[Q] 1911 Kit for an average guy (fusionfirearms)

[worker]

Hi,
I have not built a 1911 but interested in doing it from pre-fitted parts.

So I have search around the net.
And since I am interested in a double-stack magazine

I could only find STIs 2011 kits (frame/slide) called 'short-block'
but those are quite expensive (and without a barell)

So I found another place
http://www.fusionfirearms.com/
and just wanted to know if anyone used them and if this is the least-expensive way for me to go.

thanks in advance
P.S. (I was not sure if this question is to beposted on a gunsmithing or autoloaders forum... so I am wrong, I appologize in advance).

 

[Linkinlog]

I have bought tons of parts from Bob Serva at Fusion Firearms. In fact, I sent my 38 super to him and he converted it to 9mm and swapped the internals to Fusion parts. Excellent customer service and a very nice guy. The parts and service are top notch.

I was unaware that he offers frame/slide kits.

I bought most of my Fusion parts by winning his ebay auctions. I saved a lot of money this way. Search for 1911 fusion and you will see his auctions and ebay store.

 

[MikePGS]

That poses an interesting question. If you were to build a 1911 entirely from parts what all would you need kit wise? and would you need to have a purchase permit to buy some of the parts?

 

[PotatoJudge]

would you need to have a purchase permit to buy some of the parts?

You'd need an FFL to get the frame, everything else you just buy direct.

If you were to build a 1911 entirely from parts what all would you need kit wise?

Aside from all the components (slide, frame, internals, springs, sights, etc), plus a couple for the learning curve, there are special staking tools, sear stoning jigs, and other specialized tools and jigs. You'd also need a good shop manual, calipers, mic, all that basic stuff for this type of job.

Lots of guys build themselves a gun or two. It costs more than just buying a Springfield or whatever, but they have fun doing it and end up with all the tools needed to mess with 1911s.

 

[Jim Watson]

would you need to have a purchase permit to buy some of the parts?

The receiver is serial numbered and is legally equal to a whole gun.
You have to have a FFL to order one. For a one-off, it would surely be easier to have your Friendly Local Dealer order it up and register it to you just like a new gun, federal, state, and local.
Otherwise, parts is parts most places, I do not know Michigan law or Detroit ordnances on it.

 

[worker]

thank you for the answers,

so is this kit a least expensive kit out there ?
since this would be my first try, and I screw things up (although I hope
I have to do NO fitting at all) ... I am looking for the things on the 'low' side of the money scale.

(I initially wanted the double stack frame... but I only found STI and that is way too expensive...)


Thanks

 

[Linkinlog]

I would count on having quite a bit of fitting to do. If you want a project gun to learn on, I suggest buying a Rock Island GI 1911 for ~$350. Then, begin changing the parts out. It will be cheaper and easier than starting from scratch. Just my 2 pennies...

 

[PotatoJudge]

Linkinlog has it, or you could start with a Springer GI for $500ish. Might as well buy used if you're gonna mess with it.

Just the parts are gonna cost more than an entry level 1911, then there's tools, extra parts for the ones you mess up, and maybe pro gunsmith services in case tolerances stack up and get you in over your head.

I'd become very familiar with the platform and read up extensively on building one before ordering anything.

 

[bluetopper]

You can deal with Bob Serva with Fusion Firearms with the utmost confidence. He bought the faultering Dan Wesson Firearms Co. sometime in the 80's or early 90's and started manufacturing 1911's under the Dan Wesson name and their quality was/is exceptional.
2 or 3 years ago he sold Dan Wesson to CZ.
He's a first class guy all the way.

 

[gsmith]

I also agree with Linkinlog. I have a RIA and have bought some Fusion parts off of ebay. So far I have only swapped the slide stop and the barrel bushing. The bushing needed a little fitting, but it is more accurate now.

I also have a trigger group from Fusion that I haven't got around to installing yet.

The parts seem to be good quality and a step up from the standard RIA parts.

 

[schmeky]

Linkinlog,

I am in the process of doing the same thing. I have a new Colt in .38 super and I recently "won" a Fusion 9mm barrel on Ebay. Barrel looks excellent. I then "won" a Fusion 9mm mag for a 1911, it to looks excellent.

I just got in the barrel link and pin from Brownells. In Brownells 1911 catalog, they show the same extractor for .38 super & 9mm.

What else, other than the recoil spring, would need to be changed to have a reliable 9mm from a .38 super platform?

What did it cost to have yours converted?

 

[Linkinlog]

Schmeky,

Sorry, I just saw your post.

I had Bob fit a new barrel and fit one of his trigger groups into my RIA 38 super. He charged me $85 to fit the barrel plus $20 for shipping back to me. I also paid $85 to have the trigger parts fitted. The work Bob did was superb!

I'm in the process of installing a BT safety, extended thumb safety, dehorning and duracoating it. So, I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but I understand that there is some tuning involved with these conversions. When I am done with the modifications, I plan on making a trip to the range to see what needs to be worked on.

From what I understand, the extractor may or may not need to be "tuned." This could involve adjusting the tension and/or re-shaping it. I have also read that the recoil spring needs to be changed, but I can't remember what # spring to install. I believe this should be all that needs to be changed to have a reliable 9mm converted 1911.

Feel free to PM me with any other questions or comments. I'd be more than happy to discuss the conversion in detail.

 

[bannockburn]

Years ago I built a stock Super 38 on a government sized Essex frame. For the top half I used a Springfield Armory slide and barrel assembly. I bought all the internals from some surplus dealer in California; he offered several different options like just internals, internals with slide, etc. Most of the important parts like the sear, disconnector, and hammer, were junk, and I ended up replacing them with genuine Colt parts. Other than having a 'smith putting the plunger tube on, (didn't want to pay for the assembly tool), the gun was hand fitted by me. The Essex frame probably required the most hand fitting because not a single hole in the frame was true from one side to the other. But with a decent set of Swiss files and a lot of patience, I got it built and working right. I used Hallock's book on the 45 and frequently referenced another Springfield Armory 45 that I owned when fitting the sear, disconnector, hammer, mainspring, and trigger. All in all, it was a great learning experience and well worth the time, money, and effort that went into building it.

 

[worker]

in the planning stage of the kit purchase (hoping to get
a bonus in december...) I have been reviewing the answers to my post...

The PotatoJudge had me worried... as I do not have
the skills, and I do not even know what 'calipers' are
(except the car brake calipers that I know how to rebuild :- ) )

Aside from all the components (slide, frame, internals, springs, sights, etc), plus a couple for the learning curve, there are special staking tools, sear stoning jigs, and other specialized tools and jigs. You'd also need a good shop manual, calipers, mic, all that basic stuff for this type of job.

However, my reading is that Fusion now has
a kit (that is discounted by 200 bucks now)
that apparently does not require all those tools

The Fusion Pro-Series Scout kit already has most of the difficult items completed for you. So you do not need special tools or machinery to build a very high quality custom 1911 pistol worth thousands of dollars.

My question is, what else do I need for that kit
http://www.fusionfirearms.com/menu/1911_kits.htm
Full-size Scout Frame kit?

(my current thought is that I need: trigger group,
grips, magazines and some type of finishing on the
slide and frame)