NEW Build vs NEW slide/barrel

[jbultman]

I think I’ve decided to make the switch from limited to open, fully!

Currently, as it sits I’ve got 2 limited 2011s and 1 open 2011.

#1– a Brazo’s custom with a plastic grip.

#2– an STI Edge with upgraded SV trigger shoes and quality internals done by a local gun smith with a plastic grip.

The open 2011 is with a PT grip, built by the same local gunsmith.
 

I would love a backup/dry-fire gun for open as I have for limited.  But, funds aren’t there to keep both limited guns and add an open gun to the collection. 
 

My Question? 
Should I sell the Edge and use the funds plus some to have a backup open gun built …. Or

Have a new slide and barrel fitted to my Edge, drill and tap for an optic mount, then eventually add a metal grip? 

Edited May 25, 2022 by jbultman

[Rnlinebacker]

Have a new slide and barrel fitted to keep cost down. Unless, you find something you absolutely want and need that's an open. Then sell what you got and buy it

[chase214]

If we're you id call jeff Abernathy and talk to him hes a great guy and won't BS you 

[jbultman]

10 hours ago, Rnlinebacker said:

Have a new slide and barrel fitted to keep cost down. Unless, you find something you absolutely want and need that's an open. Then sell what you got and buy it

TBH that’s kind of what I’m leaning towards at the moment. Not quite sure how much it’ll be but, it definitely seems to be the most cost effective at the moment. But, maybe down the road get something else who knows!

[Rnlinebacker]

Atlas makes an open slide with zig racket cut, tri top and scallop cut for $325. Buy a one piece barrel and comp from Brazos. Then it's just labor so you should be around $1200ish

[zzt]

j, I would do neither of your suggestions.  By the time you are done you could have bought a fine quality used Open gun.

 

Here is my suggestion.  Buy a Brazos Custom Open short block with zig racker.  http://www.1911store.com/Shortblock-BCG-Open-lightning-5--LDC-fram-Unique-slide-Bull-barrel-1-1.aspx  It is already drilled and tapped.  It will be perfectly fitted.  Then migrate all the parts from your Edge to the short block.  I have the Barsto Open barrel, but I would go with the Brazos to save the $200.  I had a local smith drill the poppels for $25.  Brazos wants $250 and he will put in four 1/8" poppels.  So for $2000 you essentially have a new, custom Open gun.  BTW, the Brazos frame takes either a poly grip or a Cheely e2 metal grip with no fitting.  A PT grip would require fitting.  I've never done it, but I'm told by people who did, the fitting was extensive.  I happen to like the e2 better than the PT, so it was a no brainer for me. 

[jbultman]

7 hours ago, zzt said:

j, I would do neither of your suggestions.  By the time you are done you could have bought a fine quality used Open gun.

 

Here is my suggestion.  Buy a Brazos Custom Open short block with zig racker.  http://www.1911store.com/Shortblock-BCG-Open-lightning-5--LDC-fram-Unique-slide-Bull-barrel-1-1.aspx  It is already drilled and tapped.  It will be perfectly fitted.  Then migrate all the parts from your Edge to the short block.  I have the Barsto Open barrel, but I would go with the Brazos to save the $200.  I had a local smith drill the poppels for $25.  Brazos wants $250 and he will put in four 1/8" poppels.  So for $2000 you essentially have a new, custom Open gun.  BTW, the Brazos frame takes either a poly grip or a Cheely e2 metal grip with no fitting.  A PT grip would require fitting.  I've never done it, but I'm told by people who did, the fitting was extensive.  I happen to like the e2 better than the PT, so it was a no brainer for me. 

Gotcha. That makes sense. Not too much more either. Though my backup doesn’t have May round through it. Maybe 2k total.

What’s the short block mean? Short dust cover? 

[Superkaratemonkeyfighter]

How are those one piece barrel/comps ?

sounds like a great idea but then your stuck with that comp but if it works good maybe it doesn’t matter 

[zzt]

15 hours ago, jbultman said:

What’s the short block mean? Short dust cover? 

 

An Open short block from Brazos consists of a frame, slide and comp barrel all precisely fitted and ready for grip and internals.  Bob does a great job finishing.  You can send it out for coating as is if you don't scratch it up while completing it.  His short blocks are with short dust cover frames.

[zzt]

13 hours ago, Superkaratemonkeyfighter said:

How are those one piece barrel/comps ?

sounds like a great idea but then your stuck with that comp but if it works good maybe it doesn’t matter 

 

I have two STI Trubore barrels with custom comp cuts in them and a Brazos Barsto one-piece.  All of them shoot extremely well.  No comp to shoot loose is a BIG plus for me.  I don't know if you can still get Trubore blanks.  So Brazos' one-piece or his Barsto one-piece are your current choices.  Brazos TC2 comp is every bit as effective as the custom comps.  You cannot fit enough powder in a 9mm case to fully work them

[jbultman]

11 hours ago, zzt said:

 

An Open short block from Brazos consists of a frame, slide and comp barrel all precisely fitted and ready for grip and internals.  Bob does a great job finishing.  You can send it out for coating as is if you don't scratch it up while completing it.  His short blocks are with short dust cover frames.

Understood, thank you!! I’ll look into it more.  A short block plus an e2 is pretty enticing! I love my Brazos limited like no other.
 

The only issue now is can I fit it in the budget?!

[Bakerjd]

I'm having Dan at D2 Customs do a open top end on a limcat limited gun. I have to very nice open guns already from him but they are both for left handed shooters. And she is right handed. So since I don't shoot limited much if at all any more and it's just sitting around.... $2200.00 is a bit better then $5700.00 fpr a complete build. 

[tator2k]

I've going through this thought process for a loooooonnnnngggg time. I have a classic Caspian 9x23 open gun with a frame mounted holosight. It's been working great for almost 30 years. But it's finally time to change things up a bit. I've looked at getting the hybrid comp replaced with a portless threaded barrel setup for 9mm. Then trying to find a new optic and base to use. But finding someone to possibly weld and retap the frame has been impossible to find. The only quote I got to fit and ream the barrel and weld the frame was nearly $1500 and 'at least a year' wait. 

 

[Racinready300ex]

I'm doing this now, partly because I like to tinker with stuff. New slide was $250 and I already fit it. New barrel is back ordered, comp is here waiting. I'll fit the barrel but probably have someone do the comp and maybe add a couple popple hoes and a racker. I'm not really equipped to do that. 

 

Need to decide if I want to do a plastic grip or a metal grip still. My current open gun is a plastic grip with a steel MSH and a brass Lim cat magwell. Total weight is probably not that far off of a steel grip but cost about half as much. 

[rishii]

Tator 

instead modifying your frame have you tried to get a blank mount and drill that to match the holes in your frame

i went that route to rescope my old caspian with the wegand pattern holes

dawson and cheely used to sell them

 

  

[tator2k]

That's a great idea! I completely forgot about that. You can order a blank Allchin mount. 

[SeattleDude]

sell both limited guns and build an exact carbon copy of your current Open gun (if you like your current Open gun setup)

[Bakerjd]

This was a limcat limited gun. Now it's an open gun. Top end was build by D2 Customs. Total cost with coating, parts, and build was $2500.00.