One More “Super“ Colt...

[Jason Burton]

It seems there is something going on at the shop with all the medium bores lately... we just can’t seem to shake ‘em. Same thing appears to be happening on the east coast as this Super, like the last, is also making its way to the other side of that big river. And for as much as I hate to admit it these “medium” bores are starting to win me over. Don’t bother looking ‘cause the sky isn’t falling but rather I think I’m just finally discovering the joy that ‘ol Stan Chen has been telling me about all these years... .38 Super I mean. ;)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/17711556881.jpg

This gun, like most others from our shop, started about as plane-Jane as they come. Like the 1991A1 series of Government Models, Colt blessed this gun with an all matte finish to hide the so-so lines and next to not-even-there slide to frame fit... but the owner had a brighter future in store for the gun and I was happy to help with his plans.

Typical of a full-house gun this pistol got it all... On the functional side I started with a hand-fit frame and slide, Kart ramped barrel mated up to an EGW bushing, Wilson Combat extractor and ejector, EGW firing pin stop, best quality ignition components, and so on. Ergonomics being an important part of the package a Novak rear with tritium front was installed as was an Ed Brown thumb safety with an S&A grip-safety pivoting on it, and Nowlin mag-catch that was shortened, angled back, and re-serrated. To help the gun stay put in the hand the front strap was high-cut and then hand-checkered at 30lpi after which a Legacy Custom mainspring housing, affording the shooter a miss-free mag-well, was fit and checkered to match the front strap.

Cosmetics, in my opinion, round out and help identify a full house gun... and the owner of this gun was sure about what he wanted. All frame and slide lines were straightened, the slide top was flattened and serrated, the slide bordered, and the whole pistol finished in a nice coat of blue. The Elephant Ivory stocks were also requested (which always makes me happy) and they add just the right touch of class and help further set the gun apart from its former self. Now if it was only a .45 :p ... enjoy!

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/17711556952.jpg

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/17711556953.jpg

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/17711556944.jpg

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/17711556945.jpg

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/13421108321.jpg

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/13421108352.jpg

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/13421108353.jpg

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/13421108344.jpg

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/13421108455.jpg

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/13135052401.jpg

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/13135052412.jpg

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/13135052423.jpg

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/13135052424.jpg

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/27122007/13135052435.jpg

[SHIVAN]

The flaring of the muzzle end of the barrel as it meets the bushing....is that a "signature" Heirloom Precision treatment?

I really like the look.

Curious though, are you using a thicker bushing? Or is an optical illusion due to the flare?

[dubb-1]

Jason,

As you well know, I don't get excited by small caliber pistols. That said, Damn! Being familiar with the lack of QC on the average 1991, and seeing the way this one was cleaned up, "straightened", and turned into an all business shooter is impressive. Thanks for sharing.

[UPSguy]

That is very nice, thanks for sharing.

[markm]

Wow!... as usual.

[Boris]

Only one way I'd describe that gun: Super Model

Of course, I'm green with envy and one phrase comes to mind: "A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile."
- Ferris Bueller

[Robb Jensen]

I happen to know the owner of that fine pistol.

Looks good as usual Jason! :D

Happy New Year !
Robb

[tiger seven]

Beautiful work. Beautiful pistol.

Those ivory grips are hot. :)

Derek

[Lumpy196]

Beautiful gun. I'd carry that without giving a 2nd thought to the fact that the caliber didnt start with a .4 and end with a 5.:D

[ThirdWatcher]

That pistol is a work of art! I have always loved the look of a blued pistol with ivory stocks.

[tsp45acp]

Beautiful! Whose leather is that? Tracy

[NinjaMedic]

So whats a ballpark figure for a similar build? 2, 3, 4 ? Or is it one of those - "If you have to ask . . . "

[dubb-1]

If you have to ask...

[SuicideHz]

I really like the crown and the bushing- the polished edge of the bushing really sets off the blasted sides and face.

[Robb Jensen]

If you have to ask...

Exactly! ;)

The real ivory grips were also supplied by Heirloom.

[toddackerman]

Outstanding work Jason! Does it function as good as it looks? I'm interested in how you test your pistols.

[Jason Burton]

I always appreciate the feedback guys... thank you very much! :)


The flaring of the muzzle end of the barrel as it meets the bushing....is that a "signature" Heirloom Precision treatment?

I really like the look.

Curious though, are you using a thicker bushing? Or is an optical illusion due to the flare?

It is indeed a thicker bushing... made by EGW. I don’t know if I would call the 45° barrel crown a “signature” modification but it is something I like to do on 9mm/.38 caliber guns. I think it looks neat especially with a thicker bushing and when done on a stainless steel barrel the polish really comes through.


Whose leather is that? Tracy

The holster and mag-carrier are from Milt Sparks... the 55BN and #17 respectively.


Outstanding work Jason! Does it function as good as it looks? I'm interested in how you test your pistols.

Thank you sir! :)

Function and testing, well let me put it this way... and you’ll have to excuse the long-winded answer...

Obviously I would never send out a gun that I was not sure would work and/or that I was not happy with... but that kind of goes without saying. ;) For testing the guns I look at it from two paths... first is reliability and the second is accuracy. For the latter I bench every gun myself at 20 yards and typically we realize accuracy of about 1“ - 1 1/2” center to center... when I did my part this gun actually shot better.

For reliability I apply a lesson I have learned from a fairly well known trainer who I am a student of. That lesson is that nothing but 100% will do and it is something that I apply to every gun I build. Believe it or not getting these guns to work requires no real magic or voodoo but what it does require is detail. And while I test these guns in excess of what most people would think necessary, the testing itself is rather monotonous. While 100% reliability is relatively easy to attain, and obviously the only acceptable ratio, perfect detail, 100% perfect, is quite harder to achieve and something I'm constantly striving towards. This is important because what I find really makes these guns, what sets them apart from others, and what contributes to the overall longevity and durability of the piece is the functional details. These details compound every avenue of a build and, if done well, allow the gun to achieve its maximum and be durable over the long haul. And in the end striving for 100% here is the ultimate test and what really counts.

Of course cosmetic detail also plays an important role in the overall scheme of things because, after all, the gun does have to look good... but I do realize that looking good doesn’t necessarily make them last longer, although it is nice to have the gun look as good on the outside as it does on the inside. ;)

[toddackerman]

I always appreciate the feedback guys... thank you very much! :)



It is indeed a thicker bushing... made by EGW. I don’t know if I would call the 45° barrel crown a “signature” modification but it is something I like to do on 9mm/.38 caliber guns. I think it looks neat especially with a thicker bushing and when done on a stainless steel barrel the polish really comes through.



The holster and mag-carrier are from Milt Sparks... the 55BN and #17 respectively.



Thank you sir! :)

Function and testing, well let me put it this way... and you’ll have to excuse the long-winded answer...

Obviously I would never send out a gun that I was not sure would work and/or that I was not happy with... but that kind of goes without saying. ;) For testing the guns I look at it from two paths... first is reliability and the second is accuracy. For the latter I bench every gun myself at 20 yards and typically we realize accuracy of about 1“ - 1 1/2” center to center... when I did my part this gun actually shot better.

For reliability I apply a lesson I have learned from a fairly well known trainer who I am a student of. That lesson is that nothing but 100% will do and it is something that I apply to every gun I build. Believe it or not getting these guns to work requires no real magic or voodoo but what it does require is detail. And while I test these guns in excess of what most people would think necessary, the testing itself is rather monotonous. While 100% reliability is relatively easy to attain, and obviously the only acceptable ratio, perfect detail, 100% perfect, is quite harder to achieve and something I'm constantly striving towards. This is important because what I find really makes these guns, what sets them apart from others, and what contributes to the overall longevity and durability of the piece is the functional details. These details compound every avenue of a build and, if done well, allow the gun to achieve its maximum and be durable over the long haul. And in the end striving for 100% here is the ultimate test and what really counts.

Of course cosmetic detail also plays an important role in the overall scheme of things because, after all, the gun does have to look good... but I do realize that looking good doesn’t necessarily make them last longer, although it is nice to have the gun look as good on the outside as it does on the inside. ;)

Jason...Thanks for the detailed answer.

It's funny that you and I both believe there is no "Black Magic" in getting a 1911 (or an AR for that matter) to run "Perfectly" IF you know what is needed. And then there are others that haven't been as blessed, and still believe it's "The Luck of the Draw".

I have had 6 1911's over the last 30 years with a total of over 100,000 rounds fired through all of them, and all have run 100% because they were tuned correctly (and if there was an issue it was because I fell asleep on PM like keeping the Extractor Tuned) , using quality parts by "Smiths" who knew what they were doing, were fed quality Ammo from great Mags. After being around this for so many years, I now can get a gun to run 100%...but I can't make them as beautiful as yours because I don't have the tools, or the time.

Keep up the great work. Someday it would be a joy to own one of your pieces.

Happy New Year!

[varoadking]

I had an opportunity to handle this piece today...

I'm sure it will come as no surprise to anyone...this piece is every bit as stunning in person as it is in Jason's photo's.

[Robb Jensen]

I had an opportunity to handle this piece today...

I'm sure it will come as no surprise to anyone...this piece is every bit as stunning in person as it is in Jason's photo's.

Damn Greg.......I didn't even get to handle it...yet! I'll love it I'm sure, but if it were mine I would actually shoot the d**-**** out of it. I know the owner won't. ;)

[varoadking]

It's quite the piece, Robb...just the right degree of embelishment...

I think a fitting period of "lookin' time" would need to pass before even I'd shoot this one...

Better get in there and catch a peek before all the new gets rubbed off of it... :D