1911 upgrades

[Churchmouse]

This year I have decided to build each of my kids a 1911. A legacy piece for each of them. I have 3 of them done for the boys. Last one up is for my youngest and only daughter.
I will include pics of the 3 completed pieces in this thread but right now I would like to document the process.
Picked up this low round count Springer RO. It is as built no mods. Good shape. Pretty fair frame to slide fit. Sat down with her and went over what she would like. I have put a butt load of parts in the mail and will list everything when they start to filter in.

The gun....

It begins

I will update this as I go through the process. I hope you enjoy.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Awesome!

 

[jrbfishn]

Nice, I like 1911s.

Sent from my RCT6873W42 using Tapatalk

 

[Churchmouse]

I hope to get this one on the bench today. We have been assailed with sub-zero weather and snow here. Work load has went up dramatically.

 

[RatBikeRod]

That is a great idea for your kids. Mine will simply I inherit a very nice mix of 1911’s and other things. I plan to bequeath specific ones to each of my kids (2).

I suspect my son, who is in the Navy, will get the most. My daughter, who is a missionary, will get a few special ones to keep for her kids when they get back to the states.

 

[Churchmouse]

That is a great idea for your kids. Mine will simply I inherit a very nice mix of 1911’s and other things. I plan to bequeath specific ones to each of my kids (2).

I suspect my son, who is in the Navy, will get the most. My daughter, who is a missionary, will get a few special ones to keep for her kids when they get back to the states.

I have more than a few that will most likely be sold off to fund other things should I live past enjoying shooting them. The ones I am building will have their names engraved on them.
I will see that they get ample ammo/mags

Did not get to the bench today. It is stupid cold here and I was attending to other issues. Tomorrow will be a good day for this work.

 

[Churchmouse]

Got caught up with the weather (Hvac) and got to the bench.
There is always a lot of lumps and bumps on a mid level 1911 fit up at the back of the slide. A lot of folks never even notice this. Extractor and ejector are the culprits here.

Jigged up in the Parrot Vice.....

Some cautious use of a dremmel and the results are fair.

I fit up the grip safety but I am anything but pleased with it. I used a Wilson part against my better judgment but EGW was out of the .220 Radius grip safety's. Springers do not have a lot of tail meat to work with.

 

[Churchmouse]

The frame and slide are at the machine shop. Getting all the show off cool stuff done.
I have a mill/lathe but lack some of the jigs required.

 

[Churchmouse]

I had hopped to make some progress on this but Life/weather has been keeping me out of the shop.
I have all the parts/pieces in hand now.

More soon.

 

[Saltyag2010]

Wow. I’ll be watching this one. What was your inspiration?

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Wow. I’ll be watching this one. What was your inspiration?

From the OP...
"This year I have decided to build each of my kids a 1911. A legacy piece for each of them. I have 3 of them done for the boys. Last one up is for my youngest and only daughter. "

 

[Saltyag2010]

From the OP...
"This year I have decided to build each of my kids a 1911. A legacy piece for each of them. I have 3 of them done for the boys. Last one up is for my youngest and only daughter. "

I meant to ask what style of 1911 was he going for.

You know like how he wants it to look when complete.

 

[Churchmouse]

I am setting this one up to meet the style expectations of a early 30's female (Daughter) that has good taste.
I have a theme I follow with most of my 1911's. Blend and smooth everything. Depending on the current mood there will be some show off machine work to the slide. I will show all of this in pics.
The ceracote will be these colors only in reverse. The slide will be the silver-ish color and the frame will be Armorers black. All the external controls will be stainless. I have them in hand and will be doing a brushed finish on them. The magwell is a wide Dawson precision piece.
The grips are VZ's in their "Woorple" finish.

Once the terrible winter weather gives us a break I will be back on this.

 

[Charlie]

I am setting this one up to meet the style expectations of a early 30's female (Daughter) that has good taste.
I have a theme I follow with most of my 1911's. Blend and smooth everything. Depending on the current mood there will be some show off machine work to the slide. I will show all of this in pics.
The ceracote will be these colors only in reverse. The slide will be the silver-ish color and the frame will be Armorers black. All the external controls will be stainless. I have them in hand and will be doing a brushed finish on them. The magwell is a wide Dawson precision piece.
The grips are VZ's in their "Woorple" finish.

Once the terrible winter weather gives us a break I will be back on this.

Very nice!

 

[Churchmouse]

OK. Machine work is done and it is in color.
Titanium slide. Armorers black frame. The external controls will be Stainless.

Some show off machine work.

A nice ball cut for accent.

The slide has been relieved. No roll marks remain.

The notch has been machined to lessen the restriction caused by the disconnector. It does work.

 

[Dred]

@Churchmouse - that is some wow work. Ti is a beast; I'm impressed.

 

[plasman]

Looking very nice...

 

[Churchmouse]

Finally got some time today so we made a bit of positive progress.
1st Pic prepping to stack the plunger tube to the frame.

2nd pic using the staking tool.

3rd pic the tube is mounted.

4th pic using the site pushing tool to put the rear sight in place.

5th pic...the slide is assembled. All the new bits are laid out and waiting.

 

[karlac]

Loving this thread ...
Keep up the pics

 

[jrbfishn]

I'm adoptable......

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