My Fusion 1911 project

**SSGN_Doc** · 10-12-08, 08:14

I decided after the Fleet Service Pistol matches thi year that I was going to build my own 1911 for the next season. I did some researchand finally decided to give Fusion Firearms a try for the frame, slide and barrel, as they woudl already take care of the most difficult parts fitting require when building a 1911.

Here's what I got from them to start with:

I had purchased other internal parts already, and found that some would require hand fitting, and some final polishing of the frame in the areas of the trigger track and hammertrack was desireable as well.

I also decided to try my hand at applying a baked on finish, so I had the pistol sand blasted after I function checked the pistol. I had decided on Norrell's Moly Resin for the final finish. It comes pre-mixed so there is no diluting to do, and it is ready to put in an airbrush, or spray gun. Parts were thouroughly degreased, and preheated prior to applying the finish. I used a $29 Badger airbrush from Michaels craft store, and a small compressor that my inlaws bought for me for Christmas last year. Parts were then baked for an hour at 300 degrees, allowed to cool and then reassembled. I think it came out quite nice.

Yesterday I took it to the range and tried it for function and initial sight in. It seemed to aquit itself quite well against feared Zombie Bob (target selected for fun and upcoming Halloween season). Target was at 25 feet, ammo was Magtech 230gr ball. Shots were offhand two handed hold. I put a hundred round through the pistol using a Novak, Kimber Pro-Tac mag, and a Chip McCormick Mag. There were no failures to feed, fire, or eject. The trigger still needs some fine tuning, as it still has some creep, and is at about 5.5 lbs

All in all though, I really enjoyed this project, and am happy with the results. Fusion Firearms has been great to deal with. They use forged frames and slides, and the conversations I had with them through e-mail or by phone were all conducted with Bob Serva, the head of the company.

**LonghunterCO** · 10-12-08, 08:24

Great build.

**sinister** · 10-12-08, 10:17

This pistol, sir, is incredibly beautiful for a GI-type (EIC legal) lookalike.

Many cool points!

**SSGN_Doc** · 10-12-08, 10:30

Originally Posted by sinister

This pistol, sir, is incredibly beautiful for a GI-type (EIC legal) lookalike.

Many cool points!

Thank you. It was just what I was going for.

Now I need to get my Service Rifle upper built as well.

**dcsansiraq** · 10-12-08, 18:28

I love the way those grips stand out against the black frame! It looks very nice. I have always wanted to build a 1911 but I have never built up the courage. It sounds like it was not to bad though. I may have to give Fusion a look. Again... Great Job!

**RioGrandeGreen** · 10-12-08, 20:03

Sir,
You are getting me motivated to bulid my own 1911!

**SSGN_Doc** · 10-13-08, 07:44

Originally Posted by RioGrandeGreen

Sir,
You are getting me motivated to bulid my own 1911!

You should do it. I found that it gave me a much greater appreciation of the 1911. I still wouldn't call myself a 1911 fan, but I can definitely see why they are more of an aficionado's pistol. I can also see why the custom ones fetch the prices they do, over the mass produced pistols of today, which do not require as much hand labor.

**theJanitor** · 10-13-08, 15:10

Originally Posted by SSGN_Doc

I decided to give Fusion Firearms a try for the frame, slide and barrel, as they woudl already take care of the most difficult parts fitting require when building a 1911.

did they do the barrel/slide/link fitting for you? it wasn't mentioned in your summary.

thanks