1911 starting platform

lil_juiced_coupe

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Just looking for some opinions.

Im a 1911 fan boy and I wana do a build myself...

I am curious as to what I should start with as the basic frame and slide...

I was thinking about picking up a plain jane STI spartan and tearing it down, refinishing with a matte finish and stainless goodies, night sights, comp trigger etc.

just wondering if this is a good place to start?

and stupid question but wear do you guys get your 1911 parts?
 
Start with a Norinco,

I agree. Get the Sport/Police model, it already has a decent beavertail fit to it then go from there.

Did mine up into a USMC MEUSOC reproduction.

DSC07636.jpg
 
Start with a norc OR check out Fusion Firearms. You can order some really nice frames from them. It will end up costing more, but they look sweet.
 
I'm a big fan of the Spartan. They fit very well right out of the box and have a decent trigger. You'd be able to focus on the cosmetics and custom parts to "make it your's" without having to deal with the major mechanical issues.
 
Norincos make a good platform. The steel is strong & all the holes are in the right place. I have done a few using Norcs.
One negative is that the Norinco slides use non standard dovetail sizes for the sights so replacing them with aftermarket ones can be difficult and costly .
Also the grip screw bushing threading is not standard. However the grip screws themselves are standard so it may not be an issue.
 
Norincos make a good platform. The steel is strong & all the holes are in the right place. I have done a few using Norcs.
One negative is that the Norinco slides use non standard dovetail sizes for the sights so replacing them with aftermarket ones can be difficult and costly .
Also the grip screw bushing threading is not standard. However the grip screws themselves are standard so it may not be an issue.

Even with the cost of getting a smith to cut the slide for standard dovetails the norc will be less costly than a Spartan. It is also entirely possible that after changing all the stuff in a Spartan and doing all that work you will have a gun that is not as nice as a Spartan!
 
Dlask Arms makes their own 1911 frames, slides and barrels. I'm sure they'd sell you what you'd need to build a 1911 from scratch. Dlask is a Canadian manufacturer based in Delta, B.C. The only caveat is it may cost you as much or more than buying a complete 1911 from them (much like buying all the parts separately to build a car from scratch)...YMMV.


www.dlaskarms.com
 
Grip screws and grip screw bushings.....

If you don't mess up a bushing. Had one spin out of the frame and was stuck in the grip. Putting pliers on it strips the thread and your hooped.

The issue of "messed up" grip screw bushings in 1911 pistols has mostly to do with certain people over tightening the grip screws in the bushings in the first place. This then can cause a situation where when one tries to remove the grip screw(s) the bushing unscrews from the frame and is stuck in the underside of the grip. As stated, putting pliers or other tools on the stub of the bushing to hold it in attempt to get the grip screw out of the other end strips the thread on the bushing.

Not too much of an issue if using standard 1911/1911A1 grips screw bushings but as stated the Norinco uses a different thread on the part of the bushing that goes into the frame. So sourcing Norinco grip screw bushing replacements can be a bit of a pain.

If your grip screw seems to be over tight in the bushing and you think that the bushing will come out of the frame, one little trick that has worked for me is to put a screw driver into the grips screw slot and give it a couple of light taps with a small hammer. That may loosen the threads on the grip screws so that it can be removed without removing the bushing from the frame.

The best course of action is to not over tighten the grips screws to begin with, though. Ask me how I know this.... :rolleyes: :redface:

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
To remove grip bushings from grips, without damaging the threads.

I have had good success by using small U shaped pieces of 1/16" brass or copper sheet.
These are placed to cover the jaws of a flat jaw vise-grip.
Use these soft-jaws to grip the bushing thread.
Remove screw in the normal manner.
If one is careful in using the vise-grips, the threads usually survive intact.

Cheers.
 
Spartan :)

Best deal in the country is a Spartan, either new complete or in parts. The only problem is for someone building a "Tactical" 1911 as he may not want adjustable rear sight, forward slide serrations etc... I have Trojan frames, too, but they need ramped barrels....

Gunnar :)

www.armco-guns.com
 
I agree. Get the Sport/Police model, it already has a decent beavertail fit to it then go from there.

Did mine up into a USMC MEUSOC reproduction.

What sights are those? I like the MEUSOC look.

+1 on using a Norinco as a donor gun. You can buy a whole gun for less than any other frame/slide/barrel combination and you would probably end up replacing a lot of the same parts anyway.
 
To remove grip bushings from grips, without damaging the threads.

I have had good success by using small U shaped pieces of 1/16" brass or copper sheet.
These are placed to cover the jaws of a flat jaw vise-grip.
Use these soft-jaws to grip the bushing thread.
Remove screw in the normal manner.
If one is careful in using the vise-grips, the threads usually survive intact.

Cheers.

Thank you! That is a great tip! I will try it next time I need to....... :cool:

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
+1 for Norinco as good starting point .

Steve David,

I love the MEUSOC 1911 you did up. Would you consider posting a thread on how you did the build-up. I think a lot of CGNers would be interested.
 
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