Posted: 10/1/2010 9:52:21 AM EDT
| I really want to build a 1911 but don't know where to begin. What is the best source of information on building a 1911? |
| not to sound like a smart ass but if you don't know where to begin you have no business building a 1911 on your own-they are rather complicated as nearly every part requires hand fitting for optimal function- it isn't the drop in part wonder of modern production techniqes the ar15 is. you will be MUCH better off just buying a finished pistol. maybe down the road after developing an understanding of the complexities of the 1911 system, you can venture into the "building" phase. |
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A couple of books to read:
The Colt .45 Automatic The US M1911\M1911A1 Pistol: A Shop Manual |
Much more involved than you think. You will not save yourself money, that's for sure. I tried it and it didn't go as planned.  Several marred up parts and hours of aggravation later, I said to hell with it and sent it back to have it professionally done. But it was an amazing learning experience. I learned more about how the 1911 works and what can cause problems than I would have if I had just been shooting one. You definitely want to read up on it before making any investment.
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Seems like more and more people want to build their own 1911 pistol. And, more and more people want to talk them out of it. I built my first back when Ronald Reagan was president. My first wasn't too pretty, but I got better. That was back in the day, before I knew that Al Gore had invented the internet. Its a lot easier now, because good advice can be only minutes away.
Its not easy, but take your time, and you can make it work. You will destroy a part! You will be lucky if it is only one. Don't look at it as an economy measure. Look at it as a learning experience, and an approach that gets you exactly what you want. I already have my next one planned. I have the barrel so far, just need all the other parts. Good luck on your first build. |
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Seems like more and more people want to build their own 1911 pistol. And, more and more people want to talk them out of it. I built my first back when Ronald Reagan was president. My first wasn't too pretty, but I got better. That was back in the day, before I knew that Al Gore had invented the internet. Its a lot easier now, because good advice can be only minutes away.
Its not easy, but take your time, and you can make it work. You will destroy a part! You will be lucky if it is only one. Don't look at it as an economy measure. Look at it as a learning experience, and an approach that gets you exactly what you want. I already have my next one planned. I have the barrel so far, just need all the other parts. Good luck on your first build. This When I first fit the slide to the frame, I googled it, when i fitted the barrel to the slide, I googled it...file, file, file, and check, file, file, file and check, polish, polish, polish, and check...just remember if you take too much surface off you have to buy a new part... part of the learning curve...depending on your skills (google it) its not that bad. You will have more tools when it's all said and done...just my experience. 3 projects to date, all have functioned remarkable and are accurate. The finishing, blued, ion bond, melonite, ceramic, hard chrome, is where you have to send it out..... My 2C Thanks Rob |
I wasn't trying to be a nay-sayer. I just don't want someone to jump in head first only to find out everything is more involved. Hell, I tried it against other peoples recommendation and it bit me in the ass. I don't have the patience I guess. But that is all part of the trial and error process that would be building your own 1911. 
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| 1911s aren't all drop in. You have to fit many of the pieces and it isn't hard to file/dremel/stone too far and completely ruin an important part. This can turn in to more money then you thought you'd have to spend. I built one last winter. It's a shooter and looks good and I know what not to do anymore. I know this gun from the frame up which is good I suppose. I might do it again sometime and I might not. It's just easier to buy something out of a display case. |
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If you want to learn then it can be worth it, but you are not going to save money nor be able to sell it for as much as a factory gun.
Get at least Kuhnausen's first book. Not all the techniques will be applicable for a self defense or plinker gun (some are intended for bullseye type guns) but some are, and the general advice is very good. Unless you are very patient (and pretty skilled) you will ruin at least a thumb safety the first time. After fitting enough of them you will be able to file to almost the final fit and stone the file marks away to a perfect fit. Use just stones to start when learning. The slow metal removal takes longer but is less likely to remove metal you need. |