[Demitrios]

Since becoming a gun owner, particularly a 1911 owner, I've been more and more interested in anything knowledge I can get my hands on regarding them. I picked up a copy of 'The Gun Digest Book of The 1911 Volume 1'. It's great but I'd like to have something that could teach me how to smith my own 1911's, the do's and dont's, so that when I feel more comfortable I can buy a beater gun and tinker with it at my own expense and not turn it full-auto at the range. Any literature at all would be greatly appreciated.

[dfariswheel]

The absolute best is "The Colt .45 Automatic: A Shop Manual, Volume One" by Jerry Kuhnhausen.

This is a manual written to use as a training aid for new gunsmiths.
Its the best gunsmithing manual there is by far.
Volume Two is more about blueprints of the individual parts.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=13805/Product/JERRY_KUHNHAUSEN_THE_COLT__45_AUTOMATIC

[Jim K]

There probably have been more books written on the 1911 pistol than on any other handgun ever made. The Luger would probably be the runner-up.

There are 1911 books on the history, military use, military contracts, manufacture, gunsmithing, accurizing, dis/re-assembly, etc., etc. There are books for collectors, for gunsmiths, for shooters, for owners, and so on.

I suggest a Google search or going to a reasonable size gun show, where you will find so many books on the subject that you will probably not be able to afford them all.

Jim

[CWL]

I second Kuhnhausen's book. Vol. 1

A lot more than just another gunsmith's how-to book.

[patrolman]

I would add Kuhnhausen's Volume II, Hallock's .45 Auto Handbook, and Pistolsmithing by Nonte. Plenty of good info in all of those.