I want to build a .22 1911

[hollowhandle]

I want to build a 1911 frame and put a .22 kit on top.
I see the stripped frames for sale from Sarco.
How hard is it to build one up? Is it worth it or should I just buy a complete gun?
Thanks

 

[Heavy Metal Hero]

Why not buy a complete 1911 and then a .22 kit? That way you have both guns.

 

[boomer1911a1]

If you're talking about the .22 conversion kits like Ciener (sp?) and Kimber sell, it's as simple as a slide-and-magazine swap. There's no "build" to it, just field strip the gun and put the replacement slide back on instead. Then load up the supplied magazine and you're ready to shoot.

 

[hollowhandle]

I have a Kimber compact. I want to make a full size for the .22. I am going to get a Marvel or the new Tactical Solutions but they are over $300 for the Kit. I was looking at the stripped frames as a way to get by saving some money since I do not need another .45.

 

[boomer1911a1]

In that case it may be cheaper to just buy a .22 target gun. You can still get a Ruger .22 for about $250.

 

[CWL]

hh, "difficulty" is relative because people have different levels of mechanical abilities as well as access to tools. Most, people, if they take their time and follow the plans carefully can do it, those who feel that they don't need to follow plans and can jump around steps to save time usually do not end up with a working frame/slide.

Most finish up 'rough' though. But because yours will be a dedicated .22lr frame, I think that you will have more leeway.

Get the one that's almost finished (80%?). Even if it doesn't work out, you will probably have spent some fun time and this knowledge will contribute towards your next build.

Try looking at this site:
homegunsmith.com

 

[JoeHatley]

I was looking at the stripped frames as a way to get by saving some money

You would almost cetainly spend less money buying an off the shelf .22

I built my own .22 1911 on a dedicated alloy frame, but I already had the frame and most of the small parts available. Even then, I spent more than a new Ruger MK II would have cost at the time.



Fun shooter...

Joe

 

[hollowhandle]

I have a lot of .22's that I use with a suppressor. I have a Walther P22, a Ruger with a Pac-lite upper and a Smith 422.
I was thinking of the 1911 as the next .22.
As to the frame, I would probably not go with the 80% one. I would just get a serial numbered piece transfered in. As I mentioned, a Sarco ad in SGN will have 4 or 5 different bare 1911 frames. I am pretty handy but I do not know how hard is it to complete the grip frame. Do the parts drop like building an AR-15 in or would it take a lot of hand fitting?
Joe, I like the idea of the alloy frame for a .22. That is a nice looking piece.

 

[rcmodel]

I would advise against an amateur build on one of the cheap "no-name" frames Sarco advertises. Even the lower cost name-brand frames like Essex, who have been making frames forever, don't always get it right.

Frame pin holes are often slightly off, and that will require adjustments to all the internals to get it to work.
Even more so to get it to work Safely!

And the world is full of inferior 1911 internal parts that will just make matters worse if the frame is even slightly out of spec.


rcmodel

 

[boomer1911a1]

Sorry, HollowHandle, I mistook you for a beginner. You sound like you know way more than I do! And you sound like you're spoiling for A Project.
I've seen those Sarco ads in the Shotgun News myself and have wondered about building a long-slide .45. I can't offer you any concrete advice, other than to guess that the parts should fit pretty well with industry-spec manufacture. Anything too tight can be altered with a Dremel tool or some fine-grit sand paper.
I think you will put more dough into this than the pistol will be worth when you're done, but these things aren't about resale value and investment, are they?

Let us know how it goes, and post some pics when you get to the stopping places.

 

[Steve C]

One of the guys that shoots in our bullseye league just had his new .22 at the practice meet on Monday. He bought a Rock River bullseye lower and mounted a Marvel .22 conversion with red dot on top of that. As they want $775 or so for the frame and another $300+ for the Marvel you'd have over a $1K invested. For a serious competition shooter like him its a reasonable investment as he wanted the same "feel" for the pistols he will use in a match. For me and others the price tag's is a bit steep.

 

[aka108]

Look around for a used post war Colt Ace. 6-800 bucks and very nice. The pre-war models are the same but far more expensive due to higher collector values.