Best Project Guns?

[70m4h4wk]

I've discovered I like project guns almost as much as I like shooting them. I thought it might be fun to try sticking it to the man while building a Tokarev or 3, but there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of parts for the stripped frames that are available, so now I'm looking for something else.

I don't know a whole lot about pistols, but I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive project gun that hopefully doesn't require a lot of mill or lathe work since I don't have consistent access to those. Is there much out there for that, or am I better off buying something new and then tinkering with it until it either explodes or I'm happy with it?

 

[Lwmfg]

Start with a stripped 1911 frame and build up a custom? Lots of hand fitting involved there.

 

[tiriaq]

Or buy a used Norinco 1911 type and rework it.
Customization of 1911 type pistols is an industry. Vast array of parts and accessories.

 

[hatman1793]

Project guns are over-rated & expensive. There are many outstanding, quality manufacturers of every sort that make semi-premium & premium purpose-built autos that put project guns to shame.

I have found that purpose built, factory firearms outclass most parts-sourced-assembled guns. Add in some purportedly gunsmith labour costs assembly & fitting/finishing for your project auto (with no quality or accuracy guarantee) and you most likely will exceed the cost of a new gun.

Buy a CZ Shadow2 new for C$1200.00 or try and create a parts 1911 in 9mm & you wil be disappointed.

 

[Greenhorse six]

This , I've heard that when the Americans could get them , that most of the big custom shops used them as a base gun for their work , the steel of the frame and slide were great.

Or buy a used Norinco 1911 type and rework it.
Customization of 1911 type pistols is an industry. Vast array of parts and accessories.

 

[Travis_m]

Not sure if you can get polymer 80 frames in Canada?

 

[dogzilla]

The steel is actually excellent. The problem with going to town on a Norinco is that at the end of the day the registration slip still says Norinco

 

[Ganderite]

I bought some of those old, plane Jane Norinco 45 1911s. They were sold cheap with a case of ammo and could be had for $250 or less.

This cheap 45 made a great 460 Rowland with a conversion barrel (with a brake).

And a nice commercial Norc 9mm made a real nice 7.62x25.

Both shoot very well. The 460 is almost a 44Mag.

 

[Ganderite]

Double tap

 

[Suther]

Not sure if you can get polymer 80 frames in Canada?

Yupp!

https://ctcsupplies.ca/polymer80-pfc9-serialized-g19-g23-compact-frame-textured-black/

Ganderite, those are some neat calibers. I never thought of building a Norinco into some other caliber, that's a great idea!

 

[Ganderite]

When you buy a Rowland kit, they specify which frames are strong enough. Many aren't. Norinco is.

 

[turbo_bird]

I vote for playing with a Norinco. I just finished another one today, I'll probably use it for IPSC next summer so I can shoot 9mm instead of 45. The only parts so far were the aluminum trigger and the magwell/mainspring housing that I stole from my wife.

Here's a couple of other ones, both started as plain jane unmarked ones. The one with the brake has a 460 Rowland barrel. I built the magwell, cut down and checkered the original arched main spring housing, and checkered the front strap on that one.

This one is still 45 acp, and I've used it for ipsc. I had a machinist cut the dovetails in the slide, but I figured out where exactly they had to be and did all the rest of the work.

The only power tool I used for any of these is a Dremel with sanding drums, most of it is done with files and emery cloth though. The one I built the magwell for needed a bit of welding too.
Kristian

 

[gdawg]

I bought some of those old, plane Jane Norinco 45 1911s. They were sold cheap with a case of ammo and could be had for $250 or less.

This cheap 45 made a great 460 Rowland with a conversion barrel (with a brake).

And a nice commercial Norc 9mm made a real nice 7.62x25.

Both shoot very well. The 460 is almost a 44Mag.

That is a neat 7.62 conversions you built. I'd spring for one in a heartbeat.