TLynnHughes wrote:This is absolutely gorgeous!!! It makes me want to make one. I love the cat on the grip. I'm a big fan of little graphics that make items very personal.
Would you share some of your expertise? What is the best way to get started?
T.
My husband has been gunsmithing some on his own, so he had already collected the tools I needed. He built one last year, so he gave me some advice and supervision.
Looking at the
schematic on the brownell's site helped identify and list the parts needed and where to put them.
I didn't have a vice, which would have helped when filing the larger parts - like the frame rail and fitting the grip safety. There are a couple of specialty tools you need for one time use like a plunger tool staker. A large magnet is a handy tool to have, I lost the thumb safety plunger and spring a couple of times while trying to install it -- that little spring can fly.
The frame and slide came from Caspian, and for an extra fee, they can fit and install some of the parts for you (which might be worth it if you don't have those kinds of tools).
They
can also factory fit the frame to slide -- but my husband wanted the satisfaction of doing it all himself -- so bought the frame & slide with nothing extra or special except the series 80 and novak site cuts.
I decided if he could do it, I could do it; so I took parts he ordered and started plugging away at it. The rest was A LOT of filing and testing for fit -- until it fit.
Very, very nice! 
