Are all 1911s relatively the same?

[matt711]

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.

[Mericet]

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

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by matt711

Caspian makes some great 1911 parts.

Caspian does indeed set the standard.

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

[Mericet]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Caspian does indeed set the standard.

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

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.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

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

[Mericet]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

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

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.

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by Mericet

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

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

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by Mericet

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.

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.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by dhoward

Fit and finish, intended use, bobs and baubles.

yep..

[Mericet]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

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.

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.

[Rednine11]

sorry for the bad pic quality but here are 2 of mine
Kimber Raptor II
S A

[boba]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

While we're showing off our Colts... (as they say, "If it's not a Colt, it's a copy.")

This may be one of the oldest here. It was my dads WWII service 1911, it is a 1913 production SN. Now 100 yo.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by boba

This may be one of the oldest here. It was my dads WWII service 1911, it is a 1913 production SN. Now 100 yo.

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

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

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

I have this exact one in storage.

rjp

[weseeeee]

Mericet, That's a nice looking 1911.

[Mericet]

Originally Posted by weseeeee

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..

[glewis80SC]

Love the pics, here is my Ruger and a couple from a day at the range with my sons.