Fusion 1911 kit question

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Guillermo

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If anyone has any experience putting these kits together I would appreciate your input.

Here is the deal. My daughter is going to turn 17 this summer and has expressed interest in owning a 1911 for quite some time.

My options are limited. Sure I think that a Dan Wesson for a grand would be great but I don't want to spend that much. So I thought about buying a used gun. The entry level Springfield and Rock Island are possible too. The other option is a Fusion kit.

There is not a question that the forged frame and high quality parts are a strong selling points.

So if you have put one together, please advise.

Your input is appreciated.
 
I think a kit would be fun to build but has far as it being a value I don't believe so the kits I've looked at by the time you got done assembling your pistol with quality parts you could purchase two RIA's
 
From what I have read the RIA's are made with alot of cast parts. The fuzion kits alow you to get a all forged 1911 with all the cool stuff for around or less than $1000. When my kimber classic finally needs to be replaced I will probably get a fuzion kit. I like that all the critical fitting is done for you, just add your frame components and sights and get it finished. I just hope they make a stainless steel kit soon.
 
I am leaning towards the kit for a couple of reasons

1- putting together a gun is a rewarding experience
2- I do not give her extravagant gifts often, but when I do I want them to be top notch.
3-700 for a gun of that quality, even if it in pieces in a box sounds pretty good

The only thing giving me pause is how much fitting and pain in the tush the kit is
 
Careful on that price. It doesn't include any of the controls, trigger, hammer, sear, disconnector, mainspring, backstrap, sights. plungers, plunger spring, grips, beavertail. You are talking a lot more than $700 to have a quality running weapon.

Get the RIA tactical at under $500 and upgrade as you see fit, and you can probably keep it to under $700. As for the MIM parts (RIA parts are MIM, not cast), (here goes the firestorm), they will work for thousands, and tens of thousands of rounds. Most, not all, but most of the high end guns have some MIM these days. Today's MIM is not inferior to cast, probably better, and only slightly inferior to forged. Even if you wanted to replace all of the internals on the RIA with forged you'd still be ahead of the kit plus all of the parts to get it running.

A big plus is that RIA's customer service is fantastic and it covers the whole gun.

(Ok time to go put on my nomex undies) Just my 2 cents.
 
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Look at my Rock. I have the Mil-spec, (I like old school). Good looking, accurate as can be, and all for less than $500.
 

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Actually, she like Old School too.

Buddy of mine just got an STI Steelmaster and she is underwhelmed

What she really wants is an old WWII Colt that has a war history

(nice gun btw)
 
Yea, get her the Rock, tell her she can help dress it up with bling, and when she can pay half, the two of you will go shopping for a piece of 'history'.
 
I have some time on this. If I don't find the right deal before her birthday there is always graduation.

I gave her a Smith 19, 4 inch blue, for her 15th b day.

Sending her out into the world with only 2 handguns I feel pretty good about the 2
 
i built a pistol with fusion small parts about three years ago and have run the heck out of the gun with no problems. stay away from the ria, springfield would be ok but i would replace the extractor, sear, and disconnector with quality parts.
 
Actually a top-quality casting may beat a forging. A forging has to be 100% mchined, so the part will be as good as the maching. I have no experience with Fusion, so I don't know.

Keep in mind that the 1911 platform was not designed to be a drop-in-the- parts sort of handgun. The extractor for example, often needs to be adjusted for proper tension, and additional fitting of the hook may be necessary.

The only 1911 pistols that I know that had completely interchangeability of major parts were some late USGI guns, and those that were rebulit after the war using new parts on original frames. The current crop of guns are not made to USGI prints or specifications, as tolerances have been changed to make them tighter, and tightness is not always a virtue.

Those with little on no experience should start by first buying a Brownells catalog to get an idea of some of the special tools and fixtures that may be necessary, and a copy of Jerry Kuhnhausen's The Colt .45 Automatic - A Shop Manual (also available from Brownells). Read the book until you understand it, and shop the catalog for tools and whatever additional parts you need. Be sure you know what the total cost is going to come to. Keep in mind that if your new toy doesn't work you probably can't send it back to anyone to have it fixed under warrantee.

Then and only then decide if you want to build a gun from a kit.

www.brownells.com
 
I'd recommend the Dan Wesson Valor. It's no joke, and worth every penny. Possibly my favorite 1911 lately. (for the $)

Unless your a 1911 expert, I wouldn't build and tune a 1911 for a gift. No telling what she'll use it for. If I build a kit its for myself. I'm not good enough at building 1911's that I'm confident on selling them. The only weapon systems I'm really confident building for others to use for defense are AR15's and Glocks. So I'd avoid the 1911 build unless you really know your stuff.


Still your going to need some parts. And then send it out for finishing. Expect $300+ for finishing. Alumihyde from CCR looks good in house black. I prefer Melonite treatments which give a 1911 modern Glock-like anti corrosion properties.

Still lokking at way higher than $1000 when all is said and done. But to get a good forged 1911 built your way is kinda priceless.

If its for range use. Build one. Shoot it. Then let her choose what finish/colors she wants and send it out for her.
 
Don't give up hope. Browse the auction sites. GunBroker, GunsAmerica, AuctionArms, the classifieds on this site. Something will catch yours and hers fancy.

Good hunting.
 
RC,

Pretty sure a new Colt is not what she is looking for. Still, because of her love of the Python and Detective Special do make the prancing pony have some appeal for her.

Since I want it to be a surprise I will have to feel her out at the next gun show.

Thank you mucho
 
SO, you are saying she would rather have a Dan Wesson, Springfield or Rock Island entry level 1911 then a real Colt 1911?

Hmmmmmm????

rc
 
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