Ive always wanted a 10mm double stack 1911, but have always been told to stay away from making one on a para-ord frame because the recoil could damage the frame after time. Is this really true? What about the new springfield and rock island wide body frames, same problems or are they all steel (no alloy) construction? What about a wide body 45 super? Same recoil problems? Your thoughts and input would be appreciated.

The para double column guns tend to crack on the inside of the trigger trough ... happened to one of mine at about 35,000 rounds.

Have had no such difficulties with the steel topped polymer gripped frames from folks like STI. They are a better way to go.

Also, in horsing around with 40 caliber guns we built a single column gun in 40 S&W. Bobbed the slide 1/2" and comped a Nowlin fully supported barrel. Uses 10mm magazines. The shells are loaded to just short of the length of 10mm. Allows nearly the same case volume as 10mm with a shorter case that is easier to extract and eject.

Have been able to load 135 Nosler HPs to over 1580 fps ... very high energy on impact!

I have built a Para fittend with both with 40 S&W and 45 ACP Baer slides. Gun is accurate as can be and functions beautifully but I did not expect it to be used hard. Would not do it again on a Para frame ... way too much work. Would use an STI.

Sott,
I have a virgin Springfield double stack frame. I have had it for two years, and would not get around to building it up until I finish with six rifle projects. Send me a PM. I would sell it to you at a price that will have you smiling for six months (60% of retail). My gunsmith, George Vais is good with 1911's. He is also very frugal. He could have you up and running at a very fair price in a short time. George worked over a mid priced Springfield single stack for me. I kicked ass on a couple buddies who have a Baer and a Wilson respectively. He made an mid range trigger smooooth and criiisp! $20.00. He will polish the ramp just so. It will feed ever so nice. Therewill be no burrs, the mags will slide in like your wanker into Cindy Crawford after a double dose of Viagra when she is more wet than the pacific ocean on a warm day. The extractor will be tuned to 100% reliability.

lawndart

lawndart
noak@direcway.com

I've been shooting 1911s of all descriptions for nearly thirty years. I suggest that you stick to single-stack 1911 frames, regardless of the cartridge you wish to shoot. You'll enjoy better feeding, a more positive grip, greater longevity, much wider magazine availability, etc.

Here are three of the best builders of custom 1911s, including 10mms plus the Para frame option, and you may pick up some really solid information from them. In particular, you can take Ted Yost's opinions to the bank:

http://www.morriscustompistols.com

http://www.yost-bonitz.com

http://www.novaksights.com

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I really believe that there is more known about how to make a 1911 perform and live than any other weapon ever invented. There are also many strong opinions ... some not based in fact or wide enough experience.

I too have shot 1911s for a very long time in many calibers ... 9mm, Super, 9x23, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, etc. 30 to 35 years. Have retired several of them with more than 150,000 rds fired.

Single column versus double colmun has always been an interesting discussion. What you buy should be guided by the service you require and the size of your hands. Carry guns tend to be single column because they are flat. With some experience you'll develop some preferences and see some tendencies.

As per longevity ... you have to work pretty hard to wear out or break a 1911 frame that has been properly built. Does happen in either single or double column guns though.

Magazine availability depends on what you mean. Buying junk magazines gets you junk magazines that make your pistol less than reliable. They are available everywhere. Are double column mags hard to come by or hard to maintain ... no, Brownell's has tubes, springs, and bottoms from several good manufacturers.

Hand size can be an issue ... as your personal grip is an issue in recoil control. Para's tend to be seen with 3M pool tape grips to skinny them down some. The STIs don't usually need it but they too are seen with tape grips.

The entire grip assembly of an STI/SVI frame is replacable. Hard to do on most single column frames.

If you want to talk to some good smiths, pick up a copy of the USPSA magazine and look through the ads. There are many fine ones out there who can pretty much do it all ... 1 to 1 1/2" 50 yard guns with reliable 2# triggers (not that I recommend that for a relatively inexperienced person).

What ever you choose to do, spend more time and money shooting than entering the arms race (there is some really exotic stuff available in the 1911 world that can be damned expensive). Have fun. Go to some local USPSA and some IDPA matches ... before you spend a lot of money.

quote:

In particular, you can take Ted Yost's opinions to the bank:

I will second Allens opinion of Ted Yost. I had him go through my Delta about a year ago, from top to bottom. What I got back was excellent, top workmanship, perfect execution. The trigger on this is perfection, I have something in the nieghborhood of a dozen 1911 pistols, the trigger on the Yost Delta is the best of any of of my 1911's and several are not stock.

Ted takes a while to get into his work que, he is top drawer and busy which means you need to wait to get work done. It is worth it, he knows his 1911's.

Allen,

Another excellent builder is Ned Christiansen he does very nice work also:

http://www.m-guns.com/index.php

Definately in the same league as Yost, look through the gallery of some of his projects. Pictures don't really tell it all, if you get a chance to see one of his pistols up close the quality and attention to detail become immediatly apparent.

I'll second the comments above regarding hand size. I have big mitts so I have had to fatten the grips up on my single stack. I don't believe someone with small hands would care for a wide body 1911.
I carried a WWII issue 1911 in the Army for several years. It always went bang, and was easy to care for in the field. When the military switched to 9mm I left the Berretta in the arms room and bought a Sig.
The comments about magazines above are also spot on. Get good ones, and maintain them well.
LD

So, I picked up a Para frame NIB. Alloy, double stack 45 with mag. What is a fair price for such a thing?