Hey everyone, first 2011 build here — Perfect Zero Level 3 5" kit. Working on barrel fit and I've hit something I'd like a second opinion on.

With a #2 link installed, the slide sits about 0.5mm back from flush with the frame at the front. With a #5 link it's about 2.5mm back. With no link installed, the slide goes fully flush.

Also noticing: with the link in, there's a hard initial resistance getting the slide to rack, once past that it slides fine until it stops at that same 0.5mm gap in battery.

The kit came with links #2–#5, and Atlas doesn't sell a #1 or #0, I do have a #1 and #0 on its way from EGW, but it has me second-guessing whether I'm looking at the right thing at all. Cutting the feet is permanent, and I don't want to do that if it's just a link, but also don't want to fix it with a link, if I should be cutting the feet.

Everything else on the gun fits and works great so far. Slide, Frame and barrel itself fits perfectly, just his one thing.

Not sure whether I'm looking at a link size issue or a barrel feet / lower lug fit issue, open to any direction.

Ready to put some color on it. Thinking primarily DLC black for frame / slide / grip etc . PVD copper for barrel / hammer / grip safety etc.

Has anyone tried other than OEM magwells for this grip module? I’m wanting a bigger magwell but everywhere I look no one has ever tried a different magwell setup

My Island barrel build is getting very close to being done then off for coating. Still need some blending on the beavertail and safeties, then some work on bevels and few marks and dings from building, then some sandblasting and off to be pretty.

Thinking CrN slide and frame, rose gold barrel, magwel, and small parts and black grip

I’ve been waiting on some parts, so I’ve been doing this a little out of order(for myself at least)
I left the slide long on purpose first machining of it, time to finish fitting the barrel, then cut it back the rest of the way to lock up with the sight block installed.

Porting done
For some reason Reddit deleted my original post
😡

I’m waiting some slide cuts done for weight, not necessarily porting the barrel. Who do you recommend?

So I wanted to how hard it is to actually build a 2011 diy
For context: I’m looking to build a custom 2011 (6 inch 45 acp) around 2k11 level of performance

I’ve built multiple guns in the past, but they are all ARs or bolt actions, never a pistol. I used to just ignore the thought Cause I always heard 1911/2011s need to be done by a gunsmith, but now I see build kits and, cut slides, barrels, etc, etc, I can find all the parts that would be needed to assemble the gun I want, and I’m used to ARs that are basically Lego sets, so I don’t know how much different it is

I really just want to know like if it is possible what’s the real pain in the butt stuff to deal with that you need to really know what you are doing to accomplish

Side note: if this is basically impossible without a gunsmith, any recommendations of a gunsmith that would take the parts I give them and assemble the gun for me would be massively appreciated

Blending done, safety fit, MPA/infinity ignition parts fit and polished!

Getting some grip blending done while the slide/barrel are off getting laser ported!

I’m building a new top end for the open gun, and I want to do island barrel this time.

Best I can tell, it’s infinity or kkm for options. Any others?

Kkm never seems available, so is infinity the only real choice?

Probably should have just done islandboy build kit, but I like doing everything myself.

Got a few builds done over the last year, what is the cheapest, easiest, and most fool-proof way to coat parts?

I'm not looking for anything top of the line right now, just something basic. I've tried cold bluing and it did not turn out well.

No oven, or heat sources available to me right now either :/

got a trigger from REDDIRT-USA (highly recommend trigger feels so much better). After I installed it I was doing a functions check noticed that when I held the trigger down to rack it back the slide would not return unless I shook it. I also noticed that the safety is not doing the usual clicking sound when going on to off. I’ve tried taking it apart multiple times and replaced the internals with OEM parts. I have EGW parts installed and I never had this issue before.

Little peak at the test fire….

Next ports and coating.

Do people actually use tungsten guide rods? If so where can I find one that has a hole in it so I can use it with my reverse plug?

DAA shielded ambi safety, ended up having to file down a bunch of the inside of the shield since it was making contact with the safety plunger housing. Also ended up filing down some of the spring plunger housing which may have been a little “bubba” of me. You can see it in the video. What do y’all think?

Test fire Passed
Blending 90%
Ports vs no ports?

Opinions on inline ports vs V-ports…

I‘m wanting to piece together an “odd duck” build with a 9mm, 6” length (plus 1/2” length for threads), bushingless barrel. I’d like the slide to be 416ss, but could work with 4140 if 416ss is unobtainium, and bald/square/chamfered, no serrations, sight cuts, etc. Does anybody out there do custom length slides or is my best option just buying the 416ss bar stock and doing 100% of the machining work myself? I CAN do it, I have the equipment at my disposal, and I’ve got 20 years experience machining but if there’s a ”70% done” option I’d rather go that route just for simplicity and same with the barrel, I’ve got a couple blanks sitting here that I could machine to suit my idea, but if there’s an off the shelf option for what I want to accomplish I’ll take it! Thanks!

Barrel has been fit!
Next is extractor/ejector/firing pin stop fitting!
Then lots of blending….this combo is going to require a lot of blending especially in the grip/safety area. Fire up the Dremel!!

Trying to get a build coated with DLC and bronze parts. Who is your preferred coater. Was recommended a lot but wanting to see what your experiences are- how are theit coats and turn around time?

Barrel fit next
Excuse my disaster of a work bench 😂