STIGUY Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Thinking of building a SS for the division. Please....I don't want to hear.....get this or that gun from x. Because the components are so readily available, I have decided I would like to buy these and put it together with the help of a local smith. That is what did with my AR in order to get the thing exactely the way I wanted it (except for the unibtainable Wilson 16" barrel) that I could not source. Budget means budget....looking for a cheaper frame...and I will add the other components as budget permits. Any suggestions? I know you... pay for what you get, but I just bought a Dillon 1050 and I am having some budgetary issues until the money from the second job starts coming in..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaGunner Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Essex ,STI or Caspian frames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWFAN Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Foster. They are caspian over runs or blemished parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sperman Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Building a 1911 isn't the same as assembling an AR. There is a lot more fitting of parts required. I bet if you wen't through the Brownell's catalog, and ordered the cheapest components available you would still be close to $1000, and that doesn't include what the smith is going to charge you. You can buy a decent 1911 for less than that. If you don't want to buy a gun from X, wait until you can afford quality components and build the gun you really want. I know that isn't what you want to hear, but it's what I recommend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel1212 Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Building a 1911 isn't the same as assembling an AR. There is a lot more fitting of parts required. I bet if you wen't through the Brownell's catalog, and ordered the cheapest components available you would still be close to $1000, and that doesn't include what the smith is going to charge you. You can buy a decent 1911 for less than that. If you don't want to buy a gun from X, wait until you can afford quality components and build the gun you really want. I know that isn't what you want to hear, but it's what I recommend. I just pieced together my next build and it was 1300$ in parts. Granted it wasn't the cheapest parts I could find but the really only difference in cost will be different frame and slides. I could of probably saved a about 1-200$ by going with a foster frame/slide but I didn't want that and knew it. The small parts are so close in price I don't think it will really matter there. If your doing it a little at a time, get what you want a little at a time and don't sacrifice anything. Another option, and I know you said you didn't want to hear it, would be to get a STI spartan and build on it as you go. At least that way your shooting while you figure out what you want or while you save your money for the upgrades you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stik Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Building a 1911 isn't the same as assembling an AR. There is a lot more fitting of parts required. I bet if you wen't through the Brownell's catalog, and ordered the cheapest components available you would still be close to $1000, and that doesn't include what the smith is going to charge you. You can buy a decent 1911 for less than that. If you don't want to buy a gun from X, wait until you can afford quality components and build the gun you really want. I know that isn't what you want to hear, but it's what I recommend. Yeah, back before Brownells discontinued carrying Essex frames and slides, I thought the same. After the Frame and slide, add Ed Brown beavertail, safties, barrel, internals, slide stop, pin kit, grips, magwell, I think I have close to if not over $1000 in it and all the parts. I picked up an Armscor 1911 at a gun show and after adding a full length guide rod and a dawson front sight and Smith and Alexander magwell, I may have maybe $550-$600 in it and it shoots just as good if not better. Granted, after reading up on the subject and watching gunsmith video's, I enjoyed building the Essex and fitting and blending everything, but unless you just want it as a project, save up and buy a factory gun and upgrade to the parts you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EkuJustice Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I would agree on just get a base gun and build it up as you go. The Spartan is a great base gun to start with and add parts as needed. A 1911 is a gun that requires fitting of the parts and is really building a gun. I would consider an ar15 more of a put together gun as the parts are basically drop in and don't require the fitting a 1911 takes. The 1911 is much more difficult to build than an ar is to put together. For a single stack gun a base gun is the way to go especially for a beginner on a budget. With the correct tools at hand, an AR could be assembled in under an hour. A 1911, even built by a true professional takes much longer than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STIGUY Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 All is well....I guess everyone missed the comment about the local gun smith. I guess I need another job orbto jettison the girl friend. Oh well....she bitches too much anyway......THANKS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbean Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Budget means budget. The best bang for the buck I've found is a used gun. You can find a used 1911 already set up for racing in the classifieds here, or you can head over to gunbroker, find a lightly used example (by USPSA standard 90% of the guns out there are lightly used), and work with your local smith to set it up for racing. My first USPSA gun was a 1911 I bought on gunbroker for $400 and had my smith give it a once over (less than $100), and it was ready to go. While it isn't nearly as nice as my current SS competition gun, it was more than adequate to start competing and is a fine backup/bedside/loaner gun. It also cost a fraction of my what my super-duper-pooper-scooper 1911 did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pro2AInPA Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Want a real challenge? Shop for a 1911 in .40 S&W on a budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaGunner Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 All is well....I guess everyone missed the comment about the local gun smith. I guess I need another job orbto jettison the girl friend. Oh well....she bitches too much anyway......THANKS! I think everyone is saying that since your on a budget it would be cheaper to buy a base gun and add what you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaGunner Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Want a real challenge? Shop for a 1911 in .40 S&W on a budget. +1 I just priced out building one and I'm up to $1200. It would be smarter to buy a new or used STI Trojan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Hello: I would look at STI or Caspian fames. They are both made from good materials. The Caspian Race Ready is a really nice frame and you can open up the magwell so it reloads as fast as any magwell. I have made a couple single stacks now and the cost is almost the same as building a 2011 If you want a single stack in 45 I would buy the Spartan and build it or use it like it is. If you want a 40 S&W you could make one or look for a used pistol. 40 S&W 1911's are hard to find since most guys that shoot Limited have a 40 1911 as well. For internal parts look at EGW,STI, Ed Brown, Wilson and Caspian. I would do a build sheet before you start so you don't get sticker shock and have a heart attack Hope this helps and good luck with your project. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel1212 Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 All is well....I guess everyone missed the comment about the local gun smith. I guess I need another job orbto jettison the girl friend. Oh well....she bitches too much anyway......THANKS! I think everyone is saying that since your on a budget it would be cheaper to buy a base gun and add what you want. This would be the cheapest way if you have to do it a little at a time. And no we didn't miss the part about a local smith but once you add what ever fees they are going to charge your looking at least 1200-1500. You could buy used and save or have it perfect but not cheap. Want a real challenge? Shop for a 1911 in .40 S&W on a budget. +1 I just priced out building one and I'm up to $1200. It would be smarter to buy a new or used STI Trojan. I thought about that but it isn't EXACTLY what I want when I did it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Orr Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 IT would help to know exactly what your budget is......? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCKev Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I just pieced together my next build and it was 1300$ in parts. Granted it wasn't the cheapest parts I could find but the really only difference in cost will be different frame and slides. I could of probably saved a about 1-200$ by going with a foster frame/slide but I didn't want that and knew it. The small parts are so close in price I don't think it will really matter there. So Corey what slide and frame would you buy for your build? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-ManBart Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 All is well....I guess everyone missed the comment about the local gun smith. I guess I need another job orbto jettison the girl friend. Oh well....she bitches too much anyway......THANKS! I don't think anybody missed that. Unless the local smith is going to work for free, it's going to add to the $1K+ you'll spend on just the parts alone. In the end, you can buy a gun that's perfectly competitive for about half of a "budget build". Figure maybe $800 total, ready to rock for a Spartan with a few tweaks. That doesn't even get you the parts to build a gun. R, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWFAN Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 And to add to what Gman said, if the "local" smith is that cheap, do you really want him working on your gun ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soaringf22 Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 It does really depend on your budget. Rock Island Armory 1911s are under $500 new for milspec under $600 for features such as novak sights, extended beavertail. your smith could install adjustable sights and still relatively cheap and then upgrade internals as you go. Springer milspec is under $600. para and kimber come complete under $8-900 with all the right features. Gunbroker had spartans for around $600 in the past. the cheapest 1911 frame shipped and transfered is over $200, used barrels on GB are about $100 but if you have a ramped frame you will seriously narrow the chances of finding the right one for the right price. Gun shows and GB sometimes have really rough .45 slides under $100 but if you want quality slide and pre cut for sights you'll spend towards $200. Numerich and sarco sell parts kits for internals for under $100 but most smiths dont like using crap parts so you'll have to spend more than that. So even without the cost of the smith with the most bare products you could spend $600. Plus a lot of time. However if you buy a milspec gun you can part it out on this forum or on GB to recoup some funds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sperman Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 I know this isn't what you are looking for, but this would be a great way to get started, while you save up for a high end build. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=115258&pid=1315201&st=0entry1315201 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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