Posted: 4/12/2008 5:56:58 AM EDT
| I have looked around on this board and saw the building guides. My question is are these guns easy to build? I built my AR from parts and it was pretty much a breeze. Is there a pic thread on how to build one like in the AR forum? |
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you can build them, just not the whole thing. get a frame/slide combo that has been matched, and have a barrel and bushing fitted. after that, its pretty easy. but you WILL still have a few parts to fit yourself. key here is not to be in a rush. you want to take your time. the grip safety and thumb safety can be tricky. the whole deal requires a bit of patience. dont expect to get it done in a day, or a week for that matter. especially if you want it to be "perfect" you could save some time and effort by getting a used pistol and tricking it out to your liking. in theory, it could be cheaper. DO NOT TRY TO FIT THE BARREL YOURSELF. if you dont do a good job, you may blow yourself up 
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I'll throw in my 2 cents and you can take it for what it's worth. I have no formal firearms training and actually have a marketing/sales background, but I have always been a hands-on DIY kind of person. I have found it is actually quite easy to simply "build" a 1911 from parts. I have invested less than $400 in the tools necessary to "build" a 1911 - things like files, barrel lug cutter, bushing reamer, trigger stones, sear jig, chamber reamer, and such. As long as you go slow and understand the basics, fitting parts isn't really all that difficult. If you buy from Caspian, you can always have them do some of the harder stuff for you or stuff that requires tools you don't have - frame to slide fitting, sight cuts, checkering, or other custom features. I have never cracked a book on the 1911, just perused the info available online and taken my time. Here's a few pics of a complete top end swap I did, putting a Caspian slide and Kart 9mm barrel on a Springfield frame. So far I've put a few hundred rounds through it since I completed the "build" part of it and it's been flawless. I still have to blast the frame and refinish it, but I want to put at least a thousand rounds through it and make sure it runs 100%. I have less than $900 into this gun currently and that includes 8 Metalform 10 round 9mm mags. Since I'll be refinishing the frame myself, it should only run me another $20 to spray and bake it. Forgot to add that I'm working on a full build right now with a Caspian Hi-Cap frame. .jpg) .jpg) .jpg) .jpg)
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| Even 1911's built by companies that build them for a living have problems(Kimber, SA, Colt, etc.) If you're just going to use it as a range gun, you could do ok by following the above post. For my family's and my own safety, I'm trusting who I consider to be the best pistolsmith's in the industry(Heirloom Precision). |
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I've built a couple from the frame up. Some parts drop right in and some don't. If you buy a frame from some one like Caspian. Have them install the ejector and plunger tube. If you got the money have them fit a slide to the frame while your at it. Use parts like Wilson, Brown etc for less headaches in the tolerance department. When it comes to fitting the barrel. I believe with the consensus. Let an experience 1911 pistolsmith fit the barrel for you. I must say I have had good luck with some drop-in barrels. I recently converted a Springer 45acp GI model to 9mm parabellum. I had a gunsmith cut the frame for a ramped barrel and I used a Fusion firearms drop in stainless barrel. Awsome shooter. In closing, I say go for it and have fun while you are doing it. 
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I hate to be the one to ask the obvious question but, how did you get around the vast difference in breech face size between 45ACP and 9MM? |
I grew up in a time not too long ago when kids built plastic model kits, had shop classes from grade 6 on, and even had my own soldering iron when I was as young as ~8-10 years old to make projects from radio shack and such. I don't find fitting a barrel to be all that difficult. Then again, I don't tend to agree with the consensus on a lot of other stuff either. |
Amen, brother. There is no part of it that is hard, let alone impossible. It is just like everything else...use the right tools for the right job and know the technique. If you are interested look at Blindhogg's Website and get a copy of the Kuhnhausen Manuals. ...and don't forget to post pictures when you're done...  -Jbot |
| I just let my gunsmith fit the barrel. He has the time in and the tools. I just don't feel the need to invest in all the tools to fit a barrel properly. Finish chamber reamer, lug cutter, alingment gauges etc. For a 100.00 bucks I can get it and done and done right! |
I respect "doing it yourself" as much as the next guy. I work on my own cars for the most part, do my own plumbing, carpentry, and light electrical. However when it's life and death, like upgrading the electrical service to my house, or a firearm that's supposed to be expert fitted, I leave it to the pros. That's just me, and someday I'd like to try my hand at building a 1911 as a hobby gun, but for social purposes, I'll be casting my lot with the masters for a long time to come. |
Shotgun news just had a article on 1911 building. Thinking I will build one myself. Didn't look that hard. Already have 4 factory 1911's it's time to build my own. |
The article wasn't as indepth as some of this guy's past build articles but had some interesting tool ideas for staking the ejector. I'll see if I can track down another copy of it this weekend for you. My PM's are down but shoot me an email with your addy & I'll try to get you one. |
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There's a good write up on Brownell's website... Linky L. McLinkerson -Jbot |