Most of the smithy regulars are kinda familiar with my level of "smithing" and the tools I have at my disposal. But ill say again, I have an old beat up atlas lathe, my dad has a very nice "smithy" mill/lathe. I have a drill press and most other essentials. I have made many AR lowers, threaded muzzled, cut and crowned, turned an sks barrel and other odd jobs.
I have the new issue of "Shotgun News" with several advertisements hocking so-called 80% 1911 frames, raw castings as cheap as 30$ and more complete ones at 100$. Some aluminum and some steel. Always looking for something to get that keeps me learning and having fun, this piqued my interest. What's the involvement to complete these frames, how detailed does it have to be? What's the difference between a 20$ casting and a 100$ 80% frames? Anyone made one of these?
I see on the 100$ frames, it requires slide rails, hammer and sear holes, mainspring housing pin and ejector "leg" holes. All sounds doable, the slide rails I assume being most difficult. My concern is there are no idiot proof "jigs" like AR lowers.
I have the new issue of "Shotgun News" with several advertisements hocking so-called 80% 1911 frames, raw castings as cheap as 30$ and more complete ones at 100$. Some aluminum and some steel. Always looking for something to get that keeps me learning and having fun, this piqued my interest. What's the involvement to complete these frames, how detailed does it have to be? What's the difference between a 20$ casting and a 100$ 80% frames? Anyone made one of these?
I see on the 100$ frames, it requires slide rails, hammer and sear holes, mainspring housing pin and ejector "leg" holes. All sounds doable, the slide rails I assume being most difficult. My concern is there are no idiot proof "jigs" like AR lowers.