1911 Frames in California?

J

JohnB

New member
I am considering building a 1911 from the frame up. I was wondering how complicated it is, if any (expensive) tools are required and comparable costs to just buying a factory one.

Also, I haven't looked too hard but I can't find a dealer here in OC that sells just the frames. Anyone up on Kali law, re SB15.

Thanks
 
Sorry to inform you, you can’t buy just the frame in California. I wanted to do the same thing. Law says if you can’t safety check it you can sell it. It is a very stupid law. Can’t find a way around so you’re out of luck, I’ve tried. :mad:
 
Unless you can find someone willing to part w/ their 1911 frame & or slide, you are SOL. Since you cannot drop test a frame/slide until it is built. I ran into someone recently at a range willing to part with one of 6 Caspian frame and slide sets he had purchased last year for...$900. Add to that small parts & the labor of your smith and you'd easily be in the $3k neighborhood. I think you'd be better off buying a mil-spec Springfield or a Colt 1991 and start from their.
 
"I ran into someone recently at a range willing to part with one of 6 Caspian frame and slide sets he had purchased last year for $900."

Sounds like an extreme case of price gouging!
 
The point is that you can buy all the parts to make a 1911 from the Brownells catalog.... If you are the government, which part do you call the "gun" that must be regulated and controlled? The answer is the frame. You must have an FFL to order one. You can't get an unapproved frame here in Kalifornia, but you can buy a full slide assembly and have it dropped onto an existing frame that you obtained legally... it just costs a lot.
 
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