I built my first 1911 from a Fusion Firearms 'kit'. I thought it would be easier having the frame and slide already mated, turns out I was right. With my Kuhnhausen book in hand and this forum on the screen, I got it done. The frame and slide are super tight, since most of the pieces came from the same company, any 'mistakes' would probably be mine. It was a bit of a toss up between Fusion and buying the kit parts from Caspian. The gun has run flawlessly, (once I got the hang of building the correct reloads!),
Is there a full d.i.y. 1911 kit?
I’ve just started down the Gunsmithing rabbit hole, got the itch you might say.
I’ve found a few component suppliers and will be researching their products while working on a budget for a concealed carry custom 1911.
When I built my first AR, there was no shortage of full build kits, you supply the lower and they supply every part, screw, and spring to make your rifle. Is there such a thing in the 1911 world? For a very first project it’s sort of nice to have the full roadmap, less chance of non-compatible or unsuitable parts.
My other option would be to start with a positively reviewed production pistol and modify till my hearts content.
I’ve found a few component suppliers and will be researching their products while working on a budget for a concealed carry custom 1911.
When I built my first AR, there was no shortage of full build kits, you supply the lower and they supply every part, screw, and spring to make your rifle. Is there such a thing in the 1911 world? For a very first project it’s sort of nice to have the full roadmap, less chance of non-compatible or unsuitable parts.
My other option would be to start with a positively reviewed production pistol and modify till my hearts content.
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All fine rifles.Nope.
My Geissele, BCM & WC's came fully assembled.
Factory triggers may or may not stay in them.
There was no mention of factory built ARs. The OP is askng about buillding a 1911 and referenced his past experience "building" an AR.
very, very, very,Sarco sells a kit for a GI type. Every part but the stripped frame. Based on past experiences with Sarco, I imagine successfully completing this kit would make one very, very familiar with the 1911 pistol. Lol
very
Springfield mil-spec 1911s are perfect for project guns.
I think more is to learned from modding a production gun. More attention can be paid to the ‘why’ as the ‘how’ is done.
Buy a high performance engine parts kit…they make ‘em. Finished…engine runs well. But what were the ‘big’ effectors? Cam? Porting? Intake? Haiders?
Take your running engine…install an intake. Seat of the pants dyno test it. Same with Haiders. The THE cam. Uh huh…which one gave the most oomph?!
Mil Spec. Fit a beavertail. Nice. Undercut the trigger guard a smidge. Nicer. High cut the beavertail. Nicer still. Ride the thumb safety…hmmmm
Buy a high performance engine parts kit…they make ‘em. Finished…engine runs well. But what were the ‘big’ effectors? Cam? Porting? Intake? Haiders?
Take your running engine…install an intake. Seat of the pants dyno test it. Same with Haiders. The THE cam. Uh huh…which one gave the most oomph?!
Mil Spec. Fit a beavertail. Nice. Undercut the trigger guard a smidge. Nicer. High cut the beavertail. Nicer still. Ride the thumb safety…hmmmm
I should amend this to add that there have been no issues in dealing with SARCO.very, very, very,
very
Far from it. All the pieces have been there. There has been no junk, no garbage, nothing bent or broken.
What you have to take into account is that no parts kit assembles itself. Even original assembly required some hand fitting. Most notable are the barrel to hood (slide) fit and the trigger/safety.
There can be other issues you may encounter with a singular parts count kit that the original manufacturer would solve with bins of select to fit parts.
On the other hand you will gain intimate knowledge of the inner working of the 1911 by seeing and handling/fitting/installing each of the 52* parts. You can forget about saving money however. By the time you finish acquiring the minimum tools to complete the pistol and apply or have it finished you are approaching a mid grade complete pistol.
Not to discourage in the least. Get to it ! Have fun! Be safe!
*Yes i know the number is disputed, Ser. 80 have a few more parts, officer's have less (bull barrel),
Gold cup, NM have additional sight parts, yet 52 is the accepted minimum and the number most often cited. So, lighten up Francis.
Ok, with all the info here, and more from reading a bit in Kuhnhausen…I definitely think modifying a bog standard govt would be a better starting point for me. Learn to clean up a trigger and adding a beaver tail to an existing pistol does sound like a better learning curve than diving into a pile of parts I’ve no experience with.
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