Nice looking gun. I have a Colt Series 70 I have been working on when I have extra time and money. I changed the trigger and some springs so far, wanting to get a nice match grade barrel, was the kart ezfit easy to install, and how does shoot?Building an AR is like playing with legos. With a couple of minor exceptions, usually just things to watch out for for slightly improving accuracy or durability, a monkey could build a basic AR from parts.
I built a 1911 last year. Caspian stainless frame/slide and I cheated a bit and used a kart ezfit barrel.
I put a LOT of hours into it. and a lot of money into tools (and I have about 30% of the tools I'd like to have). Only trashed one part which I thought was impressive.
I read/studied tons of material before I even bought the first piece. including both Kuhnhausen books. and then before actually starting working on a part I went back and re-read the relevant sections.
I have a couple thousand rounds through the gun now. It is the most accurate pistol I own. It's run 100% since day one except for a little tweaking to get the slide to lock back with all my mags. I still haven't done any finish work on it. I even have a blast cabinet out in the garage I haven't used yet. I intend to do a couple more, maybe starting this winter.
You will not save any money. How well the gun runs and shoots is up to you. You have no warranty center to mail it to if it doesn't run. It will take you a LOT of time. If it's worth it or not is up to you.
I'm buying a new factory 1911 for a carry gun. Because I don't think until I have built several guns, each with 10s of thousands of rounds through them, can I say that I KNOW I can build a durable and reliable pistol. For now I'm a garage hack.
note in this picture that I did have a perfectly blended beaver-tail, but I didn't like the shape of it. So recently I put in this one to match my open gun and I haven't gotten around to re-blending it.
Good luck,
-rvb
ps (edit), here was the old beavertail, perfectly blended...
-rvb
To all of the people claiming you can just buy a name brand 1911 for less money and it will be just as good as a handbuilt one, you're so wrong!
To all of the people claiming you can just buy a name brand 1911 for less money and it will be just as good as a handbuilt one, you're so wrong! It takes skill, special tools, quality parts and a lot of your free time. But there is no comparison.
If you really want to build a 1911 the correct way I suggest that you attend Cylinder & Slide's course in Fremont, NE. I took the week long class in 2002 and its was one of the best things I have ever done. As for cost, Class, Tools and 1911 parts it ran me about $4000.00 with travel and hotel. You will learn from one of the best in the business, Bill Laughridge.