1911 pistol

diver1

I am going to the local gun show today. Can anyone tell me what
it would cost to refurbish or rebuild a 45 if I could buy the
frame and slide at the show. The older colts and wwII guns cost
around $700 and up in this area.I am looking at a shooter not
a collectible and want an older gun. thanks

Rafter-S

I guess you are talking about making what is known as a "parts gun." I don't know what it would cost to buy all the parts--has a lot to do with the quality of the parts you put in it--but you ought to be able to buy a complete gun for around $300 or so.

It's been my experience that most people sell parts guns because they are not too satisfied with the performance. They have a low resale value. You might want to reconsider the venture and save enough to buy an old Colt or Springfield in fair condition.

My humble opinion.
Rafter-S

dheffley

If you don't have a good contact, you'll probably spend as much in parts as a good gun (not great) will cost. Then you either have to do all of the fitting and finishing yourself, or pay a gunsmith. If you have a frame and slide, you'll spend another $150 in parts to complete it.

If you find some old barrel and surplus parts, and someone who'll give you a deal on a "kit", you might get it down to $125. Add a $100 used frame, and a $75 used slide and you're looking at aroud $300 or more before fit and finish. You can find parts guns that someone else has already tried for around $250 to $275. Some require more fit and finish, some shoot good.

If you want a cheap shooter, you can pick up a Charles Daly for around the same money. If you don't know anything about fitting parts on a 1911, I would go with a lower cost complete gun.

Good luck, and let us know how you come out.

Save, research, then buy the best.Join the NRA, NOW!Teach them young, teach them safe, teach them forever, but most of all, teach them to VOTE!

E.Williams

Get a new Springfield Armory Mil-Spec you will be glad you did down the road.They only run around $450.00 and its brand new.

Eric S. Williams

Rafter-S

I have a buddy who put together a parts gun. It has an Essex frame, Colt slide and some good internal parts. He's tinkered off and on for 10 years with that gun--finally got it to shoot pretty good (with certain types of ammo). But he has more $ tied up in it than if he had bought a Colt in the first place. However, he's thoroughly enjoyed the adventure of "building his own."

Personally, I don't have that much patience.

My humble opinion,
Rafter-S



Edited by - Rafter-S on 08/25/2002 09:47:29

offeror

Frankly, this is one of those chicken or egg questions. If you know all the parts you need to build a 1911, why would you need any input? A parts gun will usually have to be broken in a bit more than a manufacturer's gun, to allow your patchwork of parts to "mate" a bit. I agree that you can probably find a used gun for the same amount of money -- perhaps an off-brand, but I would find it easier, and more of a sure thing, to change the springs and do a bit of maintenance on an old gun with some bluing worn off that is a bargain because it isn't pretty, than to try to build a gun from a grab bag of parts. But that's just me. It sounds like a fascinating project and one would sure become familiar with the "manual of arms" by building one's own 1911. If that's what you want to do, I just hope you don't forget to buy something (like I do at the hardware store) and come home short of everything you need for a complete build.

If I were you, I'd go to the show on Saturday, and be prepared to go back on Sunday to buy anything else you forgot. But I have built subwoofer enclosures from computer-generated plans, and I can tell you that I spent as much building my own as it would have cost me to buy a pair of subwoofers. The only difference is, my dad & I had a pretty interesting time out in the garage using the tools for a few days. I say, if want to build a parts gun, knock yourself out. Get a diagram with a complete parts list, and go get what you need. I would still spring for a set of 1911 Wolff springs if I were you (pun intended). You'll need to be able to assure reliable cycle, and that's the easiest way. And try to get a slide with a relieved ejection port. To avoid the whole hammer bite issue, I'd buy the rounded Commander-style hammer too. If you go skeletonized on the hammer, keep in mind you may need a little heavier hammer spring to make up for the lighter weight to pop your primers reliably.

- Life NRA Member
"If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878

The firearms consultant

If you buy a Caspian frame and slide, you can fit them together and then buy parts as you can afford them. Caspian makes good stuff for the DO IT YOURSELFER.
John

I might not always tell you the truth, but I will never lie to you!

diver1

Thanks for all the comments. I will continue to look around
for a shooter..

gskyhawk

diver1: check out auction number 5114474 here on GB , it maybe what you are looking for

Matt45

If it's not too late, (Aw, h*$%, even if it IS!):

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=5098432

Reserving my Right to Arm Bears!!!!