1911 first build (wish me luck)

[TEXASJD]

So not even sure how I ended up at this point but I guess it started with wanting a 1911 in 10mm and not being able to get a cheep shooter in the last six months. I started acquiring parts thinking I would convert my Springfield 1911 A1 45acp to 10mm figured out that really would not work because of the slide difference so picked up a slide for a 10mm, already had a lot of the other parts minus the slide and frame then remembered that my gun smith had a frame in his shop. So after a trip over there and some instruction on fitting about to get the project started! most of the internal parts Wilson combat Caspian frame rock slide.

 

[cfullgraf]

Just go slow and take your time. You'll enjoy the end result.

 

[ontarget]

Keep and post good notes. Others, including me, will love to see the process unfold.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I built one off a Caspian/Foster blemish frame. Used all eBay Rock Island parts kit that are carbon steel and "parkerized" (more like truck bed liner).

I had a heck of a time fitting things, because the Rock Island parts were all "stacking tolerances" due to that thick coating. Had to remove alot of gunk for things to start to fit.

Still have trigger issues but it runs. If I had to go it again, I'd use as many stainless parts that I could do I wouldn't have to worry about caked on metal coatings.

The thing I used most to get the slide and frame matched was a knife sharpening stone. A high quality one should be mostly level, and using it with a nice oil let me keep all sanded and polished surfaces pretty "square".

I think going with Wilson parts is a good call.

I went cheap thinking if I screwed up, it wouldn't be an issue. Since I'm slow, methodical, and hopefully kinda smart, I should have gone with higher end parts that would not cause me so much headaches.

I'm probably going to tear mine down and rebuild it, using lots of Ed Brown, Fusion, or Wilson parts. Good luck.

Oh, and Tactical Toolbox website was a decent resource even if a little too trendy and less informative. I was able to start with his info and figure out the rest on my own.

 

[bannockburn]

TEXASJD

Get yourself a good "How To" manual and follow it closely. Would also help to have another 1911 taken apart so you can see how everything is supposed to work. Buy quality parts and invest in a set of Swiss files. Best of luck to you in your endeavor and let us know how it goes.

This was my 1911 build from some years back. Had it with an Essex frame and a Springfield Armory slide and barrel. Ended up giving the slide to a friend of mine and some years later got a TacSol .22 conversion assembly of it.

 

[TEXASJD]

Doing some fitting today got trigger in nice, mag release in and the grip lugs in.