My Colt ORM rebuild ideas...pics

[Jimbo45]

Hey folks. I have this Colt, that I bought new in 1998, to set up as an entry level competition gun, that year. It came parkerized, and I removed the park finish, I fitted the slide to frame, fitted the beavertail safety, ambi safeties, mag well, C&S firecontrol group, Videcki trigger, match barrel and bushing, polished the slide and frame flats, high cut and stippled the frontstrap, and had my 'smith cut the slide for a Bomar sight, and reblue it all.

It looks pretty nice, save for the stipple job I did (looks goofy when blued), and the Bomar cut was a little large, so I really need to bed it with some black epoxy, and the bluing on the grip safety looks kinda greenish and uneven.

Other than those things, it shoots like a dream, and is accurate as I could have wished for.

But, I got away from shooting it, after about the year 2000, and spent all my pistol time with Glocks, since that is what I used for my job. Now, I am wanting to do some more shooting with this pistol, and think I want to work it over again. Here is what I am thinking:

-Remove the magwell extension, and maybe the ambi thumb safety
-Find a fixed, tactical style rear sight that fits the Bomar cut
-Use the original black rubberized grips (if I can find them)
-General tune up
-Refinish in Norrell's flat grayish-black (already have some of this on hand)

I just want to simplify this gun, and make a more tactical, durable shooter out of it, and I think I would shoot it more. I am just not into pretty, match only type guns.

What do you guys think? Do it, or leave it as it is?????

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/jimbo45/100_3162.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/jimbo45/100_3160.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/jimbo45/100_3156.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/jimbo45/100_3158.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/jimbo45/100_3154.jpg

[wetidlerjr]

I say you should have done to it what YOU want but I do have a few suggestions that might make things a little better. First, checker the front strap (25 lpi), get some VZ grips and have it finished in Melonite or Ionbond. I am not a fan of paint even it it is "heavy-duty". I would also have the rear sight slot welded and re-cut as the epoxy idea seems to be on the edge of Bubba work. However, in the end, it is YOUR pistol so ignore me if you like as I won't be offended. :D

[chavez_e_chavez]

im not one to tinker so I like "stock" so she looks good to me!!!

[wetidlerjr]

im not one to tinker so I like "stock" so she looks good to me!!!

I might agree but this pistol isn't "stock" now. :cool:

[Timbonez]

I agree with most of wetidlerjr's suggestions. You can have the bomar removed and reweld the top rear of the slide so you can use a fixed sight setup. A finish or metal treatment process other than Norrell's will also be more in line with your "more durable" requirement. If you can find your old rubber grips, I say those would work just fine. You should either smooth out the front strap or checker it. As it stands, that stipple job you have on there looks like it is doing nothing for you.

[Gray Man]

First, checker the front strap (25 lpi), get some VZ grips and have it finished in Melonite or Ionbond. I am not a fan of paint even it it is "heavy-duty".

I agree. Your pistol doesn't look too bad as it sits, other than the chewed up front strap. 25lpi checkering should fix that. A mild dehorn on the BoMars and you'd be GTG w/o sinking a fortune into the gun. I'd then shoot the crap outta the pistol to confirm you still love the 1911 platform before doing anything more. It'd still make a great competition/range gun, that would also carry just fine. Basic bluing isn't a great carry finish, but with proper maintenance it will work for "normal" carry until you finalize your specifics. In short, your gun looks pretty good, so I'd proceed slowly. ;)