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View Full Version : The “Neo-Retro” Colt Government Model...


Jason Burton
07-11-08, 02:41
I know what you’re all thinking... what is “neo-retro”? And truth be told I didn’t really know until it came time to build this gun.

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/10072008/15003359231.jpg (http://www.hp1911.com/)

At first I thought it was just a snazzy catch phrase made up by the guns owner, who is also a friend and one of my shooting partners. But after hearing him say it a couple of times when describing what he wanted in the gun I realized he was serious... so okay, “neo-retro” it is. :confused:

So what’s it mean... the idea was for complete functional makeover while remaining a somewhat visually simple gun. Start with a new Series 70 Colt, throw away everything but the frame, slide, and a few small parts, and build a modern gun with a retro flair. Not a full fledge retro gun like we often do but rather a gun that made use of all the modern refinements and upgrades but in a minimalist venture. It wasn’t as easy as I thought... and this customer was kind of picky... with his last “major” decision it took him five months and as many trucks until he finally figured out which one was a keeper. But that’s another story... :p

The best example of the concept was an analogy he came up with... he likened the gun to the current Ford Mustang. Take a stylistically updated yet retro appearance and combine it with modern conveniences like air conditioning that works, and brakes that stop, a motor that sings, door and window seals that don’t leak, and an interior that is truly comfortable and useable, all while keeping that understated throw-back look. Now I was starting to get it...

The normal best grade work-up just wasn’t going to do. While the gun was to have all the standards such as a Kart barrel, weld-up frame and slide fit, Wilson extractor and ejector, EGW firing pin stop, tool steel ignition components, hand-cut 30lpi checkering, and complete line straightening, the controls were to be as minimalist as possible without impeding their function or usability. The grip safety was to be no larger than required to protect and cup the hammer and prevent the shooter from getting hammer bite. Likewise, the thumb safety was to retain the overall profile of a Colt Commercial part but with just the right amount of extra length and width to insure easy use. No flattened and serrated slide top or serrated rear of the slide on this gun but high visibility sights were still a must as was tritium and the ability to run the gun off the rear sight, all while still keeping the sight as small as possible. The Colt Commander style hammer, short trigger, and slightly extended serrated mag-catch help keep up the retro part of the theme while the slight round-butt, serrated slide stop, and blank spring plug keep the gun modern and functional. A bordered slide helps tie everything together and as a final meld of modern and retro the pistol was finished in Ionbond’s DLC, keeping the gun "blue" in appearance but with a bit easier maintenance schedule. Enjoy...

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/10072008/15003359232.jpg (http://www.hp1911.com/)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/10072008/15003359223.jpg (http://www.hp1911.com/)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/10072008/15003359214.jpg (http://www.hp1911.com/)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/10072008/15003359215.jpg (http://www.hp1911.com/)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/10072008/15003359021.jpg (http://www.hp1911.com/)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/10072008/15003359022.jpg (http://www.hp1911.com/)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/10072008/15003359013.jpg (http://www.hp1911.com/)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/10072008/15003359004.jpg (http://www.hp1911.com/)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/10072008/15003359005.jpg (http://www.hp1911.com/)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/10072008/15003359871.jpg (http://www.hp1911.com/)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/10072008/15003359853.jpg (http://www.hp1911.com/)
rob_s
07-11-08, 05:36
I really like this direction ya'll are taking lately. Looks very good in a Mies van der Rohe kind of way. ;)
Oscar 319
07-11-08, 06:05
Simply beautiful.
ToddG
07-11-08, 07:27
Excellent work ... and awesome Sinn!
DrMark
07-11-08, 07:45
Beautiful pistol!
markm
07-11-08, 07:56
Excellent work ... and awesome Sinn!

I wouldn't have spotted that or even known what you were talking about if it weren't for this site. :p

I LOVE that thumb safety. It's perfect. I've always hated those banana ass safeties that beg to snag on everthing.
rob_s
07-11-08, 08:01
I wouldn't have spotted that or even known what you were talking about if it weren't for this site. :p


You're welcome. :D
Paulinski
07-11-08, 09:01
That is one impressive 1911. Subtle yet practical.
Ray T
07-11-08, 11:52
VERY...VERY...NICE!!!!! I love it! :D
Lumpy196
07-11-08, 12:04
That grip safety is awesome. Beautiful gun.
Wayne Dobbs
07-11-08, 13:45
Truly excellent and classy work! That grip safety reminds me of the old Hoag grip safety that I had on a couple of 1911s back in the 70s and 80s. His version was also a minimalist production that got the job done without lots of extra protrusion.
adh
07-11-08, 13:47
Your skills are amazing...love it
Al U. 5811
07-11-08, 14:44
WOW!!!!!!!!
Daveo
07-11-08, 17:50
WOW, this is probably one of my favorite pistols I have seen from you, almost all of which I am a huge fan. Very, very cool.
old grunt
07-12-08, 10:29
Jason: Whatever "Neo-Retro" is...I LIKE IT!! That is a beautiful gun. It is right in line with my first rule..K.I.S.S. !! I wish I did something like that with my "old"(1985/86 circa)Series 70 Gov't. The photo harkens back to the "old days" of steel guns....."The Right and Left Hand of the Law">>>A Colt 45ACP backed up by ol' reliable a Smith J-frame(looks like a 640). GOOD STUFF.:)
George Mac
07-12-08, 23:53
Jason,

Great looking pistol and truly beautiful work.
By the way it was good talking with you the other day about Bob's 1911.
Hersh
07-13-08, 07:33
Very nice and I'll be back after I empty my drool cup!
Gentle Ben
07-13-08, 21:09
That's gorgeous. Love the simplicity.
Sry0fcr
07-13-08, 21:44
That thing is just so right. Can I get one with a Legacy Custom magwell/mainspring housing and ball cuts on the slide? :o
Jason Burton
07-15-08, 01:23
Once again guys I really appreciate the feedback... thank you all. :)

A few people have asked so it’s worth mentioning... the grip safety isn’t anything exotic, it started as an S&A and from there it was cut down and re-shaped to what you see, small but useable. Same goes for the thumb safety, it was just a standard Colt part that I made and attached a new lever to in order to get a bit more length and width for the owner... or at least it was that easy in theory.


… The photo harkens back to the "old days" of steel guns....."The Right and Left Hand of the Law">>>A Colt 45ACP backed up by ol' reliable a Smith J-frame(looks like a 640). GOOD STUFF.:)

Yup, just what I had in mind. Not much better than a good J-frame to tote around with your 1911!



Jason,

Great looking pistol and truly beautiful work.
By the way it was good talking with you the other day about Bob's 1911.

Thanks again pally... and let me know if you need anything else. :)



That thing is just so right. Can I get one with a Legacy Custom magwell/mainspring housing and ball cuts on the slide? :o

You bet... ;)
DocH
07-21-08, 07:23
Jason,I've been reading on this forum daily for a long time.Very good info here and good exchanges.
Your thread is the one that finally prompted me to register.Your pistol is the blitz. I use Glocks and 1911's. For those,like myself, who will always love the 1911 pistol the simple elegance of that pistol will absolutely stir the soul.
Just enough retro and just enough of the modern modifications.
Jason Burton
07-22-08, 12:17
Jason,I've been reading on this forum daily for a long time.Very good info here and good exchanges.
Your thread is the one that finally prompted me to register.Your pistol is the blitz. I use Glocks and 1911's. For those,like myself, who will always love the 1911 pistol the simple elegance of that pistol will absolutely stir the soul.
Just enough retro and just enough of the modern modifications.

Thank you sir... I appreciate your comments. :)