How to Build Your Own 1911 Pistol at Home

Aaron Spuler is a firearms enthusiast and recreational shooter. Follow more or his work at The Weapon Blog

Did you know you can build your own 1911 pistol at home, no paperwork or government bureaucracy required? You can. So, how exactly do you build your own 1911 pistol at home? First thing’s first: A 1911 80% build dictates that you can order your not-yet-a-pistol and have it shipped to your home via regular mail 100% legally, just like an AR15 80% lower. You’ll need to machine the slide rails, hammer and sear pin holes, and the barrel seat. It might sound like a lot, but it really isn’t.

Building Your 1911 at Home Starts with a Frame

Building your own 1911 pistol at home starts with picking out your 1911 80% frame! You’ll need to decide whether you want 9mm or good ole’ .45 ACP. You can also opt for the classic government 5” or the commander 4.25” size pistol.

Keep in mind, the original 1911 was made of steel, and many popular models still are. You can opt for a lighter weight and easier-to-machine frame made from 7075 T6 aluminum, or you can go for a steel frame – just know that steel is a bit harder to machine.

Step 2: Get the Right Tools to Build Your 1911

Machining your not-a-1911 into a functional pistol requires some pretty basic, off-the-shelf tooling. All you need to do is cut the slide rails and barrel seat, and drill out the hammer pin hole and sear pin hole. That means you’ll need a hand drill or router, a drill bit, and a ball nose end mill cutter.

Step 3: Invest in a 1911 Jig!

Picking out a new, shiny 1911 jig is what excites us most. The 1911 jig will measure and guide your cutting and drilling on that 80% 1911 frame, doing the work for you while you provide the muscle on that drill or router. Remember, you’re just cutting the frame rails and barrel seat, and drilling two holes. The jig really does it all for you. Too easy.

Step 4: Buy the parts needed to finish your 1911

Believe it or not, machining your 1911 80% frame is the hardest part, and it really isn’t difficult thanks to that 1911 jig. The really fun part comes next: picking all the parts you need to assemble and truly customize your 1911! You’ll need the following stuff to turn that machined 1911 frame into a fully-functional pistol:

· Grip, grip bushings, and screws
· Pin set
· Mainspring housing
· Grip safety
· Thumb safety
· Slide stop
· Trigger
· Sear
· Disconnector
· Plunger Tube
· Hammer and strut
· Magazine catch
· Ejector
· Slide
· Barrel, bushing, link and pin
· Recoil guide
· Extractor
· Firing pin stop
· Magazine

Step 5: Put it all together!

With your 1911 frame machined and your pistol parts finally delivered, it’s time to put it all together. Assembling a 1911 is about as easy as putting an AR15 together, and we’ve even got some cool how-to pieces and guides to walk you through the process.

With everything assembled, it’s time to hit the range. Enjoy your 100% legal-to-own 1911! You built this 1911 at home and you never needed to sign a single piece of paper or deal with any government bureaucracy. Enjoy.

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Author bio: William McAllister is a writer who enjoys the simple things in life; waking up in a tent deep in the woods, a black cup of coffee and a flip phone.

Source: http://www.weapon-blog.com/2018/03/how-to-build-your-own-1911-pistol-at-home/