[captain-03]

[flash=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/v/4P4XJTKzKEU" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true[/flash]

 

[Rbelote]

I want to build one, but Im am going to tkae some classes first. I will probably build mine from fusion firearms parts.

 

[eddybo]

That is one neat video

 

[bushmaster1253]

As far as putting one together I shouldn't have much problems. My problem would be getting the slide to fit the frame properly. I would probably take off more metal than I should and screw up one or the other.

 

[captain-03]

As far as putting one together I shouldn't have much problems. My problem would be getting the slide to fit the frame properly. I would probably take off more metal than I should and screw up one or the other.

Great to see you here!!

 

[eddybo]

I have been wanting to build one ever since I bought one from Rbelote. 1911s rock.....and I am not even a pistol guy.

Where is a good site to buy kits?

 

[Rbelote]

caspian and fusion are my favorites, and then buy nicer parts alsewere like bomar sights, etc.

 

[slabsides45]

Read on another thread about a guy who started hosting 1911 build classes. He took Caspian frames, bought all the parts ahead of time, and had enough machining stations that he brought in 8 or 10 students IIRC, and they actually built and fitted their guns themselves. At the end, they understood in great detail how to work on that or any other 1911, and the hows and whys of the platform. I want to say the class cost around $1,500.00, which ain't bad considering what you get. Think it took a week, and was maybe in Arkansas??

I've wanted to break down the frame of one of my 1911's for a long time, but haven't had the stones yet. Maybe one day I'll be at a class that has an extended break, and someone will have pity on an old grunt...

 

[Doug Bowser]

I can strip a service grade 1911 all the way down in seconds (frame parts and all) without tools, except a screwdriver for the grip screws. I could assemble a service grade pistol but a match grade pistol is another story. I have all the parts for a 1911 NM Wad Gun. Including a BoMar rib with a 2" extended front sight. The slide will not fit on the frame. That is good. The pistol can be fitted better that way. The barrel is a USGI NM with matching bushing. My pard Mickey used to be the gunsmith for the Louisiana National Gaurd Pistol Team. I have fired several of his pistols and if the one I am building is as good, I will be in heaven. Luckily he said he would build it.

The frame is an Essex. I have another Essex frame and NM slide. I would like to make a hardball gun out of it. I won't be able to shoot hot loads in the wad gun because it will have a rib on it. Hardball will make a rib come off.

Doug

 

[slabsides45]

Doug, educate me! What is a "wad gun"? What is this rib you speak of, on a 1911? Hardball?

Me siento estúpida!!

 

[Doug Bowser]

Doug, educate me! What is a "wad gun"? What is this rib you speak of, on a 1911? Hardball?

Me siento estúpida!!

A wad gun is a 1911 .45 set up to shoot 180-200 grain wadcutter ammunition only. The powder charges are not heavy and the recoil spring has to be adjusted accodingly. A full rib is a square piece of steel that is screwed to the top of a pistol or revolver, from muzzle to rear sight, to make the pistol or revolver heavier. It usually has the sights installed on it. The rib I have has a front sight that extends 2" in front of the muzzle.

A hardball gun is set up to shoot USGI 230 gr FMJ ammo. It cannot have a rib because the rib is installed with screws and the screws would be tourqued in half and the rib would come off due to the heavier recoil.

A US Army hard ball gun may have adjustable sights and a backlash adjustable trigger but no other alterations except an accuracy job and checkering of the backstrap and front of the grip are allowed. No beavertailed grip safeties, fancy thumb rest grips, no rod guides in the recoil spriong area and no visible alterations. The trigger must pick up 4 pounds.

I did not realize how old I am getting. These terms were commonplace in the 1960's and 70's.

Doug Bowser

 

[captain-03]

Doug - I know that in the late '60s and early '70s that was about all we had and that was what evreyone used!!

 

[Doug Bowser]

Doug - I know that in the late '60s and early '70s that was about all we had and that was what evreyone used!!

Maybe I am not so old after all :tophat:

I did grow up in the NRA, where one handed shooting of pistols ruled the roost. It is unnatural for me to shoot a pistol with 2 hands. My scores with a .22 semi-auto pistol are lower with 2 hands than one hand.

Hope some of you shooters can come to McComb and shoot in some of the NRA one handed Bullseye Matches . Email me direct for info:
[email protected]

Doug

 

[eddybo]

Good info Doug.

Just an idea as I know your pretty handy but, why don't you come build your pistol yourself. I have a mill and some lapping compound and probably suitable woodruff cutters. I have seen some jigs for holding the frame that would be pretty easy to duplicate. I will gladly open my shop to you.

There is something very satisfying about building your own.

 

[Doug Bowser]

Good info Doug.

Just an idea as I know your pretty handy but, why don't you come build your pistol yourself. I have a mill and some lapping compound and probably suitable woodruff cutters. I have seen some jigs for holding the frame that would be pretty easy to duplicate. I will gladly open my shop to you.

There is something very satisfying about building your own.

My friend built the Louisiana guns and they won the National Championships for 9 years. I have never observed .45 Target pistols with smoother slide to frame fit. I will wait for my friend to build it. I will start amassing the parts for the second pistol soon.. Thank you for the offer,

Doug Bowser

 

[Hammer]

I've wanted to break down the frame of one of my 1911's for a long time, but haven't had the stones yet. Maybe one day I'll be at a class that has an extended break, and someone will have pity on an old grunt...

It is not that hard. I took mine down to bare frame and slide, and put it back together with no instruction whatsoever. The only thing that was tricky to me was getting the orientation of the disconnect right. Other than that, no problem.

 

[slabsides45]

That area around the sear, etc. is what's of concern to me. Especially since I have 3 Kimbers, and 2 of them have that Swartz safety thingamabob. I definitely am willing to try it, might do so with the RIA first, then proceed if that one isn't jacked up.

 

[Rbelote]

A man that can fit a 1911 slide to frame with glass like smoothness is an artist, but acc-u-rails will make a dream out of a 1911 as well. Then if the gun ever wears out...you just replace the rails. I though about bullseye, but didnt know there were any matches close. My mentor/coach is a 6 time distinguished badge winner and it amazing at bullseye. I rather 2 hands on the gun, but one works for accuracy as well. It just slows down follow up shots unless you have a forearm like eddybo or Mr. Bowser.

 

[Brutus]

That was a neat video.

AGI has a pretty good video on 1911s. I don't particularly like the guy that does it, but it's a decent enough tutorial on full teardown and reassembly.

:thumbup:

 

[slabsides45]

Well, got my gumption up tonight, and did it! Checks out okay!!