Has anyone built your on single pistol?

Can you elaborate a bit? Are you talking about building from square one? Or are you talking about starting with a project action (XP, Striker) and rebarreling, new stock, etc.?

I'm talking about finding a action and building it from there.......what kind of action would you start with?

You are going to have to start with a pistol action. Don't even think about using a rifle action. That will put you in violation of federal law and potentially in a heap of trouble.

That leaves you with three choices:

1) Old XP-100 action - dogleg bolt, single shot, model 600 action.

2) Newer XP-100 action - straight bolt, repeater, model seven action

3) Striker action - heavier gun, left hand bolt and ejection port, repeater.

My personal preference is for the older style single shot XP-100 action. I like the weight and balance of it compared to the newer XP and the Striker. I would pick either XP over the striker due to the availability of aftermarket stocks, triggers, etc. There are some items available for the Striker, but more for the XP.

The Stiker does have its benefits. I like the left hand bolt and ejection. Also, it is easier to work with longer cartridges when you rebarrel the Striker compared to the older XP action. The Striker has some benefits for a first time builder. The barrel nut makes changing the barrel very easy. The factory stock also can be modified to a more pleasing shape - both to look at and to shoot.

Maybe the question that you should ask is which action to use for my FIRST custom single shot.

The XP can be rebarreled easily as well. You can go the hard route with a barrel blank and then thread, chamber, crown, etc. Or, you can contact Douglas barrels and order a fitted threaded and chambered barrel in any caliber that you desire. The FTC barrel needs minimal machine work to fit it to the receiver. With the older XP, you must carefully consider the chambering because you may not be able to eject loaded rounds without removing the bolt unless you open up the action a bit.

You mention buying an action. I don't think that you are going to find an XP or Striker as an action only. I would be more inclined for a first time project to buy a basic gun and go to work customizing it. If you are insistent on buying an action only, you may want to look at HS Precision and Nesika. At one time Nesika did have an action available. I am not sure if they still offer one for handguns. I don't know if HS Precision has ever sold the actions seperately.

Just checked the Nesika site. They do still offer a handgun action - $1000.00. Ouch. I would look for a used XP or Striker. I just bought an XP in 7BR for $400. That included the factory stock and a laminated Fajen replacement. Check gunsamerica.com for XPs. You can find them there for reasonable prices at times.

You can use any new action that has never been assembled in rifle form......order a new Remington 700 or Sako, etc, action from Brownells or a Montana action from MRC....

Letter from the BATF that verifies this:
BATF letter

I just got the new American Hunter. They say Brownells is going to sell the Remington 700 short action reciever for $400 . Still pretty steep when you can buy a compleat Striker for $300.

Jeff

I guess building your own might be the best thing to do....well, I have a Lone Eagle now so I have plenty of time to tinker with something else.

Thanks Guys