My First Parts-Built Pistol
By Kevin J. Moore
There is a special satisfaction that comes from taking components and turning them into a functioning firearm. Additionally, building my first pistol was equal parts fiddly and rewarding. Thus, below is the story of my build.
The Spark:
I’d been curious for a while about assembling a handgun from scratch. Subsequently, after gathering parts from several suppliers and troubleshooting, I ended up with a pistol that runs flawlessly. The only component requiring an FFL transfer was the Lone Wolf stripped lower—everything else arrived straight to my door as standard parts and accessories.
Gear & Highlights
• Lone Wolf stripped lower (FFL transfer)
• Brownells Gen 3 frame parts kit (I bought two after losing a spring)
• Brownells Glock 19 window-cut RMR slide
• Brownells Glock 19 barrel
• Stainless steel Gen 3 guide rod
• Holosun 407 red dot
• Striker Control Device (SCD)—a prototype from Langdon Tactical
The Rough Spots (and Fixes)
I hit my first snag when a trigger from one of the parts kits had slightly off geometry. The defect wasn’t visible to the naked eye, but it was just enough to provide to many beans per pull. After a complete tear down and some troubleshooting, I replaced the trigger assembly, which instantly resolved the issue. Later on, I also had to swap a roll pin on the SCD after it exploded due to a high round count (75k+). Aside from those minor hiccups, the build reinforced the value of patience and the importance of keeping spare small parts on hand.
What I Learned
> Stockpile spare small parts (springs, pins) on hand—they’re easy to lose and serve as cheap insurance.
> Expect to troubleshoot; patience is a fundamental part of the hobby.
>Ensure wear items are inspected regularly during heavy use and replaced as needed.
>Mounting optics accurately and applying proper torque substantially improves the shooting experience.
Final Thoughts
As a result, this project emerged as one of the most rewarding I’ve tackled. From staging the initial parts to that satisfying first slide rack and eventual reliable performance at the range, the process taught me an immense amount about mechanical components, durability, and patience. Not my last gun build but I will always remember my first. Cobble Pot Glock