Building a 1911

[golden]

How difficult is building a 1911 pistol as compared to AKs and rifle projects? I wanted to build a handgun but I'm not too sure of the difficulty compared to other gunsmithing projects. Tips and advice?

I found this guide on brownells that pretty much gives a step by step tutorial so I thought it wouldn't be too difficult but I think the cost is going to be way up there.

[eaglemike]

If you get a "mil-spec" kit it's quite easy. When you start adding custom fitted parts the difficulty and cost goes up. I'd suggest a "mil-spec" kit for the first time. That way you can learn how everything works and fits. When you start doing the fitting, you'll likely need a few special tools.
all the best,
Mike

[Fjold]

The hardest thing is finding a bare slide.

[eaglemike]

The hardest thing is finding a bare slide.

Did you mean a bare frame? Slides are easily mail ordered, or sometimes picked up at gun shows. Oh, for the good old days at Pomona......

all the best,
Mike

[JagerTroop]

I've got a 60% stainless frame and a complete slide assy. Pm me if you're interested.

[golden]

Thanks for the info guys.

I've got a 60% stainless frame and a complete slide assy. Pm me if you're interested.

What are all the parts I need to get to build one? I just want to get a rough idea at the number of different orders I need to make.

[Fjold]

Did you mean a bare frame? Slides are easily mail ordered, or sometimes picked up at gun shows. Oh, for the good old days at Pomona......

all the best,
Mike

Yep, I should proof before posting.

[TMC]

Thanks for the info guys.



What are all the parts I need to get to build one? I just want to get a rough idea at the number of different orders I need to make.

From the bottom up

Frame
Grip screw bushings (2)
grip screws (2)
grips
plunger spring housing
main spring housing
grip safety
thumb saftey
sear
sear spring
disconnector
hammer
hammer strut
trigger
ejector
slide stop
Pin & pin set (hammer spring pin, main spring housing pin, main spring cap, main spring, slide stop & thumb safety plungers & spring, ejector retaining pin, barrel link pin, firing pin spring, hammer & sear pins)
slide
barrel
barrel bushing
barrel link
firing pin
firing pin stop
extractor
recoil spring
guide rod
guide rod plug
sights

That's off the top of my head, I may have have forgotten some small thing

You also need a couple of speacial tools to built it right

[destro360]

i started a thread on this same exact question and was told it would be impossible without a lathe and heavy tooling etc... interesting the different "info" you can get from people...

[wash]

A magazine would be a good idea.

[kmca]

It depends entirely on what you mean by "build". A mill with tooling would come in very handy. If you're really good and have the patience, you could do it with a file, stones and jigs.

[SJgunguy24]

The hardest thing is finding a bare slide.

Slide's are easy, brownells has tons of them.
I have a compact I'm going to rebuild. Basically, get a frame and brownells has everything you need (tools and parts) and all the info to do the job.
Take your time with it. he key to a good 1911 is fit up and keeping everything tight enough for a solid lock up but loose enough to function with all ammo. Also you need to pay attention to the feed ramp, some barrels are ramped, some frames have the ramp. It's the little things that make a great 1911.

[eaglemike]

If your definition of build means making the frame, I'd say that project is well beyond the ability of most people. If you can buy a complete frame, then it's no a big deal - unless you plan on making the slide too.

Making the slide or frame from scratch requires a good machinist and specialized tooling. The trigger bow cut and slot for the trigger shoe in the frame is waaay beyond the difficulty of playing with AK stuff......

all the best,
Mike

[Mute]

If you don't plan on doing anything that requires machining such as dovetails for the sights or unfinished frame rails, than it's fairly easy. However, as already stated, if you get parts that needs to be custom fitted, you'll have your work cut out for you. Most match parts are made to be fitted and will not usually just drop in.

[golden]

If you don't plan on doing anything that requires machining such as dovetails for the sights or unfinished frame rails, than it's fairly easy. However, as already stated, if you get parts that needs to be custom fitted, you'll have your work cut out for you. Most match parts are made to be fitted and will not usually just drop in.

As I already tried to make clear in the first post, I don't have any experience building a handgun. I wouldn't really know what steps you're talking about there exactly since I've only worked on AKs and rifle kits. My plan was just to buy most of the parts from brownells because they seem to have all of them. I was going to buy an 80% frame and the list of items needed that TMC posted. Is that a bad idea/too difficult for a first time handgun builder to go that route?