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I'm considering having a gun built up on a frame and slide. I've found plenty of information on various components and builders, but I can't seem to find much on the frame and slide combo offered by Brownells. The price seems pretty good ($385) and I like the cocking serrations and the fact that you can choose the sight cuts. Baer also has a good reputation for the complete pistols.

Does anybody here have experience with this frame and slide? Is the quality up to what I should expect for a custom gun? Any input would be appreciated.

I have fired one custom built on a Baer frame and slide that I believe was built by John Harrison [this is the pistol Bob Pannell has at his shop]. It was a great shooter and a pistol I would be happy to get to shoot more often. I see no reason not to use the Baer frame and slide if that is want you want to use.

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Scott

Cliffy you might want to recheck with Brownells. The cheapest slide and frame kit from Les Baer starts at $739 and goes up to $1,138.33.

IMHO you are better off buying a Caspian slide and frame and having your smith do all the cuts and checkering for you.

I say that for two reasons. The first being is that it puts more money in the smith's pocket (instead of Baer's) which is important because it seems like we lose good smiths all the time and anything that helps to keep the good ones in buisness is healthy. And the second reason is that you can get it done exactly the way you want it done. Buying a Baer slide and frame kit you are limited to the options that factory decides should be offered.

In the end it might cost you a little more but it is good for the smith's business and you end up it a unique gun. Then again you'll end up with a great gun if you decide to use the Baer so YMMV.

Oh, those pricks! Silly me. I did a product search for "1911 frame" and found a product listed as "1911 Auto Slide & Frame" and assumed that meant you actually got a frame and slide. Upon closer examination, I realize that the $385 price is just for the slide. You are correct about the price for the combo and right also that the better deal is Caspian.

Thanks for the correction. Brownells really needs some IT help.

RRA is another possibility.

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Aubrey<><

Not to pick on Brownell's but the price that they have their Caspian frame (part # 168-100-100) listed in their current catalog is wrong. That is the price for a plain carbon steel receiver and they are selling the one with the integral magwell.

Cliffy, You might also check with Wilson or CMC (same product I believe). Chuck Rogers and others have built some awfully nice guns on those frame and slide kits. Regards,

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Don Williams
http://www.theactionworks.com
http://www.ltwguns.com

I talked to CMC a month ago and they are no longer offering frames and slides (not sure if they maybe have a few slides left).

Any of the above suggestions are fine I think. Slides can be had from STI and I believe now single stack frames are available too-- sot sure if that's also true of SVI but I seem to recall they were going to make single stack frames available. Either of those would be a good quality product, and maybe Nowlinframes and slides are still available; I believe those would be from the same actual source as the CMC's were.

I don't think you can get frames and slides from Wilson any more.

The RRA 1911's I've seen were impressive. I keep thinking they are the most undernoticed 1911's out there. And I'm 99% sure that frames and slides can be had.

I like making all the cuts myself just so I can get a perfect fit, instead of a possible "pretty much good enough" fit, on things like sights and beavertails.

As of three weeks ago you could unless they have changed that since.

Thanks all for the fast input. Here's what I decided. I had a Caspian frame and slide orderred. The way I'm having this thing built is a bit unusual so I actually ordered the front strap serrated and the slide cut for Novaks and beveled. The builder will be the Precision Weapons group at MCB Quantico under the Hobby/Lobby program. It will be done with commercial parts and not on government time, but will be done by the same armorers who build the MEU(SOC) pistols on their machinery. Appearantly, the Marines are not much interested in checkering or serrations.

I've seen the work done by these guys and while it isn't intended to be pretty, it is rugged as hell and surprisingly smooth and the triggers are outstanding. Beavertails are well fit, as is everything else on the gun. Finish is Gunkote over fresh parkerizing. The finished product will essentially be identical to the MEU(SOC) pistol except I'm going with a non-ambi safety and the front strap will be serrated. i'm pretty excited about it.

Cliffy do you have more info on that program. It sounds unique.

Here's how it was described to me. Precision Weapons (PW) makes the MEU(SOC) pistol, the DMR and the M40 rifles as well as all the guns for the USMC shooting teams. The armorers are stationed at Quantico and when they are, they are assigned to one of the weapon platforms. They are trained on all three and are expected to keep their skills sharp so the military allows them (actually encourages) to take on outside work. The work must be done during their off time and they can not use military parts, but they can use the facilities. The work is to be done for people in the military and a friend of mine who is active duty is assisting in this so I can get mine built. I just got lucky in running into a guy associated with the program. It will make for quite a unique pistol I think.

While I'm at it, do y'all mind me asking about parts selection? I've done a condiserable amount of reading here and elsewhere and think I came up with a pretty good list of components, but wouldn't mind further input. I'll be ordering this weekend.

Bar-Sto Match target barrel with bushing and link
Brown Beavertail
Wilson non-ambi safety
EGW LX ejector
Brown recoil spring guide (short)
CMC tactical mag release
Brown plunger tube
Wilson springs
Wilson night sights
Brown recoil spring plug
EGW oversize slide stop
C&S Videki trigger
C&S firing pin
S&A mag well
C&S extended hammer strut
EGW oversize firing pin stop
C&S super match hammer, sear, disconnect and sear spring.
Brown frame rebuild kit (pins and frame springs)
Caspian extractor
VZ Gatorback grips with slim line bushings

Anything glaringly missing or wrong?

Cliffy, I'm just going to suggest, get whatever documentation you can, however unofficial it may be, and pics too, showing the gun was done at PWS. I'm thinking that will add to the heirloom-ness of it. Cool way to go!

If Marines know anything it is how to use and maintain their weapons. I'd be willing to bet that while that gun may be a bit short on the cosmetics that it will shoot and shoot and shoot.

Please post some pictures of the gun when they complete the project. I'd be very interested to see what you end up with.

Regards.

That sounds like it is going to be an awesome gun! Don't see anything I'd change on your components list. Looks like a good foundation being built by some masters....good luck!