[OMCHamlin]

Hey guys, let me get your opinions on this. I have an Essex frame on which I have mounted an older Colt Ace .22 top end. I was thinking if I could find a decent, yet inexpensive .45 slide and barrel, I would end up with a spare .45. Who makes a good one at a good price, with standard fixed sights, matt blue or parkerized?

Thanks,
Chris

[Longbow]

Caspian is tops IMHO. But Dealer Warehouse and Sarco has some low cost offerings (from $50-$75), check them out in the Shotgun news. Good luck!

[Sactown]

CDNN is selling series 70 and 80 slides with adj sights, fixed sights, or no sights. Prices seem to range from 130 to 200. I'm looking at the ad in front of me.

[DMK]

They are sometimes referred to as "Colt Competition" slides since that is what is stamped under the ejection port.

I had a 1911 smith put one on my Sistema and I'm very happy with it. I was a little concerned since I understand the are some kind of factory rejects, but he apparently didn't have any trouble with fitting or machining it, fitting a barrel, Novak sights and extractor, plus nicely enlarging the ejection port.

The only thing I could find wrong with the slide was the serations are a little dinged up. Apparently that's why it was rejected. Didn't bother me, it nicely matches the dings on my 50 year old Sistema's frame!

[Redlg155]

You might want to also take a peek atJT Distributing. (http://www.jtdistributing.com/military/colt45/index.shtml)

I haven't tried their .45 parts, but they are an excellent source for AR parts and kits.

Good SHooting
RED