Let's put this 1911 Together.

[Nickle]

My mistake. A lot of the cost depends on exactly what you intend to build.

You want a full blown Match Gun, very competitive? Get it built by someone else. They know what works and doesn't work. Money isn't an oblect, IF you want a competitive gun.

You want a MILSPEC or USGI copy? Cost you about $200 plus or minus, after you've bought the frame and slide.

You want a shooter, don't care if it's a little ugly? You can cut a modest amount off the cost of the slide. Maybe use some used internal parts.

The parts are available folks. Sure, your Mass AG has scared a few companies, and not many will ship to Mass. If I would, I damned sure wouldn't admit I would. But, got friends in states nearby that will order your parts (except the frame) for you? You're all set. The frame is the ONLY part that HAS to come from an FFL to be legal per Federal Law. And resale of any other parts is legal in NH, VT, Maine and NY by someone that is not an FFL. So, take a trip and visit some nearby folks in other states.

 

[Hamar]

http://cgi.ebay.com/colt-1911-slide...220507722QQcategoryZ73946QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Here you go C-pher. Just fit it to whatever frame you buy. And it's local.

 

[Nickle]

$50.00 for an old Argentine slide? Something that was made back in the 30's or 40's is bound to be soft metal. And $125.00 for a frame, an Essex? Neither one are in the same league as the Caspian parts. If you're going to do a build like this, do a good job with good parts. This is like building a streed rod out of a Yugo.
C-pher, there is some bias from Hamar, GTO and myself. We all shoot competively and tend to relate building firearms from that stand point. If you only want to build a rattle trap .45 let us know, and our posts will cease.
Dan

For the record, I never said they were in the same league. C-Pher and I have passed this one around before. My understanding was he wanted a half decent gun, but not a match gun. Apparently you didn't know. That's OK, though. Just so there's no mistake, I did NOT build a match gun for mine, but a rack grade gun with match slide and sights, and not as loose as the ones I've carried in the past on military duty.

I wouldn't consider older parts automatically bad. My slide dates from the 1950's. Colt, USGI 1911A1 NM, marked as such. Never fitted before I built my gun. Yes, mine has an Essex Frame. IF I were to compete, you could bet I wouldn't be using anything I built, and I have a fair amount of experience building competitive Bench Rest Rifles. I'd buy my match pistol, then have it tweaked by a specialist.

As to Essex's quality, I'll agree, it's not as good as Caspian. But, a properly built gun, made with an Essex frame and decent parts will be able to shoot better than 90+% of the shooters that may handle it. Certainly better than I can. I still manage to easily qualify with my M9, but I'm no competition shooter.

 

[Hamar]

Again, thanks guys for your help. I'm supprised that more people from the 1911 build thread isn't chiming in here

The above quote is what brought me in to participate in this thread. It sounded as if our friend C-pher was looking for more imput. Anything I posted comes directly from my experience in building my own 1911. Yes, its true that I built mine to shoot in competition. It does that pretty dang well holding just over 1 inch at 50ft off hand, barricade supported.

I also agree with Nickel that a shooter 1911 can be built on the cheap. Yes it would be fun to go down to the sand pit with and plink at empy Tide jugs. But, Because C-pher had the Caspian catalog out we were working with the numbers that came from it and the resulting 1911 would be a few steps above a plinker. Remember that accuracy in a 1911 come from the final fit of the barrel to the slide and frame and the fit between the slide and the frame. If he was going to purchase his stuff from Caspian and build it up from there with decent components, He'd have a helluva shooter and something he'd be proud to say he built.

Dan is correct in saying that my bias comes from being a fairly proficiant comp shooter. But, I wouldnt want a gun if it didnt shoot where it was aimed.

 

[C-pher]

C-pher, there is some bias from Hamar, GTO and myself. We all shoot competively and tend to relate building firearms from that stand point. If you only want to build a rattle trap .45 let us know, and our posts will cease.
Dan

Dan, if I didn't care, I wouldn't be asking the questions. You have been a huge help. When I first started looking into this, I didn't really know what I was getting into. The only guns that I've tweeked were single action cowboy guns and lever action rifles and and 1897 shotguns. All you need to tweek those are some springs, a few screwdrivers, some punches and a slew of stones. Maybe an empty cartridge to hold the action together when putting a 1892 back together.

But really, this is more than I thought, and if it wasn't for you all of you, I wouldn't really know. You three and Nickle has been a HUGE help.

So don't stop talking, any information is good information.

I do admit I need to get some manuals, books, and the like. Video is hard to do because I would have a hard time finding the time to watch it. And my problem is I'm not good at figuring things out by reading them. I do a lot better when someone shows me in person.

 

[Nickle]

On a side note, and this really needs to be said, I've made an observation.

IF (and that's a BIG IF), someone picks through the parts, a USGI barrel and bushing can be found that are NOT a loose fit. The guy I bought my barrel and bushing from hooked me up with a pair that are really close. Nice thought for anyone building a shooter, but doesn't want to go the match route.

Sure, it's not match accuracy, but it's better than an MOA in the triple digits, like most of the issue guns I've used in the Army.

 

[GTOShootr]

Video is hard to do because I would have a hard time finding the time to watch it.

Same here. Luckily, my friend I borrowed the videos from months ago understands that.

 

[Nickle]

The best manuals I've seen are available right here. Look at the manuals forum and download the appropriate Tech Manuals.

 

[Dan S]

IF (and that's a BIG IF), someone picks through the parts, a USGI barrel and bushing can be found that are NOT a loose fit. The guy I bought my barrel and bushing from hooked me up with a pair that are really close. Nice thought for anyone building a shooter, but doesn't want to go the match route.

The bushing is the least important of fit. Slide to frame fit, and most importantly the fit of the barrel to slide stop are far more important to accuracy. The link is NOT used to achieve lockup.

 

[Hamar]

So C-pher, now that you found your Delta Elite, Does this mean you wont be building a 1911?

By the way, I loved my Delta Elite! I'd buy another if the price was right.

 

[C-pher]

So C-pher, now that you found your Delta Elite, Does this mean you wont be building a 1911?

By the way, I loved my Delta Elite! I'd buy another if the price was right.

Oh no, I'm still going to build one. I still want to learn more about building one than. And rather than taking one apart, and putting it back together. I want to build one from the gound up.

So, don't worry this project is still going to happen.

 

[BIG DAVE]

Wilson combat makes drop in match grade barrels with fit to barrel bushing for $189 Ilove wilson parts..drop into colt pistols with no problem

 

[bompa]

Maybe I missed it but I have one important question..How can one get a 1911 frame in this state ?? I have asked this question many times and was always told that it is not possible..
I have this need,want,of a large capasity 9mm or 38 super..It will probbly be my last handgun so I would like to build it myself..
Any help as to how I can purchase a frame will be apreciated..Once there I will worry about the rest,have lots of small parts collected over the years to keep several 1911's running well..

 

[Hamar]

One can purchase an SVI frame in this state.

 

[Len-2A Training]

bompa,

See the answer to this in another thread yesterday. There are sources, they just aren't easy to find . . . because if the AG finds them he will threaten them and dry up any possible supply. That's what he's done with ammo, mags and guns from out of state sources to date!