Any Model 1911 Auto experts out there???

[dandyrandy]

The problem with a 1911 is that often the parts are not quite interchangeable requiring real gunsmithing skills to assemble the pistol so that it works and so that it is safe.

Fitting the thumb safety is especially critical, and while it is not that complicated, it requires knowledge.

Wilson used to have a DVD on assembling a 1911 that showed how to fit everything, and in what order. There is an order to fitting, as changing the tolerance on one part will affect other parts.


That said, the Wilson DVD together with the right tools from Brownells could make the job fun, but it could also get more costly that simply paying a good 1911 gunsmith to assemble it for you.

What about a Rock Island slide to another Rock Island lower??

 

[dandyrandy]

You can order a frame from Foster/Caspian for your build, additional parts, sear disconnect, trigger, hammer, mainspring housing, plunger spring and ends, plunger tube, slide release, mag release, and all of the springs and pins from almost anywhere and depending on your budget you can accomplish a complete lower build for about $300.00 +/-.

Sounds good and I saw the Iver Johnson complete lowers for about $350. So far my only concern is the slide to frame fitting. Gunsmithing such a thing might get expensive to have someone do it.

 

[dandyrandy]

Randy, you're in luck. The 1911 is a fairly easy gun to work on and an ideal subject for your first build. Most work can be done with simple hand tools. I also highly recommend Jerry Kuhnhausen's book.

A lot depends on what type of pistol you want to build. I standard G.I. type gun has rather generous tolerances and and are designed to run rather "loose" for reliability. So its not really necessary for everything to fit perfectly tight in order to have a good, reliable shooter. Most anybody can assemble one of these basic pistols.
However, target or competition guns is where you get into fitting everything just right and that's where you need to know the finer points of these great pistols.

Good luck with your project and be sure to post pictures when its done.

Thanks for the info.. Its mostly Rock Island stuff so I am not really wanting to do a high end build thats for sure. Just something that shoots decent more or less..