Looking at building a 1911A1

[Mikee Loxxer]

My buddy and I are interested in building our own 1911A1 pistols. We are looking at building them on Rock Island Armory frames. Does anyone have any opinions on what components to use or what to be wary of? We are not looking to spend mountains of money but would like to get a good result. Personally I am not looking to build a match gun but one that would at least be a good reliable plinker.

 

[kentucky_smith]

Here's a compilation from the one I just built.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=366661

ETA: I recommend you take a long look at the gunsmithing 1911 threads both here and on forum.m1911.org

 

[Canuck-IL]

As you'll discover if you read thru the threads on 1911 builds here and on the 1911Forum, you're probably better off to begin w a functional gun like a Rock Island and learn your way around by upgrading the components as you feel the urge. You can't build a 'quality' shooter as cheaply as you can buy a RIA and if I were to start a build, I would definitely go for a better frame/slide the RIA.

Get and read at least Vol I of the Kuhnhausen pair of books on the 1911 - best gunsmithing tool you can invest in for only about $30.
/Bryan

 

[Tom Fury]

+1

Probably cheaper to start from something production and upgrade it.

But, I would have to suggest that Caspian Arms components are a better value for the money. (Check out prematched slide and frame sets).

If you're really committed to the very inexpensive route...Go to Midway, and check out Doublestar receivers.

Cheers, TF

 

[mljdeckard]

Immediately, right now, go to brownells.com and order their free 1911 parts catalog.

 

[Jim PHL]

Personalization is very, um...personal! Because of that, I wouldn't recommend any particular part for you but if you are not already 1911 shooters my first advice would be to shoot as many different configurations as you can. There are MANY different options for just about every bit of 1911. When I bought my first 1911, I bought a Springfield "Loaded" model because it, like many other offerings these days, was offered with all the most popular/most common upgrades. I LOVE this gun but if I were building from scratch the gun I ended up with would not be exactly like this one.