ltwguns.com

Ever since I got a job working for Bruce Gray at Grayguns I have had an interest in learning to build 1911's. While my day to day tasks involve action work on modern combat handguns (mostly Sigs and Hks) the 1911 platform holds a certain fascination for me. When this project came in and needed to be done I asked Bruce to use the build to train me on the finer points of building a great 1911 (or 2011 in this case). I was most interested in proper barrel fitting and action work. I have helped Bruce build a couple 1911's over the last few months but this was my first solo build. Everything except for the welding and part of the 50lpi serrations on the back of the slide were done on my own (with direction from Bruce of course).

This started as an STI 2011 frame kit and oversized slide (completely blank except for adjustable sight cut), Barsto barrel, and mostly STI small parts.

You'll have to excuse the pics, I was using a point and shoot that didn't always focus in the right spot and a cheap light box setup and I couldn't find anything handy to prop up the gun with...

I left the top and bottom a matte bead blast finish while polishing the flats on the slide and frame with a nice grain texture. I finished the gun myself with our in-house bluing but after the customer runs it for a while and decides if he wants to make any changes it will be sent for a salt bath nitride finish.





Perhaps the most interesting part of the build is the Grayguns signature hardtail conversion. We do this on most of our high end custom 1911 pistols. Besides just looking cool it has a very practical advantage in making it nearly impossible for someone to fail to engage the grip safety when preparing to fire regardless of how high they like to grip the frame or the shape/size of their hands.





Since the customer is a good friend of the shop, we felt comfortable playing a little joke and accenting the lettering on the barrel in a very distinctive hot pink Gunkote. This of course is easily removed if he doesn't want to keep it


Before I blued the gun I assembled it and ran about 40 rounds through it without a problem which is really the important part

Constructive criticism is of course greatly appreciated...

Roy,
That turned out great! I'm glad to see the detailed photos of the grip safety work. That is an awesome modification.
Drake

I really like the grip safety modification as well. Are there any disadvantages to having that done?

There is a huge disadvantage to having it done....you will want all of your grip safeties done similarly.

The modification is quite labor intensive and obviously requires welding of the frame and the part so it costs a bit more than a standard grip safety fitting. Functionally there are several advantages to it, the only disadvantage is that if it is not executed perfectly you can get a slight pinching on the web of your hand when you grasp the gun. This one doesn't pinch at all fortunately. Assembly and dis-assembly are nearly the same and not really any more difficult once you have done it a few times.

Great job Roy, the gun looks great.

Now get to work on Paul's Open gun.

_________________
Scott Folk - Grayguns, Inc.
http://www.grayguns.com
http://www.graygunstraining.com

Job well done!

The hardtail conversion with the grip safety inset is absolutely stunning. Congratulations.