[Nick]

I'm gonna start a 1911 bulid. I was wondering if anyone knew where I can possibly buy a 1911 "parts kit" or something similar, just so i dont have to buy every single part individually. everything except the slide and frame obviously. anyone ever hear of something like that?
thanks

 

[Co7t]

Try numrich (e-gunparts.com). There's a few others who offer them, but quality-wise and for a parts kit I got a good deal from them the three times I ordered those things when I first started building 1911s. They offer frame kits (all parts minus the frame) for about 117.00. As for any "1911 kit" you buy (I've seen just about all of them from everyone who offers them), you get what you pay for.

 

[Rhino_66]

You could try King's Gun Works. They specialize pretty much exclusively in 1911 stuff. I've bought from them on several occasions. They're nice people and since they specialize, they can really help answer questions about parts.

http://www.kingsgunworks.com/

and for their online catalog:

http://www.kingsgunworks.com/newcatalog/index.html

Co7T, I don't know if I ever mentioned these guys to you. If not, let me apologize for forgetting about them.

 

[yosuthnmasa]

So the parts will run you in the ball park of $115 depending on the source. Where and how much does the frame cost? What actual hands on work do you have to do, and to what parts?

 

[Rhino_66]

You can pick up 80% frames, but the availability is spotty at best. Slides are available from various sources online from popular dealers. 80% frames run from around $75 to $150+

Completed frames are available too, mostly from popular dealers. These can go from $150 to $400 for standard frames, $400 to $600+ for STI frames, and up to $2000+ for titanium pieces. On average, plan on spending around $250 for a decent frame like a Les Baer. Titanium frames can be ordered, but are custom one-off jobs by specialty builders. They usually EDM these frames and you will pay through the teeth for one, but MAN THEY ARE COOL!!!!

The 1911 can be thrown together from a box of parts and will generally function fine (similar to an AK). The difference is taking the time to fit the following items:

barrel bushing to slide
barrel to barrel bushing
barrel locking lugs to slide
barrel pivot lug to frame (and slide)
barrel feed ramp to frame
slide to frame
sear to hammer
trigger bow to frame
grip safety to trigger
thumb safety
extractor angles
extractor tension

When these items are properly fitted, the pistol jumps up considerably in accuracy and reliability.

The important things to watch are sear/hammer fit and spring tension. If this is off, the pistol will have a crappy trigger feel and could be dangerous. Slide to frame fit is important for accuracy and functioning. Barrel to frame and slide is for consistency and accuracy. Oh yeah, the disconnector better function properly or you could go full auto.

If you're looking to build a 1911 I HIGHLY recommend getting a copy of "The Colt .45 Automatic - A Shop Manual - Volume 1" by Jerry Kuhnhausen before buying any parts. It is probably the best single book ever written for the 1911 enthusiast. Even if you aren't building a 1911, this book can help you diagnose problems with your current pistol and fix them properly.

Some of the drop-in parts are pretty close. There are drop-in hammer/sear sets that will give a reasonable factory trigger feel.

 

[yosuthnmasa]

Rhino, thanks for the breakdown. What is EDM?

 

[Rhino_66]

Electrical Discharge Machining

EDM removes metal by burning, rather than cutting or grinding. EDM comes in two forms: diesinking, which uses a machined graphite or copper electrode to burn a desired shape into a workpiece, and wire cutting, which uses a very thin wire to cut the workpiece. The metal is melted and vaporized by the process. The excess material is washed away in the dielectric fluid that the workpiece is submerged in, typically an oil. The finished surface can be as smooth or better than can be obtained by some grinding and polishing operations. This can eliminate additional steps to a finished product.

EDM is used on hard materials like titanium or heat treated alloys that are difficult to machine.

 

[yosuthnmasa]

Very efficient way of machining things, is it expensive?

 

[pmbiker]

Caspian offers virtually every component necessary to build a 1911. Even Titanium frames cast by Ruger. The prices are higher than some bargain kits, but the difference is night and day. Junk in junk out, use quality internals for a better finished product.

www.caspianarms.com