It’s now been just over a year since I built what could be described as a special Colt NM Government Model. That particular pistol was special for many reasons; the base gun, the customer, the scope of the project, and also one could certainly say the overall classic simplicity of the build. Since finishing the aforementioned gun I have built one more pistol that follows the same theme and taken order for others. So when the Colt Commercial Government Model seen here came into my life I knew just what I wanted this gun to be… classic.
Since this gun was basically following an already established theme many of the parts and modifications were already well laid out. In addition to the standard reliability work and modifications the gun got a weld-up frame and slide fit, Kart barrel, EGW bushing, and the slide was left as a round-top and fit with a black serrated front sight and re-contoured Heinie Slant-Pro rear sight. All the lines on the frame and the slide were straightened and addressed, the front strap and mainspring housing were both hand-checkered at 30lpi, and the frame was fit with a heavily modified EGW machined grip safety that swings on one of my “BM” styled thumb safeties. This thumb safety mimics the overall look of a standard Colt safety while being slightly larger and more useable for most shooters. The ignition sets keeps the classic theme by way of the Colt Commander style hammer set up with a medium length solid trigger. The rear of the slide was serrated to match the rear sight and up front the slide was machined for ball-cuts. After a hand-filed de-horn the gun was finished in polished blue and fit with a set of custom maple stocks from our pal John VanZyck at VZ Grips.
Got a few technical questions I hope you will answer. When you do the recon cut on the mill, do you do it with the slide upside down or do you cut it from the side? Also what size tooling are you using to cut the french borders.
I ask because I am playing around with some of my own pistols and these details are escaping me. I have done the “high power cut” to the front but still have not taken the plunge on the 1/4 radius as I’m not sure how I’m going to end it to get that nice corner.
As always Jason superbly done- hats off once again!!
As an update for all Jason is going to build me a 50th Birthday 1911 present to myself on a slant groove pre series 70 Govt Model following a retro Pachmayr Combat Special theme
A few highlights include a low mount BoMar, Swenson ambi, and two tone finish
Expect to see pics summer 2013 as I turn a half century old June 27th
Be safe - enjoy the pics of a true master at his craft
I love building this style of gun… hell, I love building them all. But there is so much detail subtlety that can be done on a build like this and that keeps it interesting at every turn.
