Custom build, from the frame up
 

So I'm planning on my next major firearm buy being a handgun. I've been getting alot a really great feedback from you guys on Savage Arms rifles on my other thread, but like I mentioned on there the area that I'm in dosen't allow hunters to use rifles for big game hunting. So, I've decided to invest, or begin investing, in a good handgun instead. I'll stick with my 12 ga. as far as hunting for the time being, for how long really depends on my new income and how it all pans out. Anyways...

I've been looking around at handguns for a little less time than I have been rifles and I'm a real big fan of the Browning Hi-Power Mark III, probably in .40 S&W. Now as much as I'd love to kick out the cash to buy one right up I've always been hesitant to pay out cash for exactly what the next guy'll get. I'm more of a custom configured and/or DIY kinda of person. So I got to thinking; How difficult/expensive would it be to build a gun for the frame up?

I immdiatly then thought of the 1911 A1. You see clones and variances and custom this'n'that for it all over so I thought it would probably be the easiest to build in this fashion. The idea of configuring and assembling a handgun from the ground up really appeals to me, and I reasoned that it would be easier for me finacially to be able to spend less with each part purchase than it would be to save it all up and buy a factory gun, even though I would very possibly spend more in the end. Plus my uncle is a machinist and owns his own well equiped shop so I would have him and his shop for resources as well.

So has anyone ever tried anything like this? Ideas about price, where to look, where to start? How about people who think I'm crazy and are surprized I still have all my fingers and toes? What're the collective thoughts on a project like this?

~Chris

It's a blast if you enjoy the process. It can get pricey if you mix and match frames, slides, and barrels from different companies that require excessive fitting. You will definitely shell out more money building your 1911 this way than picking out a decent top end package from a manufacturer. Springfield and Kimber are both decent pistols with alot of the favorite mods already done to their premier lines for a reasonable price.

About the best advice is to stick with a frame and slide from a good vendor like Les Baer or Wilson etc that has already been fit from their factories, and go from there. It's still gonna take a qualified experienced person to get the final product to be something reliable enough to stake your life on but 200 here 300 there, spread over a few months, isn't that bad really.

this sounds like your best bet...

read this article first..
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...29/ai_n9474540

if your still interested, goto this website:
http://www.1911patriotcop.us/home.htm


I know it doesnt really go along with your 'I'll but a peice at a time to spread out the cost' idea, but assembling a 1911 from scratch it not as easy as it might seem, theres a lot of tuning involved, and having someone who REALLY knows what they are doing inspect your work for you is worth a lot. bad things happen when guns fall down and go boom.

Some of the problems you will face will be that certain parts (like the frame) will have to be shipped to someone in your area with an FFL, they can't be shipped to you. Also, many parts are factory fit to stay in tollerance. For example, the slide from one gun may not (probably won't) fit on another gun of the same make and model.

I thought the frame/receiver is the only part that needs to be shipped to an FFL. Are there other parts?

your correct, all other parts including the slide and barrel can be bought right over the counter...