Wife took my favorite 1911, so I got a new one!

[Bawanna]

Sadly the man I made those grips for, he was the father in law of one of our sgts has crossed the river. He gave them to him for Christmas as I recall some years back. He actually cried. He loved and had several German Short Hairs and apparently those grips just hit him. Made me so happy.
He lived in California and we corresponded a lot after that, did some swapping and he gave me a few treasures.
I'm working on buying a Hi Standard Supermatic Trophy that belonged to him. Sgt is selling it.
After his passing the family gave me one half of that grip set, they kept the other half. I offered to just make another set but like they said it wouldn't be the same.
Making the grips thinner like on your new example helps to give them a thin feel. I tend to cover the frame near completely and one has to make the grip pretty thin on the edges so they don't feel like a, well a Glock.

Haven't had time to make grips of late, working too much and nice weather. Maybe with winter coming on I'll be able to whittle out a few.

Kimbers used to suck but I think they have them figured out and sure don't hear the issues that we used to. I know they fought that external extractor for years and wouldn't admit defeat. S&W could do it just fine but they couldn't. Once they went back inside things started looking up.

[gb6491]

Sadly the man I made those grips for, he was the father in law of one of our sgts has crossed the river. He gave them to him for Christmas as I recall some years back. He actually cried. He loved and had several German Short Hairs and apparently those grips just hit him. Made me so happy.
He lived in California and we corresponded a lot after that, did some swapping and he gave me a few treasures.
I'm working on buying a Hi Standard Supermatic Trophy that belonged to him. Sgt is selling it.
After his passing the family gave me one half of that grip set, they kept the other half. I offered to just make another set but like they said it wouldn't be the same.
Making the grips thinner like on your new example helps to give them a thin feel. I tend to cover the frame near completely and one has to make the grip pretty thin on the edges so they don't feel like a, well a Glock.

Haven't had time to make grips of late, working too much and nice weather. Maybe with winter coming on I'll be able to whittle out a few.

Kimbers used to suck but I think they have them figured out and sure don't hear the issues that we used to. I know they fought that external extractor for years and wouldn't admit defeat. S&W could do it just fine but they couldn't. Once they went back inside things started looking up.

Kimbers with the external extractor kind of sucked; as in some worked (my BP Ten II for instance) and some didn't.

Their early guns are an entirely different story. One could argue they were the best non custom 1911 pistols available during that period (and still top notch today).


People talk crap about the Series II guns (Schwartz safety, MIM parts, and barrels left in the white), but my TLE II has worked just as well as any other brand 1911 I own.
Regards,
Greg

[BirdsThaWord]

Sadly the man I made those grips for, he was the father in law of one of our sgts has crossed the river. He gave them to him for Christmas as I recall some years back. He actually cried. He loved and had several German Short Hairs and apparently those grips just hit him. Made me so happy.
He lived in California and we corresponded a lot after that, did some swapping and he gave me a few treasures.
I'm working on buying a Hi Standard Supermatic Trophy that belonged to him. Sgt is selling it.
After his passing the family gave me one half of that grip set, they kept the other half. I offered to just make another set but like they said it wouldn't be the same.
Making the grips thinner like on your new example helps to give them a thin feel. I tend to cover the frame near completely and one has to make the grip pretty thin on the edges so they don't feel like a, well a Glock.

Haven't had time to make grips of late, working too much and nice weather. Maybe with winter coming on I'll be able to whittle out a few.

Kimbers used to suck but I think they have them figured out and sure don't hear the issues that we used to. I know they fought that external extractor for years and wouldn't admit defeat. S&W could do it just fine but they couldn't. Once they went back inside things started looking up.

Wow, what a heart string tugging story behind those grips. It sounds like you have a great relationship with both your coworkers and their families. I would imagine yours to be a very (emotionally) rewarding career, given that you make those close connections. Those grips would have to be a masterpiece. I have seen some of the scrimshaw and some of the inlaid ones (bbq style) that have had me really applaud the skill and creativity of the makers. Those (yours) are certainly in that realm. I often whish I had both the skill and patience to do such things. I’m like you when it comes to my polishing projects in that I have to wait for it to cool down. That and the skeeter population has to head to wherever they go!
Yes, I had heard the same about the Kimbers. I feel luck has been on my side with them. Only one gave me any issues, an Ultra TLE II, but it was kind of expected given the gaping hollow points I was trying to run in it.

[BirdsThaWord]

Kimbers with the external extractor kind of sucked; as in some worked (my BP Ten II for instance) and some didn't.

Their early guns are an entirely different story. One could argue they were the best non custom 1911 pistols available during that period (and still top notch today).


People talk crap about the Series II guns (Schwartz safety, MIM parts, and barrels left in the white), but my TLE II has worked just as well as any other brand 1911 I own.
Regards,
Greg

The Classic Custom I had (1988 build if I remember correct) was an amazingly well built, great running and accurate gun. Out of all of the govt sized 1911’s I’ve had in .45 it was my favorite. I really messed up, getting rid of it recently. That’s it in the pic behind the K9. I am already keeping my eyes open to find another. I should not have sold it!

[BirdsThaWord]

Range report...
So, I am happy to say that I can shoot the springer as well as I can the wifes. Took me a few mags to sort out the poa and poi. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the mags are difficult to load past 6 rounds (will clean up follower edges to see if that helps) AND... Stovepipes and fte’s. Right now I’m blaming ammo and mags until I can try another another ammo, tuning the mags (or trying a Wilson/Chip/Tripp) and a clean up/lube. If that does not straighten things then I will start looking at the extractor, beyond the little round under it shake test when I clean and lube.
Oh, and the new grips are on (pic shown, came in the mail after the range). Love the woodgrain and feels great in hand. Thanks yall!!!

[Bawanna]

Get some 47D Wilson mags. They always work. Most of mine have never seen their factory magazines.

[kenemoore]

Here is a good real on 1911 magazines, it's about 10 years old, but still a good read: http://how-i-did-it.org/magazines/

I use Checkmates, Kimber Pro's, and Wilsons at the range, and carry Tripp Cobra's.

I have an old Ed Brown that I've had for 20 years of so, always ate everything I ever fed it. Until about two weeks ago, got a box of ball ammo the would jam on the first round, every magazine. I found the OAL was too long, and my recoil spring had been in service longer than it should have been. I shot the ammo in my PM45 to finish out the box, and replaced my recoil spring. Now no worries.
Point being, might be bad ammo causing your issues.

[gb6491]

The Classic Custom I had (1988 build if I remember correct) was an amazingly well built, great running and accurate gun. Out of all of the govt sized 1911’s I’ve had in .45 it was my favorite. I really messed up, getting rid of it recently. That’s it in the pic behind the K9. I am already keeping my eyes open to find another. I should not have sold it!

Darn, that's a good looking pistol. I have to agree that you "really messed, getting rid of it recently" Hopefully, another, in just as nice condition, will come your way.
If it's any solace, the above makes me double determined to keep my Classic Custom Target.


The new grips look good on your Springer

FWIW, the magazines that work best in my 9mm 1911 are Metalform 9FR-794
http://gregcotellc.com/cart/1911-met...94-p-1969.html

Regards,
Greg

[BirdsThaWord]

I have had great luck with Wilsons too. I think they have made it into the magwell of every 1911 I’ve owned, with a few Chip and one Tripp mag having also given good service. While I am yet to own a Wilsons gun, I can certainly speak to the quality of their mags. Thanks for the model #!

[BirdsThaWord]

Thanks for the link! I will defiinitely read the article. Yes, my first attempt at resolution will be to take her back for another range session with 2 or 3 kinds of ammo. Then switch mags (2 from the Colt and one Wisons I had hung onto). I figure it won’t hurt to run some more ammo too as the Springer was not very used when I got it. Need to break her in!

[BirdsThaWord]

Thanks for the kind words. Your target version is a beaut! I am becoming a big fan of the target rear sights. I know some don’t care for them, but I’m not sure why. They sure do make me more accurate!
I’m already hunting for another locally. I have seen one, but it has a bit too much “honest” wear for the price. That one I had was about 97-98% if you ask me. Plus, the local one for sale has that plum finish on the slide.