How to Carve a Model 1911 Colt Pistol

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Select a blank

   A knotty piece of southern yellow pine at least 12 inches (30.5 cm) long, 8 inches (20.3 cm) wide, and 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick will work well.
   
   Note that the knots or gnarly grained wood will not split or crack as easily as a straight grained piece, making your finished gun more rugged.
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   Step 2: that is

   This angle cut through the blank is the weakest area of your project, and as mentioned above, a tight, solid knot will make it stronger. , If you do not have access to one, or a replica like an Air Soft version, you will need to find a photograph of one which can be duplicated to a life sized scale and cut out for a template, or draw one free hand. , Make sure the lines are dark enough or contrast the color of the wood well enough to be clearly visible when it is cut. , Working an inch or so outside the lines at the beginning will allow you to cut very sharp corners more easily, and give you more room to turn the blank on the band saw bed (table). , You will find it is easier to cut into line intersections beginning at the edge, then remove the blank, and cut an intersecting line rather than trying to make very sharp corners. , The grips on the Colt should be about 1 1/8 inches (20.3 cm) thick, the action and barrel about 7⁄8 inch (2.2 cm), but you can leave it a bit thicker so the excess can be sanded away later, when you are finishing the weapon. , A mini-grinder, or 4 inch (10.2 cm) angle grinder with a 60 grit sanding disk on a flexible backing pad works well for this task, but a die grinder or Dremel type tool with a drum sander attachment will also work, and is a bit safer for inexperienced people. , Holding the workpiece in a vise makes this process much easier and safer. , You can also shape the area on the grip where the metal frame and the grip material (usually high impact plastic or hardwood) meet. , These tools make cutting these irregular and curved surfaces much quicker and easier. ,, A very sharp tool will require less force when cutting, reducing the risk of slipping, which can result in a serious injury or damage to the carving. , Sanding with (in the direction of) the grain will give the best results.
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   Step 3: a piece of suitable lumber large enough to trace or draw out the outline of your pistol.

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   Step 4: Position the gun (or template

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   Step 5: see next step) on the blank so that any large knots fall near the location where the grip meets the action of the weapon.

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   Step 6: Trace the outline of an actual Colt pistol if you have one available.

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   Step 7: Draw only the basic outline or shape on the blank

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   Step 8: keeping your pencil perpendicular to the edges so you do not get distortion in the actual shape.

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   Step 9: Use a bench top bandsaw with a scrolling woodcutting blade to cut the outline of your pistol out of the blank.

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    Step 10: After the rough blank is cut out

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    Step 11: cut the actual traced line with the band saw.

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    Step 12: Rip the stock to the correct width after the blank is cut to the actual shape of the gun.

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    Step 13: Use a power sander to round the edges of the grips

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    Step 14: the font of the barrel

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    Step 15: and the trigger guard

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    Step 16: being careful not to remove too much material.

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    Step 17: Cut the trigger out with a spiral cut saw (RotoZip

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    Step 18: or die grinder with a spiral cutting bit).

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    Step 19: Use a sharp knife or a carving chisel to cut the recessed areas such as the trigger/trigger guard assembly

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    Step 20: the cartridge ejection port

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    Step 21: and the taper underneath the barrel near the muzzle.

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    Step 22: Use a rasping bit or drum sander on a die grinder to smooth the recesses in the trigger guard

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    Step 23: as well as the flats between the grips and the frame.

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    Step 24: Use the die grinder with a cut-off wheel to make the lines in the frame

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    Step 25: barrel

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    Step 26: and action

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    Step 27: as well as cutting any checkering or knurling you want to add to make the gun authentic looking.

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    Step 28: Use a chisel or carving tool to clean up and finish shape the contours and curves of the frame

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    Step 29: action

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    Step 30: and barrel of your gun.

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    Step 31: Sand the carving with a medium and then fine grit sandpaper to give a smooth

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    Step 32: finished surface.

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