# Anyone completed a 1911 frame?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-completed-a-1911-frame/325836>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [October 12, 2005, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-completed-a-1911-frame/325836 "2005-10-12T02:17:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-completed-a-1911-frame/325836/1 "2005-10-12T02:17:50Z")

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Has anyone here completed a 1911 80% frame?

I’m thinking about it and looking for suggestions.

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**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-completed-a-1911-frame/325836/2 "2005-10-12T11:25:26Z")

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I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.

You young people and your crazy slang!

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**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-completed-a-1911-frame/325836/3 "2005-10-12T12:40:52Z")

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That would be a frame for a Colt M-1911 .45 ACP pistol, **twickster**. Although the frame could be used to fire other calibers as well.

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**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-completed-a-1911-frame/325836/4 "2005-10-12T12:49:41Z")

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What do you mean by 80%?

Series 80?

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**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-completed-a-1911-frame/325836/5 "2005-10-12T18:31:53Z")

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> [@Exgineer](#):
>
> What do you mean by 80%?
> 
> Series 80?

An 80% receiver or frame is one that is 80% completed by the manufacturer. It is not legally a firearm, as a completed receiver is, and can be bought and sold with no restrictions. By completing it, you are constructing a firearm for personal use. As long as you are not building a gun that is banned in your state/area (Such as an AR-15 or AK clone here in CA) it is perfectly legal.

And much cheaper than buying a finished receiver/frame.

I’ve been reading up on it, and it seems as though doing this with a 1911 frame is much more difficult (parts must be individually fitted) than with, say, an AK. I was hoping someone here has done this before and could offer some advice on the process.