Archived Posts » 59,699,509
Decided to build a 1911
3/26/2012 11:15:33 PM
I meant to do it for the 100th anniversary of the 1911, but I spent most of 2011 and the first months of 2012 in Iraq, so I was a little behind on the timing. I just got back and it took me about a week to finish. I'd wanted to learn about 1911's so I figured, what better way to learn than to build one.
I bought the parts throughout the course of 2011 so my wife wouldn't notice how much this thing was actually going to cost.
Parts list:
Caspian Frame + Slide
Novak Lo-mount sights
Les Baer Custom Mainspring Housing
Wilson Combat Factory Plus Hammer Strut
Wilson Combat Custom Barrel Link Kit
Wolff Variable Power Recoil Spring
Wilson Combat Shok-Buff Recoil Buffer
Pachmayr Grips
Ed Brown 1-Piece Recoil Spring Guide Rod
Ed Brown Tactical Ambi Thumb Safety
Ed Brown Beavertail Grip Safety with Memory Groove
Ed Brown Firing Pin
Cylinder & Slide Super Match Trigger
Wilson Combat Match Barrel with Bushing 1911 Government 45 ACP 1 in 16" Twist 5" Stainless Steel
Wolff Service Spring Pack 1911 Government 45 ACP
Ed Brown Recoil Spring Plug 1911 Government
Caspian small parts
Cylinder & Slide small parts
I haven't parked/colored it yet, I just wanted to see how well it shot, so I took it out behind the house and set up a target at 20 yards. 20 rounds of WWB. It was raining pretty hard, but I just couldn't wait to try it out. First mag was a little high.
I was surprised what a pain in the ass these things are to build. If you're not patient, don't even bother.
I bought the parts throughout the course of 2011 so my wife wouldn't notice how much this thing was actually going to cost.
Parts list:
Caspian Frame + Slide
Novak Lo-mount sights
Les Baer Custom Mainspring Housing
Wilson Combat Factory Plus Hammer Strut
Wilson Combat Custom Barrel Link Kit
Wolff Variable Power Recoil Spring
Wilson Combat Shok-Buff Recoil Buffer
Pachmayr Grips
Ed Brown 1-Piece Recoil Spring Guide Rod
Ed Brown Tactical Ambi Thumb Safety
Ed Brown Beavertail Grip Safety with Memory Groove
Ed Brown Firing Pin
Cylinder & Slide Super Match Trigger
Wilson Combat Match Barrel with Bushing 1911 Government 45 ACP 1 in 16" Twist 5" Stainless Steel
Wolff Service Spring Pack 1911 Government 45 ACP
Ed Brown Recoil Spring Plug 1911 Government
Caspian small parts
Cylinder & Slide small parts
I haven't parked/colored it yet, I just wanted to see how well it shot, so I took it out behind the house and set up a target at 20 yards. 20 rounds of WWB. It was raining pretty hard, but I just couldn't wait to try it out. First mag was a little high.
I was surprised what a pain in the ass these things are to build. If you're not patient, don't even bother.
3/27/2012 1:10:07 AM
Very cool.
3/27/2012 7:19:16 AM
good job. and thanks for serving!
3/27/2012 7:36:11 AM
much more in depth than a lot of people realize....you have gained a wealth of experience..thanks for your service....
3/27/2012 2:39:37 PM
Thanks guys!
No need to thank me for my service, I'm a civilian again! I wasn't with the Military this go round.
I was a little apprehensive using a 38 super firing pin, but it worked. I've put 100 rounds through it so far, and am really happy with the accuracy. I'll hopefully get it gunkoted by next week. If it comes out decent I'll post pictures...
No need to thank me for my service, I'm a civilian again! I wasn't with the Military this go round.
I was a little apprehensive using a 38 super firing pin, but it worked. I've put 100 rounds through it so far, and am really happy with the accuracy. I'll hopefully get it gunkoted by next week. If it comes out decent I'll post pictures...
3/27/2012 3:11:20 PM
FWIW, I've got over 10,000 rounds on a 38 super firing pin hitting 45 acp with no problems. No need to worry about it.
3/27/2012 9:33:38 PM
Originally Posted By Gregory_K:
FWIW, I've got over 10,000 rounds on a 38 super firing pin hitting 45 acp with no problems. No need to worry about it.
FWIW, I've got over 10,000 rounds on a 38 super firing pin hitting 45 acp with no problems. No need to worry about it.
Good to know.
It was the one detail I was worried about. When I found out that Caspian slides are only made with a 38 super/9mm/40 cal firing pin channel, I "googled" it and found some random post saying that it would work with 45 acp. I thought, "Well if it's on the internet, it must be true..."
3/28/2012 1:04:33 PM
Needs moar pitchers.
3/28/2012 1:19:43 PM
Originally Posted By Mister_H:
Good to know.
It was the one detail I was worried about. When I found out that Caspian slides are only made with a 38 super/9mm/40 cal firing pin channel, I "googled" it and found some random post saying that it would work with 45 acp. I thought, "Well if it's on the internet, it must be true..."
Originally Posted By Gregory_K:
FWIW, I've got over 10,000 rounds on a 38 super firing pin hitting 45 acp with no problems. No need to worry about it.
FWIW, I've got over 10,000 rounds on a 38 super firing pin hitting 45 acp with no problems. No need to worry about it.
Good to know.
It was the one detail I was worried about. When I found out that Caspian slides are only made with a 38 super/9mm/40 cal firing pin channel, I "googled" it and found some random post saying that it would work with 45 acp. I thought, "Well if it's on the internet, it must be true..."
Springfield uses the same setup and it works, no need to worry.
3/28/2012 3:45:40 PM
Looks great. I built one myself under the instruction of a friend who had worked at the USMC RTE in Quantico and worked at the Colt custom shop.
There is definately a ton more involved than just assembly, I didn't realize that until I built mine.
I think everyone who owns a 1911 should go through this.
There is definately a ton more involved than just assembly, I didn't realize that until I built mine.
I think everyone who owns a 1911 should go through this.
3/28/2012 5:11:34 PM
Any machining needed when building ur own? Ive seen frame/slide/barrel kits from brownells that are already ready to go but was axxious to build one as well but dont want to have to get into machining parts to fit.
3/28/2012 5:21:04 PM
Originally Posted By onesht1kl:
Any machining needed when building ur own? Ive seen frame/slide/barrel kits from brownells that are already ready to go but was axxious to build one as well but dont want to have to get into machining parts to fit.
Any machining needed when building ur own? Ive seen frame/slide/barrel kits from brownells that are already ready to go but was axxious to build one as well but dont want to have to get into machining parts to fit.
For fitting I used sand paper, lapping compound, and small files. I would've used my dremel but when I got home and whipped it out, it didn't work anymore.
3/28/2012 7:48:05 PM
Originally Posted By HiredHitman:
Needs moar pitchers.
Needs moar pitchers.
Not that it matters, but I wish I would've gotten an oversized ejector. You can see it didn't require any fitting...
I would've liked to fit it to the slide and lapped the slide with the ejector.
3/30/2012 7:47:08 PM
Originally Posted By Mister_H:
For fitting I used sand paper, lapping compound, and small files. I would've used my dremel but when I got home and whipped it out, it didn't work anymore.
Originally Posted By onesht1kl:
Any machining needed when building ur own? Ive seen frame/slide/barrel kits from brownells that are already ready to go but was axxious to build one as well but dont want to have to get into machining parts to fit.
Any machining needed when building ur own? Ive seen frame/slide/barrel kits from brownells that are already ready to go but was axxious to build one as well but dont want to have to get into machining parts to fit.
For fitting I used sand paper, lapping compound, and small files. I would've used my dremel but when I got home and whipped it out, it didn't work anymore.
Maybe that was a blessing. Those Dremels are notorious metal grinding bastards
that can ruin your day.
3/30/2012 11:14:39 PM
Caspian will make the slide with .45ACP Firing Pin Hole if you tell them at the time you order the slide from them. I sent my Springfiled MC Operator to the Springfield custom shop for a list of work and pile Ed Brown parts I ordered from Brownells. One item on my list is to dril-lout the 38 Special firing pin hole to .45ACP Size. They call it FBI Firing Pin job/opion.
3/30/2012 11:44:12 PM
Originally Posted By Lawdog-1:
Caspian will make the slide with .45ACP Firing Pin Hole if you tell them at the time you order the slide from them. I sent my Springfiled MC Operator to the Springfield custom shop for a list of work and pile Ed Brown parts I ordered from Brownells. One item on my list is to dril-lout the 38 Special firing pin hole to .45ACP Size. They call it FBI Firing Pin job/opion.
Caspian will make the slide with .45ACP Firing Pin Hole if you tell them at the time you order the slide from them. I sent my Springfiled MC Operator to the Springfield custom shop for a list of work and pile Ed Brown parts I ordered from Brownells. One item on my list is to dril-lout the 38 Special firing pin hole to .45ACP Size. They call it FBI Firing Pin job/opion.
Good to know.
Will a .45ACP firing pin work with smaller calibers? Does anybody know?
3/31/2012 10:35:54 PM
Just got done Duracoating it. I used a Parkerized Grey and Flat Black.
It looks really good in person, I just realized how bad I am at taking pictures lol.
It looks really good in person, I just realized how bad I am at taking pictures lol.
