KJW 1911 compatibility

[Outcast569]

Looking to do a full out custom 1911.

Trying to figure out whether to buy a TM/KJ and replace very thing (inc frame)
OR just buy the pieces 1 at a time and assemble it. What would be better for quality and what would be better for price.

[slink182]

Originally Posted by Outcast569

Looking to do a full out custom 1911.

Trying to figure out whether to buy a TM/KJ and replace very thing (inc frame)
OR just buy the pieces 1 at a time and assemble it. What would be better for quality and what would be better for price.

I realize this may sound a little obvious, but...

If you bought a pistol, and replaced EVERYTHING, including the FRAME, doesn't that imply you would be buying a pistol for no apparently good reason?

Wouldn't it make greater sense to just buy the parts and build the pistol from wholecloth...?

... Unless, y'know... what you intend isn't quite so obvious...

[Outcast569]

lol yeah sorry about that.

The idea is that the KJW frame is metal the TM is not. I would replace the TM for a metal and keep the KJW for some time if the parts are all good.

Ive had other KJ and so far Ive never had a comparability issue but building a 1911 from the ground up I'm cautions about paying for the KJW if most the TM parts will not end up fitting right.

[slink182]

If compatibility between TM & KJW parts is what's stopping you, then go with the TM. However, since it also sounds like you want to migrate the 1911 to full metal, then buying a TM still doesn't make sense if your intent to to replace everything. TM FM conversion kits exist (uppers/lowers, outer barrel, safeties, hammer, pins, etc). I'd say start with one of those and purchase/install the internals from there.

Illusion has a pretty good video for straight dis/assembly, and 1911 pistols are very simple devices in general. Others may have difference opinions on how to tackle the project, tho.

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by slink182

If compatibility between TM & KJW parts is what's stopping you, then go with the TM. However, since it also sounds like you want to migrate the 1911 to full metal, then buying a TM still doesn't make sense if your intent to to replace everything. TM FM conversion kits exist (uppers/lowers, outer barrel, safeties, hammer, pins, etc). I'd say start with one of those and purchase/install the internals from there.

Illusion has a pretty good video for straight dis/assembly, and 1911 pistols are very simple devices in general. Others may have difference opinions on how to tackle the project, tho.

You pretty much need to buy a base pistol to have all the internals. You can't just buy them anywhere.

Also, all the KJW parts should fit with TM parts.

[slink182]

Originally Posted by Styrak

You pretty much need to buy a base pistol to have all the internals. You can't just buy them anywhere.

Also, all the KJW parts should fit with TM parts.

I would think that all the internals could be bought separately. Is this not the case? If not, what parts can't be bought and would require a base pistol?

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by slink182

I would think that all the internals could be bought separately. Is this not the case? If not, what parts can't be bought and would require a base pistol?

No, there are many small internal parts you cannot get easily.

[slink182]

Originally Posted by Styrak

No, there are many small internal parts you cannot get easily.

If that's the case, then I retract my original suggestion to Outcast.

If it was me (and I'm actually looking at putting together a custom 1911, likely as a race gun), I would probably look for a fixer/parts gun, and a FM kit. But, like I just said, that's just me, and I like to tinker (even if it costs me more in the end).

[Outcast569]

Originally Posted by slink182

If that's the case, then I retract my original suggestion to Outcast.

If it was me (and I'm actually looking at putting together a custom 1911, likely as a race gun), I would probably look for a fixer/parts gun, and a FM kit. But, like I just said, that's just me, and I like to tinker (even if it costs me more in the end).

pretty much where Im at right now. figure Ill go threw Illusion for most of what I need and a few other friends here I know can source some odd stuff. Thanks for the help guys.


Oh is there a parts list any where of every thing our would one of the exploded diagrams work well enough for all that.

[slink182]

Check the Doctor's Corner - I think there is a sticky to gun diagrams and manuals there.