build a 1911?

Rifleman1776 · February 14, 2014, 10:21 AM

Some may have noticed I have, at times, slammed the 1911 as being an obolete style firearm. I stick to that opinion. However, I am a history buff and agree the 1911 to be an icon to American gun enthusiasts. Now, 'just because' I have a hankering to build a 1911 from parts. I am slightly handy fixing things on guns. Not a gunsmith and don't claim to be. Just kinda handy. My shop is not a machine shop, all woodworking. I know I would have to buy a few hand tools for the job, thats OK.
Question is: how difficult an undertaking would this project be? Do you reccomend for someone with a skill level of, say, 5 on a 10 scale? And, would there be a money savings doing this?

Brian Pfleuger · February 14, 2014, 11:12 AM

Depends on what you mean by "build". There are kits you can buy that essentially amount to "put it together" rather than "build", mid-level parts/kits that require lapping and final fitting, etc, all the way to 80% frames that require jigs and lathe and what-not.

One high end example

Rifleman1776 · February 14, 2014, 12:25 PM

Brian, I am thinking less ready that what is shown on that link. I would select and buy all parts from someone like Midway and 'sorta' customize as I went. For his prices one might as well buy a ready made.

Slopemeno · February 14, 2014, 01:22 PM

Well, you're less likely to end up with something that works for starters. And no, I'd say you'd be money ahead by buying new or lightly used.

Quentin2 · February 14, 2014, 03:43 PM

At a skill level of 5 out of 10, assembling an AR-15 is quite doable. But a 1911 that you might some day want reliable, no way. I'd buy a complete, no frills factory pistol, maybe even a retro WWI or WWII design.

Unless you get screaming deals on parts, I don't see a cost savings either.

Roughedge · February 14, 2014, 05:14 PM

I built a 1911 with Caspian Slide and frame with a barrel that had to be fit. I'm a gunsmith and I had 30 hours in it when it was complete. It was fun but to get a proper slide to frame fit it takes a little time.

Brian Pfleuger · February 14, 2014, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rifleman1776

Brian, I am thinking less ready that what is shown on that link. I would select and buy all parts from someone like Midway and 'sorta' customize as I went. For his prices one might as well buy a ready made.

Yeah, you can certainly buy a ready made gun for that price but you can't touch THAT gun, ready made, for that price. That's a minimum $1800 gun, could be $2600 depending on options.

It depends on your budget and goals.

SIGSHR · February 14, 2014, 10:45 PM

Building/assembling an M1911 would be a good learning experience. Those I know who have built BP guns from kits found there were no real savings but there was the satisfaction of doing it yourself and learning how they really go together, learning the finer points of fitting wood to metal, timing, spring adjustment, etc., in the case of the M1911, learning the finer points of fitting the slide, etc. Closer I have gotten is when I totally disassembled my Colt MK IV when the slide locked back, the usual methods did not work. Found the trigger mechanism was full of residue, a thorough cleaning restored it.

g.willikers · February 15, 2014, 09:03 AM

Understanding the workings of a 1911, and being able to completely disassemble and reassemble one, is a lot different than building one.
At least check out the necessary tools first.
It would be hard to justify the costs of them for making just one gun.

MarkCO · February 15, 2014, 09:33 AM

Woodworker with a skill level of 5...No go.

I have built several from forgings to pretty much drop ins, and there is a lot of platform functionality knowledge, metal working skill, craftsmanship that goes into them.

Even a semi-fit, you have to know how to pick the correct barrel link, fit the hood not to mention feedramps, extractor tension, etc.

If you really want to do it, my suggestion would be to sign up for one of the classes that teach you how. They run from about $1500 on up inclusive of parts and you actually get taught how to do it right, with the right tools. You end up with a 1911 that would cost you a little less if you bought the same features on a cataloged pistol and about the same as if you paid a gunsmith to build you a total custom. They are about a week long and will be an overall savings in time and money.

February 14, 2014, 10:21 AM	#1
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	build a 1911? Some may have noticed I have, at times, slammed the 1911 as being an obolete style firearm. I stick to that opinion. However, I am a history buff and agree the 1911 to be an icon to American gun enthusiasts. Now, 'just because' I have a hankering to build a 1911 from parts. I am slightly handy fixing things on guns. Not a gunsmith and don't claim to be. Just kinda handy. My shop is not a machine shop, all woodworking. I know I would have to buy a few hand tools for the job, thats OK. Question is: how difficult an undertaking would this project be? Do you reccomend for someone with a skill level of, say, 5 on a 10 scale? And, would there be a money savings doing this?

February 14, 2014, 11:12 AM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Depends on what you mean by "build". There are kits you can buy that essentially amount to "put it together" rather than "build", mid-level parts/kits that require lapping and final fitting, etc, all the way to 80% frames that require jigs and lathe and what-not. One high end example __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

February 14, 2014, 05:14 PM	#6
Roughedge Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Location: Monroe,NC Posts: 669	I built a 1911 with Caspian Slide and frame with a barrel that had to be fit. I'm a gunsmith and I had 30 hours in it when it was complete. It was fun but to get a proper slide to frame fit it takes a little time. __________________ The man that die's with the most stuff win's!

February 15, 2014, 09:03 AM	#9
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Understanding the workings of a 1911, and being able to completely disassemble and reassemble one, is a lot different than building one. At least check out the necessary tools first. It would be hard to justify the costs of them for making just one gun. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

February 15, 2014, 09:33 AM	#10
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,308	Woodworker with a skill level of 5...No go. I have built several from forgings to pretty much drop ins, and there is a lot of platform functionality knowledge, metal working skill, craftsmanship that goes into them. Even a semi-fit, you have to know how to pick the correct barrel link, fit the hood not to mention feedramps, extractor tension, etc. If you really want to do it, my suggestion would be to sign up for one of the classes that teach you how. They run from about $1500 on up inclusive of parts and you actually get taught how to do it right, with the right tools. You end up with a 1911 that would cost you a little less if you bought the same features on a cataloged pistol and about the same as if you paid a gunsmith to build you a total custom. They are about a week long and will be an overall savings in time and money. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

February 14, 2014, 12:25 PM	#3
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Brian, I am thinking less ready that what is shown on that link. I would select and buy all parts from someone like Midway and 'sorta' customize as I went. For his prices one might as well buy a ready made.

February 14, 2014, 01:22 PM	#4
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	Well, you're less likely to end up with something that works for starters. And no, I'd say you'd be money ahead by buying new or lightly used.

February 14, 2014, 03:43 PM	#5
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,996	At a skill level of 5 out of 10, assembling an AR-15 is quite doable. But a 1911 that you might some day want reliable, no way. I'd buy a complete, no frills factory pistol, maybe even a retro WWI or WWII design. Unless you get screaming deals on parts, I don't see a cost savings either.

February 14, 2014, 10:45 PM	#8
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	Building/assembling an M1911 would be a good learning experience. Those I know who have built BP guns from kits found there were no real savings but there was the satisfaction of doing it yourself and learning how they really go together, learning the finer points of fitting wood to metal, timing, spring adjustment, etc., in the case of the M1911, learning the finer points of fitting the slide, etc. Closer I have gotten is when I totally disassembled my Colt MK IV when the slide locked back, the usual methods did not work. Found the trigger mechanism was full of residue, a thorough cleaning restored it.