Posted: 11/9/2009 11:35:49 AM EDT
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First Question is: can a medium-grade quality railed 1911 be built for under $1000
Second: can a noob build a 1911 (and be please with the outcome)? Third, if second is untrue: if I were to gather all of the parts how much would it cost to have a 1911 smith assemble it? The reason that I am asking is that I really want a railed 1911, but really don't want to spend more than a grand on a handgun, or really any gun for that matter. |
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Agreed. Good deal, too! |
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No questions, that's a great deal, but did not help with my questions. I wish that I have that kind of money right now... 
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Quoted: No questions, that's a great deal, but did not help with my questions. I wish that I have that kind of money right now... Quoted: First Question is: can a medium-grade quality railed 1911 be built for under $1000 Probably. Second: can a noob build a 1911 (and be please with the outcome)? Depends on a lot of factors, including your skill level. Third, if second is untrue: if I were to gather all of the parts how much would it cost to have a 1911 smith assemble it? I'm thinking you'll have a hard time keeping it under $1K The reason that I am asking is that I really want a railed 1911, but really don't want to spend more than a grand on a handgun, or really any gun for that matter. |
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guy selling one here in the EE even cheaper than that, and it includes shipping... |
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First Question is: can a medium-grade quality railed 1911 be built for under $1000? YES (if you find the right smith, usually one who does not do it for a living but as a second job)
Second: can a noob build a 1911 (and be please with the outcome)? NO Third, if second is untrue: if I were to gather all of the parts how much would it cost to have a 1911 smith assemble it? NFC The reason that I am asking is that I really want a railed 1911, but really don't want to spend more than a grand on a handgun, or really any gun for that matter. You get what you pay for in 1911's |
| Without knowing what your "skills" are it is hard to say.........some folk's have an supurb ability to make things fit and work..........if that is your case..........you can make it happen............You will find on this site a few people that say go for it.........and others that say it can't be done........Like I said.....it depends on your skill level and what you are comfortable with.............. |
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I'd agree with the above posters.
Yes, you can build a decent railed 1911 for $1000. Yes, a noob can build it, no, you probably won't be happy with the outcome (in comparison to a MC Operator, Colt Rail 1911, or Kimber Warrior). Having a decent smith do the work will not be cheap. If it is cheap, then it won't be good. 1911's are very much in-line with the old adage "good, fast, cheap...now pick 2" I can understand not wanting to spend a lot of money, but railed 1911's tend to be a bit pricier for decent models. In your case, I'd recommend a MC Operator, Colt Rail 1911, or Kimber Warrior. Buy once, cry once. |
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Quoted:
First Question is: can a medium-grade quality railed 1911 be built for under $1000 You won't be happy with what you have when done....nope strike that.... I wouldn't be happy building one for that. Second: can a noob build a 1911 (and be please with the outcome)? depends on what your expectations are, but probably not. Third, if second is untrue: if I were to gather all of the parts how much would it cost to have a 1911 smith assemble it? Depends on parts you buy and and what you want. I can think of some gunsmiths that say send me your gun and a four digit figure when they're done. The reason that I am asking is that I really want a railed 1911, but really don't want to spend more than a grand on a handgun, or really any gun for that matter. SGB gave you your best option. really. I like to tinker some with 1911s and the cheapest way I've found is to start with a base or " donor " 1911 and start subtracting and adding. It's been easy to have 2000.00 in one when finished and would have had a better pistol had i bought say... an Ed Brown for the same money. This question came up a while back and someone talked of a cheap kit for under 400.00....without a rail... you can price a 1911 out of MIdwayUSA or Brownells catalog piece by piece and when done have pretty close to a grand in just parts.......... then you get to buy tools. yep and those add up quick. Just a minimum in tools, files, and stones will run over $400.00. Then you have books, cds and dvds to buy.....Building a pistol one part at a time...on paper at least..... using GOOD parts is the most expensive way I know of owning a 1911. Start yourself a 1911 jar and clean your pockets of change every night... it will add up pretty quick... then go buy yourself a turn key 1911. 
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1st answer a mid grade can be built for $1000 if you do it yourself.
2nd answer about a noob I would say no even though I did it. Just need to put a home nickel plate on it. I literally took 9 months to do it. It was do a little bit and forget about it for a month or two. I got Kaufman 1911 manual and WIlson DVD's. Also read anything I could from here and other sites. I'd say buy and not build. |
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First Question is: can a medium-grade quality railed 1911 be built for under $1000I would guess so. Stay away from Taurus though, there are reports of their internals being out-of-spec with regular 1911s, making repairing/replacing parts difficult.
Second: can a noob build a 1911 (and be please with the outcome)?I did. They're not hard guns to assemble, but they're hard to get to work. I used all high-quality parts and got really lucky. Use Wilson and Brown parts, check the fit on everything, file off just a hair more than the minimum, and always make sure you can get the thumb safety out before you do final assembly. Seriously. Third, if second is untrue: if I were to gather all of the parts how much would it cost to have a 1911 smith assemble it?Final cost on mine was $778, literally sparing no expense when it came to the internals. It would've been significantly more if I'd asked someone else to put it together. |
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Hi, noob here and have built 3 complete 1911's.
Cost would run you over $1000 easy for a quality build- done it. Cheapest build has been about $400, most expensive- 2300- (quality parts brought to smith for fitting and assembly) Buying parts and having it assembled- better off just buying a quality gun- to get a smith to build your bag of parts, add several hundred dollars for a good job- and a wait that you have no say in- did it- wouldn't again as far as just building and fitting parts- I would use a smith to get things done that require the investment of a gunsmith's business ie:heavy machining, finishing and stylistic upgrades. A Noob can do it, but from experience -SO FAR- ( I am on my fourth now-) it can become slightly addictive. To do it right, as stated in an earlier post, you'll need at least the Kuhnhausen books, extra reference material as needed- videos will help visualize the concepts such as barrel fitting and where to make measurements on various parts, tools - good calipers, files, punches, sand paper,dremel style tool, shop around for good prices. ( I always find myself getting some new tool). - Check out the big post from Gaspain- he did a great job- very bare bones. I personally have found that the cheap-o build from scratch (ie: a foster frame, generic slide, etc.) with stock parts is very satisfying when you finally get it all fit together and it runs reliably. But of course now you have invested a fair amount of time in learning a set of skills , so what do you do, just forget it all?!? you'll find yourself wanting to try another and another as your skills get better- sure, you're gonna spend more money but you end up being able to do something not everyone can do and you'll get to know and appreciate the 1911 platform on a very personal level and you'll be able to create a quality gun that with the satisfaction of knowing inside and out So if you are looking to build on a quality level, you're looking at- (I think) getting involved for the long haul because it won't happen with your first gun, and you will want to expand upon your new skills. I've been doing it for 3 years now and have spent several thousand dollars between parts and tools and knowledge. The cost was painless and the results are quite satisfying. Plus it's fun being able to throw together a 1911 from parts just to get something running. Enjoy whichever way you decide! |
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Quoted:
Well, since I have been thoroughly schooled in what I should not do, is it possible to attach a light rail to a unrailed frame... I remember that one of the emails that I got back from Springfield said that it would crack the frame? If you ask me there is only one correct way of attaching a light to a 1911 that doesn't come with a factory rail: 
Dawson light rail |
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Quoted:
First Question is: can a medium-grade quality railed 1911 be built for under $1000 Second: can a noob build a 1911 (and be please with the outcome)? Third, if second is untrue: if I were to gather all of the parts how much would it cost to have a 1911 smith assemble it? The reason that I am asking is that I really want a railed 1911, but really don't want to spend more than a grand on a handgun, or really any gun for that matter. came in under a grand.........my favorite pistol.........Caspian frame, Essex slide, KKM precision barrel and a host of Wilson, Brown and Nowlin parts.................... 
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I would say if you have no smith tools and want at least decent parts then it's gonna be very close. Seeing as I have 700 Just in parts in my Fathers gun and bought a used RIA Slide and used some parts/sights I had laying around. Add to that if you want a beaver jig, a dremel(I know I know) Files, Sandpaper, Stones, tuning parts, micrometer etc etc
I'd say it's hard to do with quality parts for under a grand. Now if you build something with all top shelf products like my personal gun, I'm into it 1300+ just in parts. You're better off buying a springer loaded and adding a dawson as someone has said then upgrade internals Good luck either way.. |
| If you take your time & shop around you can find a pre-owned Warrior for $850. You can buy a new Colt Rail Gun for around a grand. I prefer these mainly for the properly blended grip safeties, hammers, triggers and thumb safeties. The new Colts are also high cut on the front strap. |