'Smithing your own 1911

[teamacacia]

So I recently purchased a 70 series colt that has already had some work done by Cylinder and Slide. After watching a few videos online, it has me thinking about how hard it is or isn't to do your own fitting of parts and other necessary work to 1911's (trigger jobs and what not). Is there any consensus on difficulty, what to do (take a class somewhere or just start with some parts and a spare/or not pistol and try to fit them), good places for cheap parts so I don't jack up wilson "bullet-proof" parts.
Thanks,

 

[drmitchgibson]

If nothing else, learn how to file. And don't learn on your gun. Or anyone else's gun. Try making exact shapes, using set dimensions, out of scrap steel. And if you can't tell what your file is doing, change directions and you'll be able to see the cuts again. Files only cut one direction, generally the push direction, and ideally will not make contact with the work on the return stroke.

What will be hard will be doing everything correct the first time to tight tolerances, because if not, you've ruined it. That being said, I'm not a gunsmith, but I was a custom machinist for a period.

 

[technetium-99m]

I've put together one 2011 and two 1911's from scratch, well to be fair the 2011 was an STI frame/slide fit and someone else machined the sight cuts/cocking serrations (but I did fit the new top end to it after the slide cracked, so I guess that counts as the whole thing being scratch built).

Buy volumes 1 and 2 of the Kuhnhausen 1911 shop manual and the Wilson DVD series from Brownells (you may be able to rent the Wilson or AGI series online) and start watching/reading. Get your hands on a 1911 (don't screw with C&S's work) and take it apart, go over how everything works paying attention to the measurements given in the Kuhnhausen books. Here's the thing though, the gun you buy to learn with and the parts you use MUST NOT BE uber cheap pieces of crap, you'll have enough problems dealing with quality spec parts, don't add el-cheapo junk to your problem list. Pick individual things to work on, learn the system of parts, install new quality parts with attention to detail. Eventually you'll end up with a very nice 1911 that can be head and shoulders above any production gun.

This will be more expensive than having it done at first, savings will come after you ruin a few bits and pieces.

 

[mike cyrwus]

GT said it well.
Learn the movement and
Functions
Of each component , where it is before, during, and after firing.
It's all about arcs and angles.

 

[kimberst245]

About 11 years ago I tried my hand at fitting an Ed Brown memory bump grip safety to my then new Kimber. This was actually the first gunsmithing go that I tried and it worked out for me. True it isn't a custom Wilson or C&S job, but it looks ok. Stainless steel is more forgiving than blued when it comes to working on them in my opinion, since you can bead blast away most filing/minor scratches. Just take your time. As mentioned by the others, any instructional advice you can get would be good. I went into it blind and really could have screwed it up big time, but lucked out. When it comes to safeties, hammers, sears, etc. I would be very careful in the litagious society we live in now if you plan on using same for self defense. Would I do it again fresh out of the box on a $1000 gun.....in hindsight, probably not.

 

[poopgiggle]

Here's the thing though, the gun you buy to learn with and the parts you use MUST NOT BE uber cheap pieces of crap, you'll have enough problems dealing with quality spec parts, don't add el-cheapo junk to your problem list.

http://how-i-did-it.org/1911-project/ <----- An example of what happens when you try to learn on cheapo parts.

 

[TroyF]

http://how-i-did-it.org/1911-project/ <----- An example of what happens when you try to learn on cheapo parts.

After reading that, although humorous, I've grown more appreciative of the work that Cyrwus does.

 

[mike cyrwus]

you mean there was a time you werent?

You Bastard!!

 

[TroyF]

I said "more".....always have been.

There's like math and stuff involved.

 

[technetium-99m]

I've always appreciated you Mike.

 

[Wall]

:58:

 

[mike cyrwus]

I've always appreciated you Mike.

then help me sell this damn scope

 

[technetium-99m]

We can take a picture of it next to my sweet limited gun. You'll have to beat people away with a stick.