ltwguns.com

Members and Craftsmen:

Hello all, this is my first post and before asking you questions, I’d like to thank you for offering such a place. The talents you have are well known and admired.

I have a question for the fine folks on this forum. It is my hope that it doesn’t come across as insulting or offensive. If it appears that way, please consider my lack of knowledge of the custom pistol craft.

I’m considering another weapon, what I consider my last planned purchase. I own several semi-customs but during the research, it appears I won’t be getting anything much different or better, than what I have, buying another. We all know the ball park figure for these, approximately $1500.00 to $2000.00. I prefer and simple gun, some of you might say plain, government model for accuracy and reliability. My needs are fairly simple. I want a carry gun that is also extremely good for IDPA.

Since the builders here know what it takes, time, talent and money, in your opinion will I be better served buying another semi custom or a plain jane and having it worked? If you recommend buying a plain gun, which is better as a platform from a builders point of view? Again, I prefer simple, no front serrations, finish optional, good sights not the three dots, they don’t work for my older eyes.

I also own a Kimber Custom II in stainless, at one time I thought that would be a good platform for custom work. What I’ve been told by other shooters, not smiths, is that the series II isn’t a good starting point.

I’m sorry for being so long-winded but it is now time to ask experts in the craft for their opinions and suggestions.

Thank you all for your valuable time,

Michael

Hi Michael,

Welcome to the forum. If you've been through several semi-customs in the price range that you mentioned, I'd have to assume that you have experienced most of what's out there, in the off the shelf genre. I'd have to also assume that you know what custom features work for you, what features don't and what you're idea of the perfect pistol for you should look like.

I think what a custom smith can do for you is to build the gun the way that you want with the features that are important to you. As to starting point, I'd rather build a gun from a basic model like a Series '70 Colt or a Springfield mil-spec, rather than a fancier gun, like a Springfield Loaded or a Kimber. The Kimbers and Springfield Loadeds are good guns, but have a lot of things that you have to work around, like beavertail cuts or sight cuts that aren't conducive to building the gun the way the customer wants.

Another thing that a custom smith can do for you is to share his experience with different parts and modifications that you might be interested in. Hope this gives you the info that you're looking for.
Good Luck with your project!

_________________
shop.HarrisonCustom.com
www.HarrisonCustom.com

The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.

Well stated. Your reply mirrors my thoughts on the subject.

Be well!

_________________
damian@adcofirearms.com
http://www.adcofirearms.com

John Harrison wrote:
That is why he is one of the best smiths around. FWIW, I am working on a NRM SS Commander and I still think the new guns are far better that anything for a base gun.

_________________
Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

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

Com'on Bailey, you mean that commander isn't finished YET?


IMHO, a custom smith is the guy who can listen to what YOU say and figure out what really makes the gun work for you. Anybody can build a gun... what sets the smith's apart is their ability to to communicate with you to build that YOU want.

--Mark

Gentlemen, thank you for the replies!

Since I plan on keeping the semi-customs and one of the Kimbers, and the series II that I own isn't a good base gun, that leaves me one gun short. I hate that! Considering the options available, one, buy a base gun (not even sure if the re-issue 70 Colt series would work) strip out and toss many or most of the parts. Or two, buy a new frame and slide and go from there. If I just needed a gun to shoot, which isn't the case, I'd go out tomorrow and buy one. Since this is purely a "want" situation, and I'd like the weapon as near to my ideal, I'd better dig a little deeper.

Any further opinions or suggestions will be greatly appreciated, but I won't take up any more of your valuable time.

Thank you again,

Michael

I'd buy a NRM Colt 1991 and send it to Ted Yost for a 1* package.

As a matter of fact, I did just that a while back!

You can't go wrong with Ted and Colt!

Nope, the Commander isn't done yet......I have a pair somebody is waiting for that take a little precedence. Well, maybe not, I should get that Commander done.

_________________
Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

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

Nah, Jason can wait

Finish that commander

Sorry Jason, just kidding!

--Mark

Dude, that ain't funny. I've got a whole pile of ammo that has resigned itself to only feed through a pair of S70 Colts.

Get to work Bailey!!!

Michael:
Since you've seemed to agreed that the Kimber series 2 isn't a good base gun, why not sell it and get a new Colt S70 or Springfield Milspec to use as a base gun. Good luck.

smooth one, that is the plan. Since I'm getting older, I need fewer and fewer guns that don't fit the need.

Michael

TN shooter..... one can never have enough guns You might have all you need, but not all you want.

I agree, get a Colt S70 and have your dream gun built. You won't regret it.

--Mark