks like a good starting point.
Good luck.

[usp_fan]

There is a whole section devoted to building 1911's over at the 1911 forum. Go figure...

What I can tell you is that I was considering a full build using Caspian parts. What I ended up doing was finding a very good used springfield and modifying it to my likes. I saved at least $400 and more likely $600. In the future, if caspian gets their titanium frames back into production, I'll likely do a full on build.

--usp_fan

[WinchesterAA]

I think I found a winner here, upon first inspection...


http://www.sarcoinc.com/images/c45097.jpg

1911 parts kit (less frame) for 186$

http://www.sarcoinc.com/cgm.html#2


ETA - what's rock island's work like? They have some ridiculously cheap 1911s that look straight up my alley.

[Taurus44]

I recently got bit by the 1911 bug myself. I just picked-up a used Springfield Armory GI yesterday, and I've got a Taurus PT1911 coming next week (I couldn't resist the features for the price!). I've also been contemplating building my own full-out race gun. Well... As "full-out" as you can be in IDPA's CDP class. ;)

Caspian has been mentioned, but for a slightly less expensive alternative, check out Essex Arms (http://www.essexarms.com/), too. From everything I've read, Essex has been doing 1911 frames and slides for a long time. They originally got a bad rep for quality control issues, but it looks like they've really straightened-up in the last 5-10 years. I haven't found a single (recent) bad review. They've also got multiple options for sights, etc.

I think what I'll probably end up doing is turning my GI into a nice carry gun and the Taurus into a CDP gun (for now). Then I'll start collecting parts for my own "custom" 1911. I'm not doing it so much to save money as I am to have a 1911 EXACTLY how I want it. I mean, isn't that the whole point of custom guns? ;)

[10-Ring]

Get a nice 1911 -- Colt or Springer and have at it! ;)

[wooderson]

Armscor (Rock Island) has a real cult following. You can contact some company reps at the m1911.org forums - I believe they sell a frame/parts kit of their own through the US distributor if that's the path you want to go down.

[Taurus44]

You can buy a Rock Island frame from Sarco for $80. The cheapest I've seen an Essex (the next cheapest frame) is about $120.

[ugaarguy]

AA, this thread may help; from when I inquired of the THR membership as to the feasability of building a 1911. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=213627&highlight=contemplating

[WinchesterAA]

that does indeed help =)

I'm not really worried about cost savings and all of that, but I'm craving a fun long-term project. I am mostly confident in my tool skills, and have all but mastered the dremmel, so filing to fit is routine. I've never built a gun from the ground up that I didn't completely disassemble first.

[Hawk]

This guy seems to have kept a bunch of stuff on the site although he's also selling the DVDs. It came in handy for me.


http://www.roderuscustom.tzo.com/

Eventually, I'd like to try this - not cheap, though.
http://www.cylinder-slide.com/1911class_new.shtml

[WinchesterAA]

I wish they'd teach smithing classes in my college. That'd be awesome.