TRX
Member
I've wanted a left-handed 1911 for quite some time. Not being able to afford one of the rare variants, I've been looking into making my own.
After studying the frame, I've realized I don't care about the mag release or slide stop; I can work the right-hand ones just fine. That leaves the ejector. It looks like I can just drill the appropriate holes and move it to the other side, and either reshape the ejector or make a new one on the mill.
On the slide, I thought I might be able to weld a patch over the ejection port and cut a new one on the left side. That'd work, but there's a relief cut for the ejector on the left hand side that extends up into where the new extractor hole needs to be drilled. It's beyond my skills to fill the groove with weld and then try to drill a deep hole through half-slide, half-weld.
So far, it's looking like I might be able to build up the front of the ejector cut with weld, then machine for an SW1911 style external extractor.
For anyone who might have an external extractor variant handy to look at, is there anything major I'm missing here?
(I have a modest machine shop and have done rebarrelling, chambering, etc. on various milsurp rifles, but the 1911 is new to me)
After studying the frame, I've realized I don't care about the mag release or slide stop; I can work the right-hand ones just fine. That leaves the ejector. It looks like I can just drill the appropriate holes and move it to the other side, and either reshape the ejector or make a new one on the mill.
On the slide, I thought I might be able to weld a patch over the ejection port and cut a new one on the left side. That'd work, but there's a relief cut for the ejector on the left hand side that extends up into where the new extractor hole needs to be drilled. It's beyond my skills to fill the groove with weld and then try to drill a deep hole through half-slide, half-weld.
So far, it's looking like I might be able to build up the front of the ejector cut with weld, then machine for an SW1911 style external extractor.
For anyone who might have an external extractor variant handy to look at, is there anything major I'm missing here?
(I have a modest machine shop and have done rebarrelling, chambering, etc. on various milsurp rifles, but the 1911 is new to me)