1911 Custom Build--Suggestions Needed.

[AlanKent]

A relative of mine is wanting a pistol for personal protection, and asked my opinion as to whether she should get one. Because of her political views I was a bit stunned by the question, but seized the opportunity and offered to build her a 1911. While there are plenty of pistols that would suit her better than a 1911, I really want to make something that will be uniquely hers.

What I had in mind was a stainless steel, high-capacity, bobtail officer's model, in 9mm. Now that I'm looking at Brownell's, I fear that I won't be able to get her what she needs. The pistol will primarily be kept in a car glove box, so everything except for color and caliber is open to suggestions.

This will be my first 1911 that isn't a .45. How would you attack this project? I would like to complete the entire pistol for less than $1000.

 

[rcmodel]

IMO:
A 1911 is not a good platform for a 9mm, or a non-dedicated pistol shooter.

It has a magazine well made to .45 ACP / .38 Super length cartridges, and the shorter 9mm is just slopping around in there.

I also doubt the wisdom of giving a non-shooter a 1911 to keep in the glove-box on the off chance she might need a SD gun someday.

If she doesn't live with a 1911 24/7, she will forget what little she knows about using it safely by the time she needs to use it.

I would suggest a nice S&W stainless J or K-frame, or Ruger SP-101.

Do it with purple grips.
Heck, Duracoat it pink if you want.
But at least she won't likely shoot herself or someone else due to lack of 1911 safety knowledge.

And it won't choke on a short 9mm load and stop working when she most needs it to work.

A simple revolver is either loaded, or it is not.
You can tell by just looking at it.
It will always go bang when you pull the trigger.
Thats all she needs to know or remember.

rc

 

[jbaker]

got to agree with RC the revolver is a better way to go. Just because its easy to shoot and less likely to jam for a non shooter. And since you never built a 9 you might be putting more money in it then you want too spend.

 

[Luv my 1897]

Get a gun that is simple to operate.

A 1911 is not really a good choice for home/personal protection unless you are an avid shooter of them. I also think a revolver isn't the best choice because of the capacity. Sure they are great guns, but only having 5-6 rounds of generally high powered ammo (spare the .38 special) can cause a loss of situational control simply due to recoil. A simple, semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9mm or .40 S&W would be her best bet. The operation of these guns absorbs a significant amount of recoil, allowing quicker follow-up shots. Yeah, everyone wants a 1911, but is it really the right gun/caliber for her? You should look into a Sig or Glock in 9mm. You would probably want a full-size pistol rather than a compact or sub-compact due to the solid grip she will get. The main thing though is for her to practice, practice, practice! She needs to go to any shooting range she is comfortable with. You don't just say "here's your gun" and leave it at that. If she doesn't practice religiously she can be a danger to herself and other people like, say her neighbors, other drivers or a family member in the car with her. Also, if she shoots the perpetrator in her house or on the street she could be thrown in jail for negligent discharge, or even worse, manslaughter. There are good defense attorneys out there who will (pardon my language) nail her ass to the wall. She needs to enroll in home/personal defense courses which are available in most cities. Just be careful when using a gun for personal defense, call the police and try to get out of the situation rather than defend yourself by shooting someone. Having a gun is a good choice just in case you can't exit safely or you or your family are in imminent danger. I hope this helps a little, I have been studying Administration of Justice for three years now.

Just be careful of your actions and stay safe. Life is too short to end over something as trivial as being robbed, possessions can be replaced, a life cannot.

 

[Luv my 1897]

High Cap???????????????????????

Most 9mm have about a 13 to 14 round capacity. That should be plenty. A high capacity pistol is generally fatter and slightly harder to control due to the fatter grip. My father owned a high cap Glock in .45ACP, which would closely mimic the grip she would get in accordance to hand-size difference on a high cap 9mm. He sold that gun within three months for a regular cap pistol.


Also, you can get customized grips in any color you want for most guns, so that should not be your main concern since a manufacturer would probably charge an arm and a leg for custom grips installed in the factory. Buy a stainless steel pistol if you want that "brushed silver" look then have your local gun shop order and install the grips for you. My mother in law has a J-Frame with purple grips that she had put on. It is simple for a gunsmith to do.


Another side note, what state do you live in? In most states you MUST have a CCW, or concealed weapons permit, even to keep the gun in her car. If she ignored that she would be thrown in prison for having a concealed weapon without a permit. That is a felony and she wouldn't have to worry about the color of the grips because she would never be able to own a gun again.

 

[Jim Watson]

Not considering the Internet Conventional Wisdom that women are not smart, strong, or motivated enough to shoot an automatic but are better served with a small revolver with high recoil, long hard trigger pull, and tiny sights, there are a few problems in the plan.

If you are having to ask strangers on the internet how to go about it, you may not be the best source of a life or death weapon as your "first 1911 that isn't a .45." Not that a "high-capacity, bobtail officer's model, in 9mm" qualifies as a 1911 in my book.

$1000 would barely buy the parts for a 1911 pattern gun I would consider for serious use. Is your time free?

I do not recommend leaving a gun in the glove compartment, it is an invitation to theft which is not only an economic loss, but arms a criminal. It is also not very accessible in an emergency. My vehicle has a more convenient bin, but I do not leave a gun in it while not driving.


I think something like a Glock (with grip reduction if necessary for her hand size), plastic receiver Duracoated purple and slide polished down to the silvery Tenifer processed steel would be a good choice, if IF IF she is motivated enough to learn how to handle, operate, and shoot it. Refer her to The Cornered Cat, guns and shooting for women by a woman.
http://www.corneredcat.com/

 

[rcmodel]

Somebody might ought to ask her what she thinks she wants and would be most comfortable with.

My wife for instance, wouldn't pick up a hi-cap 9mm auto if her life depended on it. (Well, maybe she would.)

But get her close to a Chiefs Special or K-38 S&W and she will put your lights out!

And I agree fully with Jim.
The crackheads around here will break in your car to steal the carwash change out of the ash tray.
Be damned if I'm gonna leave a gun in the car to arm them!

rc

 

[rbernie]

A 1911 is not a good platform for a 9mm, or a non-dedicated pistol shooter.

It has a magazine well made to .45 ACP / .38 Super length cartridges, and the shorter 9mm is just slopping around in there.

At the risk of thread veer - I've had excellent reliability out of my Springfield Leatham-designed 9mm 1911 magazines. They're indented in the front and have an integral feed ramp. I've got many (many) thousands of rounds thru mine with zero issues at all.

Not saying that the 9mm 1911 is the best choice; just that it *can* be made to work reliably.

 

[rcmodel]

Oh, I agree. And that is the best of the mags by far.

Just not convinced a first-time home-built one is the best choice for a non-shooters car gun.

rc