Latest Project

[mrcabinet]

I got bored with building ARs, so I thought I'd try my hand at a 1911. I've done my fair share of 1911 work over the years, but never built one "from scratch". Ordered a Stealth Arms frame and jig to see what they're all about. Then I kind of cheated and ordered a Rock Island Tac .45 kit, with everything but the frame, instead of ordering individual parts. It helped keep the budget down too. I chuckled when it arrived - literally a gun in a bag.



I won't bore you with the details but, after the frame was cut, I hand fit all the parts and polished anything that moved. I'm quite pleased with the finished product.

[david s]

That turned out nice!

[mrcabinet]

That turned out nice!

Thanks! I was worried that maybe I just made a pretty paperweight but nope! 93 rounds through it without a hiccup. Here's the first 13 rounds at 40'. This was with these bleepin' new progressive lenses - my son confirmed that it shoots better than I do.

[Alcoy]

Good job!  Nice shooting group too.

[Earl Keese]

Nice work!

[crosstimbers]

I carried a 1911 a lot of years. Loved it. It had small sights, and I finally gave it along to my son. Never anything so fancy as that, wonder what difference it would have made...mabye I could have used the old girl longer?

I doubt it. Old eyes. Nice pistol, enjoy!

[M1A4ME]

I've had (still having, at the range) issues with focus on my progressive lenses, too.  I find myself standing there twisting my head around trying to find the best spot in the lens to get nicely clean/sharp sight picture with iron sights or a nice round dot with the Holosuns.

Still like 1911's but most of mine are in the safe.  The P07 is still doing it for me for EDC.

I like that rail though.  Don't use it on the P07 I carry but I like the idea of having it available.

It's one thing to work on a gun that's having issue.  It's another thing to build one from parts that haven't worked well before and get them working together.  Much tougher job.

[mrcabinet]

I managed to get by with cheap reading glasses for more than a decade, but I finally broke down and got "real" glasses. When I do find the sweet spot for the sights, it's great! I may have to talk to my doc about dedicated shooting glasses now.

For the sights on this gun, I did my usual paint job of orange on the front and fluorescent green on the rear dots. It helps, but I do find myself liking fiber optic sights more and more though. I scored an inexpensive set of factory take-off fibers, with adjustable rear, that should be here this weekend.

I'm not a huge fan of unneeded rails on handguns, but I do like the looks of this one. An added bonus is that it adds a couple ounces up front on the lightweight frame.

[newageroman]

thats awesome. congrats!

[Tanners Owner]

Congrats- am envious.  I’ve recently been doing some simple trigger work ( springs, polishing) on my S&W and Ruger revolvers- am pleased with my limited efforts thus far.

[Claymore504]

Turned out great it seems. I have always wanted to learn how to work on 1911s. I have a couple and bought the Hilton Yam Duty Tune DVD, but just don't have the courage to give it a go.

[mrcabinet]

Turned out great it seems. I have always wanted to learn how to work on 1911s. I have a couple and bought the Hilton Yam Duty Tune DVD, but just don't have the courage to give it a go.

1911s really aren't that difficult to work on. They're about 100 times easier than putting a CZ decocker sear back together. You just have to take your time and remember that a little goes a long ways. I do a couple file strokes, then check the fit. Rinse and repeat.

[crosstimbers]

I remember the days when at the large gunshow near me, there were crates of surplus 1911s for sale at really decent prices.

Meant to pick one up just to have. Something else was always more in need of my money. Then of course one day I realized they weren't around anymore. Real shame, but my own fault for not having the foresight to grab one when they were there.

[v35]

It does look like a fun project. May I ask where you bought that Rock Island Tac .45 kit? I tried searching for it and only came up with the RIA website which led me to the Armscor site, and the only kit available was the 1911 Cal. 9mm TAC Builders Kit.

It looks good and the price is right but 9mm only. Can't find a .45 kit.

[mrcabinet]

You never know what will be on the RIA site. That 9mm is very tempting at that price. I purchased mine from an Ebay seller. It was cheaper when I bought mine, but still a good value. Here's the current listing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265440465081?epid=2302136009&hash=item3dcd7c10b9:g:TNAAAOSw-Rlev0WS