[JohnMcD348]

I want to build a 1911A1 myself as a learning experience and want to start off with a good frame. I'm not looking to build a race gun or super duper home defense/save the world handgun. I just want a decent frame that's of the best quality possible without having to mortgage my house and child for. I'd go for one with an integral rail if it's available but really I'm just wanting a good quality frame to start with. I'll be buying other parts a piece at the time and not all at once. Like I said, it's more for learning than anything.

[JohnMcD348]

I read through the clinics thread on Frames and Slides and was wondering about the idea of just getting a beater gun and playing with it or even getting a Frame/Slide combo to use. I don't have much of any real machining experience but I married into a family of machinists/ T&D makers.

[BBBBill]

Caspian for frames and most other parts. Get one of the Argentine 1911 re-imports or a current production RIA for a beater. Without more info on your wants, desires, knowledge, ability/willingness to learn, access to trained gunsmiths/machinists, that's all I can offer. All of the above will affect the final outcome. Get the Kuhnhausen books, read and digest them well, realizing that even they are not perfect. Seek advice from the "1911Tuners" and other real experts. Have thick skin.

[rcmodel]

The Essex frame is about the lowest cost frame I would even consider. I have built a ton of guns on them over the years and never had any major problems. They are investment-cast, not forged, but hold up to a normal amount of shooting pretty darn well.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=6049&title=1911+AUTO+RECEIVER

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=6051&title=1911+AUTO+SELECT+RECEIVER

Sometimes, they take a little more fitting of internals then a Colt or mil-spec frame, but they only cost a drop in the bucket in comparison.

You have to keep in mind that at todays parts prices, you can buy a pretty nice 1911 cheaper then you can buy all the parts to build one.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[JohnMcD348]

Thanks. I hld no hopes of saving a buck when I build my own. I'm doing this as a learning experience. I'm good at fixing my firearms and have only ever had to send one in for a repair and that was a factory flaw the the company dealt with. I'm by far no smith but I want to learn. I have alot of tools at my disposal and want to do this "1 piece at a time" to get the feel and experience. I don't care about building a race gun or mirror image of JMB's baby. Just looking to put my hands on something and peice it together and when it's all said and done at teh range, when I squeeze off my first rounds, I can smile and say" I MADE THAT". If it takes me 1 year or 10 to finish it, that's how long it'll take me.

[simmonsguns]

Essex blued is a good one to start with, the ejector's are soft on them so for the long run replace it.
All the pin holes on the new ones line up good, finish is good and best of all there cost effective to fit parts to.
There are plenty of "how to" threads here, ask all the questions you need to and search the threads, you might even find somebody to do a hands on if there close enough and have the time.
Some parts fit better than others, some are easier to fit than others, ask when picking out parts if it gets to overwellming. There are a bunch of aftermarket parts out there for these.
The essex stainless frames fit a little tighter than there blued, most builder frames are under $150.00 same with slides.
It is fun to build your own. just keep telling your self that when doing it.

[Clemson]

Another vote for Essex. One of my classmates in GS school just finished transferring the parts from a US issue 1911A1 that had a demilled frame to an Essex frame. It took him a couple of days of hard fitting, but the resulting product is a fine 1911.

Clemson

[JoeHatley]

I used an Essex frame on this Franken-pistol project, and was quite pleased with the overall quality. It took a lot a hand work to polish it, but all the important dimensions and holes were correct.

http://www.iowatelecom.net/~hatley/frankenpistol_l.jpg

BTW: Midway is scheduled to start selling Essex frames and slides in a month.

Joe