Frame and slide suppliers

I went to order a frame and slide today from STI. They have discontinued all 6" slides and all frames with full length dustcovers. 

Other than caspian (which I've used before) does anyone know of a quality frame and slide supplier?

Thanks in advance.

I have used Fusion with great results.

https://www.fusionfirearms.com/

Caspian is the gold standard and don't cost that much. Why use anything else, it will just lower your resale value.

JEM frames. They had slide issues early on that were deal breakers; tolerances and heat treat. Caspian slides and Fusion slides.
Jon

zanemoseley wrote:Caspian is the gold standard and don't cost that much. Why use anything else, it will just lower your resale value.

While I agree caspian has been recognized as a leading platform, the sti frames and slides I prefered were more accurate and consistant in thier dimensions than caspian components were.  Not that caspian were bad, just sti was better. I looked into jem several years ago (2016) as I heard they, were good frames, but had some issues with startup manfacturing. Which seems to be confirmed.

Accuracy X sells frames and slides.  
accuacyx.com 
info@accuracyx.com 
877-762-1911

I highly recommend Carbon Steel frames and slides. 
Jon

SVI slides?

I like JEM frames because of the options you can get.  You'll have to remove light tool marks from the CNC machining but well worth it to me being able to specify front strap radius, checkering, frame thickness, etc. 

JEM also has a new supplier for slides these days.  Have a build in progress with my first JEM slide and the quality/dimensions are outstanding.

zanemoseley wrote:Caspian is the gold standard and don't cost that much. Why use anything else, it will just lower your resale value.

You have got to be kidding.  I'm at the point where I almost refuse to work on Caspian.

KC,
Enlighten us. I purchased a used wad gun made from 1992 (according to Caspian) Caspian frame and slide. It has proven accurate but I am no High Master. What issues do they have? I ask as I was considering a 9mm upper on the frame I have for Center Fire...

I've heard that Caspian frames are cast.  True?

Caspian frames are cast yes. I don’t think cast vs forged is a topic worth anyone’s time.

The problem with caspian and pretty much all brands is they require a gunsmith to fix tooling marks and other dimensional errors. I don’t think you’ll find any frame or slide that are a perfect starting point to build from every time. Some require more work than others to prep before the building

OK, Chris.  Thanks for the clarification.

ALL of the custom/customized 1911's I ever owned (I owned many ) started as Colt or Springfield Armory carbon steel new or like new  pistols .
Whenever I decide to have another 1911 with some custom work , I buy a new Colt or SA 1911 , shoot it about 500 rounds and send it out for the work I need .

I'll throw another supplier of frames and slides out there

Remsport offers forged receivers and slides. They are sourced from Dasan in Korea through their facility here in north Ga. 

A few years back PSA sold some of these as overruns. I used several for base frames on 22 conversions and my EIC 45.  excellent frames.  Wish someone would source them in mass.

The PSA frames were milled by the Dasan facility here but Remsport does their own machining of the blanks last i heard.

My problem with Caspian is all the additional work required to make it functional.  And they are never the same, so I get to hunt what the next problem is going to be.  Not a way I'm willing to do business any more.  Another company that hasn't been mentioned is Rock River Arms.  If you want a premium product that will provide minimum problems that is where I would go first.  Nothing against Accuracy X, but I don't care for stainless steel.

My current gun is a caspian frame and slide... it had issues... lots if them when I built it, which I  which I'm looking for better. 

Thanks for reminding me of rock river KC. My first true BE gun was a rock river from the late 90's. Still my backup gun, still shots great.

kc.crawford.7 wrote:My problem with Caspian is all the additional work required to make it functional.  And they are never the same, so I get to hunt what the next problem is going to be.  Not a way I'm willing to do business any more.  Another company that hasn't been mentioned is Rock River Arms.  If you want a premium product that will provide minimum problems that is where I would go first.  Nothing against Accuracy X, but I don't care for stainless steel.

didn't know know they sold over sized frame and slides.

Accuracy x frames are stainless? So much for that option...

watercam wrote:KC,
Enlighten us. I purchased a used wad gun made from 1992 (according to Caspian) Caspian frame and slide. It has proven accurate but I am no High Master. What issues do they have? I ask as I was considering a 9mm upper on the frame I have for Center Fire...

Old Caspian are great.  But in the last 5-8 years maybe a little bit longer their "quality control" has become non existent.  I have called and asked questions and never got answers.  My last dealing with Caspian was a titanium double stack receiver.  Over the period of 18 months, and FIVE receivers I finally gave up and refunded the customer.  I will NEVER go through that again.

Just to set the record straight: Accuracy X does sell frames & slides and they're available in carbon steel as well as stainless.

Chris Miceli wrote:

kc.crawford.7 wrote:My problem with Caspian is all the additional work required to make it functional.  And they are never the same, so I get to hunt what the next problem is going to be.  Not a way I'm willing to do business any more.  Another company that hasn't been mentioned is Rock River Arms.  If you want a premium product that will provide minimum problems that is where I would go first.  Nothing against Accuracy X, but I don't care for stainless steel.

didn't know know they sold over sized frame and slides.

a friend of my Brother's had a old alloy commander frame,  I think it was a Ranger (from way back in the day)  built up with Colt parts, 
the dust cover cracked,   and just a hairline, 
I told him not to worry, but his wife (her gun) wanted it fixed, 

so I ordered a Caspian Commander Frame, (only one I could find at the time,)

fitting it was a bit of a headache,  since I was thinking a Commander frame would basically be a drop in

Here is a recommendation, I understand that my knowledge no where near the guys above however this is something to consider. 

I recently purchased a new Springfield Range officer online for $630. Assuming most of the parts are not used, you are getting a forged frame and slide for $630 if you can find a new one cheap. If you don't use the parts you can sell them on Ebay and get $200 to $300 for trigger parts and barrel. 

Mine came with a 20 lpi MSH.

After much consternation and gnashing if teeth, I ordered a Jem frame and fusion slide. I found no one that makes a 6" full dust cover frame anymore, and very few are making 6" slides. Now to decide if I weld a piece of 4130 to the frame and Contour it to the 6"slide, or if I revisit my (cosmetic) design...