I've been toying with the idea of building a 1911 for myself lately. I am not a gunsmith, but I'm fair to middlin' with tools and a quick learner. The attractive part for me is being able to pick and choose parts and take my time. I just can't afford to plunk down $500+ for a gun for awhile, and that just gets me in the door with a 1911. Even a Springfield Loaded model would need a thing or two (like an arched mainspring housing and a dehorning) to my taste, after I've already spent nearly $600 out the door for the pistol. Building my own, I could get either a frame or a slide first and work at the more minor parts, then get the next big ticket item later.
Anyway, how difficult would such a project be? How much instruction would I need--would one of the videos on the market and a copy of Brownell's be enough? Is there any part of the process that I will absolutely have to turn over to a professional?
Seems to me that most of the work is the careful fitting of the slide to frame, barrel to slide/bushing, and the barrel hood and lugs. What am I missing?
Anyway, how difficult would such a project be? How much instruction would I need--would one of the videos on the market and a copy of Brownell's be enough? Is there any part of the process that I will absolutely have to turn over to a professional?
Seems to me that most of the work is the careful fitting of the slide to frame, barrel to slide/bushing, and the barrel hood and lugs. What am I missing?