1911 project

[JCSC]

I purchased a pair of 1911 RIA GI pistols to learn the platform, reloads, etc.

I mainly wanted to post a before and after pic of the one I have been modifying / learning.

Before.



This is the after shot. Not much RIA left on the gun. I have found this to be a really enjoyable project. They mean what they say when nothing is drop in. I had to work every part I installed

I still may upgrade the barrel. I have an itch to get a threaded barrel for another 1/2” of rifling. Probably wouldn’t matter.

 

[Russ57]

Nice job. If you asked me I would say it isn't the same gun.

FWIW I recently installed a Kart Xact fit barrel in mine. Very easy to do. Just take your time. For me a red Sharpie marker worked better than Dykem for fitting. Keep checking the barrel extension to breech face as you file on the lug pads. Made a big difference in accuracy.

If you don't mind, what would you say was the hardest part to fit? For me, I didn't seem to know where to file on the thumb safety and couldn't see my Sharpie marks worn off so that was tough.

 

[JCSC]

Thumb safety gave me some fits! I haven’t ready up on fitting barrels yet, but that will be in the future.

 

[3Crows]

Kinda the same resason I bought my basic RIA was to learn the 1911 a little better:



Not done yet but mostly WC parts.

 

[bannockburn]

I did my first 1911 the hard way, from the bottom on up. Started with an Essex frame and went from there. One thing I learned the hard way was the surplus parts kits that you can buy aren't the greatest quality and I had to spend more money for parts that were of a much more higher quality.

Found a Springfield Armory slide and barrel in .38 Super and played with it for awhile but eventually I decided to make it into a target .22 with one of the conversion kits from Marvel Precision or Advantage Arms. But it seemed like every time I looked online to order one, they were out of stock!

Then one night I found a Tac-Sol conversion kit at Midway or Brownells, they had one in stock and I immediately ordered it! It came about a week later and I was impressed with it's all steel construction. Very tight all the way around and overall fit and finish were first rate.

 

[Navy87Guy]

The biggest challenge with these projects is the amount you have to invest in the tools to do them right!

It’s very nice work. The guns from the PI and Turkey make very nice base guns for builds like this. I built up a Tisas and I was pretty impressed with the quality of the frame and slide. I started with the GI model also. FWIW, next time I would get one of the more advanced models - I spent almost as much on getting the slide milled for new sights as I did on the base gun!

 

[nofendertom]

Not to be a crusty old nit-picker, but, be brave and ditch the drop-in beavertail safety and install a fitted one.

 

[3Crows]

Not to be a crusty old nit-picker, but, be brave and ditch the drop-in beavertail safety and install a fitted one.

I used a drop in because I may want to install a stainless steel government type at a later date and cutting the frame cannot be reversed. These project guns are used to learn and experiment and try different things. When a modification is made that precludes another mod or return to original it ruins the ability to further experiment.

 

[JCSC]

Not to be a crusty old nit-picker, but, be brave and ditch the drop-in beavertail safety and install a fitted one.

I didn’t know any better on mine, but it sure as heck wasn’t a drop in.

 

[doubleh]

Nice work. I have fitted one barrel and bushing. That is going to do it for me on that particular chore. The bushing is the easier part involved IMO.

 

[JCSC]

I did my first 1911 the hard way, from the bottom on up. Started with an Essex frame and went from there. One thing I learned the hard way was the surplus parts kits that you can buy aren't the greatest quality and I had to spend more money for parts that were of a much more higher quality.

Found a Springfield Armory slide and barrel in .38 Super and played with it for awhile but evntually I decided to make it into a target .22 with one of the conversion kits from Marvel Precision or Advantage Arms. But it seemed like everytime I looked online to order one, they were out of stock!

Then one night I found a Tac-Sol coversion kit at Midway or Brownells, they had one in stock and I immediately ordered it! It came about a week later and I was impressed with it's all steel construction. Very tight all the way around and overall fit and finish were first rate.

What kind of sight rail is on that?

 

[nofendertom]

3Crows & JCSC --- My reasoning is that many drop-in beavertails do not give the same feel as a properly fitted one, be it a Ed Brown, Wilson, Colt etc.

 

[bannockburn]

JCSC

It's just a plain rail that's attached to the fixed barrel and as such the sight rib doesn't move with the slide. They also offered a threaded barrel as well as a Picatinny rail, available as an option for mounting optics.

Did I mention it's all steel construction...it comes in at a solid 42 oz.!

 

[3Crows]

3Crows & JCSC --- My reasoning is that many drop-in beavertails do not give the same feel as a properly fitted one, be it a Ed Brown, Wilson, Colt etc.

I understand that because I have several 1911s with a factory beavertail and nonetheless did what I did to preserve the ability to go back to a standard Mil spec stainless type. If and when I decide which I prefer for the pistol I will consider making it more permanent by cutting the frame. Right now I am leaning to fitting the Mil spec stainless one that I have for it. Then addressing the sights, not sure what I want to play with there however.

I want a plain old stainless steel Mil spec Colt in due course. I need the bump on the grip safety though, that is what I am trying to digest with the RI experiments, the non-bump grip safties do not work for my deeply cupped hands. I do however like the look of the spur and I do not especially like the beavertail on a more basic pistol, fine on a higher end or custom hot rod but maybe not what I want for my more basic pistol.

 

[Russ57]

3Crows, would you be willing to consider a red dot? If so this is what I'm using and works great.

Trijicon RMR / SRO, Holosun 407c / 507c Mount for GI 1911

Mounting Hardware is Included This mount fits:1911s with a G.I. style rear sight cutSpringfield 1911A1Iver Johnson 1911A1Iver Johnson 1911A1 9Iver Johnson Falcon 45Iver Johnson Thrasher 45Iver Johnson Thrasher 9Iver Johnson 1911A1 Chrome 38WIver Johnson 1911A1 Chrome 38PIver Johnson 1911A1...

www.egwguns.com

Very few choices on good rear sights for the "GI" cut slide.

 

[3Crows]

3Crows, would you be willing to consider a red dot? If so this is what I'm using and works great.

Trijicon RMR / SRO, Holosun 407c / 507c Mount for GI 1911

Mounting Hardware is Included This mount fits:1911s with a G.I. style rear sight cutSpringfield 1911A1Iver Johnson 1911A1Iver Johnson 1911A1 9Iver Johnson Falcon 45Iver Johnson Thrasher 45Iver Johnson Thrasher 9Iver Johnson 1911A1 Chrome 38WIver Johnson 1911A1 Chrome 38PIver Johnson 1911A1...

www.egwguns.com

Very few choices on good rear sights for the "GI" cut slide.

I think I would like to play with a red dot but not with this 1911 or even a 1911. Nothing against them but you know, I scope most of my lever guns so perhaps that sin would also be forgiven .

 

[Tinman357]

I have an old blued steel Kimber Custom Classic (series 70) from way back when Kimber was considered to be a very well made 1911. I've put a lot of miles on it and I'd estimate a metric butt ton of ammo.

I bought all the parts to do a rebuild from Wilson Combat. Lots of fitting, had to buy some jigs and specialized tooling, and a Kuhnhousen manual. It all came together quite well and has been a thouroghly enjoyable ride.

The only Kimber parts left are the frame, slide, and sights. Shoots as good and just as accurate as the new Wilson XTAC I bought a couple years ago.

I'm pleased with the outcome.

 

[Lo-Profile]

Took a old Rock Island 9mm (I had two) and did a conversion to 38 Super. Most parts were from a Rock Island 38 Super build kit. Swapped the entire slide for the upgraded sights. Even fit better than the original. Came out much better than the original.

 

[Twocanary]

Nice to see people liking Rock Island stuff. Was good for me because I have more time than money. Years ago, bought a couple complete uppers from the want ads of a local forum; $200 each. Billboard upper (top) is a 45 on a Caspian frame. Like everyone said, parts need to be fitted but this one went together pretty quick. Middle one is a 9mm unramped upper on an old wonky 45 Essex frame. Took a few trips to the range to get feeding issues sorted out. Extractor was fitted/polished/tightened to zero tension, first and the length of the RN cast reloads was reduced by a few thou, second. Didn't need/want to polish or throat anything yet. This was the first time I checkered a front strap too; went to town and wrapped it around. Trying a cheap drop in magwell and am in the process of fitting some grips. Bottom frame is Brownells. Trying it out. Like that the trigger guard is nicely undercut already. Its for a Nelson conversion that is coming. So far its been 9 weeks since I ordered. I'd like to try 25 lpi checkering but have 30 lpi new files already. Have a 20 lpi frame but its too aggressive for my dainty hands, lol. Pictures of your stuff please?