1911 First Time Build - Frame Question

[Higgins]

I'm going to my first 1911 build from parts. I'm considering what frame to use.

This being my first build, I anticipate learning errors. I don't want to use the best-est, most expensive frame out there (Caspian, etc...). (My goal is to use this as a learning experience to make a functional 1911, not to make an Ed Brown quality pistol necessarily. I'm not interested in pretty).

I'd like to use a less expensive frame so I won't care as much if I screw something up (scratch, ding, file mark, bent rail or dust cover, etc...). However, I've read that inexpensive frames can be off-spec which makes working with them difficult - an added hurdle I don't need for a first build.

So what stripped frame would someone recommend that's less expensive but of reputable quality and fairly sure to be in-spec?

Double Star
Essex
Auto-Ordnance
FAC

other?

Thanks for any suggestions/wisdom. (Oh, recommended places to buy would be a plus also).


(yes, I know I could just buy a 1911 more cheaply, but doing a build is just something I want to do. I need a hobby. And I know SA frames are supposed to be good for building up, but I don't want to buy a complete pistol and upgrade. My preference is just to start from a stripped frame. Thanks).

 

[Stinkyshoe]

It is a good experience. But before you spend any money, ask yourself if you want to shoot, or want to tinker. I learned that the money would have been better spent on ammo and training. Just my two cents...

Essex makes a good product. You can get factory second slides for nearly half price. If you do pick a frame up at a show, make sure it hasn't been 'Gun Schmidted' too much already.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

You won't get a FAC, because from what I recently read they went bankrupt.

Caspian costs a bit more than Essex, but I have heard of people having problems with Essex frames being out of spec, and I've not heard that about any Caspian frames.

 

[Sean O'Brian]

Late to the dance

Your best bet, IMHO is getting a "blem" (slightly blemished) Caspian frame. The Caspian is likely the cheapest frame you want to spend your time working on. Essex and most of the others you mentioned are notorious for being out-of-spec.

If your time is worth anything, don't waste it trying to determine if a mistake is your work of the frame/slide manufacturing tolerances.

If you have any kind of non-glossy finish to your in-the-white Caspian "blem" frame/slide, the tiny 1-1.5 mm cosmetic imperfections (that are not on the rail or other essential parts) are usually rendered imperceptible.

If you haven't done so already, you might enjoy taking a look at both the classes and parts at http://www.cylinder-slide.com/

Brownells is of course a wealth of knowledge http://www.brownells.com/ not to mention Jerry Kuhnhausen's shop manuals on building / modifying / tweaking 1911s

Volume 1 (top of list)

Volume 2

cheers,

-Sean

 

[Jammer Six]

Not to mention that if it's your first time, you won't KNOW if the problem is with you or the frame...

An out of spec frame could be the difference between success and failure.

Cheaper isn't. This isn't about money. If it is, buy a good weapon. If it isn't about money, get the Caspian.

 

[Canuck-IL]

Since Essex went with CNC machining I've heard only positive things about their workmanship and customer service. The 'out-of-spec' fears are, I believe, a thing of the past.
/B

 

[1911Tuner]

Essex CNC

Quote:

>Since Essex went with CNC machining I've heard only positive things about their workmanship and customer service. The 'out-of-spec' fears are, I believe, a thing of the past.<
***********************

Ditto. I've used 2 frames and 4 slides in the last 4 years, and have had zero problems. The only issue with the frames is the radius above the tangs being a little too large to correctly match up with the slide. Even though you can get the frames blued for a nominal extra cost, I'd suggest getting one in the white so that this area can be blended, and having it finished yourself.