The one that brought me back

[DavidH]

This is the second 1911 I have built. First was a gift for my dad, I built several years ago. However, this one is the most special firearm I have ever built or owned. This is the first firearm I built after I was disabled, and lost use of my left arm/hand.

In 2014 I was in a terrible accident that almost cost me my life. I was thrown from my bike and run over by an SUV. In a coma for a week, and recovered in the hospital for two months. When I returned home I was left 100% disabled and paralyzed in my left arm/hand. The depression set in as it was another period of loss in my life. I really thought I would need to give up everything..., even shooting and building/gun smithing. But after a time The Lord presented me with this build. Going into it I was not concerned with how long it would take. I simply set my mind to finishing! I was familiar with building and had completed my first 1911 build some years prior. However, I had BOTH of my hands to work with during the first build, and it took me three months to finish. Even so I continued with building. After the first couple days, I contented myself that it would likely take me a year to finish this 1911 build.

Five weeks later I was holding my new, freshly built 1911! Here are just a few of the photos. I actually did an extensive build thread on 1911forum during the process, in which every photo was included.








And completed. I specifically built this to fire 450smc(45 super)

[Walleye Hunter]

Congrats on your personal progress and that fine looking piece.

[Gman106]

Inspired!

[Emptymag]

Cool.
I'll have to refer people here when they say that they don't think they can build their own AR15.

[DavidH]

Thank you my friends. I started doing light gun smithing in the late 90's into the early 00's. I started building AK's shortly after the Clinton '94 AWB which expired in '04. In and around '05-'06 I went on to building AR15's. I have NEVER purchased an AR, only build. My builds are, simply put, better. And I am a huge advocate in people ONLY building. I even help people build their own for free. It's very rewarding. Now the 1911 is a different class of building, but simply takes more patience. And just a few more specialty tools.

[JAKIII]

Thank you my friends.

Very cool! Are there benefits... cost?

[chalmitch]

Your recovery, mental / intellectual / physical is inspirational. Congratulations on the recovery and the success of the build projects.

chalmitch

[DavidH]

Very cool! Are there benefits... cost?

As to building an AR15, I believe there are ONLY benefits! And that it is much more cost efficient!

As to building a 1911, there are pros & cons. If you simply WANT a 1911 to shoot, than cost would not be a benefit. Now, if you want a super high quality 1911, than cost can be one. For instance, as the picture shows, my build is full of Nighthawk parts. In fact, almost EVERY internal component is Nighthawk! Now, look at the prices of Nighthawk Custom 1911's, and you can see building can absolutely be a benefit. I will say cost is not the deciding factor though. It really is passion which drives this....a mad, & insatiable driving passion! I find a beautiful elegant patience in the build. I am extremely fortunate for how The Lord has blessed me. I know it sounds strange to talk about "being fortunate", when I suffered both paralyzation & being disabled. It's difficult to explain. But God gave me so much more! And when it comes to these things, the way my mind works was changed. When I am building now, my mind is laser focused on task. Like it's never been! Not only with building firearms. I am also a custom knifemaker. And I even build many of the tools I use. My belt grinder, my sharpening system, my chemical-electrical marking/etching machine.....all things I build since the accident. I am in horrible pain every day. I can't do anything physical for very long at all. And I can no longer even drive a vehicle. But I am one of the luckiest, most blessed men there has been.

Now I try to pass along what I know, and help any who need it.

[Berncly]

Sweet!
Very nice build Dave.
If possible, smaller paragraphs would be helpful for my tiny little mind.
You have an excellent mental attitude.
I can't remember, did the guys already invite you to the group shoots?
Bern-

[DavidH]

[URL="https://postimg.cc/image/i39i12efv/"]


Sweet!
Very nice build Dave.
If possible, smaller paragraphs would be helpful for my tiny little mind.
You have an excellent mental attitude.
I can't remember, did the guys already invite you to the group shoots?
Bern-

Thank you my friend. It's my relationship with Christ that has done this. He has given me this happiness. Nothing I did, but trusting Him.

No, I have not been invited anywhere as of yet. But I literally JUST registered last week. I've been around for years & years. I'm sure many, many of you have even met me during my time as the Range Manager at Targetmaster years ago! LOL! I've just never registered until now. Can't say why.