ltwguns.com

a buddy of mine that i consider to be a brother to me recently left for USMC boot camp, after loosing 60lbs. in 3 months.

anyway he was one of those guys that had a major lack of motivation problem so we are all very proud of what he is doing.

to show how proud we are of him, we were going to try to get a group of people to pitch in on a graduation gift. i want to get some sort of 1911 and have his name, rank, and graduation date engraved on the side of it. we were thinking of using the springfield GI due to cost but they don't have a whole lot of room on the slide for the engraving. at this time money is an issue because we dno't have a whole lot comitted at this time. But we just started with the idea.

so if anyone has any ideas on what kind of gun might work better but still be econoical in price or just any other suggestion would be great.

I'm actually going to be commissioning a very good friend of mine in a few weeks and I'm doing the same thing. I got a him a Springfield Loaded and had his Name and rank, USAF, and date of commission engraved on the slide. I think a 1911 is an excellent gift for someone starting their career in the military.

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Hard work pays off

If finances are an issue the SA is a great idea. You could have a failry nice gun built on that base gun that your friend would be happy to own.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

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

Perhaps you should leave the rank off so that it doesnt become outdated as he advances.

i was considering using his graduatoin rank so that he will remember that he went in as nothing and out as what ever he earns in boot.

i plan on scrounging the next gun show, but anyone have any idea what it might cost to have a very, very basic gun put together on caspian componets would cost? i like the fact that their slide doesn't have near the amount of markings.

You are looking at a lot of hand fitting of frame to slide, barrel and bushing, etc. if you go that route. I would guess a bare minimum of $1500.00, probably closer to $2k. Then there is the time frame involved. I'm not a smith but I would imagine 6 months to a year turn around time for a pistol built from components.

Have you considered looking in the "FOR SALE" section here? There have been, and I'm sure will be, a number of really nice pieces offered. You could have the engraving/etching added and have it in your hands a lot quicker than having something built.

Going back to the SA as suggested by Steve, my engraved SA 1* is here:

http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/vie ... highlight=

Take a look, there is a lot of room available on the slide for what you want engraved. And let me say that this is not a "safe queen." It is shot and carried and is a magnificent pistol. I think it is probably one of the best buys going. (Mine has some extras that you could leave of to hold down the price a bit) You really owe it to yourself to call YO-BO, they just might have one being built for sale that you can jump on now.

Good luck. You are doing a great thing for your friend. It would have been real nice for someone to have presented me with a 1911 when I graduated from Parris Island in '69

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Sic Semper Tyrannis

You might check out the Springfield Jim keeney has for sale here on LTW under firearms for sale. I have not personally seen this custom but IMO a very nice shooter with just the right features for carry. I am sure your friend would be very proud to own this one. Lord knows I have lusted over it enough. Just a suggestion. Good luck for a worthwhile and thoughtful endeavor.
Best,
Steve Salmon