ltwguns.com

Hello LTW,
I have begun to "Drink The 1911 Kool-Aid".
I have been searching endlessly through the Internet to TRY and make an intelligent
decision on my 1st 1911 purchase.

About Me:
I am mid 40's and until this point in My Life I have not 'needed' to carry
daily and have started a Business where I find Myself in need to carry daily.
Before You start I know there may be easier pistols to carry especially in a crisis
but, I HAVE chosen to go with the 1911 for several reasons so please refrain
from trying to persuade Me into a different model gun. Thank You.
I have some pistol experience BUT, will upon acquiring My 1911 I will be at the range
at least 3-5 times a week as I have one very close to My Business lucky for Me.

My wants and or needs so far:
Durable Barrel (The Best available)
The BEST craftsmanship
Longevity
No miss fires or jams
Dependability
Accuracy
Seems to fall back on target quickly and naturally
Compact
Lightweight
Light-Rail
Great Sites for night too
Great Holster options
A 1911 I can COMFORTABLY shoot an enormous amount of rounds so relatively easy
on hands ( referring to grip texture and not recoil ) I know compacts will have more recoil
Custom not something anyone else has or has seen
(Sorry about the last one I like one of a kind stuff, show off I guess, Pride ??)
And don't want to wait for years to get it

Features I like so far:
Custom handles I Like some Wicked grips and such also like the middle finger recoil spring plug
Flat spring
Custom triggers seen 1 with stars would like My initials in trigger
Some custom engraving nothing gaudy
Also like Bob Marvels bottom flared where the clip goes in (looks
as if it would help with gripping pistol.)
Skeletonized Grip and or Barrel (If dependable and doesn't snag)
Bluing (If corrosion resistant)
Countersink slide stop
Serrated Top and others for grip in dry and wet or sweat conditions
Machined chamfer
Fluted cone barrel and chamber
Full length guide rod
Carry cuts
Accu-rail system
Threaded for silencer
Ball end mill cuts
Attention to ALL sharp edges and smoothing of all rough edges
Attention to fit and finish especially from view of back of 1911 where all parts meet

Guns I like so far:
Wilson CQB Lightweight Light-rail Tactical Super-grade Bobtailed
Rodgers Sidewinder
(Really like Rogers Golf Ball texturing for comfort while shooting)
Heirloom
Infinity
SVI
Yost
Amongst many other complete customs

YES, I know this is a lot to ask but, this will be My very first 1911
and I WILL want to keep this for the rest of My Life and will NEVER
sell this one.
Also, want to learn, practice, and grow with this pistol as it will be a
VERY special once in a LIFETIME purchase for Me.
NO, I am not rich nor, do I waste or spend Money frivolously. In fact
The only way I am able to do this is with the sale of My favorite vehicle I
have EVER owned and it is the rarest of its kind to ever be built so justified with
My significant other and it will be a Birthday/ Anniversary gift to Myself as well
so there may be others but, only ONE ‘Dream Gun.’
I am very grateful with these tough economic times to be able to undergo
this endeavor.

Any Custom Gunsmiths Interested? I would LOVE for You to PM
Me so We could discuss options, I don’t want to have to wait years
for this pistol but, know it could take some time as this will be an very
interesting build and a piece of art.
I also DO NOT mind paying for a rush fee
if a custom smith wishes to charge one to expedite.

SORRY for the Length of this post but, Thank You for Your time in reading.

In closing:
I don't mind throwing away some Big Cash on My first 1911
I will carry, practice with, sleep with and hopefully keep this 1st one
forever. However 'IF' I need to purchase one now and then order another
with a wait time I will, don't want to but, I will. I would rather
get used to and accustomed to the 1911 I will have every day
right from the start.
Also, I would entertain a very nice Custom someone else has built
that may be ready to go now something like a CT Brian or Rogers
with a light-rail. I have been told re-sale on the Custom light-rail
1911's is terrible due to the purists in the 1911 Family of enthusiasts.
If You have one and would like an opportunity
to unload it this may be a good time as I am willing to purchase the
right 1911 get Me through until the build complete.
Thank You in advance for Your time,
HG1911

I'd suggest seeing what P-T Partners has available...

+1 on above or any in the f/s section

Welcome to the forum.

+1 on the above suggestions, but you might also call Ted and company at Heirloom Precision, or John Harrison, or some of the other smiths directly and see if they have anything coming out of the production line soon. Lots of 1911s are finished and sold and never get mentioned here.

JeffVN

Welcome, Ray.

If you don't find something here, you mentioned Wilson Combat-- I'll just say that you'll get a lot of value for the money spent there.

Some of your wants and specs may be a little contradictory, but you have noted that you're aware of it. Such as:
Longevity vs light weight
Light weight and compactness vs/ getting back on target quickly
Light weight vs/ shooting mass quanities of ammo comfortably

Now these are not things that are black and white and 100% mutually exclusive. They are just somewhere between theoretical and "in conflict, depending".

And if it was me doing it for you, I'd try to talk you out of the Accu-Rails and full length guide rod. In both cases, as much for convenient maintenance as anything else. Accu-Rails do what they say they will, and do it well, that's the answer. The question is, do you need it done. FLGR's, well, you can always set a gun up both ways and make your own choice.

You're dyin' to get started, am I right?:-) If you don't find exactly what you want right away, I'd say get two basic factory guns, one at each end of the spectrum-- like maybe a Colt Defender or New Agent (compact and lightweight) and a full-sized, standard-format Government Model of a reputable make. Get a variety of ammo, and some decent leather, and shoot your way to the next level of 1911ism while you wait/search/decide. This way when you find the one you're looking for, you'll be more ready for it and appreciate it all the more.

I kinda envy you for the quest you're on, it sounds like fun!

Afterthoughts--

I mention the Colt Defender because, of the light and short 1911's, I have found it to be reliable and accurate, or reliable with a minimum of work anyway. But often, reliable as received.

Whatever route you take, have good magazines and good ammo, so that those factors are taken out of the reliability and accuracy equation right away. It'd be a shame to have your quest rained on by bad ammo and mags.

Hello Gentleman,
I have spoken with Terrance, Great Guy had loads of advise and was very accommodating
and knowledgeable We had a great and lengthy conversation. I really enjoyed speaking
with Him. He didn't have anything to suit My needs at this moment.
He had some guns still unpacking to see what all He had. Great Guy!! Thanks Terrance
Would HIGHLY recommend P-T Partners to everyone.

I have also looked into a very nice 1911 built by a certain smith I will not mention His name
( He is building a different type of weapon now)
it was a 5K pistol looked Beautiful but was lacking a lot of things I desired. But, I had some pictures sent
to Myself via email and the back of the pistol where the slide meets the frame was not lined up
properly and had unsymmetrical gaps in it found that hard to believe on a 5K pistol.
I have also seen other posts regarding this subject on High end pistols, NOT what I am looking
for when Someone spends that kind of Cash to purchase a firearm I believe the clearances
should be precise.

Also, Ned I want to personally say Thank You to a Legend for taking the time to read and reply
to My post. I have seen Your name EVERYWHERE and looked at some of the most Beautiful
1911's on the Internet that You have created and am VERY Impressed by Your craftsmanship.
So Thank You Sir for taking the time from Your metal to reply, I am honored and humbled
to say the least.
And I agree that I will have to make some Important 'To Me' decisions about the
contradictory items that may conflict with each other and will need some guidance on
those issue's to weigh out the Pro's and Con's and make an intelligent decision.
Thanks for pointing those out every bit of knowledge will be helpful to Me.
I am also very excited about the quest that I am embarking upon and cannot Thank You all
enough for helping Me as I will be the first to admit 'I DO NOT have enough intelligence or
experience on this particular subject to make educated decisions'
But, I want to enjoy the journey and have a Gun that I can pass on to My children when
I am gone.

If any Builders Here would like to tackle this:
I am going to be particular and finicky and just plain picky and undeceive and will need guidance
on this build and if Ned or any of the LTW Approved Smiths are willing to take on 'Me and this Project'
in a timely fashion I AM willing to pay for it and get it done. I am a Great Guy , reasonable and a Man
of My Word and will have the funds to back it in Cash but may be taxing to deal with due to My
uneducated questions and simply lack of knowledge of the 1911's and will have plenty of Questions
and opinions. I will want the 1911 Perfect as Humanly possible.
Please PM Me

Thank You, Ray

I think it will be tough to accurately KNOW what you want in a 1911 the first time around. We all love the 1911 here, but I bet that every member's idea of "perfect" is different. My tastes have certainly changed in the past 20 years.

Good luck in your search.

Welcome to the family and enjoy the custom 1911 ride.

_________________
GO-FOR-IT

Kent put down pretty much what I was thinking when reading this.

What I want now in a 1911 type pistol is far different from what I wanted 20, 15, 10 and 5 years ago. A couple of guns I had built back in the mid 90's are still favorites of mine, but there are things I would do differently with them today as my expectations have evolved and I have learned trough living with guns that some things I thought were must haves don't ad to a guns personality for me over time.

The reason there are 'custom' items isn't just to be different, but to have what works _for you_, and experience is where you learn what that is.

There are also things that are simply fetishes. One of mine is serrations on the top of the slide. I simply love them. Others hate them.

_________________
NRA Life Member

Put your hands on a lot of 1911's and shoot as many as you can. After some time, you will begin to pick out things you like and don't like. Write the "like" ones down and the reasons why and when it comes time for you to select and speak with one of the LTW smiths, you will have a lot of the answers that smith will ask you to help him or her build the weapon of your dreams. It is no easy task for a smith to build a weapon to "fit" you without asking a bunch of questions. The great thing about choosing a smith here is that you are dealing with the cream of the crop and they are masters at their trade. But,,,being masters, they are in high demand and have a waiting list that is quite long. Masters don't half way do anything and always strive to improve upon each weapon they produce. That takes time!!

Don't get in a hurry! Give yourself time to really know what you need and want. Any of the LTW smiths can fulfill your order but it is up to you to decide the style, that is shown by each smith, that you desire. Each of the LTW smiths knows that his or her reputation is dependent on and carried forward by each weapon they release with their name on it. They have much to protect and will not be in a hurry to produce something for you, when in reality, your mind is not really made up and they stand a chance of producing a perfectly good, functioning, piece of art, and if something doesn't exactly suit you, you start bad mouthing them.

Just some hints for you and anyone else interested in investing in the ultimate weapon from tried, true, and top of the line 1911 smiths.

_________________
NRA Endowment Life Member
NRA Golden Eagles Member

To ALL of You Gentleman of the LTW World,
I want to start by saying Thank You for Your precious time to read and care enough
about someone You don't know and offer up Your MANY years of KIND advise and
knowledge.

I very slowly and repeatedly have read and reread Your Posts and after thinking long
and hard on the subject Your points are well noted and I agree. I am VERY fortunate to
have a place such as this to come to to avoid a costly error and mistake.
At this point I would be a Royal PIA to a quality Gunsmith and in the end probably would not
be happy with the end result.

That being said, I am in a place of still having to purchase My first 1911 and
as I stated there may be many but, Only 1 first!!
So if We could shift gears here could You all PLEASE help Me with this Important
decision?
I would like to learn with what the end product will be close to so when I do get it
I will already be close to trained and accustomed to the style and model and size.

Here is what I am thinking at this point:
The Springfield Armory Lightweight Champion is 4" and lightweight frame with
a light-rail and it may do?
My ONLY issue here is , is a lightweight Frame capable of firing bucket after bucket
of ammo and be there forever? This would also be a determination in the 'Custom Build'

Or since I am so sentimental:
Do You Guys know of a 4"-4.25" Centennial Pistol that is worthy of being a
"Lifetime Pistol" That is also worthy of later when "The Custom" is finished
I may be able to have 'My First 1911" Customized so I can have a beautiful and worthy
'My First 1911' to pass down to My Son 1 day?
Don't want to buy an unworthy pistol on My 1st 1911.
Must be compact though for carry purposes really don't want to learn with
a 5" as I will not want to have one for a CCW for daily use.

Would a Colt Tier ll 100th be Sacrilegious to do this with??

In Closing:
I am very sentimental and this 1st Pistol will never get sold so I want it
to be Special and Worthy of customization later.
A light-rail is something I really want/need for night use it will not stay attached all
of the time this may be a deal breaker?
Would LOVE to find a used CT Brian Sidewinder maybe as well Anyone trying to sell one??
Sorry all over the place here but, I must back up Ten and Punt so I need some
help and advise from all of You Coaches to re-group.

Also, A HUGE Thank You for not blasting and insulting a Newbie to the Forum it just
goes to show the Class and Integrity of the LTW Forum. I appreciate the kind welcomes
and the Priceless advise that Money cannot buy.
Thank You for Your Time.
Sincerely,
Ray Gilmore

Ray,

What works on the internet and what works in the real world are often different. If you are truly interested in a life-saving 1911, I suggest that before you invest major funds in a custom build, especially anything but a 5" steel .45ACP, you get yourself to a 10-8 and/or Vickers 1911 class.

_________________
Aubrey<><

There is a nice Colt defender customized by Novak's in the LTW for sale section. It would be a good way for you to shoot it and see if you like it. It would educate you first hand and if you decide to go another route you could easily sell it. As far as a base for a custom, Colt is always a good choice as a base. Since it seems you are leaning toward the Commander as the format you can find Colt Commanders in aluminum frames on GunBroker. Some are also available in Officers grip length with Commander slides but they are more difficult to find. Also look at the Dan Wesson CCO, you can buy new today shoot it to see if you like it, then sell when you know which route you want to go. The Dan uses all machined parts, no MIM but does not have the light rail you would need to have that added. Everyone will give you a differnet answer but in the end it will be up to you to specify to the chose smith your desire, the best way to get there is try some, sell the ones that you learned from and move on.

Ray
I was in the same boat as you, wanting to get the best once..
Not going to happen!!!!!! As you gain experience with the 1911 your "Best" will change...
Get a good quality 1911 and shoot the snot out of it.....
As you "break " it in start a list of don't likes, needs , and wants.... After you "live"with one for a few thousand rounds you will have good answers to the smiths questions.
I have 3 "customs" and one on the way and find that most of the time I tell the smith my "don't likes"and needs and say "do what you think it needs, make it run,
and last " make good enough to put your mark on""..
The last is a special 10mm officers. The smith had up to this time made race guns " he likes supers best" but took on the project..
It has been a little over a year [ getting 10mm parts can be a pain] but the results will be my "special " gun.

PM sent.

Why wait? There are several GREAT options on the LTW sales area!!!

http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/vie ... =11&t=9285

http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/vie ... =11&t=9284

http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/vie ... =11&t=9222

http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/vie ... =11&t=8492

Get one LW for carry and one full size for shooting fun. We've ALL had guns that we bought that we'd NEVER sell...until we found something else. The 1911 bug is a disease, but a fun one that makes you happy, not ill. Just poor.

Ray,

"I am mid 40's and until this point in My Life I have not 'needed' to carry
daily and have started a Business where I find Myself in need to carry daily.
Before You start I know there may be easier pistols to carry especially in a crisis
but, I HAVE chosen to go with the 1911 for several reasons so please refrain
from trying to persuade Me into a different model gun. Thank You."

I am not going to try and talk you out of a 1911 style pistol. But from reading your post I get the feeling that you have limited handgun experience. Ray most self defense situations (ie gun fights) happen within 5 to 7 feet. When people get into that kind of situation they will experience a response called "Fight or Flight". Due to the high stress of the Fight or Flight Response you will experience loss of Peripheral Vision, your Hearing and your Fine Motor Skills. That is why a lot of police department have gone to the Glock handgun for there standard issued weapon. The Glock handgun has a reputation for being Combat Accurate, Easy to Use and Low Maintenance. This Ease of Use for the Glock is helpful in a Fight of Flight Response due the fact there is no Thumb Safety to disengage (Fine Motor Skill). With the GLock, you pull the weapon and the weapon is ready to fire. The Glock does have a Safety but it is located on the Trigger of the weapon. Ray, I own several 1911 pistols and a couple of Glocks. If you are set on the 1911 style pistol for self defense I would get as much professional training for that platform as possible. (Larry Vickers Class, Thunder Ranch, Gunsite etc.) Good Luck on you Quest.