Author Topic: RE-THINK!!!???! (Read 1571 times)

williamlayton · « **on:** November 18, 2006, 11:33:49 PM »

I have been thinking, and planning, a new 6" long slide in a super .38.
These days I am agrueing with myownself on this thought.
I have a STI Trojan in .45 caliber that I REALLY like.
I have been thinking of sending this gun off to a quality Smith and have it worked on--even have some engravingl work done on it--though I am a minimilist in this area.
Put some fancy grips on it.
A real BBQ gun---though I can't afford gold inlay--perhaps silver.
Visions of sugar-plumbs dance thru my head.
What is yor thoughts--reccommendations even.
I would like the barrel crowned and cut--shoot boys-- this is the fun part---paying for it is the other side.
Blessings

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2006, 04:23:34 AM »

I realy like those long slide 1911's. Though I'm only of the only people in the country that doesn'y own a 1911, when i finally get one it will be a longslide model. The .38 super is also a fine cartrdige that's too often overlooked. Were it me and I already had a fine shooter a your STI I'd leave that alone and simply go for a new gun. I'd simply look at the top line stuff and proberly end up with a Les Baer. I too am not fond of engraving so I wouldn't even bother with that myself. Form and funstion far outweight cosmetics.

44 Man · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2006, 11:54:32 AM »

William, I don't think I would change that one to .38 super if you have a good shooter there. Buy another gun (Oh! An excuse to buy another gun!!!) and have that modified or pick up the long slide parts from Brownells. Of course, who am I to talk about not changing a gun. I love engraving. I picked up the one below for $950 then started swapping parts until I got it the way I wanted it in the bottom picture. Heck, half of the fun is making it the way you want it!
Before;

and after;

williamlayton · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2006, 11:34:23 PM »

Well, I do like engraving.
I already have a .38 super.
I also have two .45's .
I don't have a longslide.
I do like the .38 super.
I don't have one engraved---a BBQ gun.
The engraving has had me hooked.
Since I have a gun that I can have engraved--well.
$950 is a good price. I would pay that, then do the other.
I like that Colt.
well, now--It is a question.
Nighthawk has an offering.
I am going to see what it cost for engraving--around here.
This road has not come too an end just yet.
Blessings

4MUL8R · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2006, 11:39:16 PM »

Why don't you visit www.smith-wesson.com and look upon their excellent 1911 choices? They still have world-class engravers and will customize the 1911 for you, to your specs. You can get a Performance Center model, have it upgraded, and then you'd have a one-of-a-kind item. Of course, it would be pricey.

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2006, 11:52:32 AM »

Ahhh ok, you like engraving and the long slide will allow more of it. How bout going a bit further and go with a Les Baer Monolith. It's extended dust shield under the bbl would allow for a bit more area for scroll work. Not sure if this model has the long bbl but I'm betting they'd work with you on that.

williamlayton · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2006, 05:01:06 AM »

The problem I am having is finding a person to do the engraving.
Suggestions??
Blessings

rockbilly · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2006, 09:37:12 AM »

When you find someone to do the work, check them out throughly. Get references and insist on seeing their work before any aggrement. I had a stainless model 10 S&W engraved several years ago, while it is an acceptable job, I was charge far too much for the guy's ability. I don't mind paying, but I didn't check him out well enough and agreed to pay before I had seen his work. When I picked the gun up it appeared to be a fairly good job, but after getting it home and looking closer, I realized it was just a step above an amature.

I do get a lot of comments on the gun, it is nice from a distance, and the custom made stag horn grips make it look even better. I recently seen a gun that came from the custom shop at S&W, it was beautiful, and the price wasn't bad either.

Keep in mind, most people who have a custom job on a firearm rarely use it. It is more like a priceless piece of art, just hangs in the display case and draws ahas and ohos and looks good, but rarely goes to the range or out for a ride..........

williamlayton · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2006, 12:26:13 PM »

Interesting----Veeerrryyy interesting!
It does not have to be a new weapon from them either.
thanx for the tip---I will let you know what they have to say.
Blessings

44 Man · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2006, 08:03:09 AM »

Rockbilly said; 'Keep in mind, most people who have a custom job on a firearm rarely use it. It is more like a priceless piece of art, just hangs in the display case and draws ahas and ohos and looks good, but rarely goes to the range or out for a ride..........'

I do have to say that my engraved Colt has over 600 rounds through it so far! I am careful of a lot of holster carry, as I don't want to wear the Gold inlay. But she does get shot...... a lot! 44 Man

williamlayton · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2006, 12:33:31 PM »

My thought on this piece is that it will not have any inlay.
I plan on using it as I do my others.
I would not do this if it were inlayed.
This is getting to be a task.
Fun---but a task.
Blessings

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2006, 01:53:15 AM »

I cannot recall exactly but I believe there used to be a site with links to a number of firearm engraver. Maybe something to look for. Another idea I just had was to maybe incorporate some sort of family emblem/seal/sign, etc nto the engravng. Would make it that much more of an heirloom for those it's passed down to.

williamlayton · « **Reply #12 on:** December 01, 2006, 10:48:26 PM »

I talked to a lady at S&W yesterday.
She was not encouraging.
She said she would have to talk with the manager to see if the STI would be an acceptable weapon for them. She was not very knowledgable of the weapon.
The cost she said would be at least $1700 and they would need the weapon for 10 months, plus, I do not think I would even have a say or opinion in the work on the gun.
Sounds as if they have much work and really do not want to be bothered.
I was not very encouraged from the conversation.
Blessings

williamlayton · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2006, 08:45:10 PM »

Now I understand the weapon must be in the white and they only want the part that is too be engraved.
Frame and slide I guess.
I think I need to talk to the manager, if I can get past this lady.
Blessings

williamlayton · « **Reply #14 on:** December 07, 2006, 12:40:13 PM »

Anyone have any feedback on Alhmans in Mn?
Blessings

Sorry--wrong state.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #15 on:** December 08, 2006, 03:51:38 AM »

Im not a big fan of engraving unless its a limited run factory gun. Ive never seen where an engraved gun held up the value in relationship to what it costs. Ususally there such a personal thing that nobody else wants them and like 44 man said it usually cause a guy to just put them in the safe and not shoot them as much as they should be. Your trojan is a very fine gun. Mine is one of my favorite handguns of any type. If you want to dress it up put a set of stags or ivorys on it and call it good. That way when you take it to the range EVERY DAY it will look good enough and different enough to attract attention but will still be the great shooter it no doubt is!

williamlayton · « **Reply #16 on:** December 08, 2006, 01:22:16 PM »

I plan on shooting it.
I have no desire for a safe queen.
The engraving is for my pleasure--because I want an engraved gun.
I think the engraving will stand the wear of use jsut fine--especiall if I have it hard chromed after engraving.
I apprecaite the concers folks, truly I do, but I do not look at the process this way.
I just have need to talk to a knowlegable person who can help me get on track.
S&W are not encouraging or I may not be talking to who I need too talk too.
Nighthawk Custom is going to get me a price based on one of their offerings.
We will see.
Blessings

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 10, 2006, 03:21:32 AM »

How 'bout having the engraving done and then have it colored. Like on a blued gun, having the engrved parts highlighted with a silver wash or myabe a blackened engraving done if it's a stainless gun. Just an idea to give the work more contrast.

williamlayton · « **Reply #18 on:** December 10, 2006, 07:27:07 PM »

Thats my plan blackhawk.
I am far from giving up on this project but the problem is getting all the people together and co-ordinating it,
I thought when I retired I would not have to co-ordinate anything anymore--well sept my pants and shirts---and I am getting to the point where I don't care much about that anymore.
Alhmans seems to be a good choice if I could get some feedback on them.
Blessings

TGFOGAL · « **Reply #19 on:** December 11, 2006, 01:06:12 PM »

Alhmans firearms repair in Morristown MN.
They have 5 gunsmiths.
And 3000 gun new and used.

williamlayton · « **Reply #20 on:** December 13, 2006, 11:59:08 PM »

Any feed back on Bob Rodgers the pistolsmith in Mt Home, Ark. His work seems to fit my taste.
Blessings