[Rick James]

I have been looking at various ways to build a 1911 wide body styled gun optimized for the Limited Division. I have been back and forth between Caspian Arms wide body kit, slide and internals, or an STI short block kit. Any info on those two options and any other solutions/kits that are out there would be appreciated.

Justin

[G-ManBart]

Rick James, on Oct 28 2009, 07:01 PM, said:

I have been looking at various ways to build a 1911 wide body styled gun optimized for the Limited Division. I have been back and forth between Caspian Arms wide body kit, slide and internals, or an STI short block kit. Any info on those two options and any other solutions/kits that are out there would be appreciated.

Justin

Either can be turned into a great gun. There are probably 15 STI/SVI guns for every Caspian out there. A lot of that is based upon the lack of mags/mag bodies during the AWB days. The rest is that even after the AWB sunset you couldn't get 20+ round .40 mags for Caspians until a year or so ago. I wouldn't say one is better than the other, but the STI/SVI is the overwhelming favorite. R,

[Aircooled6racer]

Hello: I would buy a used Limited pistol since it will have all the bugs worked out and actually cost you less. If you buy a used STI Edge and shoot it for a while then you can deside what you like or don't like. Then you could do the work on it yourself if you wish or could send it out to be done. Thanks, Eric

[STIGUY]

Rick James, on Oct 28 2009, 04:01 PM, said:

I have been looking at various ways to build a 1911 wide body styled gun optimized for the Limited Division. I have been back and forth between Caspian Arms wide body kit, slide and internals, or an STI short block kit. Any info on those two options and any other solutions/kits that are out there would be appreciated.

Justin

Take the last poster's advice. I had the same dilemna buy or build. I had/have a Para P-16 Limited. I just really wanted an STI. I found a used one on here for less than the sum of the parts. GOOD LUCK none the less!

[pjb45]

My first widebody was the STI frame route. I purchased all the parts from Brownells. It was cool.
My second widebody was a full custom SV. Love it. Still have it. Could not afford to do it again. But if I could I would have every gun I own a full custom, they are way cool.

There are many many options when doing the STI method. Complete build up from the best parts, a Dawson or Brazos worked over gun, a custom like a Millinium, Brazos or Bedell. Or used. It really comes down to how much money you want to spend. You can $3K for a full custom or $1400 for a used STI.

Any which way you go, people will always say 'You shoulda done this". In the end, figure your budget and go from there. I kind of think more rounds down range = more fun and more improvement.

[Josh Biondi]

Rick James, on Oct 29 2009, 12:01 AM, said:

I have been looking at various ways to build a 1911 wide body styled gun optimized for the Limited Division. I have been back and forth between Caspian Arms wide body kit, slide and internals, or an STI short block kit. Any info on those two options and any other solutions/kits that are out there would be appreciated.

Justin

Im a STI shooter. So my answer is obviously STI! I think that STI Edge is the one best gun on the market and i love it deeply... but... but... at last WS Tomasie win the Standard divison match with a Caspian... so the choice is up to you

[rishii]

I'm a caspian shooter and as usual I'm out numbered by all the sti guys, but the way I look at it, GM sells a lot more chevys than they do caddies
if you're going to build this yourself, the one advantage caspian has is they will do all the machining for you when you order from them, sight cuts, fitted slide to frame, slide serrations etc. you still gotta fit-up all the internals, barrel, sights, and finish work on the outside.
I've always though the sti shortblock kit was kinda expensive considering all it is, is a fitted slide, frame and barrel. for a few hundred buck more, you could get a complete edge from shooter connection. and the price difference between the two once you factor in all the other parts you'll need to complete the shortblock kit and get it blued would be almost nil.

[CocoBolo]

I would decide on a gun builder and discuss the options with the builder. Once you know exactly what parts to get it will work out better.

If you are fairly new to the sport let the builder make the big decisions. On the other hand if your a A or higher you should have a good idea of what works for you.

I have bought 3 used limited guns all are awesome running and shooting guns. 2 STI Edge and an Infinity. Highest price was "NIB" HPF Dawson Edge with 4 mags $1650, so it is a good option to get started till you know what works for you.

Its a good time of year to watch the Classifieds here and on USPSA as well as gun broker for Brazos, Bedell, and Melllinum custom guns. You can pick one up for about 2k with mags etc.

[Matt Cheely]

Either one makes a fine pistol, the STI happens to fit my hand better.

[Rick James]

Thanks for the info guys. I will post what I finally end up going with and how it works out.

Justin

[Punished]

I am in the same boat. I really really want to build a 2011 with a fitted barrel kit. I can handle installing all the parts but fitting a barrel and slide (never tried). I want to do my own designed slide milling as well. But at the same rate, you can easily buy a used Edge or other limited guns that run right out of the box. I go back and forth all the time on which route to go.

[paul0731]

I went the buy a used gun route. Perhaps I'll build one someday after I actually know what I want. My assumption being I won't know what I want until I actually shoot limited for a while.