Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
6/24/2012 6:17:24 PM EDT
Looking for a blued frame to build my Colt .22 conversion into a dedicated pistol. I see Sarco has RIA frames for $109, but they're parkerized. Anyone know of a company selling something reasonable in blued? Not necessarily RIA price, but don't want to get into Caspian/Les Baer pricing either, especially since I'd still have to pay to have it blued. I did email Armscor to see if blued frames are available anywhere but haven't gotten a response yet. Any suggestions on a frame for a reasonable price are appreciated. Can't find anything on Essex(they used to be "fair" frames for an entry level build from what I've heard) and don't know of other companies to look into by name-Foster would be ideal but no basic frames are available.. Being Caspian's cosmetic seconds I'd know I at least had decent metal.

ETA-at Foster's pricing I'd be willing to pay to have it blued.
6/24/2012 8:32:27 PM EDT
[#1]
Nobody sells finished frames, as far as I know.   You can get a Caspian for under $200, less if someone is willing to pass the FFL discount on to you.

You can buy a stainless steel frame that doesn't require finishing, or you can simply paint the one you do buy.
6/27/2012 5:03:02 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Looking for a blued frame to build my Colt .22 conversion into a dedicated pistol. I see Sarco has RIA frames for $109, but they're parkerized. Anyone know of a company selling something reasonable in blued? Not necessarily RIA price, but don't want to get into Caspian/Les Baer pricing either, especially since I'd still have to pay to have it blued. I did email Armscor to see if blued frames are available anywhere but haven't gotten a response yet. Any suggestions on a frame for a reasonable price are appreciated. Can't find anything on Essex(they used to be "fair" frames for an entry level build from what I've heard) and don't know of other companies to look into by name-Foster would be ideal but no basic frames are available.. Being Caspian's cosmetic seconds I'd know I at least had decent metal.

ETA-at Foster's pricing I'd be willing to pay to have it blued.


Essex is gone........they were bought out and closed.......were in Vermont.....they are owned by Iver Johnson....but production has ceased since everything was brought to Florida........Rockledge.......

Caspian Frames are the way to go for an inexpsensive build.....they are high quality.....and Caspian has great
CS........Ive used three of their frames in the past..........great value.........

6/29/2012 7:35:42 AM EDT
[#3]
considering what frames and the associated parts cost, you may be cheaper off buying a complete lower end (RIA, base SA) gun and just swapping slides. I've seen used beater colts in my area under 600 bucks.
6/29/2012 4:50:58 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Looking for a blued frame to build my Colt .22 conversion into a dedicated pistol. I see Sarco has RIA frames for $109, but they're parkerized. Anyone know of a company selling something reasonable in blued? Not necessarily RIA price, but don't want to get into Caspian/Les Baer pricing either, especially since I'd still have to pay to have it blued. I did email Armscor to see if blued frames are available anywhere but haven't gotten a response yet. Any suggestions on a frame for a reasonable price are appreciated. Can't find anything on Essex(they used to be "fair" frames for an entry level build from what I've heard) and don't know of other companies to look into by name-Foster would be ideal but no basic frames are available.. Being Caspian's cosmetic seconds I'd know I at least had decent metal.

ETA-at Foster's pricing I'd be willing to pay to have it blued.


Essex is gone........they were bought out and closed.......were in Vermont.....they are owned by Iver Johnson....but production has ceased since everything was brought to Florida........Rockledge.......

Caspian Frames are the way to go for an inexpsensive build.....they are high quality.....and Caspian has great
CS........Ive used three of their frames in the past..........great value.........



Wait untill after the National Matches at Camp Perry around the middle of August. Foster is gearing up for the matches (they sell at vender row there) but seem to have a good selection when it's over on their web site.



6/29/2012 5:13:21 PM EDT
[#5]
Just as an FYI... A local gun shop here (bobs gun shop, Norfolk, va) has two Essex frames, blued on the shelf.
If you really want one, I'd look them up and I'm sure they'll sell it and send it to you.

ETA: damn, can't remember if thy really are blue, might have been parked.

For my 22 build, I used foster. They are Caspian "blems" and are great for the price.
6/29/2012 8:18:13 PM EDT
[#6]
For a frame for a conversion I would just buy a cheap complete RIA or similar and sell off the unneeded parts.

Otherwise, for a frame Fosters is the way to go. Have you called them? They might have something not listed on the site.
6/29/2012 8:44:16 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
Just as an FYI... A local gun shop here (bobs gun shop, Norfolk, va) has two Essex frames, blued on the shelf.
If you really want one, I'd look them up and I'm sure they'll sell it and send it to you.

ETA: damn, can't remember if thy really are blue, might have been parked.

For my 22 build, I used foster. They are Caspian "blems" and are great for the price.


Thanks for the info, I'll definitely look into them. As for the recommendation of stripping a donor gun, I thought about that too, but not too thrilled about stripping a complete gun-and RIA seems to only be available parkerized. If I have to I'll duracoat a frame but if I go that route I'll just get a parked frame from Sarco for $110 and build it up. I emailed Foster on a whim and will see what I hear. Otherwise, does anyone know anything about RemSport? Noticed some blued frames on gunbroker for a hair under $200-getting back into Caspian pricing but at least I wouldn't have to find someone to blue it(not a huge fan of Duracoat ant the other paint-type finishes, prefer bluing or stainless).

ETA-Just found an email for Bob's and sent a note off. You don't happen to remember their price do you? It would be nice to get a frame close to the sub-$150 I remember Essex being but with them out of business it might not happen.
6/30/2012 7:26:28 AM EDT
[#8]
Cimarron (made by RIA) has a polished blue model. You might also be able to find a used Colt locally at a reasonable price.