Caspian 1911s, all that?

[johnny]

working on a trade for a caspian 1911 thats had work done to it, are they really worth the extra money?

[jugrunner]

I'll let you know in a few days ... Just traded for a Colt/Caspian Commander ... Old, Old, Colt Commander slide - looks new !! ...

I believe it's a steel frame due to the weight ... didn't really look that close due to the price ... :D

My buddy has an old series 70 NM slide on a Caspian frame that he shot competition w/several yrs back ... he still will NOT sell it to me !!

the myth - the hype - the prices on Gunbroker seem to point to a loyal following !!

been around a while ... I think it's good stuff !!

[johnny]

thanks for the info

[jugrunner]

well ... I got mine and it's wierd !! ... seems to have a diff. grip angle to the Caspian frame ??

the mag even fits in at a diff angle ... anyone have any info on this strange phenomenon ?

I can't post pics 'cause I don't have a pic host at the moment ... I'm gettin' one

[DYNOMIKE]

Had a custom 1911 built on a Caspian Frame, with a Caspian slide, & Bar-sto barrel and it's an awesome pistol..
I would have to say to me it ws well worth the extra $$..

[AndyC]

Originally posted by jugrunner
I can't post pics 'cause I don't have a pic host at the moment ... I'm gettin' one
Try www.tinypic.com

[jugrunner]

Thanks AndyC ...

Notice extreme angle of grips compared to frame edge ...

I actually had to use a heat gun to get those Hogue's on ...

something is dimensionally different on this frame ...

http://i41.tinypic.com/2wlvitf.jpg

colt commander ... straight as a string !!

http://i40.tinypic.com/jpzayc.jpg

funky mag angle #1 ...

http://i42.tinypic.com/zvbtqr.jpg

funky mag angle #2 ...

http://i39.tinypic.com/169kh2o.jpg

it appears the the bottom of the grip is raked forward a degree or 3 ...

anyone know why ?

ETA: I didn't bugger the grip screws and I didn't mean to highjack the post ... :biggrin:

[molonlabe texan]

I seem to remember some Caspian frames floating around somewhere that were dimensionally off but fine for shooting / building..

Apparently you got one.

[OHShooter]

Caspian pieces/parts are normally quite good but like anything man made, a turkey can slip through once in a while.

That said, any individual weapon assembled with Caspian parts, is only as good as whoever originally assembled it. Some people are gunsmiths and some are hammer fisted parts assemblers. Many custom guns are made from Caspian supplied parts every year.

I've built 5 or 6 1911s with Caspian frames and/or slide and have not had a problem with any of them. My nephew, who is a gunsmith, has built 20+ Caspian framed 1911s in various calibers and has only ever had a problem with one titanium frame. He sent it back to Caspian and they fixed it, no questions asked.

Unless your particular frame was purchased as a second/out of spec unit, it should have been returned to Caspian who would have either repaired it if possible or replaced it. Since it looks like yours has been around awhile and has been worked on, it's kind of late for that now.

Everybody needs a beater. As long as it functions properly and the price is reasonable, I could over look it's appearance.

[jugrunner]

Thx guys ... and so's not to highjack any longer I'm starting another thread on this Caspian frame ...

I'm 99% sure this frame was manuf. this way ... not out of spec or a second ... :biggrin: ... I just don't know why ... I've emailed Caspian and given the serial # ... not much help ... I probably wasn't very clear as to my actual ? ...

I've been around here long enough to know you'll get tore up if you ain't got your facts straight or have overlooked the obvious ... therefore I'm taking some measurements and also grip angle and also more pics ...
doing a little more research ...

this thing came with a beautiful old old Colt Commander slide ... shoots like a dream ... frame has never been finished !! ... looks like they just put it together and luved it and left it alone ... :cool:

the slide is going to EGW to lower and relieve the port and then both to Glen Riddle to let him decide on how to finish it ...

I needed another project ...

[tpad365]

I've owned Colts,Kimbers and springfields and my custom Caspian is the best I've shot yet.I got a slide and frame and used all wilson parts.smith who put it together said it was his easiest build.I've been shooting this gun now for 10 years.I wont sell it for anything.regular tack driver.too bad they dont put out complete put together guns.their parts are wonderful.(they are based in Vermont I live in Maine and I picked up the slide and frame set in Oklahoma)(go figure).

[Slo cat]

The Army Marksmanship Unit, Ft. Benning, GA, is using Caspian slides and frames for most of their target 1911 guns. And they get awsome accuracy from these. I saw some of these close up last week at the Desert Midwinter Matches in Phoenix.

Best Regards,
Slo cat

[jugrunner]

I'll be posting pics soon ... Nothing wrong with mine except ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm stupid and ashamed !!! ... :(

[jugrunner]

Well ... I've put it off ... shame on me ... sorry to Caspian and all who own one !!

first pic of Caspian shows extra steel and lack of a radius cut on front strap ... they figure the new owner might want to customize it I'm sure ...

it took a HOT hairdryer and several grunts to get a fresh pair of Hogues stretched around this sob ... by the time I got the grips pryed on I was wondering WTF is wrong with this cockeyed thing ??????????? ... :eek:

http://i40.tinypic.com/358b6uo.jpg

second pic shows radius cut on a Colt CCO ... this is what the Caspian could look like if I had the $$$ ... or maybe a nice checkered front strap

http://i41.tinypic.com/2ebee7o.jpg

The Caspian/Colt felt a little "chunky" the first time I held it ... fake ivory grips and all, I finally bought it ... it actually feels pretty good with the slim grips ... and I feel a lot better knowing I don't have a second rate Caspian reject frame that's "A little out of spec" but OK to build ... :biggrin:

when I take a look at my problem solving skilz of late, I'm beginning to wonder ...

I'm stupid a lot here lately ...