Frame help

[nightruben]

Hi folks Im new here and need some of your help I few months ago I bought a colt model 70 MkIV in pretty bad shape. The slide ,the barrel , an internals are in good condition but the frame sucks:banghead: is all rusted an very damaged and I want to change it, Ive been looking on the internet for a frame that has drop-in instalation (i mean a frame that only needs the intenals but doesnt requires fitting for rails-slide and has the pluger tube and and the ejector) and found this http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=24740&title=1911 AUTO RECEIVER at brownells but I dont Know if its is going to work


thank you for answering

 

[nightruben]

Question

An another question does this frame is already ramped for the 45 ACP

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, and no!

Essex frames are generally pretty good, and can be built into very nice guns.
However, they sometimes have out of spec pin holes and require some parts fitting.

And your Colt was built in a time when Colt still did some hand fitting on the assembly line, so your internals have possibly been fitted to your frame to some extent. That means they will no longer "drop-in" anything except the frame they are in right now.

Then again, if you replace the Colt frame with an Essex frame, the Colt just became an Essex parts gun with quite a bit less value then it's former Colt self.

I would suggest you contact one of the better gun re-finishers and have the frame redone. They can work wonders!
I'm not necessarly recommending this company, but it will give you some idea of what can be done.
http://www.ccrrefinishing.com/

Even a refinished all-original Colt will be worth way more then an Essex parts gun.
And probably for less money then replacing the frame and getting it working right again.

rcmodel

 

[nightruben]

?

And what if I buy new internals from other company like wilson combat and put them in the essex frame Will they Drop-in fit?

 

[rcmodel]

Maybe, maybe not.

As I said, Essex frames sometimes are not exactly to spec on the pin holes.

Regardless, the thumb & grip safetys would have to be fitted & safety checked. They don't just "drop in" on any frame.

rcmodel

 

[Steve C]

The frame is "the gun" and will require a purchase through an FFL. If the current frame is broken or cracked then I'd say scrap it, salvage your parts and if you buy a new frame you are building a new gun.

However, if the frame is just rusted and is still functional it can be refinished. If the pitting is too deep to take out completely have the surface bead blasted and then a mat blue will result if blued or have it parkerized which is the standard military "painted" on finish that's quite durable but flat in texture.

Take the frame to a gunsmith or refinisher and have it evaluated. I've seen some pretty sad looking guns come back like new when refinished properly.

Another option would be to return it to Colt for refinish or frame replacement. Then you can still have a Colt and not an after market frame gun built with Colt parts.

There are other options as to finishes that others can suggest.