Author Topic: NEW BUILD - PICS ADDED (Read 4964 times)

williamlayton · « **on:** September 21, 2009, 07:53:04 AM »

I already have an opinion but I want counsel aand other ideas.
I like what I have done with the LW Colt Commander--changeing out parts to suit as I usually do.
Here is the delima concerning a new project.
I want an all steel Colt Combat Commander in a Super .38.
I don't want another LW commander for various reasons.
I am having a hard time finding the Colt Combat Commander in 9mm or .38 super.
I can find two but they are at collectors prices.
I can find, at a fairly reasonal price, a Combat Commander, but, in .45.
If I stick too my hardheadiness and demand a .38super---would I spend more converting the .45 too 38 super, adding in the cost for parts changeing + alerations to the .38 super + the purchase price of the Colt?
If I build up from a Caspian slide and frame too the .38 super would it be just as cost effective?
Blessings

mitch132 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 23, 2009, 04:14:57 AM »

Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.marksgunsearch.com/details/3629/colt-1911/

Their prices are usually negotiable.

williamlayton · « **Reply #2 on:** September 23, 2009, 06:50:40 AM »

I'm talking to them--
Thanx &
Blessings

williamlayton · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2009, 04:50:49 AM »

Well---Looks like I have my project roscoe on the way thanks too Mitch132.
It is a well worn MKIV.
I was not looking for a series 80 or a MKIV but knowing the results of the work done by Vandenberg on the last series 80 LW Commander, I am not concerned.
I will try and post pictures of the before weapon.
Based on conversation I am antcipating the following changes:
new barrel Aftec extended ejector
lower and flaring Various other parts as determined by wear and need
new ignition system New barrel bushing, fit slide to frame, fine melt of all
extended safety edges.
oversized mag release New extended safety
Short GI trigger
Arched mainspring
Wilson bevertail
Combat hammer
Heinie slant pro rear sight and Heinie front sight

I am in serious consideration of a real BBQ FLAVORED carve job and some more of those good stag grips from RW Jennings in Wyoming.
Blessings

mitch132 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2009, 10:54:06 AM »

Glad I could help. I have purchased many guns from them and they are about 45 minutes up the road from my house. I wish you well on your project and hope you have fun with it!

williamlayton · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2009, 02:26:04 AM »

Talked with David Wade Harris yesterday about engraving---things are falling into place. It IS fun.
Blessings

rbwillnj · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2009, 03:48:51 PM »

I have built a couple of 1911's, a full size 38 Super, and a sub-compact 45. Although I enjoyed the process, It's been my experiance that you can usually buy cheaper than you can build.....at least if you are going to build with top quality parts. Guess it's too late now, but in your case, with all you want to do, It might actually have been cheaper to build......assuming you can do it yourself.

williamlayton · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2009, 09:54:07 PM »

RB
It is never to late to drop out of a poker hand.
I am not skilled in that area, don't have the tools, don't have the space for it all.
In my case it makes more sense---both from a quality point and an economic sense--to let someone who is a good, qualified Smith to take the lead. I get what I want and still have some control.
You can't do the build everyday--$$$$--but I pick my spots and have it pretty well planned out.
That seems to work the best for me.
This is about the most ambitious project I have ever had done. OH, I have had them plated, finished---had parts changed/fixed---had some things done to make it look good----mostly function too my satisfaction.
But this is the first BBQ gun---and probably, the last---but I want to do it.
Blessings

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2009, 10:30:14 AM »

What's a bbq gun? Sorry if it's a dumb question. Is it like a dress gun? One to wear to fancy occassions?

williamlayton · « **Reply #9 on:** October 06, 2009, 11:19:19 PM »

There are BBQ guns and court guns.
BBQ guns are pretty gaudish---lots of engraving, silver and gold inlay, pretty handles. Worn as an accesory to an outdoor day out---a BBQ.
Court guns--which is what mine will appear as--has less silver and gold, or, none. It is engraved tastefully with good handles and a more serious or business appearance.
Lots of examples on the web.
Like all art, no one is subject to rules because art is personal--as will be mine.
You can view some of D W harris engraving work on line, at d w harris engraving.
Blessings

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2009, 02:38:05 AM »

Thanks, William.

I think I'm more of a court gun guy myself.

williamlayton · « **Reply #11 on:** October 07, 2009, 03:22:14 AM »

If you ever get around Waco, Texas do yourownself a real favor and take a stop at the Texas Ranger Museum.
There are some fine examples of both and they all melt the butter.
Six shooters were the first--of course--and then the 1911---but folks have been whitteling on metal since the sword days.
As an aside, the first Ranger badges were whitteled out of silver Mexican Pesos.
Blessings

williamlayton · « **Reply #12 on:** October 11, 2009, 12:41:39 PM »

This is the Colt Commander MKIV I have chosen for the BBQ gun build.
New sights, beavertail, arched mainspring housing, short GI trigger, new egnition system, extended mag release, extended safety, lower and flare.
Notice the problem with the ejection slot & wear.
I am seriously considering a new slide from Caspian.
Blessings

tomray · « **Reply #13 on:** October 12, 2009, 06:52:02 AM »

Quote from: williamlayton on October 11, 2009, 12:41:39 PM

This is the Colt Commander MKIV I have chosen for the BBQ gun build.
New sights, beavertail, arched mainspring housing, short GI trigger, new egnition system, extended mag release, extended safety, lower and flare.
Notice the problem with the ejection slot & wear.
I am seriously considering a new slide from Caspian.
Blessings

William,
Maybe I can't see the ejection port clear enough in the pic, but I'd say, if you lower and flare the Eport, all of what I "think" I see, would go away.
The other pics show a very worthwhile project gun.

Tom

williamlayton · « **Reply #14 on:** October 12, 2009, 07:59:41 AM »

TR
My skills with photography should let you know something about my skills---not!
If you can notice--enlarge the picture--there is a rub mark on the metal. This is caused by a binding somehow/a piece that needs some amount of work.
Lowerering and flaring will not, I believe, relieve this area that has stress/binding---maybe.
Then, will the part need to be re-chromed? Would a new barrel be the better choice? Would a new slide be a better choice?
Remember we are not talking about a quick fix here---the attempt is to come up with a pretty classy gun. I know some will look at the final product and disagree with the out come. I am building it for me--so I get too screw up.
Thanks for the comments and input.
Blessings

Savage · « **Reply #15 on:** October 12, 2009, 09:08:30 AM »

Looks like the old Commander needs a facelift for sure! Don't know Bill, if you decide to replace the slide, a new barrel could be fitted at the same time------------just sayin.
Savage

williamlayton · « **Reply #16 on:** October 12, 2009, 11:34:40 AM »

Plans are to visit with Vandeberg this week---we will see.
Blessings

tomray · « **Reply #17 on:** October 13, 2009, 03:33:58 PM »

Quote from: williamlayton on October 12, 2009, 07:59:41 AM

TR
My skills with photography should let you know something about my skills---not!
If you can notice--enlarge the picture--there is a rub mark on the metal. This is caused by a binding somehow/a piece that needs some amount of work.
Lowerering and flaring will not, I believe, relieve this area that has stress/binding---maybe.
Then, will the part need to be re-chromed? Would a new barrel be the better choice? Would a new slide be a better choice?
Remember we are not talking about a quick fix here---the attempt is to come up with a pretty classy gun. I know some will look at the final product and disagree with the out come. I am building it for me--so I get too screw up.
Thanks for the comments and input.
Blessings

William,
If your speaking of the damage to the barrel over the chamber, I expect that can be polished out, (That really looks like pure neglect on the part of the previous owner)and with some polishing of the locking lugs in the slide, future "printing" on the barrel will not be a concern...........I recall you said that gun is a (Early?)series 80......Things wern't done in great fashion at Colts in that time frame...........I'd suggest you work with what you've got, its doable.

Tom
NRA LIFE

williamlayton · « **Reply #18 on:** October 14, 2009, 01:50:42 AM »

FC3XXXX
Not sure about age.
Finish is good---finish is gone, to the white.
Not much will be left to be undone.
Couple of thoughts going om here.
IF, I got a Slide from Caspian--no roll marks---there are a couple of advantages. 1) more canvass 2) No series 80 stuff.
I am still in consideration on this.
I agree it is doable as it is--we will see.
Thanks for the thoughts.
Blessings

tomray · « **Reply #19 on:** October 14, 2009, 02:06:46 PM »

Quote from: williamlayton on October 14, 2009, 01:50:42 AM

FC3XXXX
Not sure about age.
Finish is good---finish is gone, to the white.
Not much will be left to be undone.
Couple of thoughts going om here.
IF, I got a Slide from Caspian--no roll marks---there are a couple of advantages. 1) more canvass 2) No series 80 stuff.
I am still in consideration on this.
I agree it is doable as it is--we will see.
Thanks for the thoughts.
Blessings

You can disgard the 80's FP blocking system if you want........everything becomes transparent at that point. OR, you can buy a "D" lever to lift the FP blocking system a little higher in the slide, to make way for a very short trigger travel. A good 'Smith CAN give you a great trigger using the 80's stuff, if he knows what to do with the blocking system, and he's willing to spend the time..........I've done just that with my 10MM Delta Elite...............it takes some extra time, and you'll need to shorten the blocking plunger spring, but you can get a series 70 quality trigger and still retain the safety feature.

Caspian is quality equipment. I've known Calvert Foster, the founder and owner of Caspian Arms since the early 80's ,and I've built a number of 1911's using his frames and slides......You can't go wrong with Cal's stuff.

Tom
NRA LIFE

williamlayton · « **Reply #20 on:** October 16, 2009, 02:20:38 AM »

Vandenberg will not remove the 80 system but the work on the LW Commander, series 80 is first rate. good trigger pull and the grip safety is very light.
I suspect this will be the same results.
Blessings

jjeff · « **Reply #21 on:** October 17, 2009, 04:24:50 AM »

William - Looks like you have a fine project underway. Congrats on the CCC find for your base build. With the serial # posted, probably 1986 or early '87 manufacture. Still a "youngster" as far as age is concerned. Nothing at all wrong with the caliber either, in fact I'm intrigued with 38 Super though have no 1st hand experience with one. Perhaps someday I'll run into an oppportunity to fool with a 1911 in that caliber. Sounds to me your reasoning for going that way is well thought out. Good luck and I look forward to the "after" pics of your project.

Texas, eh? Was raised there and still have close family scattered about.

williamlayton · « **Reply #22 on:** October 17, 2009, 12:19:03 PM »

Saw Ed Vandenberg today---game is on.
He wants the Series 80 slide and I am going to get a Caspian without the roll mark.
Everybody is happy.
Three months.
Blessings

Savage · « **Reply #23 on:** October 17, 2009, 02:58:49 PM »

Excellent choice! Can't wait to see how it works out.
Savage

williamlayton · « **Reply #24 on:** October 18, 2009, 12:48:40 PM »

Well we got it on the way----NOW we can discuss the carving.
I like French Borders a lot.
There are five folks that were special to me growing up & I will have their enitials
On the gun. I don't want them all together but scrambled in with the engraving as I don't want a particular order for them.
I am not much in favor of heavy Spanish influence but I do like western flavor. Not particularly brands but engravings.
Anybody else got some thoughts.
Blessings

williamlayton · « **Reply #25 on:** November 06, 2009, 04:29:17 AM »

What a glorious day yesterday was.
Took the County Roads and back roads too Gallatin, Texas--a dot somewhere between Jacksonville and Rusk-but closer to Rusk.
Driving into Gallatin is also driving out.
Stopped at the country store--AKA, Cafe--for directions.
320 gallatine cut off rd I says!
HUH? is the reply.
Who you lookin for?
David Wade Harris!
OH, that is the new family. I don't know the names or numbers of roads around here--but--if you go up this road out front here until you top a hill and the road turns left and you go straight down this other road you will see a house with an old greeen Bronco in the drive---that is where you want to go.
Spent two hours with David. A real Christian Gentleman.
Discussed the engraving---my ideas and his--got on the same page.
Glorious day.
Blessings

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #26 on:** November 06, 2009, 10:05:50 AM »

I'm really looking forward to seeing the end result.

williamlayton · « **Reply #27 on:** November 28, 2009, 11:40:52 PM »

Went over too Vandenbergs shop today to talk about the Norinco.
He has the new slide on the BBQ gun and it looks good.
Also has the dovetails cut for the Heinie sights.
looks like I may be able to get it to David Wade before Christmas.
Blessings

williamlayton · « **Reply #28 on:** December 01, 2009, 09:59:24 PM »

Got a call from Vandenberg and the Colt Commander is ready and in the white.
I will put up some pics after i get it.
Blessings

williamlayton · « **Reply #29 on:** December 08, 2009, 09:41:23 AM »

Here is the BBQ back from Vandenberg and in the white---the way it will go to David.
No sights---weapon will be hot blued after engraving and vandenberg will install the sights.
These are not the grips that will be on the gun when finished---they will be stag and are on order.
Blessings