At it again…45 Short Block

[Magnumite]

Frame I have had since 2010. It is a Race Ready Caspian frame (integral magwell), Caspian 25 lpi checkering, integral magwell.

The slide was fitted to a Colt frame. I found a nice Colt slide so fit that slide and other upper assembly parts to the Colt frame. So this slide got fitted to the frame and had a Wilson barrel fit to the pistol. Original Novak adjustable sights, not Lo Mount.

Slide stop is a Fusion barstock part.

 

[Magnumite]

Some features and operations performed on the pistol.


Magwell..might reduce its profile some…closer examination needed.

Caspian cut 25 lpi checkering. Not sure about all the ground away sections above and below the checkered areas. It seems to me Caspian could have left more of those traction providing pyramids on the front strap.

Feed ramp. This is a 2010 manufactured Caspian frame. Yeppers…had it for 14 years. No before pic but it was 33 degrees, very shallow, about .275” deep. Spec is 31.5 devrees and .375” deep, .400” is an acknowledged depth. It was also very rough. Changed that. Ended up at .390” deep and 30.5 degrees…all done with a dremel…and lots of fearful sweat. The green polishing roll from TMC helped immensely. The one pic shows what appears to be vertical striations on the feedramp. That is a reflection. Really.

NOTE: Observe the proximity of the bottom of the ramp to the bottom of the slide stop lug cutout in the frame. Just a quick dimensional check.

The slide was from a previous (years past) build. I had opportunity to put a Colt slide on a Colt frame. Yeah, could have bought a Colt. Anyway, I had this cut for the first Novak adjustable rear sight with the flat in front of the dovetail. Also note the height of both sights. Those protective ‘horns’ on either side if the elevation leaf are scheduled for demolition. The Wilson barrel is new to this slide and frame.

Frame tangs…short, low upper contour…requires a Wilson or .220” radius grip safety for a good blend.

Lucky me…the rear of slide and frame are pretty close…so I won’t have to gnaw on it much to blend after test firing.

 

[bigjohn]

I love your posts! Makes me want to dig out the norinco 1911 I have and tinker a bit

 

[Magnumite]

. Fun to do.
Good to know I inspire.
The steel in the Norks is supposed to be good stuff. There is one for sale at Bel Air Gun Range. It is a decent specimen. Uses different grip screws, (no grip bushings ?) and grips. I was tempted…

 

[bigjohn]

If I get time this weekend, I’ll check the grip screw situation. Did a trigger job with parts from cylinder and slide. Only one didn’t fit but all the others did.

 

[Magnumite]

Appreciate looking at the geip setup. What was the one part from the C&S kit that wouldn’t fit?

 

[bigjohn]

The one that goes into the heal of the grip. Sorry, don’t know the legit name. Seemed like the hole wasn’t deep enough

 

[Magnumite]

mainspring housing?

 

[Sam Salvati]

What’s the Caspian commander size frame worth?

 

[bigjohn]

mainspring housing?

That’s it!

 

[Magnumite]

“What’s the Caspian commander size frame worth?”

Retail from Caspian Arms $230
with no machining options.

 

[Magnumite]

That’s it!

 

[bigjohn]

 

[bigjohn]

 

[bigjohn]

These bushing look normal/regular? Looks like I did swap out the old style hammer once upon a time. Grips are colt take offs.

 

[Magnumite]

They look like regular grip bushings

 

[Magnumite]

Wilson Combat grip safety roughed in. Top of beavertail blended upper registered position.