My newest project 1911

[Nickb]

Shooting .45 acp a lot is expensive, I don't care for many pistols other than 1911s. So I stumbled upon a 1911 chambered in 9mm. Picked it up online for $340 shipped. Then I was amazed that I had to pay a transfer fee and have a background check done before leaving The gun shop. I was out the door for under $400.
Anyways, it's a Citadel 9mm 5" barrel 1911, it was cheap and I'm a sucker for workin on these damn things.
First impression... very impressed, it's tight, smooth and the barrel locks up tight. I will eventually change everything on this besides the frame, slide and barrel. So I have a good fitting base to work from.
I shot a few hundred rounds out of it and now it's in pieces... my project has started.



I have a barrel bushing on the way from EGW (first thing I do on all my 1911s). They cut it to your specs, for something like $27.
While I'm waiting for that and bullets to show up I undercut the trigger guard and started checkering the front strap.



Should be finished with the checkering tomorrow, barrel bushing will be in next week and I will flush cut and crown the barrel to the new bushing.

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[iamme]

Checkering looks to be a good start. I sold my jig off awhile back, and now finally working on finishing a commander build dangit.

 

[Nickb]

Thanks, i got a dang ol double line right in the middle. Starting the vertical lines is the hardest part IMO. I will try to get rid of it before I have it cerakoted.

Done with the pattern file, going to depth with the riffler.

Done with horizontals, starting to go to depth on the verticals.

The line in the middle looks real ugly, but I'm still learning this checking business.

 

[iamme]

Great gun to learn on! Hours put in make for a reward!..... One day I'll be able to put in the time I need. Lol

 

[BAMCIS]

Very interesting. I've kinda been keeping my eye out for a commander sized Ruger SR1911 for some ideas I have bouncing around in my head that I'd like to try too.

Perfect wintertime project.

 

[Nickb]

My Ruger CMD that I've done a little work on. I've been shooting this pistol for uspsa and steel challenge matches, along with carrying it everyday. I still have some final clean up work to do in this one as well.

 

[BAMCIS]

View attachment 112239

Aww dammit Nick, you stole my idea!! That's pretty much what I had in mind. Beautiful work sir.


Ed Brown jig and MSH?

 

[Nickb]

Thank you. I wanted a Dan Wesson but couldn't afford one. I could afford a Ruger and the time to put into it.
Yes it's an Ed Brown MSH, and I used the Ed Brown jig to drill the new hole.

 

[BAMCIS]

Oh, and I have those very same grips on my Kobra Carry. I love the way they look on a stainless gun, but even more than that, the way they feel.

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This must mean great minds think alike.

 

[Nickb]

I love the operator 2s. I like the thin profile.

 

[bellarum]

They both look awesome! Nice work!

 

[Gun Mechanic]

Nice work! Thought about doing the same thing. Can't wait to see it finished. With your skill level I'm surprised you don't reload .45. I've got a box of 50 rounds down to about $6.60 reusing casings.

 

[Nickb]

I reload, but I shoot 2000+rounds a month. I think I figured 9mm to be about 6 or 7 cents/round cheaper to load than 45.
Also I will never have to buy brass for the 9mm. I can pick it up all day at the range.

 

[Nickb]

I had perfect timing when I ordered my barrel bushing from EGW. I called on Wednesday afternoon and they were running bushing Wednesday night. It showed up today, I ordered a .701 o.d., .579 angle bored bushing. Perfect fit on the barrel (it measures .5787), the fit in the slide was a little "snug", I could fit a .7005 precision pin into the slide, so .701 was right where I wanted it. A little fine lapping compound and a bushing wrench was able to work the bushing into the slide, a few turns with the wrench, took the bushing out, cleaned everything up and put it all back together.
I will flush cut and re crown the barrel in the morning.

 

[BAMCIS]

I will flush cut and re crown the barrel in the morning.

I'm looking forward to seeing that.



That was another idea I was kicking around.

How about a recessed slide stop?

 

[Nickb]

I prefer a flush slide stop,'but they are a pain in the butt to put together.

 

[Nickb]

I didn't get the barrel all the way flush. It's kind of a measure and cut once deal, dialing in the lands and grooves is kind of a pain.

 

[balline36m3]

You doing this gun at work? I'll have to come over and see it if you do

 

[Nickb]

Yea, I usually have it down there. If you come check it out bring some work with ya.

 

[BAMCIS]

You better be careful Nick. Bill Wilson or Ed Brown may see this. Then you'll be doing stuff like this full time.

Seriously, this is beautiful work. Thanks for posting.