TSJC Summer NRA Short Course Series

July 9 - July 13

1911 Handguns

The 1911 pistol has been around for 100 years and is still one of the best-selling guns on the market today. It is carried by military, law enforcement and private citizens all over the world. In this 1911 Customization class we will be focusing on taking a production pistol and turning it into an accurate, reliable carry or competition piece.

We will perform the following in the class:
Fitting a trigger and performing a trigger job
Fitting and tuning thumb safeties
Fitting and tuning grip safeties
Tuning the pistol for reliability
Installing Novak style sights
Tightening the slide to frame fit
Fitting match grade barrel and bushing (barrel is optional)

The class will cover much more but we won’t have time to perform all of the operations in five days. Some of these operations are: checkering, cocking serrations, flat topping and serrating the slide, undercutting the frame and much more.

Dave Clevinger - Instructor

Tool List

Students will need a 1911 style pistol and replacement parts. Please contact me directly for recommendations. Tools required for the class are:
Gunsmith screwdriver set
Small ball-peen or brass hammer
Gunsmith punches
6 or 8 inch smooth cut file
Needle file set
10-8 Performance 1911 bench block
Aluminum bushing wrench
Grip safety fitting jig to match your grip safety
Marvel 1911 sear jig
Hammer/ sear stone set
Bench stone
6 inch steel ruler
Dial caliper
Dremel tool and accessories

If students want to fit a new barrel the following tools will also be needed:
Hood length gage
Barrel alignment block
Locking lug file
Slide/ frame rail file

Some specialty tools will be available for students to use during the class. Feel free to contact me with any questions.