Posted: 10/29/2008 6:00:11 PM EDT
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I just received my first build back from Drake's Gun Works were it was getting melonited. I'm very pleased with how it turned out.
A while back my buddy Robert Miller invited me to come out to his shop for a few days and build a 1911. We have spent hours on the phone over the years discussing our thoughts on fighting 1911's. At times, I would have a hard time understanding the build process or why Bob did something a certain way. I was very opinionated about how a 1911 should be built. So I jumped at the offer and spent 5 days at his shop. Man did I learn a lot and I have an even greater respect for what a truly competent 1911 smith does. I had a hard time! Me and hand tools do not seem to gel well. It was amazing to see how fast Bob could do a complete beavertail fit, and then to see how many hours I took! Filing sounds easy....it is not. Learning to file flat was very challenging for me. Another thing that was readily apparent was how much hand fitting a 1911 takes. We hear it all the time, but until you actually see and do it, you don't truly understand. I'm a analytical numbers type guy, Bob is the complete opposite. I'd want to measure this and that and use this formula from that video etc, etc. Bob instead is able to feel what is going on with a part - is it rubbing, binding, galling and go from there. He taught me how to feel what the part is doing, and how do look for signs of fitment problems. Everything you see on the gun I did. Bob would demonstrate, but he felt I needed to do it myself. I really struggled with the beavertail fit. It sounds so easy when you read how to do it, but once you start grinding on the frame, you quickly learn its not so easy. While I am pleased with my first attempt, I have a lot to improve on. Under Bob's watchful eye, I cut the cocking serrations, sight cuts, and drilled the mainspring hole on a mill. Everything else was done by hand. In all it was a great learning experience. I still prefer a 1911 over all pistols and will continue to carry one, but I now truly understand what Larry Vickers meant when he said it was a "aficionado’s weapon." 100 years later and there is still nothing that shoots as sweet as a well tuned 1911. As finances and time permit, I'm hoping to take either the Vickers or C&S 1911 builders’ class. So far the gun has approx 575 rounds through it - 300 before the finish and 275 after with no malfunctions. I also added a Dawson Rail as I prefer to be able to mount a weapons light. I also prefer ambi safeties as I feel you need to be able to effectively run your gun with either hand quickly while under stress. Parts used were: Caspian frame and slide Kart barrel and bushing Ed Brown Beavertail (McCormick was out of stock) Wilson safety C&S internals Wilson BP extractor Blank S&A magwell 10-8 slide stop 10-8 mag catch 10-8 flat trigger 10-8 rear sight 10-8 pin set Original Gunner grips 
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Hey Ernie,
Been doing good. Looking forward to taking one of your upcoming carbine courses. You will be happy to know that I usually use my Glock 17 for IDPA...lol Got a crappy time/score last time I tried to use a 1911 in a match. Gotta practice some more... Scott, You gonna start selling those? Or are you just building your perfect gun for personal use? |
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Scot45..... are you still trying to prove that Gaston Glock is not the godfather of handguns?!?!?!  Trying being the operative word. Boy those safe queens sure are purdy though 
Safe queen - thats funny. Have you seen what my 1911's look like???[img='middle']http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/icon_smile_question.gif[/img] ANIMUS - The flat trigger is awesome. All my 1911's have them now. IMO there really is no other option. They just make so much sense on a trigger that moves straight back. No matter what part of the trigger you pull, its all the same. I love them. They look goofy but form follows function. |
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Quoted:
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Scot45..... are you still trying to prove that Gaston Glock is not the godfather of handguns?!?!?! Trying being the operative word. Boy those safe queens sure are purdy though
Thats because I sold my primary 1911 and had to add my new 1911 to my permit. |
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I am curious to see how the Melonite finish holds up. That stuff is supposed to super durable. Kinda' like an American Tenifer. Let's beat it up and find out!
No Scot.... stop asking me to take your new and test it. I can't..... Ok .... I'll do it. Drop it off with 5000 rounds and I'll get it back to you when I'm done.
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Yep, me too. The only changes would be: make it out of plastic instead of steel; finish it with Tenifer instead of that other stuff; and make it 9mm. Quoted:
dude, scott, that thing is sick. its exactly how ive always envisioned what i wanted in a 1911. 
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Quoted:
Yep, me too. The only changes would be: make it out of plastic instead of steel; finish it with Tenifer instead of that other stuff; and make it 9mm. Quoted:
dude, scott, that thing is sick. its exactly how ive always envisioned what i wanted in a 1911.  
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