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1911 project started
- Thread starter MichaelJR
- Start date
ntomsw
Banned
Awesome. I want to build one so bad, but my 1st AR build took precedence.
Good luck with it, and I definitely can't wait to see the progress photos. I love 1911's. I am curious to see what you are doing.
Good luck with it, and I definitely can't wait to see the progress photos. I love 1911's. I am curious to see what you are doing.
dcmdon
NES Member
To the OP, I'm sure many of us would really appreciate as detailed a log as you are willing to keep.
I've built several ARs, including uppers from parts and can't even compare the two. "Building" an AR is like building a Glock.
You assemble the parts. You don't machine, or lap, or file, or do anything that's actually working metal. You simply assemble parts and check the headspacing.
Building a 1911 involves a minimum of fitting the fire control parts, slide to barrel lockup, barrel to bushing to slide, slide to frame.
Ive never done a full 1911 build but I've done a few of the things that are required and I find it to be pretty intimidating.
I could assemble an entire AR starting with a bare lower and bare built upper in the amount of time it takes me to fit an ambi safety to a 1911.
assemble, test, disassemble, apply dyechem file once, assemble - - - repeat 50 times. ugh.
Fitting an ambi safety is low stress because the part is inexpensive.
I've fit one barrel and it was nerve-wracking as hell. I give you a lot of credit.
Haha hell no I'm not doing the precision fittings, I'm sending the damn thing out. My "project" of the 1911 is buying the parts, getting them sent to me, opening the box, and anything that requires serious smithing gets sent out to a pro. Not taking any chances, especially on my first one. I'm brave, but not that brave. So, I should probably retitle the post as "Sorta kinda putting together my first 1911 with help from a gunsmith" haha.
dcmdon
NES Member
OH. Ok. You may want to talk to Caspian about an entire kit. They sell kits with a lot of the actual smithing already done.
Another good choice is Fusion firearms. Fusion is run by Bob Serva, who used to own Dan Wesson. Fusion is a reasonably priced custom 1911 builder. They sell custom kits with all of the work that you want done, and none of the work that you don't want done, done.
Here's a link to Fusion's thread on 1911forum.com : http://forums.1911forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=62
The only reason I mention this stuff, is that if I took my parts to JoJos in Southington for them to do machining and fitting, the stuff would sit there for 8 months before they even got to it. By buying an entire kit, you may save a lot of time spent waiting for a smith to get to it.
Another thought might to be to buy all the stuff from Remsport and negotiate it that they do certain machining or fitting tasks within a certain amount of time. Just a thought. Not sure if it will work, but at least Remsport is local.
Don
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Remsport Mfg
NES Member
We do fitted kits. Fitted slide frame and barrel, bushing link and pin, plunger tube installed, ejector installed. This is like a fitted short block, and ready for the fitting of the small parts we can also do that for you. We also carry all small parts and can do a sear and hammer set for you all ready to drop in. Our frames are forged not cast like the Caspian frames, we use a 416R stainless steel match barrel and we have parts in all calibers and sizes. We are also located in Mass. and you can come in and pick out your parts. Fast turn around on fitting no waiting months. Slide frame and barrel fitting can be done while you wait.
Check out our facebook page www.remsportmfg@facebook.com.
Check out our facebook page www.remsportmfg@facebook.com.
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KKM makes a great barrel, but they have lots of extra material. If your smith is a 1911 expert he will know this and they are also not finish chambered. I like the 9mm KKM's in 1:32 but would take a Kart or Storm Lake for a .45. Yes Caspian are cast, but they are made better than the Korean imports.
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I agree with Greg on the KKM barrels.. Very over sized in all areas and will need to be finished reamed & headspaced . Also Bar-sto in 45 if you can find one.
dcmdon
NES Member
You should buy whatever bbl the guy who will be fitting it likes. Provided it meets with your approval. If not, find someone else to build it.
No gunsmith likes to have a box of unpackaged parts of unknown origin dropped off to be assembled into a gun. In fact, the smart ones won't do it.
Its setting them up to fail.
If your guy likes Kart bbls, he knows the tricks to working with them and how to make them lock up tight. If your guy likes Barstow, then thats fine too.
If your guy likes EKF Firedraggon bbls RUN RUN RUN AWAY and go find someone else.
No gunsmith likes to have a box of unpackaged parts of unknown origin dropped off to be assembled into a gun. In fact, the smart ones won't do it.
Its setting them up to fail.
If your guy likes Kart bbls, he knows the tricks to working with them and how to make them lock up tight. If your guy likes Barstow, then thats fine too.
If your guy likes EKF Firedraggon bbls RUN RUN RUN AWAY and go find someone else.
I disagree. I'm not buying a barrel based on what is easiest for the gunsmith to fit. I want the barrel I want for a reason.
My latest build has a SV, the next one is an KKM. The next one will have a Trubor and the one after that is Schuemann. 3 Different gunsmiths, none had a problem with fitting the barrel I wanted and they will all be fitted correctly
dcmdon
NES Member
Its not what is easiest for him to fit. Its what, in his experience has resulted in the happiest customers.
If your gunsmith doesn't care. Then thats great. But if your gunsmith had a preference you would have had 2 choices. Get a different barrel, or get a different gunsmith.
warwickben
bubba Kalashnikov
Michaeljr,
Stay away from the brownells 1911 catalog you'll never make up your mind on parts .
Since your going to be carrying this have you thought about doing a bob?
I'm only 5'11" 165 and barely can get away with my 1911 with just a t shirt. A lot of 1911 guys I've talked to say it helps with printing on a full size 1911
I was planing to do a bobed 1911 build for summer carry, so I can get away with just a t shirt. "Colddayinhell" trying to talk me in to a glock19...
Stay away from the brownells 1911 catalog you'll never make up your mind on parts .
Since your going to be carrying this have you thought about doing a bob?
I'm only 5'11" 165 and barely can get away with my 1911 with just a t shirt. A lot of 1911 guys I've talked to say it helps with printing on a full size 1911
I was planing to do a bobed 1911 build for summer carry, so I can get away with just a t shirt. "Colddayinhell" trying to talk me in to a glock19...
Michaeljr,
Stay away from the brownells 1911 catalog you'll never make up your mind on parts .
Since your going to be carrying this have you thought about doing a bob?
I'm only 5'11" 165 and barely can get away with my 1911 with just a t shirt. A lot of 1911 guys I've talked to say it helps with printing on a full size 1911
I was planing to do a bobed 1911 build for summer carry, so I can get away with just a t shirt. "Colddayinhell" trying to talk me in to a glock19...
nothing prettier than a bobtail
warwickben
bubba Kalashnikov
Still wanna hold one before I start cutting... Wished you could do it to guns like para p14/ rock island wide 1911.
why would you want either?
warwickben
bubba Kalashnikov
kinda just to have the frame to build up I know I know they got they got problems. Kinda just wanna collect the different sizes of 1911's in 45 and not a fan of the looks of the caspian Sti double stack.
RugerSlinger
NES Member
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Cant agree more!!!
