# Need blueprint for 1911 frame **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 13, 2007, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-blueprint-for-1911-frame/400015 "2007-04-13T21:29:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-blueprint-for-1911-frame/400015/1 "2007-04-13T21:29:51Z")
I’m looking for a blueprint for a 1911 pistol frame. I got a little boastful when talking about my skills with a Dremel tool with a friend, and now I’ve got to sculpt a frame from a solid block of steel to win a bet. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. The only tools I’m allowed to use are a Dremel (with any attachments I want) and a drill. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-blueprint-for-1911-frame/400015/2 "2007-04-13T21:32:43Z")
[Blueprints](http://www.sightm1911.com/blueprint/M1911A1_blue.htm) ETA: Try [this](http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/tech_library.htm) if the above doesn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-blueprint-for-1911-frame/400015/3 "2007-04-13T21:41:37Z")
I checked those out, and they might work, but not all of the frame dimensions are legible. ---
**Author:** ![1010011010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ea666f/32.png) [@1010011010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1010011010)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-blueprint-for-1911-frame/400015/4 "2007-04-13T21:46:32Z")
This may be viewed as gunsmithing or manufacturing --\> requiring a Type 1 or Type 7 Federal Firearms License, respectively. Even if you don’t plan to make a working model. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-blueprint-for-1911-frame/400015/5 "2007-04-13T21:56:32Z")
[QUOTE=1010011010] This may be viewed as gunsmithing or manufacturing –\> requiring a Type 1 or Type 7 Federal Firearms License, respectively. Even if you don’t plan to make a working model. [/QUOTE] How do you figure? Gunsmithing is designing and making a small firearm. **Gabe** is doing neither one. He’s sculpting. Right Gabe??? ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-blueprint-for-1911-frame/400015/6 "2007-04-13T22:02:33Z")
You don’t need a license as long as you [tie the barrel into a knot.](http://www.inetours.com/New_York/Images/UN/Pistol_4495.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-blueprint-for-1911-frame/400015/7 "2007-04-13T22:03:14Z")
Sculpture would be my interpretation as well. Nobody said anything about triggers, firing pins or any other “vital” parts of a weapon. Now, if CynicalGabe’s friend wants to try attatching gun parts to the metal sculpture to satisfy any curiosity that they may have about whether or not gun parts would fit into that sculpture, \*\*that \*\* could be considered as gunsmithing, so it would fall on the friend to have the appropriate license. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-blueprint-for-1911-frame/400015/8 "2007-04-13T22:35:30Z")
[QUOTE=gotpasswords] Sculpture would be my interpretation as well. Nobody said anything about triggers, firing pins or any other “vital” parts of a weapon. Now, if CynicalGabe’s friend wants to try attatching gun parts to the metal sculpture to satisfy any curiosity that they may have about whether or not gun parts would fit into that sculpture, \*\*that \*\* could be considered as gunsmithing, so it would fall on the friend to have the appropriate license. [/QUOTE] The frame _is_ the firearm. You can buy all the other parts through the mail. But the frame needs to be purchased from a dealer because it is considered the firearm. Build a frame or lower receiver (or upper receiver, depending on the brand) and you’ve just created a firearm. It doesn’t matter if it’s NEVER been fully assymbled. If it’s a true frame, made of steel, and capable of being assymbled, then it’s a firearm. Period. The trigger, the barrel, the springs… they’re all “parts” and you can get them anywhere and even make your own if you want. The frame is a different story. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-blueprint-for-1911-frame/400015/9 "2007-04-13T22:38:45Z")
[QUOTE=gotpasswords] Sculpture would be my interpretation as well. Nobody said anything about triggers, firing pins or any other “vital” parts of a weapon. [/QUOTE] The _only_ “vital” part of a semi-auto firearm is the receiver. In this case, the “frame”. Forge one from a block of steel and you’ve just manufactured a firearm.