1911 fans looking to build?

[secretaznman]

Hey all!

I was wondering if there are any 1911 fans here that are looking to eventually build 1911s?

I'm on the competitive pistol train (GM route via USPSA) and also a mechanical engineer (worked at a few top tech companies) by background. I'm not sure what the best route is but I'm getting armorer certs, do gunsmithing training, do a few build classes out of state, work at a 1911 manufacturer (gunsmith apprentice) before going the full FFL route? Not trying to compete against the Wilson Combats and Nighthawks of this world but want to build high end 1911s them for fun and to give to personal friends.

Outside of shooting/tinkering 1911/double stacks, I'm taking the Colt 1911 armorers class in July at Gunsite Academy.

Love to get the community's thoughts!

 

[9mmContagion]

Take some machining courses and become proficient on a manual mill and lathe. Get to know tolerances! Get proper filing and blending techniques, along with with machine work finishing. THEN dive into gunsmithing! I was a machinist and did finishing work for about 15 years. Built several 1911s along the way from 80% frame to full completion. It is no walk in the park and takes a lot of patience!

Biggest piece of advice is it’s always better to take less. You can always take more, but can’t take back what you’ve done. Also always fit the cheaper part to the more expensive part

 

[rjww1945]

Hey all!

I was wondering if there are any 1911 fans here that are looking to eventually build 1911s?

I'm on the competitive pistol train (GM route via USPSA) and also a mechanical engineer (worked at a few top tech companies) by background. I'm not sure what the best route is but I'm getting armorer certs, do gunsmithing training, do a few build classes out of state, work at a 1911 manufacturer (gunsmith apprentice) before going the full FFL route? Not trying to compete against the Wilson Combats and Nighthawks of this world but want to build high end 1911s them for fun and to give to personal friends.

Outside of shooting/tinkering 1911/double stacks, I'm taking the Colt 1911 armorers class in July at Gunsite Academy.

Love to get the community's thoughts!

Great to know there are more and more folk that are getting into 1911s. I was in to snub-nosed revolvers, then modern striker guns, and have currently settled on single stack 1911s.

 

[DontCallMeShirley]

Bruce Piatt – NRA Champion & Custom 1991 Build Class

brucepiatt.com

 

[9mmContagion]

Here was the last one I built. 9mm Bull barrel full length dust cover.

 

[secretaznman]

Take some machining courses and become proficient on a manual mill and lathe. Get to know tolerances! Get proper filing and blending techniques, along with with machine work finishing. THEN dive into gunsmithing! I was a machinist and did finishing work for about 15 years. Built several 1911s along the way from 80% frame to full completion. It is no walk in the park and takes a lot of patience!

Biggest piece of advice is it’s always better to take less. You can always take more, but can’t take back what you’ve done. Also always fit the cheaper part to the more expensive part

I did some machining courses in a previous job and can use the manual mill and lathe but will take some more advanced classes. Love the advice

Wanted to ask if any folks are into this in the LA or SF area too!

 

[secretaznman]

Great to know there are more and more folk that are getting into 1911s. I was in to snub-nosed revolvers, then modern striker guns, and have currently settled on single stack 1911s.

Me too!

I compete with a Glock (Gen 3 aka the best) but have been running my Springfield TRP and Nighthawei.

Here was the last one I built. 9mm Bull barrel full length dust cover.

Absolutely beautiful!

 

[21SF 2.0]

Lol

 

[9mmContagion]

Lol

I just love posts like these! So valuable to the community!

 

[21SF 2.0]

I just love posts like these! So valuable to the community!

He asked for “thoughts”, that’s the only thought I had

 

[Dvrjon]

Hey all!
Not trying to compete against the Wilson Combats and Nighthawks of this world but want to build high end 1911s them for fun and to give to personal friends.

Sounds like a great way to spend a dozen years. Some things about which you should be aware of as you go on this excursion. CA AG has provided some advice on home-built handguns. For now, Ignore the microstamping inference; it’s an older document).

Best.

 

[secretaznman]

Great to know there are more and more folk that are getting into 1911s. I was in to snub-nosed revolvers, then modern striker guns, and have currently settled on single stack 1911s.

Me too!

I compete with a Glock (Gen 3 aka the best) but have been running my Springfield TRP and Nighthawk GRP.

Sounds like a great way to spend a dozen years. Some things about which you should be aware of as you go on this excursion. CA AG has provided some advice on home-built handguns. For now, Ignore the microstamping inference; it’s an older document).

Best.

True, but I did mention that I plan to go down the FFL route, which means "legally build guns". Not trying to get into the business but legally build high-end 1911s.

 

[Warpspeed]

I just love posts like these! So valuable to the community!

As are sarcastic replies to a post

 

[AR15barrels]

Wanted to ask if any folks are into this in the LA or SF area too!

I am in Los Angeles and I do 1911 work.

 

[Walmart_AR15]

Learn the fundamentals, understand how each part works together with other parts. Example do u know the relationship between the mag, slide, barrel, extractor during the chambering of a round? How the round is guided into the chamber? The proper relationship between the link, barrel lug and the frame? How to properly fit a barrel.

 

[mindwreck]

for starters. get Jerry's Colt .45 Automatic, A Shop Manual, volume 1 and 2. If your in socal we can chat. Lots of resources online.

What are you looking to build? what caliber. ramped non ramped. W/N or Para clark.. single/double stack. barrel bushing or bull.