Posted: 7/1/2009 8:50:00 PM EDT
I built my two EBR's without any problems, and they shoot like a charm. However, I've always purchased my pistols. My brother is getting married sometime in the distant future, and I want a sufficiently awesome gift. I have at least a year to get my act together. He doesn't own any weapons, but he always enjoys trips to the range to play with my toys. Soooo, I'm considering building him a custom 1911. And while I'm at it, I might just build a matching gun for me. 
I'm wondering how much of a PITA this is going to be. Will it be like building my ARs? Or is this something where I'll need a full machine shop and three guys who just got laid off from the local FN plant? I want to make sure that I don't drop a ton of cash into a project that I'll end up paying a gunsmith to finish/fix. |
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Quoted: I built my two EBR's without any problems, and they shoot like a charm. However, I've always purchased my pistols. My brother is getting married sometime in the distant future, and I want a sufficiently awesome gift. I have at least a year to get my act together. He doesn't own any weapons, but he always enjoys trips to the range to play with my toys. Soooo, I'm considering building him a custom 1911. And while I'm at it, I might just build a matching gun for me. I'm wondering how much of a PITA this is going to be. Will it be like building my ARs? Or is this something where I'll need a full machine shop and three guys who just got laid off from the local FN plant? I want to make sure that I don't drop a ton of cash into a project that I'll end up paying a gunsmith to finish/fix. no its not like like an AR. There are alot of parts that need custom fitting but it can be done read the thread to get an idea of how much work it is http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=49&t=70569 |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I built my two EBR's without any problems, and they shoot like a charm. However, I've always purchased my pistols. My brother is getting married sometime in the distant future, and I want a sufficiently awesome gift. I have at least a year to get my act together. He doesn't own any weapons, but he always enjoys trips to the range to play with my toys. Soooo, I'm considering building him a custom 1911. And while I'm at it, I might just build a matching gun for me.
I'm wondering how much of a PITA this is going to be. Will it be like building my ARs? Or is this something where I'll need a full machine shop and three guys who just got laid off from the local FN plant? I want to make sure that I don't drop a ton of cash into a project that I'll end up paying a gunsmith to finish/fix. no its not like like an AR. There are alot of parts that need custom fitting but it can be done read the thread to get an idea of how much work it is http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=49&t=70569 Ahhh, that looks like just what I was looking for! Thanks for the link. |
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Quoted:
I built my two EBR's without any problems, and they shoot like a charm. However, I've always purchased my pistols. My brother is getting married sometime in the distant future, and I want a sufficiently awesome gift. I have at least a year to get my act together. He doesn't own any weapons, but he always enjoys trips to the range to play with my toys. Soooo, I'm considering building him a custom 1911. And while I'm at it, I might just build a matching gun for me.
I'm wondering how much of a PITA this is going to be. Will it be like building my ARs? Or is this something where I'll need a full machine shop and three guys who just got laid off from the local FN plant? I want to make sure that I don't drop a ton of cash into a project that I'll end up paying a gunsmith to finish/fix. I do think it is a great experience to build your own 1911, however I also think it is a good idea to start out small and work your way up. Building a 1911 is something people pay thousands of dollars to learn how to do. Can you do it without paying thousands? Of course, but it is time consuming and sometimes costly, and at times frustrating. I am not sure what you consider a TON of cash because one build from my experience with a Foster frame, Caspian slide and tool steel parts, and necessary tools will run you well over a thousand dollars. If building 1911's is something you want to do as a hobby or profession than by all means jump in feet first, but if you are doing because you think you will save money you will be disappointed. I have built EBR's and I am working on a 1911 and believe me when I tell you they are two very different beasts. Perhaps pick up a Springfield mil-spec and change a few things on it, and if you feel good about it you can move on to bigger and better things. Hope this helps in your decision. Jets |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I built my two EBR's without any problems, and they shoot like a charm. However, I've always purchased my pistols. My brother is getting married sometime in the distant future, and I want a sufficiently awesome gift. I have at least a year to get my act together. He doesn't own any weapons, but he always enjoys trips to the range to play with my toys. Soooo, I'm considering building him a custom 1911. And while I'm at it, I might just build a matching gun for me.
I'm wondering how much of a PITA this is going to be. Will it be like building my ARs? Or is this something where I'll need a full machine shop and three guys who just got laid off from the local FN plant? I want to make sure that I don't drop a ton of cash into a project that I'll end up paying a gunsmith to finish/fix. I do think it is a great experience to build your own 1911, however I also think it is a good idea to start out small and work your way up. Building a 1911 is something people pay thousands of dollars to learn how to do. Can you do it without paying thousands? Of course, but it is time consuming and sometimes costly, and at times frustrating. I am not sure what you consider a TON of cash because one build from my experience with a Foster frame, Caspian slide and tool steel parts, and necessary tools will run you well over a thousand dollars. If building 1911's is something you want to do as a hobby or profession than by all means jump in feet first, but if you are doing because you think you will save money you will be disappointed. I have built EBR's and I am working on a 1911 and believe me when I tell you they are two very different beasts. Perhaps pick up a Springfield mil-spec and change a few things on it, and if you feel good about it you can move on to bigger and better things. Hope this helps in your decision. Jets First: I am not interested in doing this to save money. I have wanted to build a 1911 for some time now. I look at it more as a good hobby, a great learning experience, and a source of pride. I'm pretty certain that with added cost of tools and fixing my screw-ups, I'll be lucky to have not spent twice as much as I would have otherwise spent on a nice pistol. Second: I must admit, I may have underestimated the breadth of this project. I was pretty sure that I would be in for more work than the typical EBR build. I now see that MUCH more research is necessary before I jump into this pool. I am still optimistic that with enough time, patience, and research I can put together a quality weapon. |