Posted: 8/14/2013 5:51:22 PM EDT
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So, I just got the latest Brownell's catalog, and got an idea while looking through the 1911 section. I was originally going to jus buy a complete Kimber Custom TLE II for my first 1911. But after having an AR-15 for a couple years and pondering over how I've spent almost as much on new parts such as stocks, rails, grips, etc. seeing as how much money was wasted to get my rifle to the point at which I was happy only proved to me that it would have been better to just build the rifle how I wanted it the first time. Anyways, I am thinking of doing this for my first 1911, but the sheer volume of parts and options has me a little confused, so I'm looking for any help I can get.
1) Would the slide and frame have to be machined in order to make them fit perfectly, or would that only be a worry if the slide and frame were made by cheaper companies? And would buying a slide and frame from different brands be bad for this? 2) I see that most barrels are noted as needing finishing gunsmithing, and that the 45 ACP barrels have no ramp? Any clarification? 3) I was looking to go mostly with Wilson Combat parts since I prefer quality, but if there are any parts that I could save a few pennies on by going with a cheaper brand on, which parts would they be? 4) I've heard that there's sometimes complications arising from putting an ambidextrous safety on a 1911 that was only made for a single side safety. Would this be a problem in this situation? 5) How hard would it be to Cerakote the pistol? How much is needed in order to Cerakote it? That's all my questions for now, and I have a couple months to make my decision regarding whether I'm going build my pistol or simply just buy a completed one. I consider myself to be quite familiar with guns, and I prefer to know all of my guns inside and out. Basically I just need to know if it would be worth my time, effort, and money to go that route Thanks for help in advance 
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If it is your first, buy, don't build.
It's not like assembling an AR15, which will almost fall together if all the parts are placed in a large bag and shaken vigorously. Many, if not most parts will have to be hand fitted. I built my first 1911 back in the 1980s, and yes, it would be easier today with the internet and all of the good advice people could give you. But I bought my first 1911 in the 1970s, so I was thoroughly familiar with the platform. It is lots of fun to build your own 1911, but you won't save any money, and you will spend a lot of time getting it together and operating. |
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Young Padowan you're in way over your head thinking about a build especially with the questions you have already. Absolutely no offense intended, I promise. My suggestion: buy a base model like the Springfield GI for about $525, and upgrade a piece at a time. In hind sight it's not hard but I F'ed up a number of parts learning to fit the hammer to the sear, the trigger to the frame, extractor tension and the last thing I'd back you on is doing all of that with a pile of parts in your hand and no idea where to begin.
If you insist on doing it and god bless if you do, I'd find one of the prefit "kits"...frame/slide/barrel and bushing, and start with that. Then look at fire control parts that are high or match grade, pre-fit, but not fitting required, if you follow my meaning there. Once you dive in to a 1911 there's nearly no part on it that isn't fitting required. At least anything that approaches optimal performance and appearance. I'd also avoid a beavertail on your first rodeo and stick to the traditional grip safety. Beavertails, if you care at about the appearance and fit to the frame tangs, are a nightmare. There's also special parts like the sear jig, plunger tube staker, stones, that can really add up the costs. Start small, tread lightly. |
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I had the opportunity to build two 1911s. There will not be a third. Not because I am not happy with the end product but because it is just not cost effective for me. Fitting a 1911 out of those wonderful oversized parts takes a lot of time and patience. It gave me a high respect for the craftsmanship of a quality gunsmith. Do yourself a favor, buy a quality 1911 from the start.
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Yeah building a 1911 is pretty tough. I got a non-working 1918 Colt from a guy at a gun show for $400 bucks. I had to rebuild it, but man it was a bitch to get stuff to function. It works great now.....after I just gave in and took it to a gunsmith. Only thing now is I want to get a barrel that matches the gun. The guy polished the barrel, and Idk why.
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Quoted:
So, I just got the latest Brownell's catalog, and got an idea while looking through the 1911 section. I was originally going to jus buy a complete Kimber Custom TLE II for my first 1911. But after having an AR-15 for a couple years and pondering over how I've spent almost as much on new parts such as stocks, rails, grips, etc. seeing as how much money was wasted to get my rifle to the point at which I was happy only proved to me that it would have been better to just build the rifle how I wanted it the first time. Anyways, I am thinking of doing this for my first 1911, but the sheer volume of parts and options has me a little confused, so I'm looking for any help I can get. 1) Would the slide and frame have to be machined in order to make them fit perfectly, or would that only be a worry if the slide and frame were made by cheaper companies? And would buying a slide and frame from different brands be bad for this? 2) I see that most barrels are noted as needing finishing gunsmithing, and that the 45 ACP barrels have no ramp? Any clarification? 3) I was looking to go mostly with Wilson Combat parts since I prefer quality, but if there are any parts that I could save a few pennies on by going with a cheaper brand on, which parts would they be? 4) I've heard that there's sometimes complications arising from putting an ambidextrous safety on a 1911 that was only made for a single side safety. Would this be a problem in this situation? 5) How hard would it be to Cerakote the pistol? How much is needed in order to Cerakote it? That's all my questions for now, and I have a couple months to make my decision regarding whether I'm going build my pistol or simply just buy a completed one. I consider myself to be quite familiar with guns, and I prefer to know all of my guns inside and out. Basically I just need to know if it would be worth my time, effort, and money to go that route Thanks for help in advance Im ponding building my own as well, but i also own 4 1911s and understand the inter workings. Iv been watching you tube videos the past week learning things and mistakes others have made. look up jaywiliams on youtube, he is a bit boring and dry but he gives a good understanding. my advise is follow the other peoples advise. buy a working on and learn it. even if you dont mess with that one you will learn a lot just buy taking it down and putting it together and studying the inter workings of the pistol side note, i was also thinking of wilson parts but after some research i found a mixture of ed brown, wilson and a few others is what is probably best |
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op, i was where you were, right before i turned 21.
i built my first 1911, bought the second and am working on building the third. if you have ANY mechanical abilities at all, it is pretty damn simple to make one work. also a word of advice, don't buy anything that has "ESSEX" stamped on it |
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Jay Williaims videos on YouTube can be a great help as said above.He goes through the whole process of fitting everything.He will drive you crazy sometimes but you can learn Alot.
Here is the first video in the series for you.Good luck man. http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=relmfu&v=Vvr1DpUZeng |
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Well I sure hope I have some mechanical abilities, since I'm getting my degree in mechanical engineering haha
From the sounds of it, there could be some serious gunsmithing involved, which would make me a little hesitant. I noticed that Wilson at one point made a matched frame, slide, an barrel kit. Would that be a better place to start in regards to building your own 1911? And if so, are there any other brands that make a kit like that? |
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Quoted:
op, i was where you were, right before i turned 21. i built my first 1911, bought the second and am working on building the third. if you have ANY mechanical abilities at all, it is pretty damn simple to make one work. also a word of advice, don't buy anything that has "ESSEX" stamped on it What frame and slide did you use? I'm going with caspian unless I can find a Wilson combat |
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Well I sure hope I have some mechanical abilities, since I'm getting my degree in mechanical engineering haha From the sounds of it, there could be some serious gunsmithing involved, which would make me a little hesitant. I noticed that Wilson at one point made a matched frame, slide, an barrel kit. Would that be a better place to start in regards to building your own 1911? And if so, are there any other brands that make a kit like that? Yes I would totally recommend a Wilson fitted "kit"...that's most of the hard part done for you. When I was thinking about doing it myself fitting the barrel was something I had a fair amount of anxiety with. Beyond the barrel itself you needed some tools to go along with it, I was thinking of a Kart ez-fit but I ended up scrapping the whole idea for the time being but I'll do it. The 1911 I carry daily is one that I built but it started life as a GI model Springfield and the only thing original left on it is the Frame and Slide. I replaced piece by piece with EGW and Wilson bulletproof parts and the Springfield Custom shop put the new barrel in along with refinishing. As a side note now that I'm thinking about I know that I had in excess of 1K in parts and tools laying on my table, not include the frame and slide which was $800 if I remember correctly...def not a cheap endeavor it was more for the thrill of it. |
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Quoted:
What frame and slide did you use? I'm going with caspian unless I can find a Wilson combat Quoted:
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op, i was where you were, right before i turned 21. i built my first 1911, bought the second and am working on building the third. if you have ANY mechanical abilities at all, it is pretty damn simple to make one work. also a word of advice, don't buy anything that has "ESSEX" stamped on it What frame and slide did you use? I'm going with caspian unless I can find a Wilson combat I had long lead times with Caspian I don't know if I tried to be too "custom" or what but delivery times kept changing and at 12 weeks I said to hell with it and cancelled. That was the only thing that scuttled my build. Or it was my patience. Or lack thereof. |
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Quoted:
What frame and slide did you use? I'm going with caspian unless I can find a Wilson combat Quoted:
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op, i was where you were, right before i turned 21. i built my first 1911, bought the second and am working on building the third. if you have ANY mechanical abilities at all, it is pretty damn simple to make one work. also a word of advice, don't buy anything that has "ESSEX" stamped on it What frame and slide did you use? I'm going with caspian unless I can find a Wilson combat my first mistake was using an ESSEX frame, it took so much work to get that damn thing within spec. i used and old school remington slide. eta, look at fusion firearms, they offer everything from bare frames to whole kits also, you can buy their cosmetic blem seconds on gunbroker for $80-$150 there is only one place to get wilson frames, it is a sight sponsor who i WON'T do business with that starts with a B, it will cost you about 400 for the frame, and if you by chance need CS, good luck. |