By Jim
This blog will NOT be anything more than hitting the highlights of building a custom Commander length 1911 on a full sized frame. This build starts off with an 80% alloy frame and an uncut slide. Not all of the steps are going to be outlined here, but suffice it to say that each part is hand fitted to the tightest of tolerances.
This is what we start off with.
A trip to the milling machine gets the cut for a ramped bull barrel fit to the saddle of the frame.
Next the frame is placed in a jig to locate and drill holes for the hammer and sear pins.
The deck of the frame is then squared off with a file and polished smooth.
The next jig cuts the frame rails for the slide. Measurements are taken with a can seam micrometer and the cutters on the jig have micrometer adjustments for cutting the rails in numerous passes a few thousandths at a time.
The rails of the slide and frame are polished smooth with valve grinding compound to ensure that everything is a perfect fit and there’s no interference from machine marks.
The barrel is then fitted to the slide to ensure proper lockup..
The front strap is checkered to match the bobbed mainspring housing after the trigger guard has been undercut to have the pistol set deeper into the shooter’s hand.
After a considerable amount of work, an extended slide stop and extended ambidextrous safety are fitted next.
Getting to this point was a lot of work that can’t possibly be covered in one short blog. The gun is now ready to be disassembled and cleaned in preparation for the final finish of gloss black Cerakote. Here’s the specs….
Commander length barrel and slide on a full sized government frame. Ramped bull barrel with one piece guide rod and recoil assembly. Front and rear cocking serrations on the slide. Match grade trigger, sear, and bobbed hammer. Bobbed frame and mainspring housing. Beavertail grip safety with extended pad. Extended slide stop. Extended ambidextrous safety. Oversized magazine release. Titanium firing pin. Heavy duty fitted extractor. Chip Macormack 8 round stainless magazine with bumper pad. Caliber is .45 ACP. Trigger is set to break cleanly at 3 1/2 pounds. The slide has been cut for Novak low mount sights.
The last steps are for hand made grip panels and a black high gloss Cerakote finish.
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