So far, I've built three 1911 pistols. The first was "Patriot 82," a 5" '1911 I built during Dave Sample's on-line class. The other two are a Series 70/Caspian and a Hardslide/Caspian, which I've written about on other threads here. The neat thing (to me) about the second and third pistols is that I purposely used parts that were for the most part completely different from those I used in the on-line class, and again, I did that on purpose - I already knew that the choices Dave made for the on-line class would work - Dave had chosen them based on his 20+ years experience building Caspians. I chose other parts simply for the reason that I did NOT know how well they'd work together, and I hoped that by solving problems I'd learn more and add to what I had learned in the Patriot Class. I was correct!
With those three pistols all now completed except for the finishes, which are now being applied, I was up for another challenge, and one that would be something that would push me farther - that would probably make me pull my hair out, add to my boogered-parts box, and end up costing me money to have professional smiths fix what I'd done wrong. Well, my new project certainly should fit that bill!
The other day, I picked up a box full of brand new parts still in their wrappers. A friend had gathered the parts with the intention of building them into a pistol, but he had never found time to build into a pistol. He had since lost the urge to do so, and that allowed me to acquire the parts for a song. All that has been done so far is that he tried to fit the slide to the receiver, and it is a bit looser than I would have liked - probably about as loose/tight as a factory pistol. Everything else is NIB.
The new project will be built on a Les Baer receiver and long slide. And, what's more, the barrel is a ramped barrel. I have never built on Baer components. Also, I have fit two unramped, welded-up Colt barrels as practice and I have now fit three Kart EZ Fits. However, I have never fit a ramped barrel. The internals are all high-quality aftermarkets from multiple manufacturers, and I was glad to see that the GS was not a Wilson since I seem to have a mental block to fitting those easily.
So, anyway, I guess I'm starting another one of my long threads. At the outset, I'd appreciate any tips - even basic, bare-bones stuff, about concepts or practices that may be unique to building a longslide gun, fitting ramped barrels, and anything else you might want to throw out. Again, I have the basics of building 5" 1911s down to what I'd consider a "moderate" skill level, so what I'm looking for is information on what at the outset I need to do differently for a longslide, or for a ramped barrel. As for barrel fitting, as I said, I have fit a couple of welded-up Colt barrels before with good results, so I have the lug cutter. I also have a chamber reamer, but I'll need to pick up a bushing reamer. Will try to post photos of all the parts so y'all can see what I'm facing.
Am really looking forward to this next step in my education. And, in advance, thanks to all you guys for your help, both past and future!
Best,
Jon
With those three pistols all now completed except for the finishes, which are now being applied, I was up for another challenge, and one that would be something that would push me farther - that would probably make me pull my hair out, add to my boogered-parts box, and end up costing me money to have professional smiths fix what I'd done wrong. Well, my new project certainly should fit that bill!
The other day, I picked up a box full of brand new parts still in their wrappers. A friend had gathered the parts with the intention of building them into a pistol, but he had never found time to build into a pistol. He had since lost the urge to do so, and that allowed me to acquire the parts for a song. All that has been done so far is that he tried to fit the slide to the receiver, and it is a bit looser than I would have liked - probably about as loose/tight as a factory pistol. Everything else is NIB.
The new project will be built on a Les Baer receiver and long slide. And, what's more, the barrel is a ramped barrel. I have never built on Baer components. Also, I have fit two unramped, welded-up Colt barrels as practice and I have now fit three Kart EZ Fits. However, I have never fit a ramped barrel. The internals are all high-quality aftermarkets from multiple manufacturers, and I was glad to see that the GS was not a Wilson since I seem to have a mental block to fitting those easily.
So, anyway, I guess I'm starting another one of my long threads. At the outset, I'd appreciate any tips - even basic, bare-bones stuff, about concepts or practices that may be unique to building a longslide gun, fitting ramped barrels, and anything else you might want to throw out. Again, I have the basics of building 5" 1911s down to what I'd consider a "moderate" skill level, so what I'm looking for is information on what at the outset I need to do differently for a longslide, or for a ramped barrel. As for barrel fitting, as I said, I have fit a couple of welded-up Colt barrels before with good results, so I have the lug cutter. I also have a chamber reamer, but I'll need to pick up a bushing reamer. Will try to post photos of all the parts so y'all can see what I'm facing.
Am really looking forward to this next step in my education. And, in advance, thanks to all you guys for your help, both past and future!
Best,
Jon
