So I got in a little bit of a hurry and finished my "winter" project a few months early. but I'm happy with the results!!!

I had built this Colt Series 70 45 ACP upper about 30 years ago and put it on an Essex lower (Yuk... and I do mean yuk!!!). The Essex frames of that time period were lacking in about all areas. I eventually got rid of the frame, but kept the upper. I occasionally swapped it back and forth with the 22 upper on a Colt Service Model Ace. This year I decided that since I had the spare upper, I should build a lower for it. I ordered a Caspian stainless frame, with checkered front strap and integral plunger housing. It took about 3 months for the frame to arrive, and during that time I collected all the rest of the parts from Brownells.

I must say the the Caspian frame is certainly high quality. Everything is exactly where it is supposed to be. I had to take a little off the rails to get the slide to fit correctly, but still snugly (This Colt slide was a rather loose fit on all the other frames that I had tried it on...). I fitted the rest of the parts. The Grip safety took about 5 hours of work to fit to the Caspian frame radius, but I was going slow to keep from making a mistake, and amazingly I managed to get it done without screwing up

I haven't fired it yet, but everything seems to just about perfect. Hopefully I'll get to the range and give it a try sometime over this Thanksgiving weekend.

I'm a happy camper and it is one more thing that I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving, so I thought I would share.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my brothers here!!!!!!!!!!

If I tried to do something like that, it would turn out so bad hell wouldn't have it.

Congratulations! And Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

nm

Looks good, I like the Caspian frames. Built a couple myself with their frames and slides, using a pro for the machine work, but I did the fitting. Nothing like the pride of shooting a firearm you built up yourself, except shoot the ammo you also loaded. Get out there and enjoy it.

I have always liked the classic blue over nickel combonation.

I put my first 1911 together from gathering up a slide and frame 25 years ago. I presented it to my nephew later when he was old enough and of age.

To truly appreciate and understand the 1911, building your own is the best way. I know many would wonder why spend all that money on a slide, frame & parts to build one? Can't you just buy one for about the same price? Yes sir, one sure can. But the knowledge one gains from building a 1911 and pride that goes into it, can't be bought.

Great job!

Murphy