American Firearm Directory
  • Home
  • LONG GUNS
    • AR RIFLES & PARTS
    • SEMI-AUTO & AK
    • BOLT ACTION RIFLES
    • LEVER & PUMP ACTION RIFLES
    • TARGET
    • RIMFIRE
    • SHOTGUNS
    • MUZZLELOADERS & BLACKPOWDER
    • GUNSMITHS
    • AIRGUNS/AIRSOFT/PAINTBALL
    • ARCHERY, CROSSBOW & SLINGSHOT
  • HAND GUNS
    • SEMI AUTO & PARTS
    • REVOLVERS
    • RIMFIRE
    • SBR/SBS/PCC/CCU
    • DERRINGERS/OTHER
    • LESS-LETHAL
  • AMMUNITION
    • CENTERFIRE
    • RIMFIRE
    • SHOTGUN
    • AIRGUN
    • RELOADING
    • CHRONOGRAPHY
  • ACCESSORIES
    • ARMOR, SAFETY & PROTECTIVE
    • CAMS, COMMS & NAVIGATION
    • CLEANING & CARE
    • FOOTWEAR/CLOTHING
    • GRIPS/STOCKS/BRACES
    • HOLSTERS
    • HUNTING & FISHING, CAMPING, SURVIVAL & DOG CARE
    • KNIVES
    • MAGAZINES
    • OPTICS/SIGHTING/LIGHTS
    • SAFES/RACKS/GUNCASES/RUGS
    • SILENCERS/BARREL ACCS
    • SLINGS & BELTS
    • TRIPODS & GUNRESTS
    • TACTICAL
    • TARGETS, TRAINING & RANGE
  • MIL/LE/CONTR
  • RESOURCE
    • WHOLESALERS, MANUFACTURING & BUSINESS SERVICES
    • ONLINE GUNSTORES, BLOGS & YOUTUBERS
    • TV, MEDIA & PRINT
    • NON-PROFITS, GROUPS & EDUCATION
    • TRADESHOWS
    • PHYSICAL GUN SHOPS BY STATE
    • GUNSMITHING, FINISHING & ENGRAVING
  • BLOG

NEW FIREARMS & ACCESSORIES

We make every attempt to only preview new products when they are actually available on the market. This spares consumers from wasting time trying to locate an item to buy when it hasn't yet left the prototype phase. Please note that during SHOT Show (January of each year) manufacturers often announce new items that are several months from stores: we still announce these despite not being immediately available for purchase.

Caspian Arms: green mountain genius

3/29/2017

 
Picture
In keeping with this weeks topic of the uniquely American 1911, we visit the Green Mountain State (albeit still blanketed in snow). Caspian Arms has been supplying American pistolsmiths with top grade 1911 receivers, slides and parts since 1983. Founded by Cal Foster in Wolcott Vermont, Caspian's facility resembles a barn or ski lodge, not the birthplace of one of America’s most renowned custom 1911 parts-makers. Prior to starting Caspian, Foster operated a machine shop supplying Randall and Detonics but when those outfits closed shop in ’83, Foster risked losing his livelihood and so set up his own company under the Caspian moniker. Caspian’s 1911 components are taken from the original drawings of the Government model 1911 which Caspian claims were last revised in 1936: of course at that time drawings were developed for manual machines not the modern CNC machinery typically used today, so Caspian executed a tolerance study in order to bring the drawing package up to a level better suited for manufacture by CNC while at the same time assuring there would be complete interchangeability between components. After years of experimenting with different processes, they settled on investment casting of their frames and slides. When the investment cast frame comes out of the mold it’s close to its final configuration. Some manufacturers cut out some machining operations, leaving many areas “as cast”, but the specs right out of the mold are not as precise and smooth as machined surfaces. For most manufacturers they are good enough but Caspian is different from other manufacturers - they machine every surface of the frame to give it the final fit and appearance indicative of their outstanding trademark. Foster has passed on now and Gary Smith - sales manager and long-time employee - runs the manufacturing operation. Gary's quiet, gentlemanly demeanor belies Caspian's entitlement to haughtiness, but such is the way of Vermonters. Together with Walt and Ellen, they keep Cal Foster’s founding dream alive and humbly epitomize the definition of a great American gunmaker producing exquisite components for gunsmiths and civilians alike. If you haven't browsed their site you have to check them out, especially if you're looking for a deeply personalized and premium 1911 in any size from an officer's 3.5" all the way up to a longslide using carbon, stainless or Swedish Damascus steel. They also offer cosmetically blemished components under the "Foster" page at half price, so for around the same as a brand-name stock pistol you can experience the profound satisfaction of assembling your very own iteration of America's sweetheart sidearm.​ https://www.caspianarms.com
​GOM

Comments are closed.

    the afd blog

    Previews and reviews on newly available items are written-up by our team as quickly as we can find them. Please let us know if we've missed something debuting on the market. As a firearm enthusiast or an AFD listed company you are welcome to submit a blog entry about a new product. You may also submit a firearm related commentary, idea or nostalgic musing: we like things celebratory of American ingenuity and manufacturing. All entries are subject to editing and/or fact-checking.

    Archives

    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016

    RSS Feed

Are you a Firearms, Sporting Goods or Veteran owned business?
Donate $500 to the
DV Farm for Homeless Veterans and receive a DV Farm Donor Coin
plus a year of FREE advertising on the American Firearm Directory!
Type "AFD referral" in
special instructions to seller at DV Farm donation portal.

HELP HOMELESS VETS

    subscribe to afd updates & newletters

Subscribe

Support

Contact Us
Promote Your Company
Picture
© COPYRIGHT AFD 2016-2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Founded in Vermont, USA
Unless otherwise specified, all images are Copyright & Courtesy of the Manufacturer highlighted in each post.
  • Home
  • LONG GUNS
    • AR RIFLES & PARTS
    • SEMI-AUTO & AK
    • BOLT ACTION RIFLES
    • LEVER & PUMP ACTION RIFLES
    • TARGET
    • RIMFIRE
    • SHOTGUNS
    • MUZZLELOADERS & BLACKPOWDER
    • GUNSMITHS
    • AIRGUNS/AIRSOFT/PAINTBALL
    • ARCHERY, CROSSBOW & SLINGSHOT
  • HAND GUNS
    • SEMI AUTO & PARTS
    • REVOLVERS
    • RIMFIRE
    • SBR/SBS/PCC/CCU
    • DERRINGERS/OTHER
    • LESS-LETHAL
  • AMMUNITION
    • CENTERFIRE
    • RIMFIRE
    • SHOTGUN
    • AIRGUN
    • RELOADING
    • CHRONOGRAPHY
  • ACCESSORIES
    • ARMOR, SAFETY & PROTECTIVE
    • CAMS, COMMS & NAVIGATION
    • CLEANING & CARE
    • FOOTWEAR/CLOTHING
    • GRIPS/STOCKS/BRACES
    • HOLSTERS
    • HUNTING & FISHING, CAMPING, SURVIVAL & DOG CARE
    • KNIVES
    • MAGAZINES
    • OPTICS/SIGHTING/LIGHTS
    • SAFES/RACKS/GUNCASES/RUGS
    • SILENCERS/BARREL ACCS
    • SLINGS & BELTS
    • TRIPODS & GUNRESTS
    • TACTICAL
    • TARGETS, TRAINING & RANGE
  • MIL/LE/CONTR
  • RESOURCE
    • WHOLESALERS, MANUFACTURING & BUSINESS SERVICES
    • ONLINE GUNSTORES, BLOGS & YOUTUBERS
    • TV, MEDIA & PRINT
    • NON-PROFITS, GROUPS & EDUCATION
    • TRADESHOWS
    • PHYSICAL GUN SHOPS BY STATE
    • GUNSMITHING, FINISHING & ENGRAVING
  • BLOG