[JustinM]

I really want to find a reasonably priced build kit for a 1911. Anybody know of one?

[danf_fl]

That is what is called an oxymoron.
"Reasonably priced" and "build kit for a 1911".

Scrounge and you can find kits to build a 1911 from, but most are missing the frame, the parts may or may not fit, the quality of the included parts is normally questionable.

You need tools that you are will use once if things are not properly fitted before you purchase the kit.

Are you well informed on the fit and function of the 1911? Can you tell if a part is in spec by looking at it? If not, the you have to purchase some books that have part specs and can introduce you to the 1911.

The best thing is to purchase a complete, reasonable priced 1911 that works. Then start adding your aftermarket parts.

[JustinM]

Ill probably do that then. Thanks.

[canebrake]

Buy an entry level gun like the RIA and make it yours.

Building a 1911 pattern pistol from scratch isn't for the faint of heart. (Unless you have deep pockets.)

[pagj17]

Originally Posted by canebrake

Buy an entry level gun like the RIA and make it yours.

Building a 1911 pattern pistol from scratch isn't for the faint of heart. (Unless you have deep pockets.)

Yeah but you can't fit a 460 to a RIA

[Overkill0084]

A freind of mine has built a couple of different 1911s from "kits."
There are several obstacles.
Quality of typical "reasonably priced" kits. Cheap 1911 parts are a false economy. At the end of it all, My friend ended up with several items that were crappy enough to require replacement with better parts.
Skill. slapping a 1911 together out of a bag of parts is not conducive to a satisfactory pistol. Heck it might even work ok. But then if you are serious, you need to have a bit of skill with precision machine work. If in doubt about the required skills, order a copy of "The Colt .45 automatic, A shop Manual, by Jerry Kuhnhausen" If you can read through it and come away with a feeling of confidence, you're ahead of me.
Equipment. Access to a few machine tools will make life a lot simpler. Oh, and lets not forget the 1911 specific tools/jigs that you will need at some point.
Whatever you can't do yourself has to be sent out to someone, very likely at full shop rates. $50 here, $100 there, pretty soon, your talking real money.
At the end of it all, my friend came away spending nearly as much as he would have for a high quality finished gun. This was in in spite getting frames (Essex) and slides (Colt) at closeout prices.

Good or bad, the 1911 is a 100+ year old design. As such each one will require a degree of skilled hand fitting and tuning for it function correctly. It's much more than tossing parts at a Glock.

[axxe55]

building a quality and properly functioning 1911 from scratch is not for the novice. if you were only building one and purchased the part to build it and the proper 1911 tools needed, you could have bought a couple of really, really nice 1911's ready to shoot right out of the box.

there is a certain mystery tied to the 1911's and they are one on my favorite platforms of pistols. after many years of researching this same question, i did as Cane suggested and bought an American Classic Commander and modified it to fit my needs and wants. here is a link to the thread where i did mine.

http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f57/american-classic-commander-modified-75656/

[sniper762]

http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/search.aspx?find=1911+kit

http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/frm-rockislauto1911parkerizedframe.aspx

[canebrake]

Originally Posted by pagj17

Yeah but you can't fit a 460 to a RIA

Then get a springer.

Colts work real well!



30 yard Quartering Forward head-shot with the Colt 460 Rowland using Buffalo Bore 255 gr hard cast

[pagj17]

Originally Posted by canebrake

Then get a springer.

Colts work real well!

30 yard Quartering Forward head-shot with the Colt 460 Rowland using Buffalo Bore 255 gr hard cast

Lol a colt govt is on my short list. First, though, my ruger