Rodgers Roll Your Own - Day 5

[NormanXDm]

Another long one in the books. But we are getting close. The goal is to be test firing before a major thunder storm is expected to hit the area late in the afternoon. We started by prepping the pieces for a trigger job. We polished the surfaces of the disconnector, and relieved a corner that can get hung up:

Next we squared our hammer hooks and once again discovered that you can't expect perfection from suppliers. But, this time it was in the trigger stones that are "supposed" to be milled straight and true. No one had a stone with four perfect sides. Bob checked our stones and marked the bad sides with "X's" and we got to work:

Next we worked on the sear. There really isn't a good way to show in a picture something you can't see with your naked eye (we had to use loupes to see the surfaces that mate with the hammer hooks.) This takes a bit if time and patience to get perfect. After our hammers and sears passed muster, we fit our thumb safeties. Before we start, Bob gives us a lecture about filing the thumb safety, and how many ways there are for us to screw it up - and that he won't allow an unsafe gun on his range. No pressure. Using our ever present blue sharpie (he must buy these things by the case), we figure out where to file, and get after it:

A few nerve wracking minutes later:

Viloa! It fits - and it's safe!

We spend a few minutes making sure that trigger pre-travel and over-travel are set properly, and get our over-travel screws set. We are getting close now, we can feel it. We get our sights temporarily installed (Jeremy has already pre fit the front sight so that he could drill the roll-pin hole) so this part wasn't too bad:

And now, finally, it's the moment of truth. We head to the range. This is a picture of the first test fire (not me ) - no pressure. We did several tests to check for function, then shot from a bench rest to check the sights.

Here's my gear, patiently waiting in line. I took several mags to make sure I'd have one that works.

And, finally, here's my new gun, all dirty. I only shot 20 rounds, so it really isn't that dirty. But, it passed all tests with flying colors! I almost feel like a proud new father...

Tomorrow is really about aesthetics - finish dehorning and bead blasting. The hard part is going to be leaving it with Bob when I fly home Sunday. He'll over nite it to Paul, and hopefully, I'll get to pick it up mid-week next week.

Lane

[Paul]

This has been way fun to follow. I had no idea that much went into a custom 1911. I just assumed most parts would drop right in.

[Daeyel]

This has been way fun to follow. I had no idea that much went into a custom 1911. I just assumed most parts would drop right in.

Sure makes you wonder about the effectiveness of those 'roll your own' AR rifles, doesn't it?

[NormanXDm]

I just assumed most parts would drop right in.

If you said that in front of Bob or anyone who just went through the class - you'd probably get smacked...