Build a 1911

[mustangLX92]

I was thinking about building my own 1911 style pistol. Has anyone done this? There a lot of kits availibe on the internet. None of the kits I have found are complete, but I thought the missing peices would be easy enough to find. What do you guys think?

 

[Brian Williams]

1911Tuner is bound to show up soon.

But anyway, get books and read, get tools(good ones),

I do not know what books, but do a

for "1911" and "build" and you willl get a plethora of info.

If you can follow directions and are machanically inclined most "Shade Tree" mechanics could put together a shooter.

 

[Nickotym]

Don't plan to do it to save money!

I have been considering this as well. Was Looking at getting an incomplete frame and then building the rest up from there. By the time I added up the costs would have been well on my way to a brand spanking new gun. I think I will still do this some day, but not any time soon unless I find a 1911 with a cracked frame, but good internals otherwise.


Good Luck.

 

[mustangLX92]

I was thinking this kit http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=91916. I would also have to buy a reciever. What else would I need?

 

[Nickotym]

Never know exactly what quality, but that is a lot cheaper than the price for parts I was looking at. I was up to about 450 when I stopped adding up after looking in a MidwayUSA catalog and that included an 80% receiver but no barrel or slide parts. You could probably do OK this way.

I was looking at www.nationalordnance.com for its 80% frame, only need to mill the rails and most people should be able to find someone who can show them how. You have to do the physical milling yourself to remain legal and with an 80% frame you may not sell the gun. 80% frames are also available at www.kristitool.com or you could get a frame from www.EssexArms.com or www.dlask.com but I think dlask may be in Canada. I will double check the web addresses I have listed and edit if incorrect.

If you do buy the Sportsman's Guide kit, let me know how the quality looks by PM'ing me.

Thanks,

Edited to add: can't find just frames on Dlask's site, but think they sell them, do some looking. Also for a good forum for building your own go to
http://www.roderuscustom.tzo.com/

 

[Nickotym]

Have also seen parts kits at

http://www.sarcoinc.com/cgm.html#1, but have heard the quality is not great and the parts are surplus, but the cost is only about $150 for the same as what is shown in the Sportsmansguide listing.

When I priced a stainless steel 80% frame, they are about $200


Good Luck! I think you may have brought the price back into line for me by reminding me of the kits available.

Thanks.

 

[1911Tuner]

Sarco Kits???

I'm stayin' waaay clear of this one.

No no...I can't. I just can't. Take your money out in the driveway and
light it with a match. It will save you the frustration of trying to put a
workable pistol together out of that machined slag.

Cheers!

Tuner

 

[stans]

Building a 1911 is going to cost you and it will cost just as much, if not more than, buying what you want from Colt, Dan Wesson, Kimber, S&W or Springfield. It is an interesting experience, but the cost and time are hard to justify.

 

[rbernie]

This has been my (unfortunate) experience as well.

 

[swingcatt]

I have never been more frustrated with a project than I was when I tried this. On the otherhand, I have never been more gratified when I got it done! Now when I show my custom 1911 to people and they ask where I got it, I can tell them that I built it. It's one heck of a feeling. Take the plunge! If you screw it up, there's always someone around that can fix it!

I wouldn't go with cheap parts tho. The 1911 is a finicky wench and she likes to have the best of everything. If you just want a cheap 1911 go after the Ballistas, if you want the expereince, save yourself some future headaches and spend a little more.

SC

 

[Stinkyshoe]

Kristi's 80% are top notch if you can machine the rails. Get a brownells catalog and drain your savings. have fun.

 

[iwjev]

I am looking into doing the same thing. I think I will build mine on a Caspian frame.

http://www.caspianarms.com/

One think you might want to look into doing is getting a cheap used 1911 like a colt or Springfield and just upgrading the parts.

 

[1911Tuner]

Caspian

iwjev said:

I am looking into doing the same thing. I think I will build mine on a Caspian frame.

Bingo! Go for one of their slides, too. A little pricey, but very nicely done.

 

[alarmguy]

Get the Kuhnhausen manuals. Also study at www.roderuscustom.tzo.com