1911 aluminum frames

I

InferriCanis

New member
Have been smithing these for years, most request steel frames, lately have recieved questions about alloy frames. Years age these were a dime a dozen, now they seem to have became extinct. Does anyone know who sells a basic 1911 aluminum frames?
 
To my knowledge, I don't believe there are any aluminum frames available these days. Caspian used to offer them but switched to titanium a few years ago. IIRC, they were having problems with the frames being too soft. Their Ti frames are excellent - still light-weight but considerably sturdier. Look at them as an alternative.
 
The problem was too many being fitted and assembled without hardcoat anodizing of the frames. Even with hardcoat, todays hollow points ate away the frame below the barrel feed ramp.

The solution is to use a ramped barrel...no frame erosion but you have to mill the frame to accept either a para cut, nowlin cut or barstow cut AND then ano the frame. Too many didnt do it right.

Too much liability so most everybody gave up on aluminum frames.

Best alternative is get a S&W 1911 Scandium frame commander.

JMHO:D
 
That's an excellent question. Now that you mention it...neither Caspian nor Essex nor STI offers aluminum. I'll be interested to see if any aluminum frame vendors pop up on this thread.

Regards,

Walt
 
I remember the rash of aluminum-framed 1911s that appeared in the 1970s and 1980s. They were too light and the balance was wrong to be pleasant to shoot, and they got beat to death by people shooting all-out hot loads in them. I bought a couple of Colt Lightweight Commanders in the late 1970s that had been pounded and put the slides and internals into Essex frames. I think a titanium frame (maybe scandium, but I haven't handled one yet) would be the right answer for someone looking for lighter weight while still using standard 1911 parts.
 
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