1911 Parts and Build off a SAM 1911

Cilantro

Cilantro

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Hey all,
I'm looking to build (or have built?) a custom 1911 based off one of the Wolverine SAM 1911s. There are a lot of dealers that offer some parts (extended slide releases, safeties in different tones, etc...) by the same companies, but I have yet to find a dealer that has a full set of "Ed Brown" or "STI" controls/parts that I need and I'm worried about colour-matching (I know, I know). Is Brownells my only option for this? Also, has anyone had any issues switching out parts or customizing a SAM 1911 in general?

Cheers.
 
as above, SAMs are hand fit from what i have heard over the last couple years is pretty much every part your gonna wanna add on there is gonna have to be fit too it.
they are not so much a 'drop in' accessible firearm.

not sure about the plain jane 1911 they put out, mine are all the upper ones, Thunderbolt and such.
 
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I did a build with a SAM frame a couple of years ago.
Several " drop in " parts did not drop in. The first time that I have
had a mag release assembly not fit.
No more SAM's for me.
I realize that parts are not always drop in but I found that the SAM was a bit out of spec.
 
Damn, that's not great to hear about the SAMs. I guess they're a good gun if you like them stock. What are some good options for building a 1911? The controls, hammer, backstrap and beavertail will be changed, and the slide has to have original USGI-style serrations (straight, light one-sided cuts) on it. More will be added to the front of the slide.

Thanks for the info guys.
 
saskcop said:
All of the above are excellent options, but there are times I have found Brownell's to be less expensive in spite of the Canadian dollar.
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I totally agree and prefer to do one stop shopping and pay shipping only once if possible. Unfortunately in Canada there isn't a one stop shopping dealer for 1911 parts so you could be looking at ordering from 5-10 dealers just to get what you need, at a minimum of $12.00 shipping per order from each dealer, that adds up! My last order from Brownells weighed 1.6lbs, shipping equated to $20.00 CDN.
 
And for Brownells, the order limit is $500, if I recall correctly, yes? How much of a hassle is it to roder gun parts from them? One of the parts will probably a threaded barrel, or a 6" barrel I can have threaded up here.
 
Cilantro said:
And for Brownells, the order limit is $500, if I recall correctly, yes? How much of a hassle is it to roder gun parts from them? One of the parts will probably a threaded barrel, or a 6" barrel I can have threaded up here.
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Very easy to order parts from Brownells. Just be sure on exactly what it is you want. Go on the webpage, type in barrels or whatever in SEARCH near the top of page on right hand side, barrel options will come up. Now scroll down a bit until you see Special-Filters on the left hand side then click on "Available Outside USA" it will highlight in red once you click on it, now shop away :cool:
 
I have a SAM Omega 6 in .40 cal. that I was thinking of building up for IPSC Classic Division......Bought all new STI Internals, STI Ambi-Safety....and found nothing fit without major fitting. I'm not a gunsmith, so I sent it away to one. It took almost 9 months of fiddling, more parts (trigger, hammer hammer strut, slide lock, and grips), but I finally got it back. It has a sweet 3.5 - 4.0lb trigger pull with 0 over-travel and 0 take up. I wanted an EGW High Rise Magazine Catch installed as I use Tripp Research Magazines AND... NOPE, the frame is too narrow, it won't fit. So as long as I use my STI mags and SAAMI spec ammo, it works. Out of frustration I bought an STI Sentry, AND everything works right out of the box.
 
What's the cost benefit from buying a $500 gun and throwing every part you can at it compared to just buying a higher end nighthawk or ed brown or whatever?
 
Because I'm going for a very specific look and I'd need to replace or have work done on the same parts, to be honest. But after learning the issues with the SAM, I might have to spring for a pricier "milspec" option.
 
Only internal parts are drop in fit, including hammer I found. Nothing else like grip safeties, or even the trigger won't fit. This is done purposely as the guns are basically entirely custom made, so every part goes from being spec to out of spec in the fitting process.
 
I also tried this with a SAM...and most parts were a no go without major fitting....so I sold it and bought a Norc 1911.....most of the parts dropped in or only required minor fitting....and it's a forged frame not cast. Really hard steel. Wouldn't own another SAM because of this. It was a good pistol stock....but I like to tinker.
 
So then what are some good options for a donor gun that'll take most aftermarket controls / parts? Norinco? Arsmcor/RIA/High Standard?
 
Cilantro said:
So then what are some good options for a donor gun that'll take most aftermarket controls / parts? Norinco? Arsmcor/RIA/High Standard?
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Build off one of the latest Norinco models, the fit and finish is nice these days. The internals of the Norinco are hit and miss, most often out of spec and rough. There frames, slides and barrels are pretty durable.
 
No 1911s will take " drop in" parts, be in Nighthawk customs, les baer or wilson combat. The only true drop in parts are the hammer spring and recoil spring.

1911 is a really funny gun, almost no manufacturer has the standard spec, everyone of them do something a little different. Ie: sig runs a .582 barrel OD and 9mm firing pin on their 45s. Colt now run a dual spring recoil system on their competition 1911.

To be honest, any 1911 frame is a good base to start off with, if you are wanting to run a high beavertail and fibre optics and what not. Start looking at frames thay have 0.250 radius tail and slides that have novak cut, which by the way have 2 different angles...again no standardization.
As far as fire control, may be worth looking at cylinder and slide, they are very well known and sought after down in the states.
 
Cilantro said:
And for Brownells, the order limit is $500, if I recall correctly, yes? How much of a hassle is it to roder gun parts from them? One of the parts will probably a threaded barrel, or a 6" barrel I can have threaded up here.
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No barrel unless you paid the extra 250$ permit fee.

Order your favorite ed brown/ egw/ nowlin barrel from either wanstall, Double tap or freedom venture
 
Thanks for the info. I guess I shouldn't be surprised about the spec issues, it is a hundred year-old design that's gone through many iterations now. Good to know about the barrels as well, with a $250 import fee it might be easier to buy a 6" barrel in Canada and have it cut and threaded. Guess this'll be a "long-term" project....
 
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