Any one built a 1911 from the ground up?

[paid4c4]

I've been thinking about building a 1911 from the ground up using frames/receivers from http://www.fosterind.com/. I'm told Foster owns Caspian. I think it would be a good learning process to build one from the ground up. Any ideas or comments?
Bill

[Cal30M1]

For the price you can buy a NIB Rock Island.

For educational purposes I guess it would give you intimate knowledge but I'd rather go cheap and tear the Rocky down! :D

[BRUTUS]

For the price you can buy a NIB Rock Island.

For educational purposes I guess it would give you intimate knowledge but I'd rather go cheap and tear the Rocky down! :D

Depending on the parts you choose, I suppose it's like any other pistol.......the parts will cost MORE than a manufactured pistol

Course, you're doing it for fun and experience, so price isn't the complete issue........My only concern would be to possibly having to invest in tools to fit some of the pieces......trigger/sear/hammer jig, and then mess with fitting the bushing(maybe) the thumb safety, etc......

MIXMASTER can tell you better what you're getting into.......he's done several......

[Orlando]

Thought about it once but decided against it. Its not a assemble job like the AR-15.
Alot of fitting ,tools and know how required

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=12537/GunTechdetail/Building_A_1911___Part_I
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=12538/GunTechdetail/Building_A_1911___Part_II
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=12539/GunTechdetail/Building_A_1911___Part_III
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=12540/GunTechdetail/Building_A_1911___Part_IV
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=12541/GunTechdetail/Building_A_1911___Part_V
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=12542/GunTechdetail/Building_A_1911___Part_VI

[mixmaster]

Paid4c4
Yes you can build one and learn a lot but the days of good used/new,cheap GI parts is over. You can buy parts kits from SARCO that include the slide and frame. Generally the parts just go together with little or no problem,It's when they don't the fun begins. The 1911 is a really easy piece to trouble shoot as you assemble it.Also to keep the cost down you need to look at the Essex frame or even one of the RIA frames both run under a $100.00 and the parts kit about $150.00. The fun part is getting the frame and checking out the gun shows for the best parts you want.It is even possible to pick up a GI parts kit minus frame for around $150.00. And this is what makes it fun.You will not build a Kimber or a Colt but the fun factor is THERE. I have built many of them and still am tempted when I see a good used parts kit. Shuff parked one for me and it came out looking like a true trooper.You will not build a collector piece but the enjoyment is always there. I believe if you are already rebuilding M1s you should have the skills needed for the build and what the heck if needed I will e mail you my phone number and call it a build HOT LINE. Build and enjoy.
Mix

[mixmaster]

Forgot to mention ,on a basic build you do not need any special tools That's where the knowledge of how the 1911 works or should work kicks in. For your first build go for the mil spec 45 build rather than something called a RACE GUN. That you can do with what you learned on your first build and save you some funds. Go to the market place like mom looking for the best goods and pinch all the tomatoes till you find the parts you want at a price you feel comfortable paying!
Mix

[paid4c4]

Mix, thanks for the reply and "Hot Line Number" I already have the internals which I bought as a kit some time ago. I'll start looking for the frame/slide as I've decided to give it a try. It's not like I'm investing a fortune and half the fun is the learning experience. I'm sure I can find someone to parkerize it once completed.
Bill

[mixmaster]

Bill
Stay away from the generic slides now being offered by SARCO & Numrich unless you feel the need to do some serious hand fitting. A Brazilian slide will work just fine and underneath all the markings you will find a Colt quality slide as they were made on machinery provided by Colt! I just checked GB and there are some reasonably priced slides both Brazilian and GI. SARCO at this time has a frame for $99.95 which makes an easy fit with most Colt or GI parts and can be upgraded when you are ready for that next step. You might also check with SARCO to see if they have any of the RIA slides for sale. These will work. On those package deals "slide and frame combo" the frames usually work just fine it's the generic slide that's the deal killer with me. I enjoy fitting the pieces together but I'm not that hard up for happiness!
Mix

[toolman]

I havent yet! I would love to!

[MajorD]

I think the amount of hand fitting and tinkering involved makes it not worth the effort unless as some have mentioned it is an educational experience rather than one designed to save money.

[paid4c4]

Major, I think you hit the nail on the head. I've decided to build two, one for me and one for my best friend's birthday. I've always wanted to learn about the 1911's and this will provide an excellent learning opportunity. Tim is going to park them and I have another friend who is going to engrave them. I'll post pix when completed.
Bill

[Dave Waits]

Here's a pic of one of two I built from SS Essex frames.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii180/retmsgt123/IMG_0003.jpg

Oh, who says RIAs aren't fun to Build?
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii180/retmsgt123/IMG_0254.jpg
Not done with this one yet.

[paid4c4]

Now that's what I'm talking about, really nice.
Bill

[Prince Humperdink]

I thought about these(as Mixi had mentioned previously)just for experience.
http://e-sarcoinc.com/451911autobuildkitlessframe.aspx