I picked up a Caspian Recon frame the other day and hope to make my ideal handgun a reality. Wish me luck...
Gunsmithing And so the journey begins...
- Thread starter GardDog
- Start date
Re: And so the journey begins...
yep i'll be doin the same soon, i'll be aprenticing a 1911 smith to learn how to build em.
good luck
yep i'll be doin the same soon, i'll be aprenticing a 1911 smith to learn how to build em.
good luck
Re: And so the journey begins...
My local 'smith is a wiz with the 1911. I've seen him turn a stock SA into a dream gun. Knowing I can bring him a ziplock full of parts & not catch shit, is a plus.
My local 'smith is a wiz with the 1911. I've seen him turn a stock SA into a dream gun. Knowing I can bring him a ziplock full of parts & not catch shit, is a plus.
Re: And so the journey begins...
Morey, over at 10-8 Tactical. A buddy of mine's dad won a SA 1911 at a NRA Banquet. It was a fine piece, but the trigger pull / creep left alot to be desired. I stood at the counter at Morey's shop and watched him do his magic, as he held two conversations and never missed a beat. The end result was fantastic. He is my local 'go to' guy for all gun plumbing.
Morey, over at 10-8 Tactical. A buddy of mine's dad won a SA 1911 at a NRA Banquet. It was a fine piece, but the trigger pull / creep left alot to be desired. I stood at the counter at Morey's shop and watched him do his magic, as he held two conversations and never missed a beat. The end result was fantastic. He is my local 'go to' guy for all gun plumbing.
Re: And so the journey begins...
Well, as the post dates will attest, my progress has been slow. I had tried to buy a couple of the needed pieces per month, but once or twice had to redirect my funds (Man, responsibility is a drag). I now have all of the parts and have been able to use my down time to work on my ideal 1911 build. The trigger fitting process really helped me appreciate the patience needed to build these guns.... But after awhile, it almost became therapeutic to work on this project. Unlike hand loading or target shooting, I can pack the files, tools, and parts in a bag and work on it during any break I find. Now, I have attained the proper slide fit and can move on to fitting the beavertail safety.
Pictured:
Caspian Recon Frame
Les Baer Slide
Well, as the post dates will attest, my progress has been slow. I had tried to buy a couple of the needed pieces per month, but once or twice had to redirect my funds (Man, responsibility is a drag). I now have all of the parts and have been able to use my down time to work on my ideal 1911 build. The trigger fitting process really helped me appreciate the patience needed to build these guns.... But after awhile, it almost became therapeutic to work on this project. Unlike hand loading or target shooting, I can pack the files, tools, and parts in a bag and work on it during any break I find. Now, I have attained the proper slide fit and can move on to fitting the beavertail safety.
Pictured:
Caspian Recon Frame
Les Baer Slide
Re: And so the journey begins...
Good luck on the project. Love the Recon frame. Morey has one in the shop right now for me.
If you bring Morey that frame and slide all buggered up in a bag, you WILL catch some shit. But take heart, it wont be nearly the worst thing he will have seen that week, so the harassing will be relatively mild.
Good luck on the project. Love the Recon frame. Morey has one in the shop right now for me.
If you bring Morey that frame and slide all buggered up in a bag, you WILL catch some shit. But take heart, it wont be nearly the worst thing he will have seen that week, so the harassing will be relatively mild.
Re: And so the journey begins...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MDShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good luck on the project. Love the Recon frame. Morey has one in the shop right now for me.
If you bring Morey that frame and slide all buggered up in a bag, you WILL catch some shit. But take heart, it wont be nearly the worst thing he will have seen that week, so the harassing will be relatively mild. </div></div>
I stopped by his shop this afternoon, so I could have him give my work a look. He gave me some great pointers and lots of encouragement. Stellar guy. He said that he has a backlog of 1911 builds. I hope to soak of some of his expertise while watching him do a build.
BTW - I have brought him parts in a ziploc & been harassed pretty badly. Lol
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MDShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good luck on the project. Love the Recon frame. Morey has one in the shop right now for me.
If you bring Morey that frame and slide all buggered up in a bag, you WILL catch some shit. But take heart, it wont be nearly the worst thing he will have seen that week, so the harassing will be relatively mild. </div></div>
I stopped by his shop this afternoon, so I could have him give my work a look. He gave me some great pointers and lots of encouragement. Stellar guy. He said that he has a backlog of 1911 builds. I hope to soak of some of his expertise while watching him do a build.
BTW - I have brought him parts in a ziploc & been harassed pretty badly. Lol
Re: And so the journey begins...
I traveled this road a few years ago and wish I wouldnt have sold it. Needed money to pay the bills when I first started working in Iraq and turns out I didnt need the money that bad...
And did one using a colt for donor parts before that. Still have this one..
I used a local smith and he did a great job on both. I would bet your expectations will be met or beaten and a factory gun will not ever please you again...
I traveled this road a few years ago and wish I wouldnt have sold it. Needed money to pay the bills when I first started working in Iraq and turns out I didnt need the money that bad...
And did one using a colt for donor parts before that. Still have this one..
I used a local smith and he did a great job on both. I would bet your expectations will be met or beaten and a factory gun will not ever please you again...
Re: And so the journey begins...
I finished roughing the beavertail safety in. FWIW: The Ed Brown jig was worth its weight in gold. Now on to lapping it in and smoothing the lines.
I finished roughing the beavertail safety in. FWIW: The Ed Brown jig was worth its weight in gold. Now on to lapping it in and smoothing the lines.
Re: And so the journey begins...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Poke</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any more updates? </div></div>
I actually have gotten quite a bit done this week. The grip safety has been honed to flow into the back of the receiver. The first mock-up stalled out when I hit a yield sign, so I stopped by to see my homie at 10-8 & he got me back on track. The ambi safety had hung me up with contact on the sear, but after about 5 minutes of instruction from Morey, I achieved a good fit. Now, the next project is barrel fitting. I'll try to get some pictures up tomorrow.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Poke</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any more updates? </div></div>
I actually have gotten quite a bit done this week. The grip safety has been honed to flow into the back of the receiver. The first mock-up stalled out when I hit a yield sign, so I stopped by to see my homie at 10-8 & he got me back on track. The ambi safety had hung me up with contact on the sear, but after about 5 minutes of instruction from Morey, I achieved a good fit. Now, the next project is barrel fitting. I'll try to get some pictures up tomorrow.
Re: And so the journey begins...
man how fun that looks, may wan to try my hands at it one day. lookin good
man how fun that looks, may wan to try my hands at it one day. lookin good
Re: And so the journey begins...
Just staked the plunger tube. The Strobel jig is the cats azzz.
Today's project: more relieving of the frame for the ramped barrel.
Just staked the plunger tube. The Strobel jig is the cats azzz.
Today's project: more relieving of the frame for the ramped barrel.
Re: And so the journey begins...
I must confess.... I hit a snag in my progress and my confidence tank was pretty running low. Thankfully, I have a 1911 guru to lean on, so I made a trip to his shop and in 5 minutes, he had me back on track. The biggest word of advice I can give anyone wanting to build their own 1911 is to start with a standard (non-ramped) barrel. I went with the ramped version and had to relieve the receiver by hand and hand tool to accept the ramped barrel. My snag was not having the relief even in one spot. Morey got me right and everything fell back into place. He showed me some detail filing that I need to do and I left with a smile. After that, all I have left is to install the sights and test-fire, prior to shipping it off for coating.
Here she is:
I must confess.... I hit a snag in my progress and my confidence tank was pretty running low. Thankfully, I have a 1911 guru to lean on, so I made a trip to his shop and in 5 minutes, he had me back on track. The biggest word of advice I can give anyone wanting to build their own 1911 is to start with a standard (non-ramped) barrel. I went with the ramped version and had to relieve the receiver by hand and hand tool to accept the ramped barrel. My snag was not having the relief even in one spot. Morey got me right and everything fell back into place. He showed me some detail filing that I need to do and I left with a smile. After that, all I have left is to install the sights and test-fire, prior to shipping it off for coating.
Here she is:
Re: And so the journey begins...
All parts are in place and the detail filing is done. It should be sent off to be coated shortly. Sorry for the crappy iphone pictures... I'll do some glamour shots and maybe pool porn after it is coated.
Now... What's next? Lol
All parts are in place and the detail filing is done. It should be sent off to be coated shortly. Sorry for the crappy iphone pictures... I'll do some glamour shots and maybe pool porn after it is coated.
Now... What's next? Lol
Re: And so the journey begins...
The folks who did the finish work just called. The truck of joy should drop off my freshly coated 1911 tomorrow (overnite via FedEx). I had it shipped to my work address, so that my wait time could be reduced. Can you tell that I'm hyped about having my finished product back? I'll do a review on their work after getting my hands on the pistol.
The folks who did the finish work just called. The truck of joy should drop off my freshly coated 1911 tomorrow (overnite via FedEx). I had it shipped to my work address, so that my wait time could be reduced. Can you tell that I'm hyped about having my finished product back? I'll do a review on their work after getting my hands on the pistol.
Re: And so the journey begins...
Hell, that looks good in the white. What color are you coating it and with what? Now the next thing is to shoot the crap out of it!
Hell, that looks good in the white. What color are you coating it and with what? Now the next thing is to shoot the crap out of it!
Re: And so the journey begins...
Nice looks like a good project. Make sure to put some picks up when you get it back
Nice looks like a good project. Make sure to put some picks up when you get it back
Re: And so the journey begins...
I'm not even that interested in a 1911 and this was still a cool thread to read through - both your account of the steps you took and the help that you got from Morey. Now if I could just get Mr. Gradous to relocate to Montana!
I'm not even that interested in a 1911 and this was still a cool thread to read through - both your account of the steps you took and the help that you got from Morey. Now if I could just get Mr. Gradous to relocate to Montana!
Re: And so the journey begins...
Thanks for the replies.
I posted a thread on the finished product over in the Side Arms section. Take a look:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3014681#Post3014681
Thanks for the replies.
I posted a thread on the finished product over in the Side Arms section. Take a look:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3014681#Post3014681
Re: And so the journey begins...
Great thread and great looking gun, you should be very proud of yourself!
Can you give us a break down of all the tools/videos that you needed to finish the job? I have a 1911 and would love nothing more than to add another to the collection that I built!
Thanks in advance.
Great thread and great looking gun, you should be very proud of yourself!
Can you give us a break down of all the tools/videos that you needed to finish the job? I have a 1911 and would love nothing more than to add another to the collection that I built!
Thanks in advance.
Re: And so the journey begins...
Thank you sir for the feedback.
The best informative guide I found was Scott A. Duff's book ( Link ) THE M1911 COMPLETE ASSEMBLY GUIDE. It sounds like you are already up to speed on 1911 function, but for those that need the basics, his book (Link ) THE M1911 COMPLETE OWNER'S GUIDE is a starting point.
Most of the internal parts were stock Ed Brown items. Initially, I bought every size and shape file I could find at the home improvement stores. The tools that came in very handy that I would recommend were the: Ed Brown Beavertail Installation Jig, Ten-Eight bench block, Brownell's trigger track stone and slide file, Gun Runners plunger staking tool, Marvel sear stoning jig and The Kart barrel EZ Fit kit. I was amazed at the custom feel of the trigger let-off and reset after simply stoning the sear with the Marvel jig in place.
I realize that it's a pretty good investment just in tools, but I won't be using them just once (I have another son who will be built a 1911) and I spread the purchases out over a long period. I'm 8 years from being eligible for retirement and would love to work in someones shop, so I considered it an investment for life #2. I guess you could also just sell off what you don't need after finishing your pistol.
The bottom line is that by having a truly excellent 1911 smith only a phone call away resulted in my success. Any issue that I couldn't resolve he steered me through. Thanks again to Morey Butler for his assistance.
Thank you sir for the feedback.
The best informative guide I found was Scott A. Duff's book ( Link ) THE M1911 COMPLETE ASSEMBLY GUIDE. It sounds like you are already up to speed on 1911 function, but for those that need the basics, his book (Link ) THE M1911 COMPLETE OWNER'S GUIDE is a starting point.
Most of the internal parts were stock Ed Brown items. Initially, I bought every size and shape file I could find at the home improvement stores. The tools that came in very handy that I would recommend were the: Ed Brown Beavertail Installation Jig, Ten-Eight bench block, Brownell's trigger track stone and slide file, Gun Runners plunger staking tool, Marvel sear stoning jig and The Kart barrel EZ Fit kit. I was amazed at the custom feel of the trigger let-off and reset after simply stoning the sear with the Marvel jig in place.
I realize that it's a pretty good investment just in tools, but I won't be using them just once (I have another son who will be built a 1911) and I spread the purchases out over a long period. I'm 8 years from being eligible for retirement and would love to work in someones shop, so I considered it an investment for life #2. I guess you could also just sell off what you don't need after finishing your pistol.
The bottom line is that by having a truly excellent 1911 smith only a phone call away resulted in my success. Any issue that I couldn't resolve he steered me through. Thanks again to Morey Butler for his assistance.
