Is it possible to build a complete gun...?

State laws may differ, but under federal law only the receiver is controlled. It can be send only to an FFL holder.

As for components fitting "off the shelf", you will have to make sure when buying them that they are compatible with the other components they will be connected to or interacting with.

yes for 99% of the parts.

However, the one part called the RECEIVER is considered to be a firearm in and of itself.

you need to buy the receiver from an FFL, or build the receiver from scratch by hand yourself.

The best example of this is the AR-15, the receiver of an AR-15 is actually divided into halves, a top half and the bottom half, only the bottom half is considered the 'true receiver' and that is the part that needs an FFL

here is a link to a 'stripped receiver' you can buy everything else on line to build the rest, but the stripped receiver is a 'gun'

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumbe...

Although alot of these guys seem to be well informed .....(right)

any way cruise gun shows...I have seen boxes of un finished frames and with that and all the components there are at a gun show, with alot of work and some metal working experiance it is possible........But like the advice given me on this......it's just alot better to go out and buy a RIA .

The frame of the pistol is the serial numbered part. It must be legally transferred as a firearm. There are no other restrictions on parts.

Caspian sells high quality frames and slides for those who wish to build their own.

http://www.caspianarmsltd.com/

There are many sites and threads on building a 1911

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq...