ltwguns.com

I am probably asking on the wrong website, as customs are what is discussed here, but I need advice. I have my Granddad's Colt Combat Commander. He died in '81, and my dad received it at that piont, and I've had it since my dad died in '95.
Anyhow, I took it out shooting yesterday, and had several FTF, FTE's, and accruacy that compared to a potato gun. This is nothing new with this gun. It also has a pretty rough appearance, with several scratches and dings.
I've been considering sending this gun to a custom pistolsmith for a while, to convert it to a reliable, accurate, good looking pistol, but I've had some reservations due to the fact that it would be changing what my granddad had. On the other hand, it just collect dust in my safe, because I don't enjoy shooting it.
What do you all think I should do?

I would suggest that, unless the pistol has a unique place in history, I would think you'd be honoring your Dad & Grandpa to have someone bring in into like-new condition, with enough accuracy and reliability work to make it enjoyable to shoot and a decent set of sights to aim it with. Nothing that drastically changes the outward appearance.

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shop.HarrisonCustom.com
www.HarrisonCustom.com

The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.

I like John's advice. It was passed down to you to enjoy and remember your family members. To bring it into a condition which gives you pleasure admiring and using it often is what I would do.
I also lost my father in 1995 and wish that I had the same opportunity as you. Good luck in your decision and post some pictures and the story if you decide to tune it up.



Brian

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Brian

If it were mine with that lineage? I would follow the others advice as well. With something like that maybe.
-New barrel
-bushing
-trigger components
-Dehorn
-Good sights
-Re polish and reblue
-New exotic wood stocks

I would put a little into it. Otherwise, like you said it is not much fun shooting a potato gun.

*NOTE* If I would have looked further this morning I would have seen this earlier. I would do exactly this, and would have John Harrison do it in a second.

http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/vie ... php?t=2017

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

Whether you have it brought back to restored and accurized statis, or whether you bring it to full house, you would be giving new life to a piece that means much to you and future generations of your family.

As Steve said, don't hesitate to give John a call. It's easiest to reach him at 2:15 am....

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CT Brian Custom
'Blending Art With Firepower'

If you like the more traditional look, the YoBo rear sight used on that gun Mr. Harrison just posted is outstanding. I like the sight picture it gives just as much as Novaks or Heinies, and it doesn't require any machining of your slide.

Honolulu time

_________________
shop.HarrisonCustom.com
www.HarrisonCustom.com

The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.

Patrick
I have a Winchester Model 21 in 16 gauge with a 2 barrel set made in 1953. It was my Grandfathers and then my Fathers and they have all passed and now it is mine. It is a true collectors item and worth a pretty penny in its original state, but it does not fit me well. I am 6'1" and my Grandfather was 6'4". It is one of my pride and joys and will never leave my family, but I know both of them would rather I truly enjoy the gun and use it successfully. I will be having entirely new stock and forends made for it when I can that are made to measure for me. This will ruin its collectors status, it will not be exactly as it was in their hands but it will be the same gun that they looked down its ribs thousands of times and killed many a bird. I know they would rather everytime I pull it from the case and walk the field and have that special day when my dog points just right the light is right and I shoot just right and as I walk from the field having enjoyed a few perfect moments that have passed to me with their knowledge and their gun (now in a useable and enjoyable state for me) that they will be glad I modified the gun to continue being able to hunt with them happily and succesfully throught the use of their gun! They have passed but a little bit of them lives on through their knowledge and this side-by-side altered for me. My .02

God Bless
45Fundi

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God Bless
45Fundi

Now for the downside....I've seen this sort of thing before.
A buddy had his Dad's U.S. Marshal Service duty S&W parkerized at Joe's Blast&Park because it was scratched and worn, plus EVERYBODY knows Parkerizing makes it rustproof......AAAAHHHHHHHhhhh!!!!!! So much for history AND looks, much less class.
Let's see, some others. Turn Gramp's/Dad's WWII Colt into a FUGLY Bullseye gun by Bob's Gun Butchery. Bumper chrome the family Colt SAA. Scratch initials in all of Dad's Belgian Browning A5, with a pocketknife (Initials HN, if anyone sees one let me know!) and how about a parkerized Python!
I recently bought a S&W Registered Magnum from the original owner's Grandson. Box, certificate, and mailing tube included. I also got a picture and bio of the owner. Unfortunately someone let the gun sit in the box in South Florida. In the box it looks great! When you look at the other side it's rusted and pitted.
I say treat the gun with the same respect as the memories. Let real pros do the work and keep the class intact. John's rendition above is pretty classy! But what does a Redneck like me know?!

Exactly....what does a redneck like you know...if you are looking at this sight (which is exceptional) with the highly reputable and very prestigious gunsmiths posting here (the Bastions of Excellence in the Gunsnithing industry) ...which is a luxury and privelege almost unprecedented to have access to not only their knowledge but simply access to speak to them candidly and in an open and professionally critiqued discourse so that no BS is tolerated... I think you should have some respect for the incredibly special venue that has been presented here and not treat it like some shade tree wanna-be gunsmith sight that is so common. This is NOT that websight and anyone who does not recognize this should go back to RAMBO.com or where ever they ignorantly came from!

Everytime I get on this sight and have the luxury to read or converse with truly established and reputable smiths who are most commonly inaccessable by nature of this industry and yet HERE give their time, knowledge,etc. in an open forum to be ruthlessly scrutinized by all and yet give not only there time, knowledge, but actually give their hard work to charity and have someone act as if an LTW member won't get a decent smith from this sight just rubs me wrong. If an LTW smith or any smith supported from this sight touches your gun...well you are a lucky son of bitch and just enjoy the perfection!

God Bless
45Fundi

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God Bless
45Fundi

Take a pill, Dude. I don't even know what you're talking about and yes its true I am a Redneck (Surprise to those that know me!). I also happen to know some of the Smiths on this site and the work of the others. I was just relaying some of the horrors I've seen in my years so the original poster could appreciate what he sees here. Take it any way you want and do what you want to your guns.
BTW, I currently own guns built by: Pachmayr, King's (the original), Nastoff, Heinie, Novak, Power, Garthwaite, and a few others. You might recognize their names even if they don't post here. Last I checked all of these guys were fairly well respected. So I guess Rednecks are still allowed to own a few nice guns, at least when we're not getting flamed on internet gun sites! Come on down and visit some time, I'll even let you play with and shoot my guns to decide what you like or don't like-just take your medicine before coming
Oh, and may God bless you, too; whether I'm a "lucky SOB" or not!

Gentlemen.....

Relax and get this back on topic please.

--Mark

Hi Patrick,
Just try to imagine the smile on your grandad's face as he shot his custom Commander and put them all through the same hole. I'll bet he was the type of person that enjoyed fine mechanical things and if he'd had the chance to have the gun modified he would have. Even if he wasn't wouldn't it be a better tribute to his memory to enjoy the pistol than let it languish in his gunsafe? Figure out what modifications best suit your shooting needs and then shop around until you find a smith that will satisfy your needs. Good luck and have fun! BTW-I have grandpops 20 gauge LC Smith. The recoil pad was ruined from sitting on its end in a closet for decades. I replaced it with a Decelerator. Collector value? Who cares? This gun will never leave my family!

Sorry, I just had back surgery and did take a pill the other night and all it does it make me surly and still in pain. My bad!

God Bless
45Fundi

ps I'm a Redneck too!

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God Bless
45Fundi