New Fusion/Caspian Slab Side Commander Build. . . .I think its a keeper

[TheShootist1894]

So I have been planning/building this pistol since February. . . .glad to see it finally come together

Here's the build sheet, as I remember it anyway, left the physical sheet at the office.

-Fusion Firearms Slab side commander frame
-Caspian Commander slide, flat top
-Fusion Match Ramped barrel
-Novak Gold bead Front sight
-10-8 Rear sight
-Nighthawk 1 piece FLGR
-Nighthawk Plunger tube
-Caspian Trik Trigger
-Caspian Single thumb safety
-EGW Beveled Bushing
-EGW Firing pin
-EGW HD Extractor
-Cylinder & Slide Hammer
-Cyl & Slide Disconnector
-Cyl & Slide Sear
-Cyl & Slide & Wolff Springs
-STI SS Grip Safety
-Smith & Alexander SS MSH/Well
-VZ Grips and screws


Short list of what I did,

Contour front sight slightly, contour rear sight heavily. Make rear of slide and rear sight same plane checker 50 LPI, checker flat top 50 LPI ALA S&W Mod 27. Point up machine checkering on MSH and frame. Bevel mag well to fit flush with frame bevel. Round squared trigger guard. Polish and blue frame and slide. 45 degree chamfer on bottom edge of slide. Also all the blending, fitting, polishing needed to make it 'right'. . . . .I am sure there are some things I neglected to mention. . . .

Now for the gratuitous photo op

[TheShootist1894]

Thanks to all who helped with advise or parts

Karl Beining
Ottawa Ordnance

[BigAm]

I'm in love. Beautiful man.

[steelepuls]

Nice, love the rear sight and slide work.

[TheShootist1894]

Parts I forgot to list above

-EGW Extended Ejector
-EGW Firing pin stop
-Wilson Bullet Proof Slide stop
-Nowlin SS Bushings
-EGW Long Hammer strut
-Ed Brown Ext Mag catch (wanted to try the 10-8 but it was out of stock)

Gun runs great with Wilson and springfield mags, have a colt and mecgar to try also will likely just stick with the Wilson's though


Thanks
Karl

[BigAm]

Was the frame a specific Fusion frame? Or was it a Government length one you cut down to make a commander? Just curious.

[TheShootist1894]

Well, I believe these 'slab side' frames all start with a dustcover that would sit flush to a 5" slide, I just ordered a slab side commander frame. . . .a real shame they don't make one to work with and Officer's slide. .. . then I would have to build a three gun set

[BigAm]

Oh man...that would be a sight!
Do you mind if I ask how much the frame ran you? I really want to build something very similar but in 9mm.

[TheShootist1894]

Round $300 i think, you can PM rserva here on the board, he's the man up at Fusion

I am strongly considering building a 6" gun in a smaller caliber, undecided on 9mm or 10mm. . . .maybe a super ahh I don't know, barely get one in the holster and you start thinking about the next one!

[BigAm]

10mm and super is a haaard choice!

And thanks for the info...as soon as I get some more cash layin around I will start getting this thing up and running!

[SgtGing]

Very nice! Love the slab sides!

[TheShootist1894]

Sorry for disappearing .. . work and a brief vacation have absorbed a great majority of my free time. The sights are right on at 10-15 yards, a little low at 5-7 yards and a touch high at 25 yards, pretty much exactly what I would want out of a combat sight set (all with a 6 O'clock hold). That is exactly what these sights give you too, quick pick up, easy to get back on target for a second shot, the rear U notch works good with a dot of some kind up front. Another note, this sight set up is not one I would consider for precision work, Groups were <4" at 25 yards and <2" at 12 yards. The pistol really shines shooting speed drills, the nose heavy design eats recoil for breakfast, double taps are within an inch at 12 yards, even my wife like to shoot this 45, and she is not a fan of a standard 5" 1911. will be trying some 200 grain cast reloads, most shooting to date was done with 230 grain ball, 230 grain HP, and 230 Grain cast handloads. The Ramped barrel eats anything I have tried. Gun does not carry bad at all, I took a soft leather holster for a standard commander and 'fit' it to this gun while the pistol was still in the white I would force the gun into the holster stretching it, now it fits pretty good, not Ideal but an inexpensive solution. I am awaiting a custom holster from Garrity gun leather to fit the gun. Sorry for the long winded response

[msp1jpp]

Man that is beautiful

[pacis custodis]

I got to see this at the Lima Gun show and it is a beautiful piece. Very well done.

Could you post a few more pictures of the flat top checkering?

[AreB]

Originally Posted by TheShootist1894

Well, I believe these 'slab side' frames all start with a dustcover that would sit flush to a 5" slide, I just ordered a slab side commander frame. . . .a real shame they don't make one to work with and Officer's slide. .. . then I would have to build a three gun set

The internal cuts/dimensions are the same on 4.25", 3.5", and 3" guns, aren't they? All you would have to do for a OM slabside would be to trim the length of the dustcover,which is not a complex task.

You should do it. In 10mm. With no FCS. Build it and they will come.

[JGus]

I know I'm resurrecting an old thread, but that is one FINE looking pistol!

[TheShootist1894]

Thanks Gus,

I should post some pics of what it looks like now that I have carried it 95% of the days since finished, it might get a reblue this winter

[wadcutter45]

What did you do the rear sight? Looks a little different.

[TheShootist1894]

Originally Posted by TheShootist1894

Short list of what I did,

Contour front sight slightly, contour rear sight heavily. Make rear of slide and rear sight same plane checker 50 LPI, checker flat top 50 LPI ALA S&W Mod 27.

There ya go

[AreB]

Originally Posted by AreB

The internal cuts/dimensions are the same on 4.25", 3.5", and 3" guns, aren't they? All you would have to do for a OM slabside would be to trim the length of the dustcover,which is not a complex task.

You should do it. In 10mm. With no FCS. Build it and they will come.

Yes, but it would still be a full height frame-which would make it a "Tank Commander", or something like that. But not an OM.

[vasiggie]

Very nice, this is something very similar i have in mind for my build coming up except it will have SS slide with polished sides and just like your polished reciever parts as well.

Very, Very nice, congrats i hope mine comes out half as nice as this one.

[AreB]

Originally Posted by AreB

Yes, but it would still be a full height frame-which would make it a "Tank Commander", or something like that. But not an OM.

Just realized that I was arguing with myself in this thread. Good grief.

Shootist, that is a fine looking gun.

[TheShootist1894]

Thanks a million guys, carry this gun everyday, I am working on a very unique 10mm longslide (Caspian frame and slide) currently sill show ya'll some pics soon as it's done.


Thanks Again
KGB

[rippleAdder]

Good God that trik trigger is amazing I bought one and it required fitting but there is ZERO play and it looks great. I'll be installing these on the other three I have for sure.

[TheShootist1894]

I like the Trik, but I am falling fast for the less distracting simpler look of the EGW Flat

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=368950

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=359340