New project in the works- the 1911-05

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

This one isn't going to happen quickly- it's easily the most difficult and involved project I have tackled yet and parts are going to be spendy. I call it the 1911-05. It's a 9mm long-slide 1911 with looks inspired by the early Colt autos. Here's a rendering I cobbled together-

It has no manual controls (except the trigger.) No safety, no grip-safety, no slide-stop. It is designed to be thumb-cocked, which is facilitated by the scooped-out section on top of the slide behind the rear-sight.

This is a pretty damn ambitious project for me, and I will have to expand my skills significantly to get it done, as well as saving up for some custom parts. So why bother making such a thing? Because it's cool and I want one. Also it will be interesting and challenging, which to my twisted way of thinking means 'fun.' It might take a couple of years, but I think it will be worth it.

This is not meant to be practical; it's a retro- 'Diesel-Punk' range toy and conversation piece.

Your thoughts and suggestions?

 

[bannockburn]

Tinker

Certainly an interesting and ambitious project to embark on. I especially like the clean streamlined appearance of the gun. Best of luck with this 1911-05 endeavor and please keep us updated with your progress on it.

 

[chicharrones]

I like the style of those early Colt autos, too. I hope all goes exactly as you want it to MTP. I sure will be looking forward to seeing your work in progress.

 

[Speedo66]

Very nice, you've certainly got your work cut out for you. Curious if there will also be striations near the back of the slide for cocking? I would have a problem having my hand that close to the front of the barrel in case of an adrenaline fueled event.

 

[badkarmamib]

This is probably obvious to everyone but me, but what is the "-05"?

 

[AZAndy]

This is probably obvious to everyone but me, but what is the "-05"?

That's 9mm in millicubits.

 

[stoky]

This is probably obvious to everyone but me, but what is the "-05"?

barrel length
no silly miters
.38 Super

 

[badkarmamib]

I understand "range toy" means some things are done in an unconventional way. That being said, are you planning on leaving off the disconnector, to make it necessary to cock before each shot, or leaving it on, so it has to be de-cocked if you quit shooting mid-magazine? Just curious.

 

[ATLDave]

Be mindful of the muzzle-up drop discharge issue. If the trigger pull weight is light and the trigger shoe sufficiently heavy, it can "pull itself" via inertia if it falls and lands muzzle up. This is generally a far more dangerous AD/ND than a muzzle-down discharge, for obvious reasons. The grip safety "solves" this issue in large part. Without that, you'll want to pay attention to how you're going to avoid that problem.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I understand "range toy" means some things are done in an unconventional way. That being said, are you planning on leaving off the disconnector, to make it necessary to cock before each shot, or leaving it on, so it has to be de-cocked if you quit shooting mid-magazine? Just curious.

It will operate as a conventional single-action auto- hammer cocked by each shot.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

This is probably obvious to everyone but me, but what is the "-05"?

It has an outline and look very similar to early Colt autos like the M1905

 

[badkarmamib]

It has an outline and look very similar to early Colt autos like the M1905

Gotcha. Sounds like a fun project. At least, fun for you, because it is obvious from your other posts that you are capable of undertaking this. I wouldn't even know where to start...

 

[Demi-human]

I have no suggestion, just one comment though.

Pure Awsome.

I wish you good luck in your endeavor. Please keep posting.

 

[AeroDillo]

I am intrigued by the premise and will be watching this thread with some interest.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I am intrigued by the premise and will be watching this thread with some interest.

It will be some time before there's any real progress- like I said, this is going to get expensive...

 

[Jim Watson]

Caspian will make a 6" "unique" slide, JEM shows a long dustcover receiver but if you got a Caspian and added on to the dust cover, they will cut for S80 firing pin obstruction that will answer ATLDave on drop safety. Fusion is making long barrels.
You will have to fabricate a backstrap. There are Arminex backstraps still available on ebay, one would have to be modified to fit a 1911 frame, but better than hacking it out of a bar.
You will have to come up with a means of retaining the action pins. Real 1902 has a hammer screw, action pins under the edge of the grips, link pins friction tight.
I'd make it a real .38 ACP instead of 9mm.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Caspian will make a 6" "unique" slide, JEM shows a long dustcover receiver but if you got a Caspian and added on to the dust cover, they will cut for S80 firing pin obstruction that will answer ATLDave on drop safety. Fusion is making long barrels.
You will have to fabricate a backstrap. There are Arminex backstraps still available on ebay, one would have to be modified to fit a 1911 frame, but better than hacking it out of a bar.
You will have to come up with a means of retaining the action pins. Real 1902 has a hammer screw, action pins under the edge of the grips, link pins friction tight.
I'd make it a real .38 ACP instead of 9mm.

Thank you- very useful! I'd planned on using screws for some of the pins actually, though I hadn't settled on the details. I was temped to go with .38 ACP but was seduced by cheap 9mm ammo...

 

[bannockburn]

Tinker

I'd make it a real .38 ACP instead of 9mm.

I also thought this was a neat suggestion by Jim Watson. More in keeping with the heritage and the unique connection to the Colt Model 1902.

 

[stoky]

Here's a rendering I cobbled

slide's bakards

 

[Jim Watson]

For speedo and in case stoky isn't just funnin us, here is what Michael is recreating on the improved 1909 action.
http://coltautos.com/1902sci_4367.htm

 

[stoky]

I need to study up on my Colt history.

 

[chicharrones]

I need to study up on my Colt history.

See how retro awesome that is? I love that old pre-1911 styling. I just can't afford it.

 

[entropy]

You have the slide lock in the wrong position.

 

[Jim Watson]

?
He has no slide lock at all. He proposes a somewhat 1902 lookalike on 1911 parts. Without slide stop, either, just a pin.

 

[BobWright]

It'll be interesting to see what is done with those grip screws.

Bob Wright