Cheap 1911 frame quality

[Rover]

Finishing up my first 1911 build, or rather rebuild of my old worn out Springfield A1 GI, and having a ton of fun with it. I'd like to build some more 1911s, but obviously a Caspian frame is out of the question, so I'm thinking the thing to do is buy a couple "cheap" 1911s either new or used and harvest the serialized frame from them.

Question is, what frames should I be looking for, what frames should I steer clear of?

I can get a Citadel for $550 NIB, figure that's about $300 for the frame once I eBay the parts off it, so not horrible, but I don't know if that leaves me with a decent foundation to build from. Should I look for a Rock Island instead? More Springfields? Something else?

[Mute]

At the minimum, I'd go with a Rock Island. I have a friend who tried to do some work on a Citadel and he had some issues with fitting parts. Granted, it could have just been him, but when I took a look at the issues he had, I suspected that his gun was more likely not perfectly in spec for a 1911.

[TomReloaded]

Gi rocks are as cheap as $459.

I wanted the same thing, so I bought a cheap GI ria to modify. I didn't want to hack up a more expensive gun. I cut the frame for a beaver tail, fit a new slide with Novak cuts, redid the barrel fit, match bushing, trigger job with stoning etc.

It's really not a "cheap" gun. It's far far surpassed what I expected. The only thing I don't like is the park finish, but you're not getting a blued gun cheap.

I'm a fan of the brand and I'd buy another one in a second.

[Rover]

Sounds like some RIAs should be on my shopping list

Originally Posted by TomReloaded

The only thing I don't like is the park finish, but you're not getting a blued gun cheap.

Yeah the parkerized finish is less than ideal, but I don't see myself getting a GI frame and not checkering the front strap at the very least, so refinishing is going to happen one way or another.

[1911guy94]

Originally Posted by TomReloaded

Gi rocks are as cheap as $459.

I wanted the same thing, so I bought a cheap GI ria to modify. I didn't want to hack up a more expensive gun. I cut the frame for a beaver tail, fit a new slide with Novak cuts, redid the barrel fit, match bushing, trigger job with stoning etc.

It's really not a "cheap" gun. It's far far surpassed what I expected. The only thing I don't like is the park finish, but you're not getting a blued gun cheap.

I'm a fan of the brand and I'd buy another one in a second.

Good to see RIA's getting some love. My first handgun was a basic 1911a1 Rock Island and I was shocked it has held up well. Recently bought a springfield armory im going to do modifications to but good to see there's info here about doing these kinda modifications

[edgerly779]

I have slides and barrels.