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Thinking about building a 1911

Warbirds

I haven’t done one from the ground up before.


any suggestions?

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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • iceracerx

    1) Call Cylinder and Slide and see if they plan on offering classes in 2021.

    Custom 1911 Class - November 2020 Custom 1911 Build Class - Phoenix AZ - Cylinder & Slide - Handguns parts and accessories (cylinder-slide.com)

    2) buy a fitted frame and slide from Caspian and go from there. Maybe Forge will loan you his tools to fit the barrel.

    Caspian Arms | Serving the custom pistolsmith since 1983

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  • Don McManus
    Curtiss Model D - Wikipedia
    The 1911 Curtiss Model D (or frequently "Curtiss Pusher") was an early United States pusher aircraft with the engine and propeller behind the pilot's seat.


    i think you need to start with a lot of canvas, spruce, and piano wire. I would suggest a modern engine, perhaps a Rotac our something similar.

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  • Warbirds
    forgemonkey: 31549285043099/comments/

    Whoa, whoa ,,,,,,,, let’s take a step back. You’ve already been given less than stellar advice re the ‘cart before the horse’.

    Is this going to be a one and done project or are you going to build numerous pistols, or going into the business ? Your answer will determine a path to follow and most likely save you a lot of money.

    What will be the primary use/purpose of the weapon (plinker, self defense, competition, etc.) Again, the answer is paramount in the planning stage.

    Mostly to do it and really learn how they work. This one would be a plinker I suppose and then maybe down the road build a 2011 pistol for competition.

    I have built Glocks AR’s and shotguns so I think it would be fun next year.


    iceracerx - I think the Cylinder & Slide class is a great idea! Thanks I will look into it. I do own one of their Browning Hi-Powers.

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  • nmyers

    Take a look at the gunsmith 1911 tools on Brownells website, & you will see what "costly" really means. Makes you wonder if John Browning bought all those tools & jigs, or if he just got lucky & hand filed everything.

    Neal

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  • Grunt2

    I really enjoyed building and repairing 1911's over the past 20-30 years...There is quite a learning curve for sure...But you can build one with minimal tooling ...Every year (until this year)...I would pick a firearm type I knew nothing about and do a complete build...

    Good luck with your projects...

    Tom...

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  • iceracerx
    nmyers: 31549285043099/comments/31549302032923

    Take a look at the gunsmith 1911 tools on Brownells website, & you will see what "costly" really means. Makes you wonder if John Browning bought all those tools & jigs, or if he just got lucky & hand filed everything.

    Neal

    Direct from the C&C school site: "Cost of the class is $ 2,800 and includes tuition and tool rental,"

    Several years ago, when I first looked into this very class, students were expected to by their own tools and fixtures. Times have changed.

    I suspect that John M Browning made his own tooling.

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  • Warbirds
    forgemonkey: 31549285043099/comments/

    https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11242023#Comment_11242023

    And another $1550 for the pistol parts without finish = $4350.00 minimum + lodging + food + travel expense ,,,,,,,you’ll have $5000 min without tools if you want to build another one.

    Yeah- Seems like there is an easier way and if I really got bit maybe do this down the road.

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