[EvolutionArmory]

It looks

It looks like the caspian slides are nice quality, but is there a comparable option that does not have rollmarks?

You can spec a Caspian slide however you want. Bald, with every option or anywhere in between.

I get them with no options and machine most of the features myself except some of them I get with Colt style cocking serrations. Don’t order them from Brownells and you can get them any way you want.

 

[SolidCustom]

You can spec a Caspian slide however you want. Bald, with every option or anywhere in between.

I get them with no options and machine most of the features myself except some of them I get with Colt style cocking serrations. Don’t order them from Brownells and you can get them any way you want.

Well that seals it then, if I can get it bald then I will get a caspian slide and a jem frame. I want to get front and rear GI style thin vertical cocking serrations on the slide, but that's it.

 

[ZoidMeister]

Well that seals it then, if I can get it bald then I will get a caspian slide and a jem frame. I want to get front and rear GI style thin vertical cocking serrations on the slide, but that's it.

Welcome to the Addiction . . . . .

 

[SolidCustom]

Welcome to the Addiction . . . . .

I already have Black Rifle Disease, but yes this could be the beginning of a very expensive addiction lol

 

[FWoo45]

Uh oh. I too suffer from both of these afflictions. It's a slippery slope friend. Jumping in with both feet and rolling your own I see. I have yet to give that a shot. If you are going to then this is the place for it.

 

[SolidCustom]

I know I will build at least one more, practical. This first build is more of a replica of sorts.

 

[BuckyP]

I haven’t heard of JEM until now. :shy:

 

[EvolutionArmory]

I haven’t heard of JEM until now. :shy:

Made by Ed Minshew. He used to work for STI but started making frames. So far they’ve been pretry great. No issues.

One thing about Jem frames is they don’t look pretty when you get them. They are right off the machine and require a lot of hand work to get all the machine boogers off. Once you clean them up they are pretty great.

 

[EvolutionArmory]

The only “complaint” I have, if you can even call it that, is that he doesn’t offer a frame with GI frame tangs. They are all cut for their high cut grip safety which makes grip safety options limited.

Their grip safety is great so it isn’t a huge problem for me but it would still be nice to be able to use something else.

 

[ZoidMeister]

Made by Ed Minshew. He used to work for STI but started making frames. So far they’ve been pretry great. No issues.

One thing about Jem frames is they don’t look pretty when you get them. They are right off the machine and require a lot of hand work to get all the machine boogers off. Once you clean them up they are pretty great.

Both frames I have got from them I ordered with their bead blast finish (both stainless). They weren't Ed Brown stainless bead blast, but I really didn't feel I had to do anything else with the finish. I was happy the way they came.

I also asked them to supply and fit the grip safety on both. They did very respectable job on both.

 

[TheCollector]

This thread has been a wealth of information... Thank you all for your input/knowledge.
I guess there's nothing left for me to do except get started on one of my own!!

 

[EvolutionArmory]

Both frames I have got from them I ordered with their bead blast finish (both stainless). They weren't Ed Brown stainless bead blast, but I really didn't feel I had to do anything else with the finish. I was happy the way they came.

I also asked them to supply and fit the grip safety on both. They did very respectable job on both.

Perhaps the price I pay for them reflects the clean up. I buy them 10 at a time.

 

[1911mechanik]

Great info here. OP, I would definitely consider an inexpensive option for your first build. JEM is great! I used one on my 6th build and can't say enough great things about them but the frame alone cost as much as a full ATI pistol. I'd recommend you buy something fairly inexpensive and work from there. There are lots of pitfalls in a build and learning the hard way is definitely how it's done. I've read books, watched videos, got training from a smith, asked lots of questions and still the learning curve is steep. There's just too many things only experience teaches. Start cheap and work into it if you are truly going to do your own build that is to say do the work yourself not just spec it out. It's a great thing to do if you love the platform. I highly recommend it but few things sting worse than doing something to a really nice frame or slide that you can't undo. Good luck!

 

[SolidCustom]

Great info here. OP, I would definitely consider an inexpensive option for your first build. JEM is great! I used one on my 6th build and can't say enough great things about them but the frame alone cost as much as a full ATI pistol. I'd recommend you buy something fairly inexpensive and work from there. There are lots of pitfalls in a build and learning the hard way is definitely how it's done. I've read books, watched videos, got training from a smith, asked lots of questions and still the learning curve is steep. There's just too many things only experience teaches. Start cheap and work into it if you are truly going to do your own build that is to say do the work yourself not just spec it out. It's a great thing to do if you love the platform. I highly recommend it but few things sting worse than doing something to a really nice frame or slide that you can't undo. Good luck!

I am looking forward to the challenge, it's going to be great when I get it finished and it's my own handmade and fitted firearm. I just have to be patient. But how cheap is cheap? Like a Fusion Firearms frame?

 

[1911mechanik]

I built a long slide 1911 with a fusion frame and slide. I didn't have any issues working with it. I thought it was good quality. JEM is definitely better no doubt but Fusion was good stuff. I built my first 3 on PSA frames/slides when they were available. That was a good deal because they were only $100-$150 or so apiece so if and when I made mistakes it wasn't heartbreaking. In fact I did have to discard a slide after making a colossal error. It hurt but was only a minor expense. Look into Caspian's discount or blem frames. I forgot what they are called, but it's on their website. That can be a great way to save and get started. If not try just buying a used ATI or something then working on upgrading that in sections. Regardless of what you choose, good luck!

 

[SolidCustom]

I built a long slide 1911 with a fusion frame and slide. I didn't have any issues working with it. I thought it was good quality. JEM is definitely better no doubt but Fusion was good stuff. I built my first 3 on PSA frames/slides when they were available. That was a good deal because they were only $100-$150 or so apiece so if and when I made mistakes it wasn't heartbreaking. In fact I did have to discard a slide after making a colossal error. It hurt but was only a minor expense. Look into Caspian's discount or blem frames. I forgot what they are called, but it's on their website. That can be a great way to save and get started. If not try just buying a used ATI or something then working on upgrading that in sections. Regardless of what you choose, good luck!

Thank you, I will consider my options. I have some time before I begin purchasing components, as I have a few small projects in the works already that I have to wrap up haha!

 

[UBOATDOC]

I built a long slide 1911 with a fusion frame and slide. I didn't have any issues working with it. I thought it was good quality. JEM is definitely better no doubt but Fusion was good stuff. I built my first 3 on PSA frames/slides when they were available. That was a good deal because they were only $100-$150 or so apiece so if and when I made mistakes it wasn't heartbreaking. In fact I did have to discard a slide after making a colossal error. It hurt but was only a minor expense. Look into Caspian's discount or blem frames. I forgot what they are called, but it's on their website. That can be a great way to save and get started. If not try just buying a used ATI or something then working on upgrading that in sections. Regardless of what you choose, good luck!

Foster, I think? one could also find a cheap essex frame and slide and if you re successful you have a nice gun for the first build...and if not....use for some sort of esoteric household tool. Me, I am a Fusion guy. I think my first will be a kit where slide and frame are already fitted. I own one of their true custom builds and it is everything "custom" means. But I want to learn the ignition/recoil system first. Maybe a long slide 10.

 

[UBOATDOC]

Sadly, the days of finding an old beater Springfield or Norinco and building those on to a nice frame might be a rarity.

 

[Baldwin]

Great thread! I'm new to the 1911 platform and find the idea of building one fascinating. But I have a ton to learn before making the leap. Good luck OP. Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[cdhbrad]

My BA Custom was built on a JEM Stainless Frame. I think the slide is a carbon steel Infinity/SVI that was bare except for the cocking serrations.

Turned out great.