1911 frame stolen...what to do with the rest?

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ss101

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While driving across country from DE to CA (moving for my job) someone cut the lock on our moving truck and stole a bunch of things. One of the things that they stole was the frame of my SA loaded 1911 (it was disassembled for the move and I still have the rest of it, all they got was the pistol grip with the trigger assembly and hammer). So my question is, what do I do with the rest of the gun that I still have? I still have the barrel, slide, recoil system, firing pin and spring, and the ejector. I know that the slide-to-frame fit is very important so is buying another frame a good idea? Or should I just call it a loss and buy a whole new gun?

I'm just looking for some options from some people in the know about 1911s. Thanks in advance.
 
I would say two options, first buy a new frame and have the slide tuned to it, or sell the parts you have and use the money to purchase a new whole gun.
 
You could have a new gun built under it; I have a Springfield slide on a Baer receiver (long story) that does very well. But you might come out cheaper just to buy a new Springfield and sell the extra upper.
 
Usually the cost of fitting an existing slide to a new custom frame exceeds the cost of purchsing a new gun.
 
to wow, its SS and I'm looking to sell if you're looking to buy

to the rest, thanks for the quick replies...looks like its shopping time!

...in San Diego :/
 
Report it for sure. assume you did. Is there insurance to cover it?

Easy ....... just buy a new Loaded.

I'd have not thought to strip one down that far to just transport. but it's good to know there is NOT another stolen full gun out there.
 
Yes, insurance is a great thing. I have USAA and have all my firearms insured as one lot. They asked me how much I want if they ALL get stolen, and I calculated with today's market it would be about 15k so I told them that and they said I can insure them for any amount I want. So I upped it to 25k so if they all disappeared, I'd be able to find NIB ones of everything. I also asked if one gets stolen how would it work and they said I can get what I feel is common market for a brand new version of it. They also said I can get agreed value of it if it is one no longer made like my 2.5in Python, which I also have insured for 3K alone.
 
Keep in mind that it wasn't just a part of your gun that was stolen it was the gun itself because the frame on a 1911 is considered the gun and everything else is just parts. If someone rebuilds a gun from the frame they stole from you then you and uses it in a crime then you could get into some trouble for that. Make sure you report it as a stolen gun.

I would just sell the complete slide assembly on gunbroker and put the money towards a new gun.
 
Depending what state or city the items were stolen in, the owner could be in big trouble if they report it. Some states like NY and Il. are very strict about transporting firearms or pistols thru their states. In NY your going to be arrested if they find a hand gun, no matter what the federal laws are. I think even in California you need permission from the California DOJ in order to bring a pistol into the state.

That is why on a recent move across country I had all my guns shipped thru an FFL to FFL dealer it ran me about $500 for everything, but I felt it was cheaper than paying any legal fees or dealing with cops about or stolen guns from my truck on a long road trip
 
Yuck.

I've heard and read so many horror stories from people moving.

If the day should come that I'm moving far enough that parking my stuff is unavoidable...

I think I'll sleep in the back with my pistols, with the distributor cap on the floor next to me. (applicable laws etc etc)

Good luck and get that theft reported.
 
Depending what state or city the items were stolen in, the owner could be in big trouble if they report it. Some states like NY and Il. are very strict about transporting firearms or pistols thru their states. In NY your going to be arrested if they find a hand gun, no matter what the federal laws are. I think even in California you need permission from the California DOJ in order to bring a pistol into the state.
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Actually Peaceable Journey will protect in any State when driving across country with your firearms.

926A. Interstate transportation of firearms

Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.
Click to expand...

Over the past decade I've made the drive between Maine and AR and NM at least six times with all my guns. I keep them all locked up in the back of my SUV and don't travel with ammo. I try to pass through the more anti-gun States as quickly as possible and only stop for the night in more gun friendly States. I'm actually making the move back to Maine in about a month and I'll have all my guns with me when I make the drive.
 
The law federal may eventually protect you at the end of a trial in sorting things out.

But when your stopped by the cops and they find a hand gun with out a valid CCW permit or passing thru another state, most of the time they will simply arrest you and have the lawyers and judges sort it out.

Note cops simply enforce the law they don't interperet it.

Its not something you want to risk on for the simple ffl dealer fees. A good criminal defense lawyer is going to charge you $3K - $5k to sort things out if you get nailed on the road. Not to mention other financial costs or even loss of income due to the arrest.
 
But when your stopped by the cops and they find a hand gun with out a valid CCW permit or passing thru another state, most of the time they will simply arrest you and have the lawyers and judges sort it out.
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That might be true if you are pulled over and they have reason to search your vehicle and find a loaded gun within reach of the driver or occupant of the car.

However if all your guns are unloaded and locked in cases and stored in the back of your car and it's obvious that you are in the process of moving I highly doubt you are in any danger of being arrested for that. I think most cops would understand if you explained to them that you are in the process of moving from point A to point B and you are simply bringing your guns with you along with your other possessions.

In the end it's your call whether you feel comfortable transporting your guns or not when you move. For me personally I believe that the law clearly allows for people to move across country with their guns so long as they go about it in accordance with the peaceable journey law. If you are worried about local LE harassment along the way then by all means ship your firearms collection.
 
Keep in mind that it wasn't just a part of your gun that was stolen it was the gun itself because the frame on a 1911 is considered the gun and everything else is just parts. If someone rebuilds a gun from the frame they stole from you then you and uses it in a crime then you could get into some trouble for that. Make sure you report it as a stolen gun.
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You need to report it, but you won't get it trouble if a stolen gun is used in a crime. There is no liability there. The police may ask you some questions, but there is nothing else they will do, especially if you reported it stolen.
 
I reported the weapon stolen, Oklahoma City cops didn't even seem to care. I had the frame in the blue plastic box that the gun shipped from SA in with a pad lock on it. The rest of the parts were locked in my range bag. They stole the case but left the bag.

Thank God that they didn't get the whole thing. I guess this is just a good excuse to find a replacement...and to get a nice RSC to keep it in :)
 
You need to report it, but you won't get it trouble if a stolen gun is used in a crime. There is no liability there. The police may ask you some questions, but there is nothing else they will do, especially if you reported it stolen.
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Not true, almost every State have safe storage laws in place. If your gun is stolen and used in a crime you can be charged with reckless endangerment if it's deemed that the gun was stolen because it was not properly secured.

There is always the possibility that if the gun was used in a violent crime that the victims family will try and file a civil suit against you. Remember that we live in a world where people love to sue each other.

Your best bet if your gun is stolen is to report it within 24-48 hours and let the police know that you considered it secured to the best of your ability when it was stolen.
 
Not true, almost every State have safe storage laws in place. If your gun is stolen and used in a crime you can be charged with reckless endangerment if it's deemed that the gun was stolen because it was not properly secured.
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the OP mentioned the LOCK was cut off his moving truck. i think that qualifies him for "safe storage".
 
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