Might get to finish afterall - The Firearms Forum

JLA · 02-21-2010, 04:45 PM

I am happy to say i have finally been able to afford the extra dough to finish my 1911 build. Just put the rest of the order in and all the parts will be here by wednesday

Only gonna be waiting on one backorder, but ill have plenty to work on until it arrives. Im happier than a tornado in a trailer park

Shooter45 · 02-21-2010, 04:46 PM

Get us up to speed on your project and keep us posted.

JLA · 02-21-2010, 05:02 PM

hooah... I started it about a year and a half ago. Stu got a couple of essex frames with the picatinny forged into em and he sold me one for like 90 or 100 bucks. I immediately went home and ordered an essex enhanced slide to match so Id have something to start with. Slide came in, and I fitted the frame and slide. I happend to have a new hogue wrap around in the bottom drawer of my reloading desk so i mounted it and ordered a couple other parts to start with. I tinkered with it for about a week and then came accross an article about johnny rowland and his high performance conversion for 1911s. I thought how cool it would be to have a 1911 with .44 mag power to hunt hogs with, so I put together an order. Order total was around 1200 bucks, but i had already gotten the frame slide and a few other odds which brought it down to like 800 or so. We were beginning to slow down a little at work and there wasnt much coming through the gunshop either so I held off on the order until things began to shape up. So the half finished pistol hang from a nail over my reloading desk staring at me for a little over a year. Well the oilfield is coming back to life and things are really looking good at work so i put in the rest of my order just about 30 minutes ago. They had to backorder the conversion kit but everything else will ship tomorrow, plus I have another barrel i can use until the conversion kit comes in. Ill take some pictures soon and document the build from start to finish and explian what i have already done...

Shooter45 · 02-21-2010, 05:57 PM

Great idea. Thanks.

JLA · 02-22-2010, 01:32 PM

Heres the pistol thus far... As stated above, I had fitted the frame and slide about a year ago before grinding to a halt financially. I just finished polishing the slideways and barrel lockup areas this morning, right now it feels like rubbing 2 pieces of glass together. I have one last catchy spot to work out of the action right where the frame contacts the slide just past slide lock. Its only there when the barrel and recoil spring/guide rod are installed so I suspect its the base of the guiderod contacting the slide at the base of the dust cover, no biggie, just a little file work, emery cloth and some 40X to polish the area back smooth. below are some pics the way she looks right now, shes gonna look alot different when complete. This is just the ugly birth of a beautiful beast

jacksonco · 02-22-2010, 02:23 PM

It looks like you are well on your way. Did you purchase any how to books or are you just doing it from skills you picked up over the years? If so let me in on the titles. Building my own 1911 is something I may try to tackle one day. I can't wait to see how yours turns out.

TheGunClinger · 02-22-2010, 05:27 PM

Looks really good so far. I envy you and your skills. I have an Essex frame 1911 I bought from my smith. He built it for himself but sold it to me so I would stop whining. It is a Commander style with a Colt barrel and the smoothest trigger. I just wish that it had that rail. I know most 1911 lovers dont like the rail but I do. It also has the extended slide release as I see yours does also.Mine has the ambi safety which is good for me as I am a lefty. What finish are you going to use and are you going to have the backstrap and front grip checkered?

JLA · 02-22-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksonco

It looks like you are well on your way. Did you purchase any how to books or are you just doing it from skills you picked up over the years? If so let me in on the titles. Building my own 1911 is something I may try to tackle one day. I can't wait to see how yours turns out.

No books jackson, Just years of fascination and studying how these things work. All you need is a schematic of original dimensions and you could build one with pretty simple tools. Most parts are manufactured to maximum tolerances, meaning hand fitting is required to get proper function when building a new pistol from scratch. I used a small flat bastard file, 220 grit scope ring lapping compound, emery cloth, and remington 40X bore cleaner to fit the slide and polish the slideways and rails. Most of the rest of the fitting will be minor and quick. I spent about 3 hrs fitting the frame and slide and about 3 hrs polishing it and smoothing it up. Ill pass a tip to you that was passed to me from a former member of this forum about building 1911s, study the schematic, JMBs original design, then draw it yourself from memory. stash247 told me that in a PM about 2 years ago and it helped me to fully understand the way this machine is designed to work. Thanks stash, RIP.

JLA · 02-22-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGunClinger

Looks really good so far. I envy you and your skills. I have an Essex frame 1911 I bought from my smith. He built it for himself but sold it to me so I would stop whining. It is a Commander style with a Colt barrel and the smoothest trigger. I just wish that it had that rail. I know most 1911 lovers dont like the rail but I do. It also has the extended slide release as I see yours does also.Mine has the ambi safety which is good for me as I am a lefty. What finish are you going to use and are you going to have the backstrap and front grip checkered?

I am using an old colt mk4 series 70 barrel and and a spare wilson combat ext. slide stop to fit this thing, they wont be there when its done. Ill use the barrel for testing purposes until the rowland ships. It will wear an extended slide stop but it will be matte black carbon steel, instead of stainless, with matching thumb safety, smith and alexander beavertail with memory pad, smith and alexander mainspring housing with sharp checkering. Im using a hogue wraparound rubber grip so no need to checker the front strap. Since its going to be a hunting pistol the rail will wear a flashlight and the finish is going to be Gunkote Matte OD. The .460 rowland generates quite a bit of recoil so the rubber grip will be much appreciated. I cant wait to take it squirrel hunting

JLA · 02-23-2010, 07:51 PM

hooah! Got the catchy spot out. About .030" lump of steel just behind the dustcover on the left side of the pistol. The guiderod was contacting it and binding, not anymore, its glass all the way down

My parts shipped today, I should have it shooting by the weekend

JLA · 02-26-2010, 07:32 PM

ALMOST THERE!!! I just got the rest of the parts fitted and the pistol assembled. It passed its first magazine full with no hiccups, Ill bead blast it over the weekend and get er gunkoted. I have always liked my guns, alot, but I LOVE this one, almost as much as my wife.

(ducking)

...

Heres a few pics...

JLA · 03-03-2010, 02:49 PM

Heres a quick update. Just got back from the workshop abrasive blasting the frame and slide with aluminum oxide 80/90 media. Im now degreasing and getting ready to apply the finish. Ill take pics and post them just before I apply the finish and then again after its been baked and cured. and then the final assembly and some final pics of the finished product. All that will leave will be a range report

Shooter45 · 03-03-2010, 02:55 PM

Looking good.

JLA · 03-03-2010, 09:21 PM

Thanks bossman...
here are a couple pics during the refinishing process. the first one is of the stripped parts heating in the oven during the degreasing process.
The second is just after the second coat of gun-kote matte OD, they are awaiting the oven for thier cure time.

FTK87 · 03-03-2010, 10:41 PM

Lookin good, can't wait to see the finished product!

JLA · 03-03-2010, 11:00 PM

well the wait is over bro, i just got it together and function tested it in the backyard. All im waiting on now is the .460 rowland barrel which should be here around the ides of march. Right now it has a .45acp barrel in it. Sexy aint it???

JLA · 03-03-2010, 11:02 PM

and a couple more

JLA · 03-03-2010, 11:04 PM

cant wait to build another

Might do a hot pink and balck one for my wife next

jack404 · 03-04-2010, 03:06 AM

great job !!!!

i am so envious

one day i'll do similar but have a bit of work to do before then

cheers to you JLA

well done!!!

todd51 · 03-04-2010, 07:31 AM

That is gorgeous !!! Has to be extra special when you build it your self.

JLA · 03-04-2010, 09:38 AM

Thanks guys. Youre right todd, its ultra special when you build it yourself, as you can see i even have some blood invested in this build (slipped with needle file)

JLA · 03-06-2010, 10:07 AM

just an update... still waiting on the rowland barrel to ship so I have put about 200 rounds of .45acp through it to kinda break it in. It shoots great, the sights line up very quickly and naturally and i walked an empty ozarka water bottle accross the backyard with it at 20 yds. I took pictures of the groups but I cant figure out how to get them from my phone to the computer.

The only con so far... shooting a couple hundred rounds has the finish dinged up a little around the ejection port. Its normal wear and tear but unlike a blued gun which will just wear a small shiny spot, the gun-kote actaully dings like a paintjob on a car. it aint bad and it should be expected but a slight raduis on all the sharp edges of future builds getting gun-koted should cure the problem. So im making a mental note of it and offering the advice for you future builders. I dont mind the wear but there is a way to prevent it

Suicide*Ride · 03-15-2010, 12:14 AM

(Wiping the drool as I type) It's really rare to see beauty in a tool or piece of machinery....

JLA, Brother..... you really outdid yourself w/ that one!

I sure would like to fondle ol' girl....

.... maybe 1 day we'll get to shake hands & swap our 'babies' @ a range/meet.

SR

JLA · 03-15-2010, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suicide*Ride

(Wiping the drool as I type) It's really rare to see beauty in a tool or piece of machinery....

JLA, Brother..... you really outdid yourself w/ that one!

I sure would like to fondle ol' girl....

.... maybe 1 day we'll get to shake hands & swap our 'babies' @ a range/meet.

SR

Sounds like a plan to me

Thanks for the compliments...

Shooter45 · 03-16-2010, 08:15 AM

Looks good. One thing about a Gun Kote finish , not very durable. I refinished my race gun about 4 times the first year due to dings and scratches. I wasn't too careful with that pistol due the to fast and furious shooting style of the sport so it really wasn't a big deal. I could have parkerized the slide but not much I could so with the polymer frame. So, in my mind, GunKote was the way to go.

Since no one has asked, I'll help with the break in if you will send the finished pistol and a case of ammo.

I'm looking forward to the range report.

02-21-2010, 04:45 PM	#1
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Might get to finish afterall I am happy to say i have finally been able to afford the extra dough to finish my 1911 build. Just put the rest of the order in and all the parts will be here by wednesday Only gonna be waiting on one backorder, but ill have plenty to work on until it arrives. Im happier than a tornado in a trailer park __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF! -->

02-21-2010, 04:46 PM	#2
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,752	Re: Might get to finish afterall Get us up to speed on your project and keep us posted.

02-21-2010, 05:02 PM	#3
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Might get to finish afterall hooah... I started it about a year and a half ago. Stu got a couple of essex frames with the picatinny forged into em and he sold me one for like 90 or 100 bucks. I immediately went home and ordered an essex enhanced slide to match so Id have something to start with. Slide came in, and I fitted the frame and slide. I happend to have a new hogue wrap around in the bottom drawer of my reloading desk so i mounted it and ordered a couple other parts to start with. I tinkered with it for about a week and then came accross an article about johnny rowland and his high performance conversion for 1911s. I thought how cool it would be to have a 1911 with .44 mag power to hunt hogs with, so I put together an order. Order total was around 1200 bucks, but i had already gotten the frame slide and a few other odds which brought it down to like 800 or so. We were beginning to slow down a little at work and there wasnt much coming through the gunshop either so I held off on the order until things began to shape up. So the half finished pistol hang from a nail over my reloading desk staring at me for a little over a year. Well the oilfield is coming back to life and things are really looking good at work so i put in the rest of my order just about 30 minutes ago. They had to backorder the conversion kit but everything else will ship tomorrow, plus I have another barrel i can use until the conversion kit comes in. Ill take some pictures soon and document the build from start to finish and explian what i have already done... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

02-21-2010, 05:57 PM	#4
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,752	Re: Might get to finish afterall Great idea. Thanks.

02-22-2010, 01:32 PM	#5
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Might get to finish afterall Heres the pistol thus far... As stated above, I had fitted the frame and slide about a year ago before grinding to a halt financially. I just finished polishing the slideways and barrel lockup areas this morning, right now it feels like rubbing 2 pieces of glass together. I have one last catchy spot to work out of the action right where the frame contacts the slide just past slide lock. Its only there when the barrel and recoil spring/guide rod are installed so I suspect its the base of the guiderod contacting the slide at the base of the dust cover, no biggie, just a little file work, emery cloth and some 40X to polish the area back smooth. below are some pics the way she looks right now, shes gonna look alot different when complete. This is just the ugly birth of a beautiful beast Attached Images __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

02-22-2010, 02:23 PM	#6
jacksonco Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jackson County West Virginia Posts: 2,237	Re: Might get to finish afterall It looks like you are well on your way. Did you purchase any how to books or are you just doing it from skills you picked up over the years? If so let me in on the titles. Building my own 1911 is something I may try to tackle one day. I can't wait to see how yours turns out.

02-22-2010, 05:27 PM	#7
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,382	Re: Might get to finish afterall Looks really good so far. I envy you and your skills. I have an Essex frame 1911 I bought from my smith. He built it for himself but sold it to me so I would stop whining. It is a Commander style with a Colt barrel and the smoothest trigger. I just wish that it had that rail. I know most 1911 lovers dont like the rail but I do. It also has the extended slide release as I see yours does also.Mine has the ambi safety which is good for me as I am a lefty. What finish are you going to use and are you going to have the backstrap and front grip checkered? __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

02-23-2010, 07:51 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Might get to finish afterall hooah! Got the catchy spot out. About .030" lump of steel just behind the dustcover on the left side of the pistol. The guiderod was contacting it and binding, not anymore, its glass all the way down My parts shipped today, I should have it shooting by the weekend __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

02-26-2010, 07:32 PM	#11
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Might get to finish afterall ALMOST THERE!!! I just got the rest of the parts fitted and the pistol assembled. It passed its first magazine full with no hiccups, Ill bead blast it over the weekend and get er gunkoted. I have always liked my guns, alot, but I LOVE this one, almost as much as my wife. (ducking) ... Heres a few pics... Attached Images __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-03-2010, 02:49 PM	#12
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Might get to finish afterall Heres a quick update. Just got back from the workshop abrasive blasting the frame and slide with aluminum oxide 80/90 media. Im now degreasing and getting ready to apply the finish. Ill take pics and post them just before I apply the finish and then again after its been baked and cured. and then the final assembly and some final pics of the finished product. All that will leave will be a range report __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-03-2010, 02:55 PM	#13
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,752	Re: Might get to finish afterall Looking good.

03-03-2010, 09:21 PM	#14
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Might get to finish afterall Thanks bossman... here are a couple pics during the refinishing process. the first one is of the stripped parts heating in the oven during the degreasing process. The second is just after the second coat of gun-kote matte OD, they are awaiting the oven for thier cure time. Attached Images __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-03-2010, 10:41 PM	#15
FTK87 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chouteau, Oklahoma Posts: 481	Re: Might get to finish afterall Lookin good, can't wait to see the finished product! __________________ I NEED .22-250 BRASS!!! http://www.OklahomaSportsmen.com

03-03-2010, 11:00 PM	#16
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Might get to finish afterall well the wait is over bro, i just got it together and function tested it in the backyard. All im waiting on now is the .460 rowland barrel which should be here around the ides of march. Right now it has a .45acp barrel in it. Sexy aint it??? Attached Images __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-03-2010, 11:02 PM	#17
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Might get to finish afterall and a couple more Attached Images __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-03-2010, 11:04 PM	#18
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Might get to finish afterall cant wait to build another Might do a hot pink and balck one for my wife next __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-04-2010, 03:06 AM	#19
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: Might get to finish afterall great job !!!! i am so envious one day i'll do similar but have a bit of work to do before then cheers to you JLA well done!!!

03-04-2010, 07:31 AM	#20
todd51 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central, Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,572	Re: Might get to finish afterall That is gorgeous !!! Has to be extra special when you build it your self. __________________ Retired Praefectus Vigilum NRA Endowment Member

03-04-2010, 09:38 AM	#21
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Might get to finish afterall Thanks guys. Youre right todd, its ultra special when you build it yourself, as you can see i even have some blood invested in this build (slipped with needle file) __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-06-2010, 10:07 AM	#22
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Might get to finish afterall just an update... still waiting on the rowland barrel to ship so I have put about 200 rounds of .45acp through it to kinda break it in. It shoots great, the sights line up very quickly and naturally and i walked an empty ozarka water bottle accross the backyard with it at 20 yds. I took pictures of the groups but I cant figure out how to get them from my phone to the computer. The only con so far... shooting a couple hundred rounds has the finish dinged up a little around the ejection port. Its normal wear and tear but unlike a blued gun which will just wear a small shiny spot, the gun-kote actaully dings like a paintjob on a car. it aint bad and it should be expected but a slight raduis on all the sharp edges of future builds getting gun-koted should cure the problem. So im making a mental note of it and offering the advice for you future builders. I dont mind the wear but there is a way to prevent it __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-15-2010, 12:14 AM	#23
Suicide*Ride Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Golden, Colorado Posts: 1,340	Re: Might get to finish afterall (Wiping the drool as I type) It's really rare to see beauty in a tool or piece of machinery.... JLA, Brother..... you *really* outdid yourself w/ that one! I sure would like to fondle ol' girl........ maybe 1 day we'll get to shake hands & swap our 'babies' @ a range/meet. SR __________________ "The price of FREEDOM can be seen here" ******(the sign outside every VA hospital)****** In an emergency, people don't rise to the occasion, but are reduced to their level of training. When something is trying to eat you, it is hard to get off a good shot! "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Twain

03-16-2010, 08:15 AM	#25
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,752	Re: Might get to finish afterall Looks good. One thing about a Gun Kote finish , not very durable. I refinished my race gun about 4 times the first year due to dings and scratches. I wasn't too careful with that pistol due the to fast and furious shooting style of the sport so it really wasn't a big deal. I could have parkerized the slide but not much I could so with the polymer frame. So, in my mind, GunKote was the way to go. Since no one has asked, I'll help with the break in if you will send the finished pistol and a case of ammo. I'm looking forward to the range report.