Perfect learner gun to rebuild

[ramsey6199]

Are there any good guns to start learning with? Perhaps a moderate priced gun with a vast array of interchangable parts. Looking to get into gun repair/ modification as a hobby and wanting to know a few good gun selections to start with. Very new to complete tear downs, only thing I have under my belt is a beretta 96d.
A cheap to moderate priced item would be ideal.

 

[RyanW]

AR15, 1911?????

 

[ramsey6199]

Was looking to start a little cheaper something along the lines of beretta. How intricate is the 1911 compared to a 90 series beretta?

 

[Ritten]

Anything at a local pawn shop. The cheaper and dirtier, the better. Find some books that show break downs and part lists for whatever model you find and start tinkering. Also, good tools will cure a LOT of headaches....don't go cheap on your tools.

 

[SGT_Kramer]

I tear everything I own down to springs and pins to see how it all ticks. Last one was a mossberg 930 SPX. What I'm getting at is do you own anything other then 96? if so start there.

 

[ramsey6199]

I own quite a few guns. Mostly Sig's. Not really wanting to take down my c3 or 226 platinum though. I was wanting to see about buying a couple of older used pistols and swapping out new parts/ updating them, to get the feel of it and then moving on to more premium items and improving them.

 

[X Zombie]

A Berreta is a much better platform to play with vs a 1911. Most, if not all Berreta parts are interchangable unlike the 1911 which replacement parts ussually come oversized and needs fitting.

 

[ramsey6199]

Does beretta have items that are custom to swap out like 1911 such as different triggers or hammers?

 

[X Zombie]

I only have experience with the Beretta M9 or 92F civilian version and all the parts we received, from whoever the source was, were interchangable without modification. I can't say the same for 1911. I remember back in the day when I ordered a Wilson safety, trigger and hammer and thought I could just replace them on my Springfield. The hammer dropped right in and the pistol functioned, however it wasn't fitted to the sear. The trigger went in ok, but I didn't have the experience to know how to file it to make it run smooth. I didn't even attempt to try and fit the saftety. In the end I just put the factory parts back on.

 

[SGT_Kramer]

Does beretta have items that are custom to swap out like 1911 such as different triggers or hammers?

Yes. You can just about bling out anything these days. Also your 226 would be a geat one. You'd be surprised how well made and simple.

 

[ramsey6199]

And would Brownells would be the place to get this sort "bling"?

 

[SGT_Kramer]

And would Brownells would be the place to get this sort "bling"?

The best place to learn about the hottest items for particular guns is that guns own forum with all thier followers. I think most people with beretta just swap plastic parts for metal ones and add a double action only hammer spring. At least thats what I do.

 

[ramsey6199]

The best place to learn about the hottest items for particular guns is that guns own forum with all thier followers. I think most people with beretta just swap plastic parts for metal ones and add a double action only hammer spring. At least thats what I do.

Appreciate the input.

 

[Cochise]

Does beretta have items that are custom to swap out like 1911 such as different triggers or hammers?

Yes they do. Here I am going to direct you to http://berettaforum.net/. They have a wealth of info about all the things you can do to a beretta, and are a great bunch of guys.

Another recommendation I will throw out is the Ruger 10/22. One of the most commonly customized and fun project guns around, a ridiculous amount of available parts and upgrades and they can be found very cheap used.

 

[eMGunslinger]

^^ I agree 10/22 get a cheap one and the sky is the limit...also its 22lr so if all else fails you cant kill yourself

 

[Quickdraw22]

Remington 870. They're cheap, stupid simple, and you can actually "use" the bling if applied with a sense of logic.

 

[dmurph]

I got started with pawn shop .22s they can be had for cheap and if numerich doesnt have a diagram and replacement parts, ebay or gunbroker usually does. After all is said and done you have a good gun that shoots cheap ammo and will always be worth something. +1 on good tools and a clean solid work space/ bench, with the right tools and space task will be much easier to learn and accomplish. good luck

 

[charliepapa]

Yes. You can just about bling out anything these days. Also your 226 would be a great one. You'd be surprised how well made and simple.

I had to reassemble a friend's 226 after he detail stripped it for cleaning. neither of us had ever done it before but with only an exploded diagram printed from the internet, I was able to get it done. there was one spring that was a little confusing but in the end it wasn't too bad, especially for not having been the one who took it apart.

 

[dmurph]

Google is a godsend and so is numerich