1911 gunsmith vs. gun-butcher
Page 1 of 1
1911 gunsmith vs. gun-butcher
JimMacklin Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:44 am
The 1911 is a great pistol and depending on the maker and model it can be improved with simple hand tools IF the fit and function of each part is understood. There are many excellent books on the subject and reading at least two of them will help the user fix his gun IF it really needs fixing.
There are some tasks that are hard to do without a milling machine, although they can be done with hand files properly used. Probably more 1911s have been damaged by the misuse of a Dremel.
If you don't have it, you should visit Brownell's web site and order their 1911 catalog.
They have a Master catalog that costs $5 and they will apply that $5 to your first order or include it free wit your first order. The 1911 and AR specific catalogs are free. They also have a reloading catalog from Sinclair and a police supply catalog.
The 1911s built in the last 10-15 years are far superior to the old Colt's and military contract war production guns, save for the beautiful Colt polish and blue job. But many fine old Colt and other collectable 1911s are too valuable start in with power tools and alter the collector value to near zero.
If you find a used 1911 that has already been rusted, filed, milled and hammered, fix it up with new sights a beavertail grip safety and maybe a new aluminum trigger with a stop. Those changes don't have to cost an arm and a leg and they address the most critical issues of a 1911A1 that can be fixed easily.
Making a 1911 operate with hollow-point ammunition has to be done correctly or you can destroy the frame and/or the barrel. If you have access to a front sight staking tool, replacing the front sight is not terribly difficult. The rear sight can be taller and fit the factory dovetail. But both front and rear sights might require a skilled lathe operator. But such a job can be done with hand files IF you have the correct files and the skill to cut a dovetail.
To do such advanced hand work requires a solid vise on a sturdy bench that is fastened down to the wall studs and maybe the floor.
If you can buy a beat-up 1911, you can learn a lot fixing it up and have a lot of fun.
Learn how to fix your own guns, it could save you some money. But you really can't work on other people's guns without having a FFL gunsmith license. If there is societal collapse, some skill as a gunsmith and having some tools and parts can make you a valuable asset to a small village or town.
This is my first post here, found your forum while surfing and usually post on ksccw dot com
There are some tasks that are hard to do without a milling machine, although they can be done with hand files properly used. Probably more 1911s have been damaged by the misuse of a Dremel.
If you don't have it, you should visit Brownell's web site and order their 1911 catalog.
They have a Master catalog that costs $5 and they will apply that $5 to your first order or include it free wit your first order. The 1911 and AR specific catalogs are free. They also have a reloading catalog from Sinclair and a police supply catalog.
The 1911s built in the last 10-15 years are far superior to the old Colt's and military contract war production guns, save for the beautiful Colt polish and blue job. But many fine old Colt and other collectable 1911s are too valuable start in with power tools and alter the collector value to near zero.
If you find a used 1911 that has already been rusted, filed, milled and hammered, fix it up with new sights a beavertail grip safety and maybe a new aluminum trigger with a stop. Those changes don't have to cost an arm and a leg and they address the most critical issues of a 1911A1 that can be fixed easily.
Making a 1911 operate with hollow-point ammunition has to be done correctly or you can destroy the frame and/or the barrel. If you have access to a front sight staking tool, replacing the front sight is not terribly difficult. The rear sight can be taller and fit the factory dovetail. But both front and rear sights might require a skilled lathe operator. But such a job can be done with hand files IF you have the correct files and the skill to cut a dovetail.
To do such advanced hand work requires a solid vise on a sturdy bench that is fastened down to the wall studs and maybe the floor.
If you can buy a beat-up 1911, you can learn a lot fixing it up and have a lot of fun.
Learn how to fix your own guns, it could save you some money. But you really can't work on other people's guns without having a FFL gunsmith license. If there is societal collapse, some skill as a gunsmith and having some tools and parts can make you a valuable asset to a small village or town.
This is my first post here, found your forum while surfing and usually post on ksccw dot com
JimMacklin- Posts : 1
Join date : 2013-03-24
Age : 78
Location : Kansas -
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum