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View Full Version : Anyone ever build or assemble a 1911?

Jason94Cobra
05-01-2009, 04:54 PM
I am bored with cars, arcade machines, etc... so I think my next project will be a 1911 build.

Cheapish frame (~$130-$160 range), slide... ehhhh

Small parts will be decent to higher quality because I seem to read those make a lot of difference in a build.

I figure a $150 slide and similar slide would be a good compromise between price and fit... finish is ehhh not as important because I am thinking Duracoat for the slide at least...

Opinions? Frame/Slide suggestions?

Looking at Essex stainless and Forster (?) stainless frames for starters.

This is not something that I am in a rush to do, so I can spend a $100 here, $150 there over however long it takes me to collect parts.
Trip McNeely
05-01-2009, 04:55 PM
Check out Midway USA They have a full catalog of 1911 parts, including frames/slides.

If I was you I would go shop around at pawn shops, gun shows and try to find an old 1911 and restore it. Thats what I want to do someday.
dee
05-01-2009, 05:45 PM
Can get complicated and expensive in just tools. As far slides and frame goes I've been told there can be countless hours on just fitting alone but like with anything else a felling of accomplishment is great after you fire that first round.
FatassLX
05-01-2009, 06:44 PM
save your self some time and money and get a slide and frame from caspian already fit.
Cobra Commander
05-01-2009, 07:39 PM
I am bored with cars, arcade machines, etc... so I think my next project will be a 1911 build.

Cheapish frame (~$130-$160 range), slide... ehhhh

Small parts will be decent to higher quality because I seem to read those make a lot of difference in a build.

I figure a $150 slide and similar slide would be a good compromise between price and fit... finish is ehhh not as important because I am thinking Duracoat for the slide at least...

Opinions? Frame/Slide suggestions?

Looking at Essex stainless and Forster (?) stainless frames for starters.

This is not something that I am in a rush to do, so I can spend a $100 here, $150 there over however long it takes me to collect parts.


I think you'll be addicted like with hot rods... Check out this link for inexpensive frames...
http://www.fosterind.com/

I personally am a fan of Ed Brown on the rest of the parts....
dee
05-01-2009, 07:54 PM
save your self some time and money and get a slide and frame from caspian already fit.

Also might look at STI they make already matched slide and frame kits.
FatassLX
05-01-2009, 09:24 PM
2nd what dee said. Might also want to look at Fusion. Fusion has quite a few nice options for custom builds.
Jason94Cobra
05-01-2009, 11:16 PM
Yes, Foster was what I was thinking of... I wonder if they would sell me the Foster Stainless lower and fit it to one of the Caspian slides... (just for cost purposes)

Fusion frames and slides are nice, but look to be more of a second build quality level. Read that as I would rather make mistakes on cheaper parts first...

Ed Brown, I hadn't thought of for parts... hmmm
dee
05-02-2009, 09:26 AM
You would probaly have to take the frame and slide to someone to get it fit unless you wan't to take the chance and do it yourself.Brownells and Midway both sell all the tools you will need to do everything.
bulldog896
05-03-2009, 11:37 PM
Just like cars and women guns require money to do them right and if you do them wrong you are left wanting and unsatisfied

As mentioned unless you want about $300 in tooling buy a pre mated frame and slide STI Caspian Essex all offer pre fitted as well as a few others

Wilson, Ed Brown, Chip Mcormic, Fussion, STI parts are all low issue parts and easy to use. If your local I have a few of the bevertail fitting and other jigs I can help with.

If you want to build one decide what you want and go to brownells.com look over the parts then shop them midwayusa few other sites