I'm pretty poor. So, I won't be making any purchases in the next little bit. Most likely not until the 2nd quarter of 2013. Maybe April/May/June. That means that I have plenty of time to plan out what I want and to save a bit for whatever it is. As some of you may also know, I am finishing up a build on a 9mm 1911 that I got from Fusion Firearms. It's a beautiful little pistola (Ray-Ray would disagree) that I have a good bit of time into. It was a very enjoyable experience putting it together.

 

I now have a SERIOUS hankering for a .45. Add to that the fact that I love shooting 1911's and I'm sure you can see where this is going. Should I just save up the loot and buy a manufactured firearm (I really like the MC Operator from Springfield) or build another one. It's tough as either option would work, but I don't have the money on hand to do both. From a cost perspective, they are both fairly equal.

 

C

I would build. I would love to build my own but just don't have the experience yet to where I feel comfortable.

In a 1911 platform I would buy it.

 

#1 You won't save any money building, IMHO

 

#2 If you ever are forced to sell it it will have better resale value.

Do you have the tools and ability to do the work associated with a custom build? If yes, and the cost is similar, I'd say build. I do not have the tools or ability to do some of the fine machining that may be required to fit each piece, so it's buy for me.

If you do a build, please share the progress.

Another vote for build!

You've got one under your belt already, so the next one will be a piece of cake!

Lol-what could possibly go wrong?

I'm in the buy catagory...easier to resell if I ever had or wanted to and I've already got my eyes set on a few 1911's.

"I'm pretty poor"

 

My vote is stick with 9mm cuz shooting 45 is double the cost.

Buy. For the exact reasons Frank listed.

If you have the money, buy one that's built to your needs from any of the well known 1911 'smiths.

 

Otherwise, go for a SA, Colt, STI, DW, etc that's already built closest to what you're looking for. This route comes out "cheaper" initially and you can always have it modified by adding (or removing) stuff by your local gunsmith.

Build

 

 

As a general rule for the 1911 platform, I won't buy someone elses build or non-professionally modified pistol. It's just me!

As a general rule for the 1911 platform, I won't buy someone elses build or non-professionally modified pistol. It's just me!

 

I agree!

I'd buy over build for the reasons listed above.

From a purely cost perspective I do not find that it is any less expensive to build it yourself. In other words you really dont spend less unless you buy less than ideal parts. But the flip side to that coin is that since I am building it for myself, I can lavish as much time, detail, polishing etc etc I like as I have no bottom line to protect or deadline to meet. So to me the pistol I build has a far greater value for the same cost.

"I'm pretty poor"

 

My vote is stick with 9mm cuz shooting 45 is double the cost.

 

I reload.

I say build it. You've already have some experience with your fusion and can build it just the way you want it. I'm also assuming that you're not looking at a lower end (e.g. RIA) 1911. If you need to sell it, tell them it was built by TCG...Topher Custom Guns!

I say build and let me tag along I would be very interested in building a 1911 for my self in the future

Interesting thread. Thanks for the responses so far. As for the issues raised:

 

-Gun will be a range toy. I have something else that sleeps comfortably in the nightstand. All set there.

-Guns aren't an investment for me, they're an expense. I don't have enough loot to play that game, so I don't. I also never buy with the thought of reselling.

-I reload and already have about 500 .45LPP cases waiting for me. I also have dies.

-If someone wants to "tag along" they are more than welcome. It'll take me a minute if I decide to build so patience is necessary.

-I don't have all the tools, but I do have access if I need something. Even a mill. I do have the Kuhnhausen books, tho!

 

As of this writing, we're in a dead heat at 50/50. I'm curious to see if this will die or it'll pull one way or another. I'm still firmly on the fence. I have time.

 

C

If you got the free time and the tools I'd say go for it and build one. I personally think it's pretty sweet when you build something and it works. I was planning a 1911 build myself but after a lot of research and a second child coming I decided against it. Do it for the guys who don't have the time!