ltwguns.com

Hey Guys,

Not long ago due to some of my wife's over zealous credit card spending I had to get out of a CT Brian Chopper. Tim was very nice about it and let me sell my spot. As a result I had enough to pay the credit card bill and buy a used ltw Colt Commander. I am now in the process of getting it set up.

I sent it to Chuck Rogers for his golf ball treatment when I saw he had some limited spots available. I just got it back and he did a great job - what a nice and helpful guy! If you have the chance to work with him do yourself a favor and do it. I would post pics of his fine work but my digital is down right now.

Anyway, my next step is to send it of for a beaver tail and thumb safety as well as some other odds and ends.

My question for you guys is thus --- is there any real difference in quality of parts ?? Is it all personal choice or is one beavertail or thumb safety better then the next?? Here is a lift of parts I plan on adding, you all give me feed back as to who makes the best one:

1. High rise beaver tail - the higher the better
2. Thumb safety
3. bushing
4 slide stop
5 solid long triggerwith no over travel screw
6. extended mag release

ok guys thanks in advance for your help

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http://www.landsharkleather.com/
Building Hand Crafted Leather for the 1911 Platform

I don't know about the quality aspect, the 'smiths will have to answer that. As far as safeties, I like the Smith and Alexander grip safety with a standard Colt teardrop thumb safety. It's not the highest but that combo seems to work the best for me. I have Kart bushings on my Kart bbls. I would probably go with an Ed Brown slide stop.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE
Thunder Ranch THG & UR(x2), Gunsite 250C,
Yavapai Firearms Acad HG1(x2), HG2, & SG,
Shootrite Prvt Inst HG, NRA Life Member

Hi Rob,

I've got a Colt at Bob Rodgers right now and when we were talking about parts, here's the choices I made and why:

Beavertail- Chip McCormick Extreme- I've got one on a Colt right now that I fitted myself and the CMC beavertail fits to the Colt very well. Bob said they're one of his favorites for Colt frames, and they have about the highest grip you can get.

Thumb safety- Ed Brown trimmed and dehorned for carry. I like the way this thumb safety has a bend on the extended paddle that is flat with the plunger tube when the safety is off. I have another Colt with the Wilson safety and that's fine also, but I prefer the Ed Brown by a small margin.

Bushing- EGW angle bored- Bob likes them and I like the way they look

Slide stop- Greider- Bob and I like the way they look and they are the only forged slide stop that I'm aware of that is commonly available.

Good luck and have fun with your choices

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Ted

Thanks for the advise.

Can you tell me where to find Geider parts - does he have a web site?

also any suggestions on a solid long trigger without a set scre?

_________________
http://www.landsharkleather.com/
Building Hand Crafted Leather for the 1911 Platform

I got my Grieder parts through Brownells.com. The do a nice solid trigger, but it does have the overtravel adjustment. this one from 10-8 has the overtravel adjustment, but it's hidden around the back, so you get a nice smooth face...http://10-8performance.com/Merchant2/me ... e=Triggers

I 'm a big fan of the EGW thick flange bushing and matching solid plug, along with a flush cut barrel, probably the nicest way to finish the business end of a pistol....

Dave Berryhill sells the Grieder slide stop, as well as other cool 1911 parts.

http://www.berryhillguns.com

There are significant differences in parts quality in the 1911 aftermarket. You can't always go with the axiom of cost = value, either. One of the nicest beavertails being sold right now is the Chip McCormick, plus it's one of the highest grip made. Yes, I know it's MIM. But in this application, I can't find fault. The dimensional consistency from part to part is very good.

For a one sided extended thumb safety, I like either a Wilson 6N or a wide Ed Brown, reshaped to a medium. I like EGW's bushings and plugs. I also like EGW's slide stops.

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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.

thanks for the info guys.
FYI - I found that Dana burns at burnscustom.com makes a solid trigger with no set screw. i ordered one and will let you know how it is.

_________________
http://www.landsharkleather.com/
Building Hand Crafted Leather for the 1911 Platform

Saw your post. I also just picked up a colt xse lightweight.
Have 2 questions.
Are you going to keep the original colt barrel or replace it, and does checkering and minor fitting (beavertail) require any frame treatment other than re-finish, to maintain hardness?

I was told that the new teflon coating (factory) they put on is critical to the aluminum frame holding up. ??

+1. Beauty!

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Redeemed

Mike,

As to the barrel I will be using the facotry barrel with a new bushing. That should give me plenty help hitting the target.

As to refinishing the frame I don't know. good question for the Smiths.

_________________
http://www.landsharkleather.com/
Building Hand Crafted Leather for the 1911 Platform

This is what Ted Yost says about finishing aluminum frames. It is from his price list on his web site:

"Prior to applying Black - T or any synthetic finish to an aluminum framed pistol, the frame must be anodized. Synthetic finishes do not add any surface hardness or strength to an alloy frame. "