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Learning how to gunsmith 1911
Like the title says, are there good ways to learn how to gunsmith/build a 1911?
I keep looking for smiths willing to teach, but no luck around me.
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Good start point is to get Jerry(?) Kunhausen’s 1911 manual.
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Brownell's has good info and references on their website. Also convenient their is a huge catalog of books, parts and tools for purchase.
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^^True.
Or, you can trash umpteen dollars in parts/slides/frames/etc.
I was fortunate to have a grumpy, ex AMU armorer and former Bullseye competitor that tolerated me hovering as he worked.
Still- good reference material is not a waste.
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The NRA sponsors summer gunsmithing classes at various community colleges and trade schools around the country. A 1911 class of some kind is always offered be it truing, accurizing, etc. I’ve taken a few and enjoyed them. Small class size, quality instruction and affordable.
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The Kunhausen books are a good start for a basic understanding. Techniques in there are outdated but the principles are correct.
I took the class Larry Vickers does from time to time. After spending a few years tinkering, the class eliminated all the mystery for me. It was one week immersed in it, 5 students. Expensive and worth it.
I am not a paid gunsmith. My regular job pays me too well to make that switch. But I know how to build a 1911 right. Not at the master level of course but accurate and reliable I can do.
And I can spot and correct the common errors because of my training.
Last edited by JiminAZ; 11-27-17 at 20:56.
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Aside from getting the manuals, I will search around for someone to teach me. Wish me luck.
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Funny - I logged in to ask a similar question and this was on top.
I might own a file and be able to assemble an AR-15, detail strip a Glock or change my oil - but that’s the limits of my handwork, total newbie to filing and fitting and machine tools.
Who offers the best novice courses? The NRA summer programs? I’ve looked at C&S, Vickers, Garthwaite, Rodgers who all offer a five day type course, but don’t want to waste time (including my own) since I’m starting from zero.
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I did not have any experience other than Glock armorer before attending the C&S course. I will say that early in my life I was an electronics technician in the Navy where I repaired electro-mechanical devices and circuit boards with small tools and Dremels. Bill suggest that you get a file and practice filing by making a piece of round steel stock into a square. This is truly dexterity type skills. You will do most all fitting by hand filing. Polishing with jigs and drill. You would get the skills with the 5 day course as a start. You will not be running milling machines. Bushing fittings are taken down with a hand drill jig. I really got better in working up a second gun after the class. If you are dedicated to 1911s it makes sense to invest in the school. I built a second gun up and it seems they are safe queens. I very much enjoyed learning how to work on them as it lends to other things like fitting dove tail sights on other guns etc. I carry and shoot 9mm Glocks in competition these days due to limited time. My wife operates Glocks as well so I can trust she can pick up anything I have on me if necessary.
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Thanks - that is exactly the sort of info I needed. I can add soldering to my list of can-do...
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