1911 advice needed

[rubber duckie]

ok i was dead set on building my own 1911. but then i saw a deal on a kimber target 2 in 9mm. which one would you guys go with



or

[timmyb21]

The biggest hurdle in building your own is getting a bare frame here in our wonderfully regulated state. Unless you already have one, and have built a 1911 (they're not like an AR, I'm doing a semi custom right now and almost everything needs to be fitted) then I would just go with the Kimber.

[rubber duckie]

getting the frame is the easy part. deciding whether i want to buy a gun already done or build it myself. on one hand i just clean, lube and shoot. the other i will have a completely custom 1911 done by me. im hoping to stay around the same price on both.

[John Browning]

getting the frame is the easy part. deciding whether i want to buy a gun already done or build it myself. on one hand i just clean, lube and shoot. the other i will have a completely custom 1911 done by me. im hoping to stay around the same price on both.

There isn't ANY way that is going to happen. To build your own, you had better set aside a budget of at least $2,000, and I'd say that $2,500 is much more realistic. You'll be spending that in either buying the right tools and parts, having someone with the right tools install your parts, or buying the parts, messing them up, and buying more parts.

[hkdad]

if you have the $$$, i say go FULL CUSTOM!

[Matt P]

There is much wisdom in the advise in this thread.
Just based on the hours of info I have read, you really do not just build a 1911 type.
If you have someone who will mentor your build, has the tools, knowledge and desire to help you, then that seems to be a huge advantage, and I would without a doubt build my own.
Beyond that, in my own efforts to understand and build that system, I am willing to travel to attend a full week build class offered by a few known individuals.
Cylinder and Slide, and Bob Rodgers come to my mind on offering classes... Not cheap to attend.
I do see Brownells offering a Wilson frame and fitted slide with barrel, grip safety fitted, and checkering on the front strap. Like $800 for that set up.
Now, you are getting much closer to being able to add the additional parts with some basic gun smithing experience.
I just had a gov. model built on a Caspian frame/slide in 9mm. My parts cost not including frame/slide were like $700.00. Add the frame/slide and close to $1500.00.. I lucked out and had a smith build it all full custom for a paltry amount. So, I had close to $2000 after all said and done.
Yes, there is almost nothing quite like having a 1911 custom built to your own vision. Maybe besides doing it yourself.
So far I have recently spent over $400 in tools (special ones are needed for this firearm type) to begin my study of this incredible firearm design.

[John Browning]

There is much wisdom in the advise in this thread.
Just based on the hours of info I have read, you really do not just build a 1911 type.
If you have someone who will mentor your build, has the tools, knowledge and desire to help you, then that seems to be a huge advantage, and I would without a doubt build my own.
Beyond that, in my own efforts to understand and build that system, I am willing to travel to attend a full week build class offered by a few known individuals.
Cylinder and Slide, and Bob Rodgers come to my mind on offering classes... Not cheap to attend.
I do see Brownells offering a Wilson frame and fitted slide with barrel, grip safety fitted, and checkering on the front strap. Like $800 for that set up.
Now, you are getting much closer to being able to add the additional parts with some basic gun smithing experience.
I just had a gov. model built on a Caspian frame/slide in 9mm. My parts cost not including frame/slide were like $700.00. Add the frame/slide and close to $1500.00.. I lucked out and had a smith build it all full custom for a paltry amount. So, I had close to $2000 after all said and done.
Yes, there is almost nothing quite like having a 1911 custom built to your own vision. Maybe besides doing it yourself.
So far I have recently spent over $400 in tools (special ones are needed for this firearm type) to begin my study of this incredible firearm design.

Just to add, if you really want to get into 1911 building, here is what I did.

1) Search the internet for threads where others have built a 1911 to get an idea of what it takes. It isn't just an assembly of parts. You'll learn a great deal about the challenges involved in hand fitting, diagnosing problems, the tools, etc.

2) If you're still crazy enough to proceed, buy Kuhnhausen's shop manual on the 1911 and take a look at all the ins and outs of 1911 tinkering.

3) Buy a cheapo 1911 and play with it. Change out the barrel, install a bushing, play with the trigger, etc. You will learn a lot by taking a gun that works and tinkering with it to the point it doesn't work, and then getting it back to working. You'll start to acquire the small tools and know how you need.

4) If you are still enjoying yourself, now proceed to building up your first 1911 from the frame up. I say first, because the real savings in all this is in building more than one. I think it would be nuts to build up just one 1911 since you have to invest so heavily in time, tools and experience. You're honestly better off just paying someone else to build up one gun for you. The real pay off is when you build your second, third or fourth. You'll have the tools, be better at it, and can crank out a 1911 that will keep up with (or even out shoot) $2,500+ pistols but cost you $1500 or so.

[Ultimate]

If you already have a 1911.... and getting a frame on the cheap isn't a problem then build.

But if you dont yet have one buy a cheap one first and build off the closest platform you can find to what you want to do with yours.

[Matt P]

Excellent additional advice scobun..
I purchased the books already, and have a Ithaca complete less frame. Will fit all those parts to a different frame.
I decided to use that as my baptism into the world of 1911s. The silde will not even start on the frame. Basically I purchased tools just to take a new frame, and fit it for all those Ithaca parts.
I felt save barrel fitting for my next build.

I wish I had Ultimates experience with building 1911s. He makes it sound super easy.
From just about everything else I have read, no one suggests its easy to do.

[John Browning]

Excellent additional advice scobun..
I purchased the books already, and have a Ithaca complete less frame. Will fit all those parts to a different frame.
I decided to use that as my baptism into the world of 1911s. The silde will not even start on the frame. Basically I purchased tools just to take a new frame, and fit it for all those Ithaca parts.
I felt save barrel fitting for my next build.

I wish I had Ultimates experience with building 1911s. He makes it sound super easy.
From just about everything else I have read, no one suggests its easy to do.

It really isn't that hard if you're willing to:

1) ask questions
2) GO SLOW
3) ask more questions
4) invest in the right tools and manuals
5) GO SLOW

I think the reputation of building an 1911 as being difficult comes from people who think that they can build a custom shop quality 1911 in three weeks for $1200 the first time through. If you wade in slowly with the right expectations, it isn't impossible to be able to create your second or third 1911 for $1,500 and have one that will shoot right there with a semi-custom shop gun. Most people just aren't willing to invest in the experience and tools it takes. If you enjoy working on guns, then for me that is just another fun and rewarding part of the hobby. If you just want to get a nice 1911 as cheaply as possible and don't want to invest the time and money, don't get into building 1911s. You'll spend $1500 to build a gun that won't work right and will cost another $1000 to fix.

[Ledbetter]

You will always spend more building your own, and you will end up with a pistol built by an amateur (sorry, just the fact). Let the pros build your gun. Buying used is often a good idea.

Anyone can assemble pieces into a complete 1911. It is the fitting and testing that require time and expertise and wasted ammo. Also, if you are inexperienced, it is possible to grind off too much and need a new extractor (or barrel).

I have a couple of custom 1911's. The one I experiment on is a Springfield Mil-Spec.

[PRCABR4Christ]

You will always spend more building your own, and you will end up with a pistol built by an amateur.

The knowledge you gain building is worth much more than money I promise

Anyone can assemble pieces into a complete 1911.

[PRCABR4Christ]

It really isn't that hard if you're willing to:

1) ask questions
2) GO SLOW
3) ask more questions
4) invest in the right tools and manuals
5) GO SLOW

I think the reputation of building an 1911 as being difficult comes from people who think that they can build a custom shop quality 1911 in three weeks for $1200 the first time through. If you wade in slowly with the right expectations, it isn't impossible to be able to create your second or third 1911 for $1,500 and have one that will shoot right there with a semi-custom shop gun. Most people just aren't willing to invest in the experience and tools it takes. If you enjoy working on guns, then for me that is just another fun and rewarding part of the hobby. If you just want to get a nice 1911 as cheaply as possible and don't want to invest the time and money, don't get into building 1911s. You'll spend $1500 to build a gun that won't work right and will cost another $1000 to fix.

that should be nominated for the best reply of the day

[Ledbetter]

If you're going to do it, at least get the Jerry Kuhnhausen books. And it is a good idea to completely disassemble (and reassemble) a couple of 1911's first to see how the parts are supposed to work together.

[PRCABR4Christ]

Kuhnhausens books should be required for any 1911 parts purchase, there should be a disclaimer on websites with a check box stating that you have them, and only then can you purchase fire control parts and safeties LOL