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AR15.COM
8/10/2012 1:37:01 PM EDT
So I have been researching for a long while different 1911s and I am unsatisfied with all of them. They are either priced to high, or don't have what I am looking for.

What tools do I need to build a 1911 from Sarco parts? I own a micrometer and I plan to invest in a good file set. Any other advice?
8/10/2012 1:48:06 PM EDT
[#1]
Kuhnhausens book of the 1911. Read it several times before you think of laying a stone or file to metal.
8/11/2012 4:46:55 AM EDT
[#2]
building a functional 1911 is a LOT more complicated than it would appear. you'd be better off buying a low end gun (SA mil spec, RIA) and adding what you want
8/11/2012 7:11:27 AM EDT
[#3]
As someone who has completed a Sarco build, I suggest you buy a 1911 closest to what you can live with, and then change the features you don't like.
8/11/2012 8:13:10 AM EDT
[#4]
http://how-i-did-it.org/1911-project/index.html
8/11/2012 7:47:12 PM EDT
[#5]
I've built 2 and still have a few kits. If you're handy you can build a working gun, but it will take lots of tools and tinkering. The barrel/slide seem to be "drop in" ie; they are a loose fit. You won't be building a match gun. As I recall, I had issues with one chamber, it needed major pollishing.

REPLACE MOST OF THE SMALL PARTS!

On the first one I built I put hundreds of rounds through it trying to figure out what was wrong/or break it in. It would some times not cycle all the way forward, or otherwise jam. I finally figured it out. It was a weak recoil spring. I bought a S&W spring and promptly put 400 rnds through it without failure!
I've also seen a sear that actually had a crack in it right out of the bag.  also the safeties didn't have enough meat, rather than fialing to fit, they let the hammer drop without fialing.
So you need Recoil springs, sears, thumb safeties at least that I can remember.

I forget the name of the place I bought the small parts, but you can buy S&W parts, or whatever, real cheap and make it work.

I'm a tinkerer, so I had fun and I got a working gun and learned to gun smiff.

I read somewhere that these are RIA parts. I think MAYBE the slides. Some parts are obvious mil-surp, like the grips, MSH (AND MSH internals), but other things like the trigger is obviously a John Mason part. The kits are really a crap shoot. All they gauranty is that the kit will contain all the parts to a 1911 minus the frame. So some times a part is mil surp, the next kit it is john mason, or a 2nd from a major brand company. Who knows?

ETA: I also remember I cycled a round and was astounded at the large dimple in the primer. The firing pin spring was WAY to weak. I also replaced that. I think the pin was mil.surp.