1911 question

[-hanko]

I love working on my guns. I get a lot of satisfaction from it. Of course, I have a few books that really help.
Hallock's .45 auto handbook is, to me, indispensable.

If you like Hallock, I guarantee you'll love Kuhnhausen's book on the .45.

[tophatjones]

PT, no offense taken, don't worry about it. It's the internet where we need thick skin to survive, right? Very sorry to hear about your loss, my condolences.

In regards to home gunsmithing, I'm in the same boat as you guys. Not a pro, but love to work on my own stuff. Absolutely, people should try working on their own stuff sometime. It's thrilling to see it all come together, the reward of patience and education. The pertinent fact remains though, any work comes with an element of risk. Know what needs to be done and why, before starting the project.

You're right, TopHat. When I read it, I took from it that he HAD to depress the mag catch to insert like I did with the horrible mag catch on my SA loaded.
I inferred. My fault.

My smarmy response was inexcusable.
I had just found out that I lost two very close friends in an accident and was trying to take my mind off of that by reading cal guns. Lots of fail on my part. Sorry guys.

OP, I live in a tiny town called El Portal, located in the river canyon, five miles down river from the valley, right at the border of Yosemite national park.

But I'm at my girlfriend's house in Alameda in the east bay, quite a lot.

[PseudoTsuga]

If you like Hallock, I guarantee you'll love Kuhnhausen's book on the .45.

Thank you for that. You're not the first to tell me that, so I guess it's time to look for it and order it!

[PseudoTsuga]

PT, no offense taken, don't worry about it. It's the internet where we need thick skin to survive, right? Very sorry to hear about your loss, my condolences.

In regards to home gunsmithing, I'm in the same boat as you guys. Not a pro, but love to work on my own stuff. Absolutely, people should try working on their own stuff sometime. It's thrilling to see it all come together, the reward of patience and education. The pertinent fact remains though, any work comes with an element of risk. Know what needs to be done and why, before starting the project.

And I'll add something I've learned from doing all my own work to the eight motorcycles in the garage, from mundane to ambitious.
You have to be patient.
If you're feeling rushed or like you don't know something clearly before you do it, take the time and do some research. Ask some questions on a forum. There's no need for us in this wonderful age where we all have access to so much knowledge and experience, to constantly reinvent the wheel!
If you don't have ten minutes to step away, have some coffee and read some knowledge, you shouldn't be working on your stuff.
That said, it's true that it's not for everybody.
It's also important to learn that you're capable of a hell of a lot more than you think when you roll up your sleeves, put your thinking cap on, and take it slow!