1911 build

M

mxsailor803

New member
Alright guys, I've decided to take on a 1911 build. I've dealt quite a bit with factory 1911's just never a custom build one. I'm planning on starting with a Palmetto State Armory slide and frame. What I'm wondering does anyone out there sell a "kit" with all the smalls together? Kinda like a one p/n order for a major build up. I've seen different action enhancement kits, pin kits, spring kits, and such. My main reasoning was for when its ready to work on, there won't be a "oops i forgot to order this". Oh, and some people may say just buy a built already, well, this is for my wife and she would appreciate the extra effort of doing it myself a lot more.
 
D

Dixie Gunsmithing

Moderator Emeritus
Take a look on Sarco, if you're looking for military grade/surplus parts kits, and maybe Numrich. If you want precision parts, you'll most likely have to buy some of that separately.
 
R

Roughedge

New member
Your best bet would be to go to Brownells and get the good parts, you will be happier in the end. If you're going to the trouble of building one it might as well be a accurate one.
 
H

HiBC

New member
Just one opinion,first investment would be a Kunehausen manual.
For myself,the next investment is a Cylinder and Slide hammer/sear/disconnect kit of your choice.I go with the ones in the 4.5 lb trigger zone.I put them in and they are fine without modification in my experience.
There are a number of good barrels.So far,I like Ed Brown.
IMO,if you look at the stresses on the link and the slide stop,I choose premium parts.I prefer a forged slide stop.
Be advised it is not unusual to find a poorly staked plunger tube.You may want to look very close at this when you get your frame.
If there is anything that looks unreliable,you may need the staking tool.Get the pin that supports the ID of the plunger tube.I'd order a spare plunger tube if I had to do the job to avoid delays if something goes wrong (tube crush)
Choose your trigger and grip safety style with care.Once you get all these parts working in balance as a team....making changes can be a pain.
There is a balance of spring tensions to achieve with the sear spring.Having a spare is good.
 
Last edited:
M

mxsailor803

New member
HiBC - I saw the Cylinder and Slide enhancement kit was wondering how well they worked. Luckily I've got time to build this. I'm doing as a graduation gift since my wife has spent the last 5 years working towards her masters in dental hygene. As far as barrels, I was looking at several with the movable barrel link and some with the fixed hole. What are the advantages to each? I've only dealt with the moveable versions and never given it any real thought about the fixed one.
 
H

Hunter Customs

New member
I've whipped out a few 1911s in my day, HiBC gave you some very good advice.

Use all top shelf parts to build your gun, you will be much happier in the long run.

If you want cheap parts to practice on find some factory take off parts that some may have from their custom build.
 
G

g.willikers

New member
Before investing all that time and money, make doubly sure the frame and slide are as they should be.
Just a pin hole drilled wrong can really mess things up.
Maybe downloading a blueprint of the 1911 would help make sure things are as they should be before starting.
Just a thought.
 
D

dahermit

New member
Consider this: There are subtleties involved in getting a 1911 created from a collection of separate parts to work. If you happen to find that the gun has functioning problems after it is assembled, you will have no recourse as to any manufacturer whereas, if you purchase a brand name gun and it proves to be problematic, you can always go back to the manufacturer for warranty work. Nevertheless, if you are hot to construct one and it is not critical that it works, by all means go for it and enjoy yourself.
 
G

g.willikers

New member
Without intending to discourage you, there's two types of firearms that I wouldn't buy used, unless their history is known.
1911s and ARs.
For some reason, there's a lot of otherwise sensible folks who just gotta' mess with them, even when they shouldn't.
Far more than any other types of guns.
 
S

skizzums

New member
there's two types of firearms that I wouldn't buy used, unless their history is known.1911s and ARs.
Click to expand...

don't know why a used AR would be an issue. the most your looking at is throwing on a new barrel, I guess possibly a bolt, but not likely. 1911's I could see being a possible headache with worn slides etc though.
 
D

Dixie Gunsmithing

Moderator Emeritus
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top