About 20 months ago I picked up a Marvel 1911 .22 conversion. This unit mounted on a “Clackamas” Kimber Classic Custom proved to be reliable and extremely accurate, firing well over 6000 rounds since its purchase. However, having one of my 1911s dedicated to this conversion always bothered me, so I decided to build a dedicated 1911 receiver for the conversion unit. (OK, maybe it was just a self deluding excuse to obtain another gun.)
With the help of my friendly local FFL, I ordered an Essex "Enhanced" SS 1911 frame. The enhanced frame is supplied with a beveled magazine well and a .250 radius cut for a beavertail grip safety. Also the frame comes with both the plunger tube and ejector installed.
The following parts were chosen and ordered from Brownells:
Ed Brown - SS pin set, mag catch, hammer strut and grip safety.
Smith & Alexander cherckered flat SS main spring housing.
Chip McCormick thumb safety and thin rosewood grips.
Nowlin fire control part set (hammer, sear, disconnect, sear spring and main spring).
Wilson trigger.
Assembly presented no unusual problems. Only minor fitting of the trigger and normal fitting of the grip and thumb safeties were required. Fitting the conversion unit’s barrel lug into the frame required the most file work but was easily accomplished. Overall, it took less then six hours from inventorying the parts to shooting the finished product.
And shoot it does! The gun runs perfectly and has a very nice trigger thanks to the Nowlin pre-fit parts. It also fees great in my hands, having my favorite grip/trigger/MSH combination.
Overall, I’m very happy with the final product, it was not inexpensive but it was a satisfying project (not to mention that it put another toy in the safe).
JAC
With the help of my friendly local FFL, I ordered an Essex "Enhanced" SS 1911 frame. The enhanced frame is supplied with a beveled magazine well and a .250 radius cut for a beavertail grip safety. Also the frame comes with both the plunger tube and ejector installed.
The following parts were chosen and ordered from Brownells:
Ed Brown - SS pin set, mag catch, hammer strut and grip safety.
Smith & Alexander cherckered flat SS main spring housing.
Chip McCormick thumb safety and thin rosewood grips.
Nowlin fire control part set (hammer, sear, disconnect, sear spring and main spring).
Wilson trigger.
Assembly presented no unusual problems. Only minor fitting of the trigger and normal fitting of the grip and thumb safeties were required. Fitting the conversion unit’s barrel lug into the frame required the most file work but was easily accomplished. Overall, it took less then six hours from inventorying the parts to shooting the finished product.
And shoot it does! The gun runs perfectly and has a very nice trigger thanks to the Nowlin pre-fit parts. It also fees great in my hands, having my favorite grip/trigger/MSH combination.
Overall, I’m very happy with the final product, it was not inexpensive but it was a satisfying project (not to mention that it put another toy in the safe).
JAC
