Government 1911 build.

[mick_niller]

I suspect I will see something like that too. When Randall parked my other one same thing happened -slight variation in color.

interesting! Make me feel better, knowing i haven't been doing something wrong.

[chris21]

what size key cutter did you use to mill out the frame rails?

[mick_niller]

what size key cutter did you use to mill out the frame rails?

I cant remember off the top of my head, i could measure it from you when i get to the shop tomorrow... i do know that it was narrower than the rail ( you make two passes to get the correct height, if that makes sense?

[billyremo]

and some finishing / finished pictures. All the carbon steel was parkerized and the stainless was bead blasted.

frame cookin away... i didnt take many photos of the parking as i was a one man show.


and some glamour shots... all wrapped up. its not my most favorite looking 1911 (funny how that works... iam sure it will grow on me) but its mine!! enjoy.

I have to say, the two tone look is GREAT!!! what an accomplishment!

[mick_niller]

Thanks Billyremo! a reverse two tone was not my original desire, but i got a swinging deal on the slide so it sorta just happened.

- nick

[chris21]

I cant remember off the top of my head, i could measure it from you when i get to the shop tomorrow... i do know that it was narrower than the rail ( you make two passes to get the correct height, if that makes sense?

makes sense 100%, Ive seen some guys make one pass for the rail height and others make several. Just trying to see which one you did.

[Sigsour7]

super cool.

[pklin1297]

Great build, and I'm super envious of your skills and your access to equipment.

Now how about some target pics!

[mick_niller]

Thanks for the feed back yall!

[mick_niller]

makes sense 100%, Ive seen some guys make one pass for the rail height and others make several. Just trying to see which one you did.

Right. I felt my best chance at a good fit for the rails was to cut to size in 2 passes for the height. It seem like if one where to make a single pass with a tool its always cuts a wee oversized.

[Fozzie TheBear]

WOW! Thanks for taking the time to post all that.

[mick_niller]

WOW! Thanks for taking the time to post all that.

Your very welcome! I enjoyed putting it all together. Got all the parts for a commander build and i will be making a effort to better document it as i go.

- nick

[craneman]

Very nice work. Nicely executed and good attention to detail. Beautiful pistola.

I too, like the two tone park/stainless look. Good choice on the grips, they just work with that combo. Only critique is the grip screws. Stainless button head allens or some custom ones would tidy up the grip nicely. I can't take the slots in the screws being perpendicular to the lines in the grips when they are contrasting colors. You do get points for lining them up, though. But that's just me, and I am a kook, so take it with a grain of salt.

I didn't have a 45 deg. angle cutter when I did my slide, so I did mine MosinVirus style. Your way looks easier.

Thanks for taking the time to share.

[mick_niller]

Very nice work. Nicely executed and good attention to detail. Beautiful pistola.

I too, like the two tone park/stainless look. Good choice on the grips, they just work with that combo. Only critique is the grip screws. Stainless button head allens or some custom ones would tidy up the grip nicely. I can't take the slots in the screws being perpendicular to the lines in the grips when they are contrasting colors. You do get points for lining them up, though. But that's just me, and I am a kook, so take it with a grain of salt.

I didn't have a 45 deg. angle cutter when I did my slide, so I did mine MosinVirus style. Your way looks easier.

Thanks for taking the time to share.

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated!! Its funny you mention the grip screws, they are something i struggled with... not being happy with the stainless flat heads as far as looks go. I need to pick up some allen head screws just dont know what would be best... stainless or black?

Yeah the angle cutter makes quick work of putting a bevel on the slide. i need to look into finding another cutter that is something like 60 degrees, i have seen some "professional" custom builds that have a steep chamfer on them and though it looked sorta neat..

- Nick

[craneman]

Stainless screws. IMHO things that look pleasing to the eye have good and equal contrasting colors and they have to meld together, for the lack of a better term. You need a bit of stainless down low to offset the contrasting colors from the top to the bottom halves. Tying two opposite things together, so they look like they belong together. The black sights do it for the top half.

Remember this is just one idiots "opinion" on the interwebs. And we all know about opinions.

Get going on that commander. I am starting one also. Love commanders, and I am sure yours will be a outstanding.