Building the Ultimate Carry 45

[JCook5003]

Hey Guys-

I have a build question up in the rifles section on a sporter style do everything rifle that I had planned on building with my granddad, alternatively we could build a 1911.

I would like a 1911 in officers size, probably stainless steel for carry purposes with nice rounded edges and low profile gi sights....

I would prefer to use a Caspian frame and slide and have them fit them just for ease of assembly....what would you guys consider mandatory to build the "ultimate" carry 1911....of course it would probably wind up being a BBQ gun just for sentimental sake but who knows I may love it and carry it......

I was thinking as I said before nice rounded edges with low profile sights of some sort....officers size frame and slide, and probably in stainless for easy care....undecided on bushingless or bushing barrel, opinions?

How would you guys finish it or build the "ultimate" carry 1911?

Open to lots of opinions and insights.....also pictures and links are always appreciated.

Thanks Guys.
Josh

 

[MICHAEL T]

I make it a Commander size, Ed brown bob to the frame . Not that much difference in weight and a lot more toys available.
my officer is relieable Commander is only 3/4" longer.
Might fit commander slide to officer frame also.

 

[CWL]

I too would recommend a Commander size. The Officer size shorty is really "hit or miss" because of short length of slide. You need to time the springs with the weight of slide & recoil to get reliable operation.

Commanders aren't much larger and perform much more similiar to the full size in terms of inherent reliability.

 

[Jimmie]

I would build one that would look an awful lot like this:

Or this if you really want the officer-size:

 

[JCook5003]

I'm not completley against a commander.....what about a commander slide on a officer frame?

Also does someone have a pic to show size comparison between the three configurations above in relation to say the hand or each other?

A true officers model
A true commander
An officers frame with a commander slide.

 

[Bobo]

For many people a long grip is worse than a long slide/barrel for concealed carry.

So, an officer size frame with a commander size slide/barrel can be a good compromise.

This Wilson Combat is a good example of this:
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/p_tactical_supergrade_compact.asp

 

[jonboynumba1]

I think wilson does that (comander slide on officer frame) I kinda had the same reaction

I'm pretty easy to please...round everything sharp and add wilson tac safety, xt mag release, hammer sear, tuned springs, 1 piece guidrod, NM fitted bushing and hand fitted bbl link, Ed brown or wilson trigger, flat MSH and replace any MIM with quallity barstock parts. Oh heck....

I still need sights and a refinish...and a KART bbl. pretty soon but it's my everyday working gun...rides in a bianchi autoretention leather holster...really like it...rock solid retention with super fast draw. Rides well to

Nothing fancy...just a good working gun with good parts. You could just buy an older Kimber and swap a few parts and get about the same thing...not sure it wouldn't cost about the same. I like the wilson beavertail though...I have the jig so it's no big deal to fit one. You're basically ahead a decent bbl. with the Kimber...and in most cases a better frame to slide fit...though this one felt "kimber-esque" out of the box so I built on the humble springer GI. Most people...I say just go buy a loaded Kimber and be done with it. Until you know what you like odds are the basic models have every option you'll need. I hate the FP safety on the new ones though.

All I know about caspian is they are expensive...wilson and RRA both sell fitted frame and slide combos...I'd shop around. They are probably all well made once you are spending that much. You can still get lucky with "off the rack" dressup guns though.

PS- It had an Ed Brown trigger but I needed it for another gun so that is how the McKormic ended up there-LOL

I like commanders and 5" guns...shooting wise I preffer the full size slide

 

[JCook5003]

Anyone else?

 

[El Tejon]

Guys like the Officers Model until they have to train with it. The small size is less than optimal for one handed manipulations. Get a good belt and holster and it will not matter what size 1911 you wish to carry.

If you are asking for my opinion, I'd go with a Government sized weapon. Shave the frame around the grip for better control (I really like to crank down on the grip, especially one handed) and make the whole weapon like a used bar of soap smooth.

Good trigger, high visibility sights that will not move (some like night sights), whatever you like.

Take all the goofy gun gamer rubbish, the hubcap sized mag release, the funnel magwell, extended this, tactical that and throw it in the nearest river or lake.

Finish? Who cares? If it's a carry gun, it will be with you and thus cleaned and inspected regularly. If you like stainless, O.K., whatever.

It matters not what the gun looks like (if it's a carry gun, why care about what it looks like?). It matters that the gun goes bang, everytime. Work toward that goal.

Something like this=>http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/gunsite_gsp.htm

I carry this (without the moronic overtravel screw in the trigger)=>http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/baer_TRS.htm

After you have your pistol, get another one just like it, a box car full of mags and get to school for professional instruction. Good luck on your project!

 

[Ghost Tracker]

The way to make an Officer's frame really terrific is to add a S&A (Smith & Alexander) mag-well/mainspring housing. It adds just enough length to the grip to give room for the little finger if you'll use Wilson Combat 7 rd Officer's mags as well (they have a thicker baseplate). That configuration of frame, combined with a Commander length slide, is a fine CCW set-up.

 

[Flame Red]

The way to make an Officer's frame really terrific is to add a S&A (Smith & Alexander) mag-well/mainspring housing.

I would be cautious. I found that adding a magwell on a carry peice makes it print horribly. That and an ambi safety is not good (unless your a lefty I suppose).

I too perfer a commander size over an officers. Bobtail really helps concealing.

 

[crebralfix]

I'd just buy a SIG P220 Carry. It's GTG out of the box.

 

[ShunZu]

Has anyone had a Colt .45 Officer that would shoot well? I love the design but I've had 2 and sold'em both because I could throw rocks with more accuracy.

 

[Dustinthewind]

I vote for the Commanding Officer. As was stated the barrel is not a problem in concealing, the grip however can be a problem to conceal effectively, especially for smaller statured people like me. I would also vote for a barrel and bushing combo over the cone type barrels. G.I. sights would be upgraded to a three dot set up. There is more opportunity for a snag with the taller sights but they add a lot more functionality to the gun.

 

[10-Ring]

I prefer the commander size over the officer's size 1911, so that would be one thing. I would also go w/ the bobbed grip ala Brown & Wesson and for a carry gun, I'd want her in blue...now that would be a sweet piece