Caspian 1911 project

[dwtt]

Hello everyone,
I had been kicking around this idea of building a nice 1911 based on a Caspian frame and slide, even though this would be the first time I've assembled a 1911. The more I looked into it, the more it seems people prefer to have gunsmiths build their Caspians for them and now I'm wondering it maybe I should go that route. If I have an experienced gunsmith build the gun for me, it's going to work well with no problems, but it's going to be expensive and I won't have the experience of doing the project and learning the 1911 in detail, which is a primary reason why I wanted to build a 1911. If I build the gun myself, I'll certainly learn what not to do, and might end up screwing up the final product.
Can anyone here who has built a 1911 offer advice?

I'm choosing Caspian because I've seen some very nice Caspian 1911s and figured this will be my once-in-a-lifetime 1911 build. I haven't sourced the parts yet but was looking at having a Bar-sto barrel with conventional bushing.
thanks.

[Spyder]

I'm well in to a Caspian race ready recon carbon frame and carbon Caspian slide build. Have frame, slide, barrel fitted and just got a package in the mail with the rest of the parts, mostly Nighthawk, Wilson, and Cylinder and Slide, today. Sometime soon I'll have to turn on the tv and get out my files and stones to finish it.

[splithoof]

Back around 1982 I built up a Caspian project, and had a long-time 1911 smith fit the slide, barrel, and pin. I then finished the remainder, and it runs well to this day. Spent a lot of time with files getting the beavertail safety to blend with the frame, not to mention the slide milling work for the Bomar rear sight. Take your time, plan it out first, and it should go well.

[GreenAndy]

I'm curious, how do you buy a caspian frame? They are not on the roster. Are you LEO or do you have a friend that is?

I would like to do the same.

[Spyder]

Intra familial transfer.

Mines almost done. Some more minor fitting, and making the barrel bushing fit and I'm there. Bushing is a pain, as it's on a barrel with a pinned and welded brake, but it's close!!

[Garand1911]

My first 1911 was custom built on a Caspian frame.

[1911whore]

Caspian is a great base to a custom pistol. Trust me.

[MosinVirus]

Caspian is a great base to a custom pistol. Trust me.

PROVE IT!!!

lol.

[BigPimping]

Be careful.........

[skosh69]

Be careful.........

That's it? No 1911 bashing? You're slipping homie.

[bwhited]

Just buy a basic Springfield and build it into what you want.
You can still change the slide and end up a perfect fit, as long as you either have the time, patience, and tools or have a top quality gunsmith do the work.

[hambam105]

No time to take a JC level basic machine shop class? Just spend lots of money on a Caspian frame and start hacking and filing and cutting your way into a pristine 1911. Heck, why not?

[haw1144]

or buy an 80% and build it out. you'll learn (and curse) a lot haha

https://1911builders.com/

[JTROKS]

I miss buying Caspian frames and putting them together. Back in the days you can get a frame and slide for less than $250 and you pay more if you don't want the "C" logo on the slide. If you wait for the blems you can save even more.

If I was to put a tight tolerance single stack racegun together I would look for a Springfield RO. You can use the stainless Target model, but it will require Acc-U-Rail for the tight slide to frame fit and believe me it will be smooth like rolling marbles on a beveled glass top table.

I have 1 Caspian frame and slide project waiting for me. Since I don't shoot USPSA much I'm waiting for one of my boys to take a liking into the sport. I'll wait and see how he wants to build it.

[hambam105]

Far as I know, Caspian has always made a excellent product; maybe a little over-engineered, but none the less excellent 1911 frame and slide manufacture.

If, and I do mean if, Caspian never reached the success that I think they deserve, is because so many untrained novices take hammer & file to the product and produce sub par range samples.