Here is the link to my thread I started over in the gunsmithing section ( Link ) that detailed my efforts leading up to here. Basically, I got bit by the 1911 bug early on and bought a Colt in the early '90's. Unfortunately, I had to sell that pistol and I still regret it to this day. So, one day a friend of mine asks me to bring a SA 1911 (that his dad had won at a NRA banquet)by my local gun guru's shop to have the creepy trigger honed. I stood in amazement as the 'smith worked his craft on the 1911 and handed me back a completely different feeling gun. I immediately started looking for a 1911 that had all of the features that I desired, when my gun guy suggested buying a Caspian frame and putting together the gun that I wanted, instead of settling on features or paying for a custom gun. I picked up a Caspian Recon frame and started ordering a few pieces a month, until I had enough to start working on the project.
Aside #1 - You'll notice by the post dates that I started this journey back in August of 2010. Don't let this deter you if you want to take a similar path. Funding issues, work, lack of free time, etc., prevented me from doing this project all at once. My gun guy said that he could finish a 1911 build from bare frame up in 8-10 hours. I obviously did it the slow way.
I am not a gunsmith, but I have always worked on my own gear. I purchased whatever videos and books that detailed building a 1911 and made frequent trips to my 'smith, when I hit a snag. I put all of my files, stones and tools in an el cheapo toolbox and brought it with me on details or left it under my desk at work and used any break I had to do a little honing. I now know every part and function of this 1911 and it will someday be passed down to my son.
After project completion and function testing, I started looking to have the gun coated. My gun guy suggested Coal Creek Armory's Isonite QPQ, since I was looking to go with basic black. I shipped the pistol off to CCA and was quoted 6-8 weeks for the job to be completed. It actually took 11 weeks, but considering the holidays were in the mix, I'm still pleased. Yesterday, I got the call that the process was completed and this morning I'm in possesion of the completed project.
Here she is:
Before:
After:
I don't have the tools I need to break it down, but from the surface.... it looks and functions great.
Aside #2 - My experience with Coal Creek Armory (Their website) :
I made 4 phone calls to CCA while deciding on their process, getting shipping info and during my wait. Two of the calls were handled with the level of customer service that I expect and two weren't.... let's just say positive. Maybe I'm just used to the stellar interaction that Scott McRee, Mark Gordon or Jay Ruby have always had with me. The end result looks great and I'll shoot the hell out of it to do a true field eval.
Aside #1 - You'll notice by the post dates that I started this journey back in August of 2010. Don't let this deter you if you want to take a similar path. Funding issues, work, lack of free time, etc., prevented me from doing this project all at once. My gun guy said that he could finish a 1911 build from bare frame up in 8-10 hours. I obviously did it the slow way.
I am not a gunsmith, but I have always worked on my own gear. I purchased whatever videos and books that detailed building a 1911 and made frequent trips to my 'smith, when I hit a snag. I put all of my files, stones and tools in an el cheapo toolbox and brought it with me on details or left it under my desk at work and used any break I had to do a little honing. I now know every part and function of this 1911 and it will someday be passed down to my son.
After project completion and function testing, I started looking to have the gun coated. My gun guy suggested Coal Creek Armory's Isonite QPQ, since I was looking to go with basic black. I shipped the pistol off to CCA and was quoted 6-8 weeks for the job to be completed. It actually took 11 weeks, but considering the holidays were in the mix, I'm still pleased. Yesterday, I got the call that the process was completed and this morning I'm in possesion of the completed project.
Here she is:
Before:
After:
I don't have the tools I need to break it down, but from the surface.... it looks and functions great.
Aside #2 - My experience with Coal Creek Armory (Their website) :
I made 4 phone calls to CCA while deciding on their process, getting shipping info and during my wait. Two of the calls were handled with the level of customer service that I expect and two weren't.... let's just say positive. Maybe I'm just used to the stellar interaction that Scott McRee, Mark Gordon or Jay Ruby have always had with me. The end result looks great and I'll shoot the hell out of it to do a true field eval.
