1911 kits?

[brassburnz]

Because California handguns need to pass a function test, the state can only approve a complete pistol. As a result, we can't buy Caspian, Essex, etc. bare frames. You can still buy slides, barrels, ... everything but the frame.

I remember buying frames from Federal Ordnance in El Monte and building up lots of 1911's from parts. I just wanted something that went "bang" so the fit of the parts was loose and sloppy, but all the safeties worked. I had a Kuehnhausen (sp?) manual, a box of GI parts and started putting parts together.

If you look around, you can still find 1911 frames in California, but you can only get them from a private party and you still have to go through an FFL to get it DROSed to you. I've got a brand new Caspian frame in the white sitting in a Tupperware box with a bunch of parts I'm waiting to build.

The other thing you can do is buy a complete gun, build it up the way you want, selling the take-offs to defray some of the cost. This isn't nearly as cost effective as buying a frame and going from there. It isn't as much fun either. I bought a Rock Island Armory .45, sold off the top-end and magazine and started working on the frame as the basis of a .22 conversion. I've run into a couple of problems because the RIA frame was out of spec in a couple of areas when compared to a GI blueprint, but it's starting to look good.

Randy
NRA Life Member

Being that I really enjoyed building my OLL and enjoy working on hardware in general, are there any good CA approved 1911 kits, receivers and so on?
Are there issues with putting one together - i.e. needing tools other than standard hand tools?

[11Z50]

About 10 years ago, I built a few 1911's from bare frames. I had a buddy who went to a wide-body Paraord doublestack frame using his Colt parts. I took his Colt frame and built a stock 1911 that shot really well. Later, I bought 2 Essex frames and built a Commander and full-size 1911.

Yes, it can be done, but be advised it takes a great deal of work and patience. I don't think one may still acquire Essex or other bare frames in the PRK. You'd probably have to get an inexpensive 1911 clone and trick it out.

I still have my 1911's, but in all honesty I have other pistols for serious use that are far more practical. I know alot of folks still swear the 1911 platform is the best ever. I don't agree about that. I carry on a daily basis and there are many more viable options.

Certainly, if you want to do a 1911 project, do so and enjoy. Just be advised you will spend alot of money and time in doing so.

[cho034442]

Did you ever figure out what the problem was?

Nope, but I did tried polishing the feed ramp and the barrel throat with compond, which did not help much. I don't recall which frame kit that I used. Probably was just an inexpensive GI kit.
Anyway, that was back in the days where there was no Internet and I thought that I could do everything on my own

[metalhead357]

Am I off on this or cant an 80% be still bought and had for one of these type builds????????

Second question-- Could/would a frame only FROM OUT OF STATE walked in to a FFL qualify??????

I know....I loved the ideas of Caspian too, but unfortunatly waited too long on that before the law went into effect. So now all you can do (if the 80%) wont work is to RE-build an existing one here