I have been very interested in building a 1911 more or less just for the fun of it. I bought a lot of books and training materials, but lack the confidence to just dive in without a mentor looking over my shoulder. Just wondering if anybody wanted to build one at the same time so I could compare notes. It'de be even better if you were from north jersey so I could show the stages of completion in person if I had questions, which I'm sure I'll have a zillion of them.

Where are you located? From a 100% frame and slide it is an easy task

I dunno if Id call it easy. I put around 80 to 120 hours into my builds.

I keep meaning to order a frame / slide combo and build one, but I never get around to it...I've got this extra permit lying around...perhaps I'll burn it on a 1911 frame

I dunno if Id call it easy. I put around 80 to 120 hours into my builds.

 

Do you have specialized tools, too?

I haven't bought the jigs, stones, files, and tools yet. I haven't even picked out the frame and slide yet, let alone all the parts. I'm thinking of an awful lot of options. It's so hard to decide which to go with first. A 5" government Caspian in .45 ACP, carbon steel...or a railed frame, maybe stainless so I don't have to refinish it when I'm done, maybe a long slide instead, possibly 10mm over .45ACP so I have something different...And an STI wide body 6" longslide with a light rail kit from fusion seems cool...too many choices. Mostly though I was wondering if anybody in or near Morris county was into this sort of thing and wouldn't mind looking over the progress of a first time 1911 builder for when all those questions come up.

Brownells sells a Wilson Combat pre-fitted slide and frame kit. This way your first build would be a little more baby-stepped.

 

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=41017/Product/1911_AUTO_PRE_FIT_SLIDE_FRAME_BARREL_KIT

Do you have specialized tools, too?

A lot of em BUT it CAN be done with very few specialised tools.

Yeah I've seen it and I think caspian has or at least had a pre-fit set as well, so does sti and others in the brownell's catalog. The slide to frame fit seems a little time consuming but not too difficult. Mostly though it's just the overwhelming number of parts needing to be fitted. I don't think it's any one single step that's too hard. The idea that so many things have to be fit so tight and so precise but still operate smoothly, any one error in fitting could cause a lot of headaches and scrapped parts. Even if I managed to fit a part perfectly, i'de have no one to ask, "Is this too tight, too loose or perfection?" I've watched probably twenty hours or more on 1911 work by the pro's on DVD but it ain't the same as having an in person instructor to ask questions and show the progress to. Thought about taking one of those 1911 classes, but they're always at the wrong time of year, too expensive, or booked to capacity. Besides, most classes pick all the parts for you and you get virtually no choice of the build.

"most classes pick all the parts for you and you get virtually no choice of the build"

 

There is a reason for this. These classes arent really designed to turn you into a pistolsmith as much as they are designed to introduce you to the concepts of how to fit parts and how to understand the order these parts need to be fitted. Really imposrtant is the greater understanding of the inner workings and the why's. With this basis you can go on to do so much more. So the parts and the assembly its self are secondary and incidental. After you accomplish this, it opens wide what you can build. When you are laerning on your first build its better to not get too sidetracked with the bazillion combos and pittfalls of untried combinations. That is why the parts list is preselected.

Caspian AFAIK, still sells the fitted slide/recievers... I actually know a guy that works for them and can find out real quick if you're interested.

"most classes pick all the parts for you and you get virtually no choice of the build"

 

There is a reason for this. These classes arent really designed to turn you into a pistolsmith as much as they are designed to introduce you to the concepts of how to fit parts and how to understand the order these parts need to be fitted. Really imposrtant is the greater understanding of the inner workings and the why's. With this basis you can go on to do so much more. So the parts and the assembly its self are secondary and incidental. After you accomplish this, it opens wide what you can build. When you are laerning on your first build its better to not get too sidetracked with the bazillion combos and pittfalls of untried combinations. That is why the parts list is preselected.

 

Shane you are right on the money!!! First thing is to understand HOW the machine works. After that it is cake. Same thing for reloading and we see it here all the time. People asking question that would be unnecessary if they understand what they were trying to accomplish.

 

The second most important thing is understanding tolerances, sear engagement and howparts mate such as grip safety engagement.

 

There's loads of animations out there.

 

This STI one I like alot: http://www.m1911.org/loader.swf

fourth from left essex frame + ithaca wwII slide - third from left springfield armory frame + brazilian military slide - both built for under $100.00 in late 1980's -

Shane you are right on the money!!! First thing is to understand HOW the machine works. After that it is cake. Same thing for reloading and we see it here all the time. People asking question that would be unnecessary if they understand what they were trying to accomplish.

 

The second most important thing is understanding tolerances, sear engagement and howparts mate such as grip safety engagement.

 

There's loads of animations out there.

 

This STI one I like alot: http://www.m1911.org/loader.swf

 

Thanks Frank. This is the best end-to-end video I have seen of 1911 construction and functionality!

Brownells sells a Wilson Combat pre-fitted slide and frame kit. This way your first build would be a little more baby-stepped.

 

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=41017/Product/1911_AUTO_PRE_FIT_SLIDE_FRAME_BARREL_KIT

 

 

i didnt even know things like that existed. how much work is it to finish something like this?

forgive the stupid question, but is it a savings building your own versus buying one built? im looking to eventually get a 1911 and was wondering the pros and cons of building or just buying,,, sorry didnt mean to jump on your thread

forgive the stupid question, but is it a savings building your own versus buying one built? im looking to eventually get a 1911 and was wondering the pros and cons of building or just buying,,, sorry didnt mean to jump on your thread

 

There is a lot of specialized work skills and tools involved in putting together a 1911. It is probably a better endeavor for someone who has a good knowledge of them already and tinkers with them, rather than learning on the fly as a cost saving measure. There are decent quality 1911s out there for right around (and even under) $400. You don't find many reputable guns for that price.

http://centerfiresystems.com/armscor.aspx

I'm a newbie builder and I'm in Bergen Cty. I just picked up a kit from Fusion that I am quite happy with. I had them fit the slide to the frame, the bushing and barrel. I also eschewed convention and went with 9mm. So far, I have to say that it's not brain surgery, however it's not easy. Most likely NOTHING will just "drop in" which I learned when I put the mag release in. Just go really slowly and don't ever start filing before you think. Also, it's very easy to take material off, not so much to put it back.

 

And no, it's not the cheaper option to build vs. buy.

 

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I'm not the best but I'll help where I can. Now I just need more money to get the rest of the build underway.

 

C