Looking for a bit of a challenge...

[mbatlle84]

Hey guys! I'm a first-time poster, but I've been reading the forum extensively after purchasing my first 1911 a few weeks ago. I bought an STI Spartan and while I do enjoy it and it's nice to take to the range, it's got a few things I don't like about it, namely the sights. I'm also planning on buying a "Plain Jane" Springfield Mil Spec for the classic look.

The reason I'm posting in this forum however is because I'm interested in also building up my very own personal 1911, so I can have something unique that I put together myself.

Now I'm 22 and I work at a car dealership as a technician, so I've got a decent amount of money I can throw at a project as well as a range of basic tools used for repairing or measuring parts on any modern automobile.

I'm not interested in trying to machine my very own receiver my first go-round however as I'd like to get the hang of the actual assembly process before I start doing any serious cutting or machine work (plus I've already bought up enough tools lately as it is). So I can rule that out for now.

What I would like to do is purchase a receiver that's already complete and pretty much assemble a pistol with the parts I deem are good enough and "cool" enough for me. :)

Anyways the basic plan is I'd like to buy a Hi-Cap receiver, I was thinking of buying the Para Ordnance Kit, but I'd like input from others on the forum who may have used it or any other Hi-Cap style receiver in one of their own builds.

To make the build even more interesting I wanted to go with the longer slide with a 6" barrel (I'd like to assemble a full-size government if it wasn't obvious by now hehehe).

I'm also keen on installing an ambi-safety since I'm a lefty. My hands are pretty big, but even so with the wider frame I may want to upgrade the hand safety as well.

For sights I don't need anything fancy with fiber-optics or adjustable, just good ol' fashioned sights.

I'd appreciate any comments or advice you guys might have for me, especially when it comes to selecting parts that should work well for the setup I'm intending to go with. I'd also appreciate your thoughts on my intended plans as it never hurts to get some extra opinions.

The gun would be kept at home, I might take it to the range to break it in, but other than that it's gonna be at the house (I wouldn't use it as a carry).

As someone who has rebuilt car engines I'm figuring that assembling a pistol is similar in many ways, and that my experience with cars will pay off working on the 1911. I mean come on, the 1911 was designed in a time when there were barely any automobiles on the road to begin with! ;)

Thanks for your time and I look forward to many more days and dollars spent on a hobby that I can enjoy.

[flyfish]

You might try Brownells or Midway for parts. Brownells has a new catalog devoted to the 1911. You can get some excellent advice on this site so you can sound out ideas before you spend money or time. Good luck and welcome!!

[mbatlle84]

Thanks, I've been trying to browse online for various sites that stock parts and Brownells is definately already in my favorites! :)

I'd like to get my parts selection right ahead of time so I don't have to waste any more money than I need to, but as for time, I've got plenty as I'm not setting a particular deadline to finish this build.

I was hoping to try to make something slightly unique that people would think "I'd like to try that too!" Which is why I was looking for some specifics like the high-capacity and the longer barrel. I'm much more of a functional kind of person than someone who relies purely on looks, which is why I was focusing on these areas instead of grips and sights.

[dbracin]

I would suggest these two items be at the top of your " need first list ".

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=13805&title=Jerry+Kuhnhausen+SHOP+MANUALS


http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=13815&title=JERRY+KUHNHAUSEN+THE+U.S.+M1911%2fM1911A1+PISTOLS+A+SHOP+MANUAL

[mbatlle84]

I plan to buy as much literature as I can and I'll be sure to pick those up first as soon as my Brownells catalogue comes in the mail (ordered it last night).

Would I be better off buying a Hi-Cap pistol from Springfield or Para and customizing from there or should I go with assembling everything myself?

I'm not looking for the cheapest route since I know assembling your own pistol is almost never cheaper than buying one that's being mass-produced, just the one that's going to give me the most functionality and control over the style that I want.

[Dave Berryhill]

Might I suggest you stick with a single stack Government Model (5" barrel) for your first build. There are plenty of challenges in getting one to run with 100% reliability and there are certainly plenty of options to choose from so you can go as wild or as mild as you'd like. Sometimes a double stack 1911 will have its own set of problems and that can complicate the build.

Try a single stack first and then use the experience you've gained from that project to build a double stack 1911. You can't have too many 1911s you know!

[Hawkmoon]

As one who has undertaken a 1911 build as a novice, I'll add another thought on top of what Dave said. If your priority is first to learn how the 1911 works, by all means build one. If your goal is to get the pistol you want and have it run and be reliable ... buy a Para-Ordnance and customize it to your liking.

I built my Frankengun using a Caspian receiver and a kit, later substituting various bits and pieces to make it the way I wanted it. Even so, if I were to do it today I would not choose the Recon Rail receiver. There's nothing wrong with it, but I don't use a tactical light and the gun won't fit any of the holsters I have for stock 1911s. But my purpose in building the thing was first, foremost, and only to get the experience of building it. I literally didn't really care if it worked when completed, so long as I learned from the process. It did work, and I was as surprised as anyone about that, but it was not my top priority.

[mbatlle84]

Those are exactly the kind of responses I was looking for! I'll stick with something simple in that case but tailored to my liking until I feel confident enough to take on the bigger challenges of a double stack gun and longer slide/barrel.

I really appreciate the help.

However if anyone would like to continue to contribute ideas or opinions to my original goal I'd love to hear them, it will just take a little while to get it accomplished that's all.

[mbatlle84]

As a follow-up just to keep everyone posted. I went with the advice given and bought myself another 1911 today at the gunshow down here in Miami. Now I'm the proud owner of a Springfield Armory Hi-Capacity 1911-A1. :D

No pics yet due to the waiting period, but suffice to say it's only been slightly used and I got it for about $460 including taxes and everything.

I knew I had to buy it when I saw the price and got a hold of it. The hi-cap frame fits in my hands nicely and I swear it's more comfortable for me to grip than the Spartan, but maybe I'm just trying to justify the impulse buy. Although to my credit I was scouring for the best deal on a 1911 there and it was definately the best for the price I paid since there were a few Mil-Specs around going for around $525 plus tax.

Will post pics in the SA section next Tuesday! :D

As for building my own, that's next on my list and I'm eagerly awaiting my Brownell's catalogue to arrive in my mailbox. I'll try to keep you guys updated here in this thread about how that ends up going once I order up some of the relative literature I'll be needing to study and pour over.

[Candiru]

I'll second what Hawkmoon said: Build the gun for the experience of building the gun. If you build it to have a 1911, ever little setback will be disappointing instead of exciting.

Also, don't cheap out on the frame, slide, barrel, sear, and hammer, unless you're looking to make the challenge that much greater.

[mbatlle84]

I'll second what Hawkmoon said: Build the gun for the experience of building the gun. If you build it to have a 1911, ever little setback will be disappointing instead of exciting.

Also, don't cheap out on the frame, slide, barrel, sear, and hammer, unless you're looking to make the challenge that much greater.

A greater challenge or end up buying more parts that will actually work? ;)

[Bullauge]

I too am in the process of a 1911 project pistol. I'm a first-time 1911 owner and I fell in love with the gun in short time. Now, the only original parts on my Mil-Spec are the slide and frame! Owning and tweaking my gun has given me enough confidence to try building my own. I've learned a lot from this forum and the result is a stainless steel Springfield Mil-Spec that works flawlessly and gets praise from those who take it for a spin. I've recently begun a custom build of my own. I've got most of the parts and I'm just waiting on my Caspian frame and slide. Like you, I opted for something a little different and chose to build my 1911 as a .38 Super rather than the .45 ACP. Good luck and be sure to post pictures of your progress! :)

[mbatlle84]

That sounds great, did you order the slide & frame already pre-fit or are you planning on fitting them yourself?

[Bullauge]

I'll be doing the fitting myself. I figured that by doing it myself, it'll feel more like a scratch build rather than something I just slapped together. I want this build to be a little bit more technical. If it turns out to be more than I can handle, I can always take it to a guru and have them fit it for me. Outside of any machining, I plan to do everything myself. I'm hoping I haven't bitten off more than I can chew! :)

To further illustrate my passion for the 1911 pistol, I'm already planning to build a two-tone .45 ACP version after I've completed the .38 Super. Knowing me, I probably won't wait until the .38 Super is done to start working on the next pistol. :o

The addiction continues...