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I recently bought a military Colt NM slide for a good price. It appears to be unused and the number indicates it was made in the early '60's. I've included some pics on the bottom of this post. I'm thinking of sticking it on a Caspian frame and building some sort of really basic gun like the MEU(SOC) pistols. What do you think I should do with it?

Your idea sounds perfect to me!

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Tommy C.
NREMT-B
NRA Life Member / TSRA Life Member

I had the same slide (and a barrel) 20 years ago. By doing about what you said, I got my first 1911. Whenever I see a MEU(SOC) 1911, it reminds me of that gun.
The only difference from your plan was that I ordered my frame from Springfield Armory. I remember feeling like I was taking a gamble there, since SA had only been making 1911s a couple of years at that time!
I learned a lot, but it was not a very efficient way of getting a 1911.

That is not a NM slide, its a 50's era "replacement hard slide" by Colt to refurb the pre 1945 "soft" slide guns in service. I have had a few and they are really superb parts and will build a NICE gun. Would be hard to get a good polished finish, but a matte finished gun will turn out perfectly.

I would look for a beater GI frame and build a cool MEUSOC or retro gun.

Most NM slides have slanted serrations and different sight cuts and blade front sights installed, although they run the gamut.

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you could get a caspian frame and have a special serial # to match the slide just like a MEU/SOC

The number on the slide is not a serial number, but a lot number.

Where the heck am I gonna find a GI receiver? I've seen plently of parts guns with Essex frames, but I've never seen a GI receiver by itself.

thats my vote
BAK

Find a frame in Kalifornia? Good luck. You might as well try looking for a virgin in Hollywood.

Getting a Caspian frame is no problem (Im LE and exempt), finding a GI frame is another thing.

Kev....If I remember correctly, a few months ago Gun Parts or somebody was advertising recievers in the Shotgun News in one of the full page picture ads they run...I think they were GI, Colt or something because they caught my eye. I'll look around and see if I can find that copy, I think it is still laying around here somewhere...you might pick up a copy of Shotgun News (are they even legal to read in the People's Republik now???) and see if you can find it. Best of luck!

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

So lucky! Shotgun news is probably your best bet.

Kev...after posting the above last night, I found myself looking through the current Shotgun News in the store today and picked up a copy. I found one ad (I think it was the same one from above) for SARCO. They have quite a few frames listed, mostly Rock River (and I think an ARMSCORP) but they also had what looked like a good deal on some Essex Frames in there (right at or just under $100). I don't know what quality they are now, but I remember back in the 80's and early 90's here in the east, many, many of the custom and competition guns had Essex frames and/or slides on them and worked pretty well. Might see if we can get some of the 'smiths to chime in on the quality of these frames for you....Gentlemen???

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

The best way to find a GI frame is to buy and old buggered, nickeled or buffed blue GI gun that someone tinkered with in years past, sell the top end and have the bottom refinished. But since you re in Cali, just get a Caspian.

_________________
"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb

CHECK OUT MY CUSTOM 1911 BLOG
http://thearsenalofdemocracy.blogspot.com