What have I got myself into?

[BigNick73]

Everything but a slide (it'll be here any day). Closest thing to pre-fit/drop in is the Kart EZ fit barrel. Ohh well I've got the Kuhnhausen manuals and a pile of files.

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/1760/img20110720112818.jpg

[BPTactical]

Fun times[Beer]
Do yourself a favor and lose that red thingy with the cord coming out of it. The only thing you need that for is a final polish of the ramp and throat.

[BigNick73]

yeah I know, I had gotten the mainspring housing in a few days ago, and was blending it to the frame last night, ti stuck out the back about 1/8-1/16" and files were taking too long.

So far the biggest PITA is getting the inside of the frame smooth so parts aren't binding. I lapped the trigger and mag release in, now the sear is too tight so stoning the inside of the frame and polishing the sides of the sear on a Arkansas stone.

[ray1970]

Fun times[Beer]
Do yourself a favor and lose that red thingy with the cord coming out of it. The only thing you need that for is a final polish of the ramp and throat.

+1 on taking it easy with the dremel. Once you take too much metal off of something, it can be a real pain to put it back on. Good luck with the build. Post more pictures when you get it done. [Beer]

[Irving]

Only one Dremel? Must be your first time. I use no less than three.

[BigNick73]

yeah it's my first one, the dremel was just for some major metal removing on the mainspring housing. The rest has been stones and lapping compound so far. It's taken me all day to do the trigger. but it's all in there just got to do the safeties.

I will say that if the angle isn't set right on your sear jig the pull sucks. Got a clean 72oz, according to the cheap spring gauge I have. It's lighter and feels better than my Springer loaded so I'm happy. Going to be a CCW anyway.

I can also say if the rest goes as well this won't be my last build. Here it is end of day 1

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/2971/img20110720232726.jpg

[ray1970]

I'm looking forward to seeing how the barrel fitting goes. Looking good.

[BigNick73]

Thanks still waiting on the slide fusion is taking their time with it but I'm back at work and won't be able to work on it for the next seven days. (I work a 7x7 schedule)

[nynco]

Where and how much did that kit cost?

[BigNick73]

It's not a kit. Parts came from fusion, midway, and brownells. Probably have a bit over a grand in parts. Haven't added it up not sure I want to know

[BigNick73]

The slide came in. Found the time to get it lapped to the frame.
Should I get some ball cuts? I kinda like it as is.

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/1650/img20110724072632.jpg

[ray1970]

It's not a kit. Parts came from fusion, midway, and brownells. Probably have a bit over a grand in parts. Haven't added it up not sure I want to know

Ah, the joy of building your own. Doesn't really save you any money but at least you have what you want when you get done and you get the satisfaction of putting it together yourself.

[jerrymrc]

I spent a couple of months on mine. Of course I did have to wait on the loaner detent post squisher. [Coffee]

[ray1970]

The slide came in. Found the time to get it lapped to the frame.
Should I get some ball cuts? I kinda like it as is.

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/1650/img20110724072632.jpg

I like it as is. Kind of lets people know at a glance this isn't your typical, cookie-cutter 1911. [Awesom]

[BigNick73]

Worked on it all day today. Barrel is in and on the frame. I've got a new grip safety on the way that will fit right. Everything is really stiff and tight on it, but think I might be test firing with in a few days. Still have to order sights for it too.

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/5173/img20110728220020.jpg

[BigNick73]

Test fired about 100 rounds today. Shot great can't make any accuracy claims as there are no sights and was just popping a old drum that was at the 50 yard mark. Only issue so far is the slide won't stay back sometimes on a empty mag. Think I just need to polish the slide catch and pin that holds it up down is to rough or spring still too tight. Wear marks on the sear and barrel look nice and uniform so I'm calling it good. Frame is in the oven right now.

[ray1970]

I kinda feel ripped off.... I thought you were going to post pictures of the barrel being fitted. [Coffee]

[BigNick73]

Well I thought about it but there wasn't anything to show. File the hood to fit then file pads, assemble, test, tear down, repeat until it went into battery and it all looked even.

In fact most of this build has been way easier that the "you cant build a custom 1911 yourself w/o a bunch of tools and, schools, and a bunch of other excuses" threads I read researching it made it out to be. Not AR-15 easy, but still no where near the difficulty level I expected. I should have some painted and assembled pics here shortly just waiting on the frame to cool.

[ray1970]

Definitely looking forward to all the pictures. Thanks for letting us all follow along. [Beer]

[BigNick73]

Just realized I'm waiting on a grip safety, sights, firing pin (had to rob my springer for test firing since this one is for a .070 and I had ordered a .090) also need grips! any suggestions? I'm thinking a burl or shiny alumagrip. I gotta get some non cell phone pics when its complete.

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/6876/img20110729193347.jpg

[Mazin]

Yukaliptus burl (know i didnt spell that right) would look badass, i just git a piece of zebra wood today and tiger caspi, figured id make a bunch of grips. If your going to make your own let me know and ill hook you up with a chunk of wood. Although i think i need to invest in a plainer or a better band saw because i think i went to thick. The guns looking good man cant wait to see it done!

[BigNick73]

I have a fountain pen made from eucalyptus burl and love the look. Know where I can get a blank? A guy I work with has a full blown shop including jigs and laser engraver for making grips.

So far I've ordered a set of these http://cgi.ebay.com/Monogramed-walnut-1911-pistol-grips-Type-6-/330591906531?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3D LVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D1725868733825471578

and a set of black monogrammed alumagrips. I've got 3 1911s at the moment already planning the 4th (commander with full length dust cover)

[BigNick73]

Got the sights and shot it today target was about 15yards. Waiting on a stainless safety, buggered the last one, and think I need a slightly shorter front sight dunno may just get used to it as is.

Only issue I'm having is it sometimes won't go into battery by maybe 1/16" I can easily push it in no problem. Think I'll start by polishing the extractor.

Also think I'm going to blast the slide and make it black as well

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/2466/img20110803183457.jpg

[BigNick73]

It's finished for now, Here's some pics, I was going to do all black but ran out of black, also decided to spray my Kel-Tec Slide. Then there's a pick of my OD G30 just to round out the OD/Black in the collection. The 2 targets are from the last test fire, bench rest at 15 yards or so using reloads. Wish I knew how to take better pictures.

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/8729/dscf0086a.jpg


http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/8255/dscf0087nb.jpg
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6396/dscf0090kk.jpg
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3631/dscf0091m.jpg
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/7646/img20110814185525.jpghttp://img692.imageshack.us/img692/8308/img20110814185541.jpg

[BigNick73]

Also if anyone had any ideas for or wants to design a custom rollmark on this I'm looking for ideas. Though about doing my name across the slide or something.

[Mazin]

Sweet looking 1911, burls can be a apain sometimes to find but woodcraft did have some at their shop in centennial. I havent made any burl grips yet but will in the coming months. I like the green and black man very cool!

[katatonic]

nice - love the slide

[dogtired]

How about this?

http://cdn.stripersonline.com/8/8c/8cd09f44_S-RoundObamaSymbol.gif