1911 build questions
I accidently posted this in the general discussion forum. I apologize. All responses are appreciated.
I have bought my first 1911. It's a colt mkiv series 80 government in stainless with ct grips. I love the gun and am interested in possibly building one from the ground up. Nothing fancy. I would like to spend 4-500 total on my first build. Many questions.
1.I have never taken a 1911 all the way apart and this is my first experience, am I stupid to even try this at this point in the learning curve?
2.I have searched the forum and have read about fitting the barrel bushing and other high level work. Is there books or online sites that give detailed pictures or video?
3.I have read that the triggers on a 1911 are very touchy and possibly dangerous if installed wrong. Would this part of the build be better left to a competent gunsmith?
4.Who is a good 1911 gunsmith close to northeast IA?
I do not want to alter my Colt. I want to start from a bare frame and slide and go from there.
I know that I will have many other questions later but this hopefully will be a good start.
Thanks
also would a ria or norinco be a decent gun to start with?
I have bought my first 1911. It's a colt mkiv series 80 government in stainless with ct grips. I love the gun and am interested in possibly building one from the ground up. Nothing fancy. I would like to spend 4-500 total on my first build. Many questions.
1.I have never taken a 1911 all the way apart and this is my first experience, am I stupid to even try this at this point in the learning curve?
2.I have searched the forum and have read about fitting the barrel bushing and other high level work. Is there books or online sites that give detailed pictures or video?
3.I have read that the triggers on a 1911 are very touchy and possibly dangerous if installed wrong. Would this part of the build be better left to a competent gunsmith?
4.Who is a good 1911 gunsmith close to northeast IA?
I do not want to alter my Colt. I want to start from a bare frame and slide and go from there.
I know that I will have many other questions later but this hopefully will be a good start.
Thanks
also would a ria or norinco be a decent gun to start with?
0
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the best book for working on 45 autos, is Jerry Kuhnhausen 2 vol set
if you must try it.
Good Luck
WBG0 -
WBG hit it right on the nose. Get the two volume set, The Colt .45 Automatic- A Shop Manual and The U.S. M1911/M1911A1 Pistols A Shop Manual. By Jerry Kuhnhausen. They are the very best 1911 books out there. 0 -
+1 for the Kuhnhausen books, even I can understand them.[:D][:D]
W.D.0 -
" I would like to spend 4-500 total on my first build. Many questions.
".............like the others said, do your reading first but you ain't going very far on 4-500 total. you can buy a complete 'Rock river' or similar for that price but when you start buying parts one at a time the price goes up (fast). Kind of like building a car one piece at a time.0 -
Tido;
Mike hit the nail on the head...you are not goin far on 4-500 dollars. That wouldn't get a good frame and slide, let alone the rest of the parts. Not an impossible task, but also not cheap. Wilson Combat has an excellant 4 video pack on building the 1911 which goes along with Kuhnhausen's manuals.
Good luck!
Paul
Mountain Magic Gunsmithing0 -
agree with what's been said about the book. the newer editions have vol 1 and 2 in the same book. also, you'll want to look at the computer generated assembly on "splode" online. that video shows the 70 series type 1911. the 80 series has the firing pin lock which entails 3 additional parts and is a little tricky to install.
also agree tthat you wont get too far on that budget. take a look at brownells 1911 catalog for an idea on prices. you might want to look at "fusion" for some quality components. here's a match grade Fusion build that cost $1500 just for the parts!
here's one i'm rebuilding. alot more parts than most people realize
same frame and slide after sandblasting;
i could get the price within your budget if you wanted it as it is now. would be more after it's done.0 -
On working the trigger, you can buy pre-tuned trigger/sear units that offer a great trigger pull.
If you're a new builder, that's what I would suggest for a good trigger, rather than trying to hand-tune one yourself.0 -
Great project to try, only thing is the budget, like a couple have said...you will need to double or triple it. My first 1911 build was about $1200 for parts and because I did it I wouldn't sell it for the world. 0 -
thanks everyone, this is exactly what I wanted to know. 0
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