I'm pretty sure that Caspian Arms makes the frames and slides for Sig. I bought an "over-run" frame/slide combo from Caspain as a DIY 1911 project and it matches exactly my Sig 1911. As a test I ordered the external extractor from Sig and it fit perfectly. Most other parts came from Ed Brown. Caspain makes some great 1911 parts.

Since we are taking pictures, here's mine! All work done by me. I still need to finish all the polishing work though.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1372881130.jpg

Caspian does indeed set the standard.

Mericet, I hope you post more pics of your work. :D

Yes, I should post some more pictures. Busy with some refinishing projects and will post those soon.

Having built my pistol on a Nighthawk Custom frame and one (for a customer) on a Caspian frame, I would rather build on the Nighthawk where and when I can.

What's the cost difference between a Nighthawk and a Caspian? :D

There is extra cost for the Nighthawk parts (looks like $200-$300 depending on where you buy from). But then, the Nighthawk parts are forged as opposed to the cast Caspians.

To do this is on my bucket list. I want to do a nice simple 1911 my way.

I would like to see a few other guys here do to this as well

Jack Olsen

Tim Hancock

That's roughly 2x the price, right?

Personally, I don't worry much about casting vs. forged these days. I do worry about MIM and plastic, though. I still find it appalling that Colt uses plastic mainspring housings.

yep..

Price on a frame and slide only for the Caspian is about $700 (most expensive options). The Nighthawk frame and slide is around $800 (not many choices). I guess I should have done the math a little more carefully before my last post. There is a big difference in how the parts fitted in the two different frames.

You can avoid the MIM and plastic parts if you are building a pistol yourself as you have to order each part by itself.

sorry for the bad pic quality but here are 2 of mine
Kimber Raptor II
S A http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1372906938.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1372906971.jpg

This may be one of the oldest here. It was my dads WWII service 1911, it is a 1913 production SN. Now 100 yo.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1372908342.jpg

That is awesome. Best I can muster is a 1943 Ithaca.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4066/dscn0408oi1.jpg

I have this exact one in storage.

rjp

Mericet, That's a nice looking 1911.

Thanks! I really do need to do all the final touches. Then I will post some nice close-ups..

Love the pics, here is my Ruger and a couple from a day at the range with my sons.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1373063184.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1373063201.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1373063221.jpg