Colt Fighting Gun... Retro Style

[Jason Burton]

Thought you all may enjoy a look at this one...

With out question we’ve seen an immerging trend for a meticulously built custom with streamlined throwback styling. Something that is as complete as any Signature Grade or Best Grade gun with features that make it holster and carry friendly while retaining a distinctive cosmetic character that will easily set it apart on the range deck.

And while they may not meet everyone’s needs and wants the “year of the Retro gun” just keeps on rollin’ for us and this most recent example is one I had the pleasure to build, a fighting gun Retro style!

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/24092008/14375104541.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

For this project the customer provided a bit different variation of the Colt Government Model base gun, the Combat Government Model. As I recall these were basically 70 series Government Models with a few factory , umm... how should I say, “enhancements” :rolleyes: such as a serrated front strap, lowered and kinda’ flared ejection port, higher visibility sights, special roll-marks, and a few other features that have since been remedied on this gun.

Despite Colt’s efforts this gun was destined for greater things and the owner had a full-house Retro in mind... kinda’ of a contradiction but I knew what he meant ;) . After fixing some of the Colt “enhancements”(like the front strap serrations) the slide was fit to newly welded frame rails. The pistol got a Kart barrel, EGW bushing, Wilson extractor and ejector, machined slide stop and mag-catch, short trigger, and a C&S sear and disconnect fit to a Colt Commander hammer. The sight system is a Yost Retro rear with a gold line front sight that is silver soldered into the slide giving it a clean look. To keep with the retro cool I fit one of our Retro beavertails and our custom enlarged thumb safety first seen on the Neo-Retro gun (http://www.heirloomprecision.com/photos/Jason_Burton/2008_Neo-Retro_Colt_Series_70/). To finish the gun out all frame and slide lines were straightened, the slide was bordered, pins and screws nitre blued, and a set of Ivory stocks were fit to the freshly polished blue pistol.

Toss in some Devel mags and tote the pistol in a Summer special and you’ve got Retro cool indeed... enjoy!

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/24092008/14375104532.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/24092008/14375104523.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/24092008/14375104115.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/24092008/14375104524.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/24092008/17600558951.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/24092008/17600558922.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/24092008/17600558923.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/24092008/18581009141.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/24092008/17600558905.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/24092008/18581009152.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

[maximus83]

That is an extremely nice job on that Colt! Just out of curiosity, if someone wants the front strap checkered, is it possible to remove the serrations and replace with checkering?

[rob_s]

I really like where ya'll are going with these.

A question about the term "fighting". I'm a big believer in "form follows function" when it comes to guns. I can appreciate the beauty of a well-executed custom rifle or handgun, but for me they always come back to being tools.

Do you think that those that choose to go with a setup like this are sacrificing some "function" to get their "form"?

The first example I would think of is the thumb safety. While it appears that you're using an extended safety but cutting it short (something I've wanted in an ambi-safety for years), making it easier to disengage than the simple GI safety, does the owner/shooter give up some of the ability to disengage the safety vs. an extended version?

Please don't take this as criticism of the gun or your work, I really like the way it looks. Just something I've been curious about in recent years with the "retro" theme.

[dawgkiller]

Nice job!

[Gingerkid]

Simply stated and fine craftsmanship Mr Burton!

[TOrrock]

I want.

[Jason Burton]

That is an extremely nice job on that Colt! Just out of curiosity, if someone wants the front strap checkered, is it possible to remove the serrations and replace with checkering?

Checkering the front strap... not on this gun. Due to the way the serrations were cut and remaining thickness of the front strap there was no way to fix what Colt had already broken.

Thanks for your kind words! :)



I really like where ya'll are going with these.

A question about the term "fighting". I'm a big believer in "form follows function" when it comes to guns. I can appreciate the beauty of a well-executed custom rifle or handgun, but for me they always come back to being tools.

Do you think that those that choose to go with a setup like this are sacrificing some "function" to get their "form"?

The first example I would think of is the thumb safety. While it appears that you're using an extended safety but cutting it short (something I've wanted in an ambi-safety for years), making it easier to disengage than the simple GI safety, does the owner/shooter give up some of the ability to disengage the safety vs. an extended version?

Please don't take this as criticism of the gun or your work, I really like the way it looks. Just something I've been curious about in recent years with the "retro" theme.

Hey Rob... thanks for your thoughts... I see where you’re coming from and basically agree with your thought process that form needs to follow function... and after that the gun needs to look like a million dollars ;). So to answer your basic question of whether or not “function” is being shorted in favor of “form”, I would say no.

In most cases the basic spec’s for a gun are set by the customer with me as the builder being a guide of sorts as to what works and what will in the end be functional for the intended purpose of the gun. With most folks we work with they already have a pretty good idea of what they want, need, and what will (or what they think will) be functional for them, as a builder I work to interpret their ideas and turn those ideas into a finished product. But at the end of the day it’s still my responsibility to make sure the gun can actually serve it’s truest function of being a life saving and fighting tool... as such there are many occasions that a customer’s idea gets remodeled or flatly tossed out for sheer pragmatics and/or safety.

With specific regard to this gun... for me, as well as others I suspect, there’s nothing here I wouldn’t take into a fight. This gun isn’t my first choice for an everyday carry gun but it’s also not dramatically different from the guns I’ve been shooting and carrying for years now... checker it at 30lpi front and back, give it a PG rear sight, traditional beavertail, dovetailed front as opposed to silver soldered (I‘ll keep the gold line ;)), and a standard Colt Commercial thumb safety and it would be just about perfect for me.

Would some people be better served or more comfortable with a different set of spec’s? Absolutely, but, as you pointed out, form following function is the trick and I think the key to these Retro guns is to make them just as functional as any “modern” 1911 but with the Retro styling... thus the reasons and ideas behind the sights, grip safety, and thumb safety. Hope that helps... :)

Thanks fellas!

[Alpha Sierra]

That is sweet. I would replace the grips with cocobolo and live happily ever after.

[MX5]

Very nicely done. I know many that prefer the standard Colt thumb safety for daily usage, including me.

[Steel]

I really like that a lot. Very Nice Pistol!

[VA_Dinger]

Simply awesome.

A functional work of art.

[rob_s]

Thanks for taking the time Jason. I appreciate the response.

[RD62]

Saaweeet!


-RD62

[signal4l]

That gun would suit my needs just fine.

I could take it from the safe 40 years from now and show my grandkids how guns used to be made.

[d90king]

Great work Jason!!!! I love the GS...... Your work is outstanding.

[HK45]

I can't get enough of these retro guns. Very nice.

[Jason Burton]

Thanks for taking the time Jason. I appreciate the response.


No problemo'... :)

Guys, one again I appreciate the feedback. The next gun will be on the other end of the spectrum. ;)

[MarshallDodge]

That's a beauty for sure. The fit and finish is top notch.

[HeadHunter]

I like the retro beavertail. That's a nice touch.

[dewatters]

I like the retro beavertail. That's a nice touch.

Yeah, it almost looks like the one that Jim Hoag sold back in the '80s.

[45r]

WOW!!!!!!

[Lumpy196]

Tritium front and save the ivories for the BBQs, and I'd gladly drop that into a holster and go forth and prosper.


Nice work.