More than two years ago, Assistant Editor Bob Boyd, a longtime fan of the 1911 platform, decided that he needed a 1911 that he'd built with his own two hands. After years of advice, encouragement, frustration and success, he finally finished a custom 1911.
Throughout these past two years, Boyd has chronicled his journey by offering tips and tricks to those hoping to build their own custom 1911. First off, he addresses the obvious question: Why? What's the benefit of building a 1911 rather than buying one off the shelf? It's a valid question, and it's one he answers at length in his first few pieces.
After laying the groundwork with some reasoning and research, Boyd gets into the details of what's really needed for success. While a fully loaded machine shop sure is a nice thing to have, it really isn't needed. Below, you'll find a collection of easy-to-find tools that will allow anyone to build a 1911.
Every step of the process is covered, and Boyd even discusses safe and proper testing techniques to make sure everything is in working order before you light off the first round. Follow this guide, and you'll find yourself with a handmade, custom 1911:
- Wrangling a Warhorse of my own
- Weighing the Work With the Reward
- An Exercise in (Self-Defense-Oriented) Minimalism
- Laying the Groundwork for Success
- The Benefits of Doing Homework and Giving Extra Credit
- Fit With Function
- An Alternative Without “Compounding” Problems
- Living the High-(Ride) Life
- Lap it up
- Backing out Under Pressure
- Blending Everything Until it Flows
- Bumps, Dings and Scratches Along the Road to Success
- Getting Over a Barrel
- Thinking Laterally (and Logically)
- Going Long
- Getting into the Groove(s) of Things
- Pesky Feet and Bow Ties
- No Clearance for Clarence (or Bob)
- Sliding Into Things
- Prepping for Extraction
- Adjusting extractor Tension
- Firing Pin and Firing-Pin Stop Install
- Sight Installation
- Magazine Catch and Release Prep and Install
- Trigger Prep and Install
- The Fire Control Group
- Advanced Hammer and Sear Prep
- Fire-Control Installation
- Ejector Installation
- Fitting thumb Safety
- Fitting Grip Safety Arm
- Grip Bushing Installation AKA Coming to Grips
- More on 1911 Grips Southpaw Solutions
- Those Extra Beneficial Touches AKA Rubbing out the “idiot scratch” and Irksome Errant
- Safety Checks
- Cycling Dummy Rounds
- Polishing the Feed Ramp
- Life-Fire Function Test
- Last-Minute Fixes
- Finishes
