Crack in 1911A1 frame

imadork

September 08, 2003 22:42

Is there anything I can do about it? As you can see in the photo, the crack is right below the front of the rails. There is a similar deformation on the other side that has not actually cracked just yet. I suspect that installing the full length guide rod caused this by increasing the stress on the weakest part of the frame. I may just have to relegate this pistol to posterity. Obviously I won't be shooting this one anytime soon.

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  mballai

  September 09, 2003 06:41

  I really doubt that a full-length guide rod is the cause of this. How much ammo have you put through this gun? 1911 frame cracks are a reality at some point in time but usually way down the road and assuming that the user changed the spring out regularly and used shok buffs. You might want to consult with a knowledgeable gunsmith. Or see if Colt will take care of this for you as has been suggested?
  
  Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead

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  imadork

  September 09, 2003 17:32

  The frame is from a no-name manufacturer called A.R. Sales Co. of El Monte, Cal. The other parts are all factory Colt except for some Wilson Combat upgrades like the guide rod. The previous owner bought the frame at retail in 1969 or so, the parts are all new, I bought the frame in mid-2002 and put all new parts on it. I think it's an aluminum frame. The round count is around 3,000, all factory ball ammo with no +P loads. I may just scrap it and get a name brand model, but I hate to trash a functioning pistol...

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  kingjoey

  September 09, 2003 17:45

  I would also suspect that the recoil spring is not stout enough. Having the slide hitting the frame hard when fired can be hell on frames.
  
  Love them Beavers
  
  
  SUPPORT THE I.N.S. , THE COUNTRY THEY SAVE COULD BE YOUR OWN

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  mballai

  September 09, 2003 17:48

  Hmm. Still worth asking a gunsmith about, but a frame transplant might still be in order.
  
  Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead

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  leeblackman

  September 09, 2003 18:36

  Take it to a gunsmith and have it cut out (a relief cut).

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  v35

  September 09, 2003 19:02

  The mould ejector mark on the top front of the trigger guard indicates that it's a die cast frame. From the crack forward,the frame is unstressed. Any part of the frame, forward of the spring guide seat just acts as a spring shield.
  I would stop-drill a 1/32 hole just beyond the visible cracks to stop progression of the cracks on both sides of the frame. Bury the one piece guide rod and install a recoil buffer and new slide spring. The gun should work safely.
  If the cosmetics bother you, still stop-drill the frame and consult with an ace TIG welder to see if he can repair the cracks without affecting the the frame hardness between the slide stop hole and the rails where the stress of operation takes place.

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  Rafter-S

  September 09, 2003 19:09

  Quote: "but I hate to trash a functioning pistol..."
  
  Do you have a need for a "strategically located" pistol? One that will be fired very little if ever? This one with the cracked frame could be a candidate for such a gun. On my place, I have 2 such pistols and one shotgun. Only I know where they are. They are loaded and ready to go. I check them once a year to make sure a dirt-dobber has not built a nest in them and to wipe with oil. These are guns I hope I never have a need for...but if I did, they would be priceless. They are not the finest guns I have, but they work. I call them my "go to a gunfight guns."
  
  For whatever that's worth,
  Rafter-S

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  fergusonmorse392

  September 09, 2003 20:01

  I have one just like it cracked in the same place (RMT Co. EL MONTE CA)light weight aluminum I suspect some of the info in the above posts is correct.(I.E. proper recoil spring, shock buff, etc) but would also suspect factory defect as these companies were like a flash in the pan so to speak here today & gone the next. This crack is not in an area that will effect the function of the pistol just looks bad. Put the proper recoil spring in for the ammo your shooting & have fun.
  With a full lingth guide rod in place, even if that hole front piece cracked off, the gun will still function, just look very strange.
  Also you could get an Essex steel frame for about $130.00 or a super good one from Olympic arms for a little more.

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  jsergovic

  September 09, 2003 23:37

  leeblackman says it well.
  
  I might look for a cosmetically inferior firearm of identical make and switch parts.

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  woodsrunner

  September 10, 2003 00:00

  Buy another frame and transfer your parts over. I bet the cracked frame would go forever with a .22 conversion on it. Then you'd have 2 guns.
  
  Woods

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