info on building a 45 needed

[splattermatic]

okay all, i finaly got meself a 45 auto from bug tussell.
it's nice, shoots great, but....
i am a tinkerer......

where do i find info on changing barrels, triggers, etc.......

i want to learn, and don't know where to start......

[Bruce Allen]

What is your vision?

Start here: http://www.brownells.com/categories.aspx?c=4815

then here: http://www.wilsoncombat.com/index_1911_part_acc.htm


I bought a Springfield Armory plain jane 1911 and installed an extended safety, drop in beaver tail grip safety and then wanted a set of Wilson Combat sights installed.

The pistol is the most accurate out of the box .45's I have ever fired.


Remember George Gouger?

I sent it to him for a refinish and tuning and sight installation
He also did a "melt job" on it, tuned the action and installed the Wilson sights after putting a beautiful black finish (which he refused to tell me what exactly it was) that is simply tough as nails and is non-reflective.

Add a set of Pachmeyer finger groove grips and WOWZER what a piece!!

I just love it.

[ggiilliiee]

just ask yourself one question ......how fast do ya wanna go ?????hehe


http://www.majornyneguns.com/images/opengun2lg.jpg

http://www.majornyneguns.com/images/brian%20painted%20gun%20lg.jpg


http://www.majornyneguns.com/images/paintgunlg.jpg

[splattermatic]

well ggiilliieee,
that's just a lil bit more than i want.

it's pretty much a plain jane mutt, i am spoiled with the add on's to my 10mm.
extended slide release,safety, checkering, nice adjustable sights,etc.

first off i think a set of novak adjustable sights, then extended this and that, possibly a new barrel, mostly if i miss or do poorly it's my fault not the gun...

i was looking at barrels and it came with 4 of the pieces that the slide release goes thru, varrying sizes ??? why, what are they called, and what do they do ?

why is the mouth of the brass slightly dented ?
new exctractor ??
how do you tune it to stop the dents and make the brass go this way instead of that way.

these are the questions i would like answered, so any info like "45's for dummies" or customizing your 45, something like that...

and bruce, already been drooling all over my brownells catalog, just don't know where to start or what makes a difference over what it is already....

[Bruce Allen]

To my simple view, form follows function.

Like I already asked, what is your vision?

Race gun, competition gun, defense, or just plain plinker..????

My vision, molded from street experience, has been oriented towards defense.

Reliability is always the #1 priority, with accuracy second or third, depending on the level of accuracy the basic weapon provides, then comes everything else.

Extremely tight of tolerances produce superior accuracy, but can induce reliability problems "in the field"..

My FHB had two Colt Combat Commanders for years (in Satin finish), that would not shoot 3 - 4" at 25 yards, and he always smoked 'em in combat shooting matches..

[indy_Muaddib]

splattermatic: http://www.americangunsmith.com/view.php?id=126

they are available elsewhere for less.

the 4 pieces are barrel links, they should be marked.

you use them to fit the barrel to the slide properly

also get copies of the Kuhnhausen manuals.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=13805&title=Jerry%20Kuhnhausen%20SHOP%20MANUALS/BOOKS

also available for less elsewhere.

PM me for more info.

[Outlander]

Try www.blindhogg.com A lot of usefull info. Not hard to follow.

[chromestarhustler]

splat what you gonna do with the old barrel? and bushing? i would be interested, they shot fine. and the chamber on my rock island is almost worn out. it does unspeakable things to the brass, anyone who picked up my brass after the shoot can atest too.
ok new barrel involves matching the bushing to the barrel unless you already bought a matched set, new barrel means new bushing. and the links help time the pistol and unlock the barrel

tons of info out there do a search and you will find a ton. look forward to shooting some 45s with you next year.

[Powderfinger]

Jerry Kuhnhausen wrote the book (gunsmith shop manual actually) on all things .45.

[splattermatic]

IF i change the barrel out, it goes back to buggsie...

another question will novak sights fit a standard dovetail cut ? i read in descriptions about a novak cut ?? are they the same...
also how do you measure your front sights ? i see different heights listed.

this one has fixed and buggies reloads hit high to point of aim, wolf hit just about point of aim, if i were to use nothing more than buggie's reloads/recipes, then i need a taller front sight if i keep everything the way it is.
i want adjustables to resight, depending on what i am using after paper testing.

[indy_Muaddib]

depends on what the slides cut for.

most dovetails will require modifications if your going with Novaks.

you can fit and barrel in about an hour with hand tools, not that difficult.

[AndyC]

1. Learn how to take apart a 1911 down to the last pin so you can see how the parts interconnect - plenty of stuff on Google.

2. Most parts can be bought as "drop-in" - perhaps a slight touch of a small file needed.

3. Sight dovetails - a few manufacturers and 'smiths have their own dimensions; I dare say Novak's is the "standard", if there is such a thing. Here is some info I found at Midway USA:

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/9567/cutsab5.jpg

4. Front sight height is measured from the highest point of the sight to the top of the slide - as an example, mine's 0.180"

5. Higher front-sight would be needed if shooting high, yup - or use a lighter bullet which will shoot to a lower POI.

[ggiilliiee]

hey splatter ....
my suggestion is to
check the play in the barrel bush ..get a stainless one if ya can ..and fit it till its tight ...(locked up, fingie in muzzle see if it moves at all ...it shouldnt
next make sure link is tight ....(locked up push down on barrel at ejection port ..shouldnt be able to push down barrel more than a few thou ..)

a guide rod is verry nice but not needed .....lap the rails and slide .......

and for bettr accuracy and second shot recovery if ya dont install a comp .....is to get the load your likin and get some recoil springs at different LB ratings ....and starting with the strongest .....work your way down on lbs rating a until the pistol will fully cycle .......then bump it down a lb till it cycles "flawlessly" ....
this keeps ya from slide over travel ..and excess recoil .....makes for much better double taps ......
then if ya wanna down load for steel just to get clank and not having to worry about MAJOR....just down load ammo and repeat above spring changes ......really makes a difference .... and along with a trig with overtravel set screw ..youll be in .45 heaven
and the ejector is the same as any ejector ....the fal ejector mod page will be the same on the 45 ...drop em un mangled rite at your feet .....wont have to chase em all over gods shooting stage at the match ..hope this helps somehow ......

talk to PLUSKAT ....checked out his 45 ....one of the most well fitted stocker 45's ive seen in a long time ....verry nicely done !!:bow: and for the sights ...watch out for anything too massive ....they tend to hang up on things ......a quick draw from the waistband and ya may have your underware hanging off the end of the pistol ..hehe ...and my underware can be considered a WMD ...hehe .weapon of mass deffication ....hehe
..just a few suggestions ....:]

[jbgw]

go to www.m1911.org. There is a wealth of information.
use this link if you want to see how things are put together
http://www.m1911.org/ReassemblyAnimation.htm

[chromestarhustler]

the best bet would be a set of elliason or bomar sights or wichita arms. the rear sight is adjustable from left to right and up and down with a small screwdriver. so you could adjust for poi. alot of sights out the can be adjusted left or right with a hammer but no up and down. wilson makes a fully adjustable and so does wichita arms(the best imho)

only downside is bomar and elliason, wilson fully adjustable and wichita arms each has there own special cut, and will easily cost 200 plus for sight and to have a pro do the cut and install it. but reguardless of what ammo you use you can get it on target.

[AndyC]

Novak makes an adjustable rear sight called the Extreme Duty Adjustable:

http://www.novaksights.com/images/adjustabel%20sights/adj-naname-back00025.jpg

[chromestarhustler]

yes i forgot the novak, but if he doesnt have the novak cut its still 200 for sight plus cut.

several good sights out there for 60 to 80 dollars, that all require machining, 100 to 120 dollars.

it would almost be better to get a fusion slide that is already cut for the sights he wants, and move his parts over and hand fit match barrel and bushing to it, and sell his slide on gunbroker a colt slide usually brings 2oo plus complete and 125 plus stripped.

[Outlander]

Novak will instal their sights for between $35 and $115 per their website.
If you have A mill Instalation does not too complicated.
Good instructions on www.blindhogg.com.

[Outlander]

I think Indys statment that you can fit A 1911 barrel in about 1hr with hand tools is A bit over optimistic at best

[chromestarhustler]

yeah novak charges 35 bucks to install sights if you have the novak cut already, otherwise its 115 for the machining,

and if you got a mill great, the dovetail cutters for your most popular sights are 65 to 85 dollars. and not to mention they all require milling on the front, or aft or both of the rear sight base.

[chromestarhustler]

i got a jet milling center with DRO unfortantely it is in storage as i have no shop at the moment.

[splattermatic]

the slide already has dovetail cuts front and rear.

[chromestarhustler]

which cuts? standard colt? or is a big flat milled behind the dovetail, that should be a novak cut, and a novak adjustable should fit no problem.

[splattermatic]

you got me, this is my first 45. i haven't been a big pistol person, rifles are my weapon of choice. it has 2 dovetail cuts, the one in the front has a front sight in it, and the one in the rear has a non elevation sight in it. that's all i can tell ya.

my pistols of choice have been a browning hp, and my fave, a pre b cz 75.

the 10mm is a 1911 i guess, but never messed with it, it already is whizz banged out.
i also have a ruger 44 mag with scope, far from a 1911, pa. deer hunting pistol.

i wont go into the others as they aren't anywhere near a 1911 either......

[chromestarhustler]

take a pic.
but even if you got dovetails cut to use any of the adjustable elevation sights the slide has to be milled. forward or aft of the dovetails.

[Railbuggy]

Hi guys: Im new here.When I got my first 1911 I went to the 1911 forum. Nice people with lots of know how.Got me an older CAI sporster a while back so now Im here to learn.Ive been lerking for 2 or 3 months now and it seems everyone gets along here. Great place you have here.RB

[indy_Muaddib]

Originally posted by Outlander
I think Indys statment that you can fit A 1911 barrel in about 1hr with hand tools is A bit over optimistic at best


fit bushing to slide, smooth the breech face, fit hood, fit lugs, smooth machining marks out of slide interior, fit feet, fit link, break sharp edges on barrel hood, fit feet to frame so it hits lower 1/3rd of feet , headspace.

thats about an hour.

with a gunsmith fit barrel you might not have to do a few of these steps.

[AndyC]

Some info on barrel-timing, link-length, etc (http://www.schuemann.com/Content/testkit0.htm)