School me on 80% 1911

[zaitcev]

We all know about Polymer80. Go to Brownells', order the kit, done. All you need is a hand drill and a pen knife. It's as easy as it can be.

MUP is a bit more involving. It includes an HK-style bending jig and generally needs a little planning ahead. Instructions are next to absent. But as far as buying one, it's no more difficult than P80.

The 1911, however... How do you people even figure it out. The bewildering array of vendors, and which one is trustworthy? Are there any gotchas? The rails are not pre-cut. Isn't machining those to the required precision absurdly difficult?

 

[Texas10mm]

There's a jig available to cut the rails. Use the correct tools, go slow, and it's easy from what I've read.

 

[DukeConnor]

For me it wasn't easy. More of a disapointing, frustrating money pit.

But I'm not really good with tools and things.

 

[kcofohio]

We all know about Polymer80. Go to Brownells', order the kit, done. All you need is a hand drill and a pen knife. It's as easy as it can be.

MUP is a bit more involving. It includes an HK-style bending jig and generally needs a little planning ahead. Instructions are next to absent. But as far as buying one, it's no more difficult than P80.

The 1911, however... How do you people even figure it out. The bewildering array of vendors, and which one is trustworthy? Are there any gotchas? The rails are not pre-cut. Isn't machining those to the required precision absurdly difficult?

Here is an interesting video of six or seven different 80% frames with a decent explanation of quality per supplier.

I have kicked the thought around some of getting one or two for a project.

Aluminum alloy should be the easiest. But I would want to have it anodized. Unless I have access sturdy mill, I'll avoid the stainless frame.

 

[kcofohio]

Here is a video (22 mins.) with the guy using a Stealth Arms cuttung fixture. No mill required.

 

[lysanderxiii]

The 1911, however... How do you people even figure it out. The bewildering array of vendors, and which one is trustworthy? Are there any gotchas? The rails are not pre-cut. Isn't machining those to the required precision absurdly difficult?

Not really, if you have the equipment.

And, if super accuracy isn't high on the list of required deliverables, you would be surprised an how sloppy the slide-to-frame fit can be and still be a reliable shooter.