Lightweight 1911 CCO in 45 ACP

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  • Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,561
    Harford County, Maryland
    45 CCO Light Weight 1911 on 80% frame.

    I have been debating this project. It is an Officer size 1911 frame with a Commander (4.25”) slide and barrel. This one is on an aluminum frame, 45 ACP caliber and a Frankenpistol. The goal was low cost and use on my shelf decent used parts to see if I like it enough to build a ground up good one in the future.

    First a word about the jigs I used for the 80% frame on this project.

    I used a Phantom jig I acquired off GB used. It was used and clearly abused. Basically I used this jig to cut the rails. LOTS of chips/cuttings, too. Buy an extra cutter and replace when you install the extra cutter in the jig.

    I ended up with .0034” lateral and 0.0006” to 0.0011” vertical slide/frame fit after fitting and polishing. The excess lateral clearance was a result of learning one of the nuances of this jig. Keep in mind the jig is not a set it up, cut it and assemble it process. Lots of measuring, cutting, disassembly of frame from jig, measuring, reassembly of jig onto frame and more finesse cutting.

    I used the Vytamenc jig to locate and drill the sear and hammer pin holes. Very nice jig and purchased it for the eventual mill I intend to acquire.

    This pistol is built on a Spector Supply 80%aluminum frame with standard frame ramp. Though I am not completely sold on the 80% thing these frames are nicely spec’d, the one caveat being the area between the abbreviated checkering and the top of the front strap. This one is aluminum and my second one done so far. The first, a Gov’t size frame, is stainless. There is a BIG difference in cutting and shaping aluminum components. The old ‘go slow’ advice is quadrupled from this enthusiast when working in aluminum. It was pleasant to have a more shape friendly build, though.

    The Slide Assembly
    Unused Para Commander Elite, 4.25”.
    ~ Barrel - very low round count takeoff from a TRP. I used a lathe to shorten it which yielded a chamber to muzzle .575” O.D.. I dressed back the front of the lower lugs on the lathe as well. I dressed the muzzle on the lathe then recrowned and lapped it. I also setback the shoulder nust in front of the front locking lug. I may just do a flush cut and reverse crown on it. Time to try that, I guess.
    ~ Bushing - takeoff NM part which was fitted to a .575” Colt barrel and slide. Shortened as needed.
    ~ GI firing pin - bought used
    ~ GI extractor bought used.
    ~ firing pin stop - New Extreme Engineering;
    ~ rear sight- new Para night sight
    ~ front sight - was on the slide. It is a Para sight with missing fiber optic. I have the light pipe now I just have to install it. The
    ~ recoil group - Choate, new parts.

    Frame parts which are used takeoffs are:
    thumb safety - Fusion, like new condition
    grip safety - looks like S&A EZ Fit
    mag catch - Springer
    sear, disconnector, hammer strut - Springer, IIRC

    New frame parts include;
    hammer - Klominus, early one, not bad
    trigger - Remington (R1)
    ejector - Thunder Mtn Custom
    plunger tube - Ed Brown
    mainspring housing - Sig
    grips
    Grip screws & bushings - new

    springs - new, 18 pound recoil and 23 pound mainspring
    pins - new

    The frame came with the front strap checkered. The front strap also had some kind of dual cut high hold relief, cosmetically not pleasing. I just took it further, blending it out. Just leave it for now until I see the light.

    The trigger breaks at 3.75 pounds. The grip safety is not relieved as high as I normally take it but it works on this pistol. I have a slight round butt in the works which helps with the shorter frame. You can see I like the Caspian and Baer type high hold relief under the trigger guard. A couple of my pistols have true but not huge undercuts.

    I am at the stage of ready to test fire then do the final tuning, contouring, blending, and finish.
     

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    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,561
    Harford County, Maryland
    Thank you, I appreciate that. I’ve done a little more to it. Here’s some updated pics. Pistol is still in the works. Need to tune a couple more things and complete blending and finish. Ammo used was Aguila 230 grain ball.

    Pic 1: writing is at 12 yards with bottom of red box, point of aim, at top. Below that is the blue box. You can see I strung the shots and the pistol shoots low. Windage is good.
    Pic 2: is folded dollar bill against the group. I certainly strung ‘em. Not shown is pic of additional two shots stacked up at 20 yards at bottom of number 4 in blue box. Windage is great. This pistol shoots. Working on proper dimension replacement sights now while staying with tritiums.
    Pics 3 - 7: progress on ergonomics and finish of pistol. You can see the thumb safety was reconfigured and the grip safety blended a little more. Back of the ejector was blended but not touched up. The subtle changes in the round butting makes a big difference when shooting it.
     

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    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,561
    Harford County, Maryland
    Sidebar - 5” 80% build

    Here’s the first 80% I did. First group shown with the pistol is three shots at 12 yards. Then the conglomerate group of 12, 20 and 25 yards. Ammo was factory Aguila 230grain FMJ.
     

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    boothdoc

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Mar 23, 2008
    5,133
    Frederick county
    Nice detailing.

    I love my 1911s. Also love my HK USP 45 and my CD Tacticals.

    Something about these that I shoot well and don’t have failures with.
     

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