Is it worth building your own 1911?

TransAm1991

TransAm1991

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A member just posted a link to a website that shows 1911 frame, slide, and barrel pre-fit kits, I'm just wondering if it's logical to build something yourself, with parts from Brownells, or a sponsor from here..

In the future I'd like a 1911, and I realize that I could get a used colt, SA, or probably a Ruger SR1911 by that point, but I'd rather have something.. Say.. Different.

I'm a handy guy, and have taken a few guns apart, but this seems like some 'fitting' would have to be done, for sure.. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
Get one of the books on building and tuning 1911's. You'll soon see from the link fitting, barrel to bushing fit, tuning the lugs to the slide and other issues that building a GOOD 1911 is quite an ambitious project requiring lots of specialty jigs, insider knowledge/tricks/techniques and more than a minor amount of metal working know how.
 
It is definitely worth it as there is a sense of satisfaction in building one yourself. Nothing like a handgun made just the way you like it.
 
Taking guns apart is one thing; building a semi-decent AND safe pistol quite another.

Check out the gunsmithing section in 1911forum.com for a truckload of information (and for lots of common mistakes, like slide-following hammer --> not fun).

Definitely worth thou.
 
domyalex said:
Taking guns apart is one thing; building a semi-decent AND safe pistol quite another.

Check out the gunsmithing section in 1911forum.com for a truckload of information (and for lots of common mistakes, like slide-following hammer --> not fun).

Definitely worth thou.
Click to expand...

It would definitely be a project I'd be interested in partaking in, but perhaps I should start by buying a pre-done 1911, and modify that, until I'm comfortable with the platform.
 
If you want a project gun, a Norinco 1911 is perfect and you aren't risking the house and your firstborn if you mess up. A lot of 1911 parts are drop in, and the one thing is that as long as you don't screw up the slide or frame, even the parts that require fitting can be replaced if you do make a mistake. A good place to look for decent quality aftermarket parts is fusion firearms, and they ship to Canada. And if you do find you're over your head, you just ship it to Casey at Tacord to save the day, he does excellant work at a reasonable price
 
One of the cool things about 1911's is that you can do a build piecemeal, one part at a time, and you don't have to spend a lot of money to build precisely the gun you want.

I did this one for IPSC shooting, built out of an old, recovered, WW-II era US air crew gun. It was all nickel plated, and fairly sound, but with the nickel plating, it had no collector value, so away I went.

In the end, after judicious shopping at used gunshows, scrounging at gunshops, etc., I had most of the parts to build this gun. The cost was VERY low, with the major expense being the re-bluing of the slide. I made my own front sight & oversize thumb safety, and had a gunsmith install the sight (& check the quality of my work) when he did the bluing job.

The gun functions with absolute reliability, all safety functions operate as per a brand new gun, and it's an extremely accurate gun. Fun, too!
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Is it worth it? Depends I guess... Ultimately I think you would have to be unhappy with all the choices out there, and want something no company currently offers.

I have never built one. I read a lot about it. This is what I have gathered:

1. People find the journey rewarding, to play around and really learn what the gun is about. That in itself has value to some.

2. If you build a gun out of off the shelf parts, it will look like some form of other off the shelf parts gun; unless you have access to a milling machine or have a way of making it unique. An example would be that if you want a gun that looks like an O1991 Colt, why not just buy one?

3. If you have someone else finish it, did you really build it?

4. If its the customization and parts fitting that is intriguing, why not buy a gun you like and change the stuff that would make it your ultimate gun? You can learn all the fitting and trigger work stuff which will help you in your future projects. I think that has value.

5. Building a gun from a parts bin kind of reminds me of a kit car, it still isn't a Ferrari etc.

I think short block kits and the like are more for builders who are going to make something unique and need a base to start with.

So I think it depends on your goals. If you want an experience give it a shot. If you want the gun of your dreams, buy it?

If it were me, I would spend the money on an SVI, as they can do all the things I am not equipped to do and by all accounts the performance is never disappointing. I find their aesthetic suits what I would like (not so much the race guns but the single stacks), a modern single stack without looking crazy.

I think they start at $3k minimum but it would be ultimate and I have/will spend more on ammo anyway right? I would only buy it to shoot it, and if I had something like that I probably wouldn't shoot anything else I have.

I think you have to decide on your own.....
 
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