ltwguns.com

Hey everyone i am new to this board. i was directed here by 1911 forums on my search for someone who wants to do a "pretty" gun. I am currently deployed in afgahnistan, with the 2nd-503rd 173rd. I was in Chosen company for the first 7 months now in scouts. i want to have a piece built to commemorate my fallem buddys. i was thinking of a 6" slab side in either damascus or having some nice engraving done. i am looking for that ultra classy look like a swenson. trying to find someone who wants to do this type of job that is meticulos with it. i have a few other details i am looking for. just who though?

please help me and if you are a smith and want to do the job please shoot me a pm or email
ryanworkman1@hotmail.com

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HunterKiller3

That is a great idea. Might I suggest you do this project on a new 5" Colt. The ideas and details are up to you. In my opinion this type of gun should be done on a Colt. Good Luck in your search. Any of the smiths represented here will do a fine job on your pistol. Thanks for your service. Get home soon.

Just an idea...when you have your gun engraved you might consider the initials in various places of your soldier/friends.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

ryan-

First of all, THANK YOU, SIR for your service.

Who to build your gun? Like Steve said above any of the smiths here can build you a fantastic 1911. Might I suggest that you take a look at all of the pictures posted here (as well as other forums) go to each smiths webpage and look at the pictures there and then choose one or more smith with whom to correspond directly. They will answewr your questions as well as give advice and recommendations. It's kinda like shopping for a car. Pick the style, options and "dealer" that you like, want and can afford and then go for it!

I can almost promise you this though, the first one, no matter how well planned out and executed will still not be exactly "it" and you'll have to have another, ... and another, ...... and another .......... and another.

But it's fun!

Stay safe

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Sic Semper Tyrannis

Ryan, Good luck. I started a project when I went home from Iraq on leave. Mine is based on a Springfield MILSPEC, John Harrison and Ned Christiansen are building it. Mine will be a shooter though not a tribute.

I agree that a Colt would be an appropriate starting point although the idea of a Damascus slide sounds very cool. John and Ned are great guys but as a previous post pointed out you cant go wrong with any of the smiths on LTW. Take a look at the photo gallery, you may have a hard time choosing one. Bugdet plent of money and time and good luck.

Stay safe and watch your 6.

CPT Matt Williams
D/3-7IN
Bagdahg, Iraq

Ryan,

Well, you asked, and I'm sure you'll receive plenty of opinions. I would agree that absolutely any of the pistolsmiths represented here would do a wonderful job for you. The crafts very finest are here.

I'll add my vote to the Colt column. Further, I think I'd stay with a 5" gun if I were you. It's the traditional format and I think it would make a wonderful tribute.

God bless you and thank you for your service.

I personally think it should be on a COLT! Maybe a WWII reproduction or even an older military model.

Of course the Yost boys are always a great choice. Maybe Mr. Larry Vickers would even do this as a project!

judging by the amount of detail he has been putting into each pistol, I would have Ted Yost on the project.

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www.mattlamey.com

Yost-Bonitz built a fantastic 1911 for me early this year. Its just what i wanted and similar to what your looking for. I have sent you an e mail and i will send pics if you want a close look. I didnt know a thing about custom guns and i pretty much let them do what they wanted. I did want the damascus slide and kart barrel and thats about all i really wanted and the rest was up to the boys at Yost-Bonitz. The frame is a Mil spec and fromt he posts i can see your probably gonna want a colt. It is perfect and just what i wanted, its also my first custom and i couldnt be happier. They did a first rate job.

Andy