Suppressors 1911 Build Up Question

[Insayn]

I have an arsenaled US Property Colt 1911 with the frame being from 1917. The slide is from a late model 1911 according to the markings and roll stamp. It appears to have not been fired since the arsenal rebuild. It has grayish/greenish parkarizing with no wear.
My question is, is his better off left as is from a collector standpoint or is there some real value where it shouldn't be altered. Is this a suitable platform to use? I am considering having this built up into a custom 1911 with a lot of aftermarket parts and checkering.
I have another 1911A1 from 1945 that appears to have never been issued or fired so that is my collectors piece.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: 1911 Build Up Question

Your firearm sounds a lot like the USMC Teams Quantico Maint Shop builds that are individually built and issued to the teams members. Back in the 90's they had a massive stock of unissued WWI USN 1911A1'a to draw on as basic build platforms. Probably still do.

Given the choice, I'd leave it unaltered. Nothing wrong with another collector 1911.

When I did my builds in the 1990's I preferred to start with the S/A equivalent of a very basic, standard Mil-Spec Series 70.

* Edited to Add:

I received guidance and moral support from George Carell, Bullseye Gunsmith, Bangor, PA, whom I consider to be a consummate 1911 gunsmith, as well as CWO3 Bill Miller, now deceased, who was a USAR Camp Perry rapid fire national champion, good friend, and pretty good at tweakin' a 1911 himself.

Another of my 45ACP/1911 projects employed an Auto Ordnance(Thompson) frame and a lowly Sarco builders' kit, made up of USGI Armorer's replacement parts. Turned out to be a very serviceable and accurate basic carry gun. Much or the key significance is less in the parts, and more in how they are interfaced.

Greg

 

[Insayn]

Re: 1911 Build Up Question

That was one of the other alternate routes I was considering. The other was buying a Wilson (or other manufacturer) frame and slide combo that were fitted to each other and build from there.

 

[Mike Stolfus]

Re: 1911 Build Up Question

Insyn,
If you want Custom Build, I would first find a reputable Smith that will build your Custom in the timeframe you want, not so easy at times. Then I would ask for his recomendation on parts.
If you don't already have a Smith in mind, I would highly recomend Don Williams @ The Action Works. Don has built 2 IPSC guns(1 Springfield and 1 SV .40) and a Carry gun (Kimber Compact) for me, all full Customs. His work is outstanding in reliability and fit and finish and his prices are reasonable. My next project will be an STI 2011 5" 10mm Tactical.
Good luck with your Build, Mike.

 

[Cologgi]

Re: 1911 Build Up Question

Leave the gun and start with a caspian slide and frame. If you want to get real fancy send it to have the accu rails installed. I love mine. Most shooters do not do it but it is amazingly smooth.

 

[Insayn]

Re: 1911 Build Up Question

It would probably be best not to mess with the 1911 I have. I'll look into Caspian, STI and Wilson kits.
Here is a picture of the 1911 I "was" considering using.

 

[Mike Stolfus]

Re: 1911 Build Up Question

You might also want to look into Les Baer Frame and Slide combo's as they are some of the best out there. I talked with a few Smiths at the Shot Show and lately they have been a little disapointed with the cast frames from Caspian, however their Slides are still good as ever. Hope this helps, Mike.

 

[Cologgi]

Re: 1911 Build Up Question

That is way to nice to turn into a custom gun.

My caspian is about 4 years old. I have not heard that about the new caspian frames. I do know that Les Baer has good stuff to.

Here are a few pics of my caspain. Its built by Riley Gilmore, one of the best pistol shooters ever.

Here is a pic of the rails

 

[Mike Stolfus]

Re: 1911 Build Up Question

The Smiths I talked to build some pretty high end Customs and what they didn't like was that they noticed some small voids in the cast frames that they have received in the last 2-3 years.
Granted , these guys set a pretty high standard for themselves and regular guy like me might not even notice the voids, they do and it reflects on their final product.

 

[16 Bore]

Re: 1911 Build Up Question

I wouldn't touch a thing on that Colt. 1911 builds aren't rocket science, pick your flavor and roll.......