Which tools and books to start with?

[Ruggles]

I want to start to learn the basics about working on 1911s. I want to start with the basics and work my way into the more advance stuff latter. Can anyone suggest a list of what a good set of basic 1911 tools should consist of and which books or videos would be good for me to start with. I would think that I should start with a few basic tools and add more tools as i gain some skill. Any links to the above would be great also. My first task seems to be that my extractor is too tight and I need to adjust it. Thanks in advance.

[Spindly61]

Hi Ruggles.
I would recommend Jerry Kunhausen books. "The Colt 45 automatic" and "The U/S M1911/M1911A1 Pistols."
A good pair of calipers for measuring.

[wichaka]

Books;
Kuhnhausen, Ed Browns bench reference manual.

Basic tools;
Nylon bench block 4" dia.
Pin punches steel, brass, and nylon;
Punches, starter style w/xtra tips
Files; #4 & #2 swiss cut pillar files, the same in "narrow" size;
Needle files (high quality set);
Dial caliper;
Screwdriver set with mutiple bits (gunsmith type);
Stones- med, fine, & x-fine
Bench mat
Safety detent depresser;
Hammer nylon/brass combo

[gbw]

If you can find it, George Nonte's "Pistolsmithing" is excellent, for 1911's and general how-to's. It's long out of print, but an invaluable reference.

Read everything 1911Tuner has ever posted.

Go to BlindHoggs website and read his writeups.

Go to Schuemann's Barrels website and read the monograph on timing / testing.

Brownells has many good articles on 1911 work

Bullseye Pistol site has a good description of building Bullseye guns.

You're gonna love it! Good Luck.

[garrettwc]

Read everything 1911Tuner has ever posted.
Big +1 on this. Which leads me to one of the best tools, an AR-15 firing pin. [Read Tuner's posts if you don't know why]

Everyone has posted good lists so far. Here are some links from gunsmith Hilton Yam about what he suggests:

1911 Tool Kit (http://www.10-8performance.com/id16.html)

1911 Reference Sources (http://www.10-8performance.com/id12.html)

[OJ]

Kuhnhausen's two books on the 1911 are in a class by themselves - they are that good. Obtainable at:

http://www.gunbooks.com/index.html

Patric Sweeney also has a couple of good books as Gun Digest Books on the 1911 and Dave Lauck has one on The Tactical 1911. Robert Campbell has one called Model 1911 Automatic Pistol. Charles Clawson's Collector's Guide to Colt .45 Service Pistols Models of 1911 and 1911A1, J.C. Harrison's U.S. Pistols & Revolvers 1909-1945, and Donald McLean's U.S Pistols and Revolvers are also worth having, in my opinion.

I really do have other books also but one bookcase is all gun books or books by Cooper, Keith, Jordan, etc. - you get the idea.

:D :D

[Ruggles]

Many thanks to all, what a great amount of stuff to start with. I now have a place (well really places) to start. Good to know of all the things out there to help a newbie like me.

Thanks again,
Brandon

[pa_guns]

Hi

+1 on Pistolsmithing. It's a big green book if that helps at all. Published by Stackpole Books, Harrisburg PA (good part of the country). Eighth edition came out in 1981. The author's full name is George C Nonte Jr.

I would add a basic set of ceramic stones to the list, and a cheap set of feeler gauges from Walmart.

Bob

[gbw]

I checked, Amazon shows several used copies of "Pistolsmithing" available, from $16. Definitely worth it.

[pa_guns]

Hi

I would buy a copy at $16. I don't think they were much cheaper 20 years ago.

The only thing about the book is that it's kind of a flash back to the past. It shows how we worked on 1911's thirty years ago. Some things have changed a bit when it comes to 1911's. It's still a great book though.

Bob

[muscle]

Ive got my brownells order cooking and in it I have "JERRY KUHNHAUSEN THE U.S. M1911/M1911A1 PISTOLS A SHOP MANUAL" volume II. Am I missing something by not ordering vol 1? the descriptions for both books are very similar.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Volume one is the book you need to get. Volume two is optional.

The descriptions in Brownels are not very clear. The first book tells what to do with a pistol. The second book is a bunch of very nice drawings. They are nice to have, but you can get along without them.

Bob

[garrettwc]

pa_guns is correct. Vol 2 isn't much use to you if you don't have Vol 1.

[muscle]

Ill change it to vol 1 on the order, thanks guys