80% handgun build kit sources

[jjdf82]

I've been looking up places to buy 80% kits for some handguns I'd like to try to build, namely a 1911 or a Sig P320. I've never built a pistol before so I'm not quite sure where to look for them, but I've gone through a lot of places that I've found through Google. The problem is that every place I find seems to always have terrible reviews and endless BBB complaints about never delivering on orders. I get that inventory is tricky right now and don't mind waiting a bit for an order, but I'm seeing a lot of reviews that sound like these kit sites are just straight up taking people's money and neither fulfilling orders nor responding to inquiries once an order is placed.

Any first-hand recommendations for places where I could find decent handgun kits and not get scammed?

 

[Docster]

Go to the primary sites, i.e. Midway, Brownells, and others discussed on the forum then sign up for their mailing lists if out if stock.
I've also seen many at gun shows over the last 3 months

 

[grimnar15]

This site has links to every 80% tool you can imagine.

https://www.marinegunbuilder.com/

 

[Nickberg500]

Keep in mind, Eagle Arms gun shows are apparently banning p80s. Info on the ban and how to contact Eagle Arms in this thread:

https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=255233

 

[Docster]

Well, the OP could do his own research like many of us did or just find an enabler here to do everything but buy the frame for him....

 

[Muleskinner]

JSDSUPPLY.com

 

[Rockzilla]

Well, the OP could do his own research like many of us did or just find an enabler here to do everything but buy the frame for him....

Funny but true.....

1911 Builders, get the credit card out...

Like the 1911 builds, not much for poly though.....sorry

-Rock

 

[Docster]

Keep in mind, Eagle Arms gun shows are apparently banning p80s. Info on the ban and how to contact Eagle Arms in this thread:

https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=255233

And that only applies to Eagle Arms gun shows (for now).

https://gunshowtrader.com/gunshows/pennsylvania-gun-shows/

Gettysburg for me but there's still York, Harrisburg and others from other promoters

 

[Magnumite]

I have and use two jigs and I buy the parts I like in a particular pattern build. I am looking at selling one and buying a different rail cutter. There is a reason for my interest in these trial runs.

I personally think first timers would be better off with an assembled GI type pistol then shooting and deciding what to change then doing the changes one modification at a time. If somethings goes awry, then the area of the malfunction is known. Once they acquire the understanding, use a 100% frame and attendant parts. Then go to an 80%.

The first 80% builds I read about on this and other sites indicated all kinds of frame issues not addressed in the builders instructions. A 1911 80% is not an AR type build. Definitely not into an 80% Glock that costs more than a Glock. Its a Glock.

 

[mike74]

MDX ARMS https://mdxarms.com/

 

[magnumpi]

https://80pbuilder.com/

 

[Rockzilla]

I have and use two jigs and I buy the parts I like in a particular pattern build. I am looking at selling one and buying a different rail cutter. There is a reason for my interest in these trial runs.

I personally think first timers would be better off with an assembled GI type pistol then shooting and deciding what to change then doing the changes one modification at a time. If somethings goes awry, then the area of the malfunction is known. Once they acquire the understanding, use a 100% frame and attendant parts. Then go to an 80%.

The first 80% builds I read about on this and other sites indicated all kinds of frame issues not addressed in the builders instructions. A 1911 80% is not an AR type build. Definitely not into an 80% Glock that costs more than a Glock. Its a Glock.

Mag, what other kind of rail cutter are you looking at?, just asking.

have to agree, purchase a "test" 1911 (beater), then see what you want to do, change something
one at a time, so you got something to go back to, just an opinion. people have a tendency
to change lots of things at one time, them have no "clue" what happened, throw this part in,
change this and it's like "what happened" no I'm not a gunsmith...parts bin here I come.
People talk about building a "AR" to me that "ain't building" it's assembling, other than milling
the lower, pins, some screws, threaded things. Done the AR thing decades ago, Shotgun News
was my catalog. There's only so much "crap" you can hang on it, once again prefer the "retro"
look..but that's me. Not a Glock person, "it's a Glock" ( wow ) But hey that's me once again...
MP5, UZI, MAC, Krink and others any day. 1911 's you get out of them what you put in them.
Fitting, testing, fitting, testing. But bottom line build what you want, like the saying "it's your
money"...If you want to assembly a AR or do a poly go for it. got nothing against it. Build a
1911 and have some fun. One drawback is the tools / jigs / files / stones / fixtures / etc. Add
up....quickly. Currently saving up for a Tig Welder (decent one) lost use of one.

-Rock

 

[Magnumite]

I am looking at the Matrix rail cutter. Looks like it beats the snot out of the Stealth jib. Stealth works well on aluminum but in stainless or carbon...it bites...long time to cut the rails. There is a learning curve to it.

 

[Rockzilla]

I am looking at the Matrix rail cutter. Looks like it beats the snot out of the Stealth jib. Stealth works well on aluminum but in stainless or carbon...it bites...long time to cut the rails. There is a learning curve to it.

"Yes Sir" thats the one I use / have (Matrix) does great on stainless
and plain steel, don't do a whole lot of Aluminum "builds" It will suit you
well.
and suggested stuff from their site
Use .117 cutters if you are trying to achieve a tight slide fit, and the .118 seems to work well for 1911 builders slides.

picked up something like this a while ago. not this company..
https://deeprivercustoms.com/product/slide-measuring-tool/

-Rock

aka "Parts bin Scrounger"

 

[teratos]

"Yes Sir" thats the one I use / have (Matrix) does great on stainless
and plain steel, don't do a whole lot of Aluminum "builds" It will suit you
well.
and suggested stuff from their site
Use .117 cutters if you are trying to achieve a tight slide fit, and the .118 seems to work well for 1911 builders slides.

picked up something like this a while ago. not this company..
https://deeprivercustoms.com/product/slide-measuring-tool/

-Rock

aka "Parts bin Scrounger"

Matrix is the shizzat.

 

[Rockzilla]

Matrix is the shizzat.

You got it, prefer it out of the other "tools"


-Rock

 

[intobaitem]

JSD Supply jig

Would like to find a MUP 1 jig myself, but have searched 10 pages deep on google and signed up for numerous "notify me" options. The build kits and inserts are easy enough to find but the jigs seem nonexistent.

 

[MD80]

https://www.uspatriotarmory.com/

I've had a lot of very good dealings with these folks.

I noticed this recently on some pages:

Product Details
POLYMER80 - PF9SS 80% STANDARD TEXTURE FRAME FOR GLOCK®43

WILL NOT SHIP TO WASHINGTON DC, WASHINGTON, RHODE ISLAND, DELAWARE, NEW YORK, MASSACHUSETTS, CONNECTICUT, NEW JERSEY, HAWAII, MARYLAND, PHILADELPHIA-PA, SACRAMENTO-CA, SAN FRANSISCO-CA and LOS ANGELES-CA

 

[outrider58]

I noticed this recently on some pages:

Product Details
POLYMER80 - PF9SS 80% STANDARD TEXTURE FRAME FOR GLOCK®43

WILL NOT SHIP TO WASHINGTON DC, WASHINGTON, RHODE ISLAND, DELAWARE, NEW YORK, MASSACHUSETTS, CONNECTICUT, NEW JERSEY, HAWAII, MARYLAND, PHILADELPHIA-PA, SACRAMENTO-CA, SAN FRANSISCO-CA and LOS ANGELES-CA

The bandwagon is growing including Merryland I guess. That's weird...

 

[Magnumite]

May be lawyer inspired, too.