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Hey folks, I have a Wilson & a Nighthawk, but am finially getting around to a true custom and seek the advice of the brain trust.
I want (I think), a commander size with a Bob Tail. I suppose stainless is the most practicall although I prefer blue.
Can I get a T Caspian frame in Bob Tail and is this a good option for a carry gun? Will I need a ramped barrel for the Titanium frame? Does Kart make a ramped barrel?
Marsh

You'll first have to find a Ti Commander frame. They were out of stock and looking for a new supplier the last time I checked. Once you find your frame, you can have your 'smith do the bobtail conversion.

If you're planning to have it built in .45 caliber, I'd suggest a steel feed ramp insert, rather than a ramped barrel. If you're using a smaller caliber, then a ramped barrel would be fine. Kart does make ramped barrels, both in the Clark-Para cut and the Wilson-Nowlin cut. I personally beleive the C-P cut is the better way both for installation issues as well as durability.

When you're all finished, I'd suggest having the frame rails carbide coated by Tripp Research to further enhance durability.

Here's a pic of one that I built for a client a few years ago.

_________________
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.

Thank you John. That is a magnificent pistol you built as is all your work I've seen.
It will be .45
From what you say I may have to rethink the Ti frame, but I was hoping for something a bit lighter than the all steel commander size WC CQB I've been carrying.
Is that frame it's natural color or did you coat it with something?
Marsh

That's bead blasted bare Ti. It will slowly oxidize and darken a bit, but it's viable to leave it bare.

_________________
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 recognize that Ti
It's now not as pretty as the picture though, the ti frame has a bunch of holster wear and scratches and the black polymer had worn off a couple of spots. But she shoots great .

The overall look of the gun is great, but perhaps my favorite feature is the bevel on the bottom of the slide. What degree of bevel is that?
Marsh

Close up of slide beveling. I have no idea what angle the beveling is. John can answer that when he comes back.


Pictures courtesy of Steve Bailey.

Thanks for the extra pictures Smoothone. How do you like the bob tail? Does it change anything in shooting and does the weight reduction of the Ti frame amount to enough to be worth the extra cost? I've not shot one but the idea seems sound for a carry gun.
Marsh

Marsh:
I've shot over 6000 rounds through this gun so I think I've figured out how to maintain a titanium frame gun. Titanium requires the contact area to be lubed or risk running into galling problems. I use high quality lube and reapply every 300 rounds. John and I have tuned the recoil spring to accomodate for the low power 9mm ammos, so far we think it likes 14 pound recoil spring. I use Metalform "front ramp" aka Springfield magazines, and replace the factory magazine springs with Wolff extra power springs to keep the short 9mm cartridges from tipping nose down. A .45 acp or even .38 super caliber gun will not have to worry about bullet tipping over in the magazine. We decided on ramped barrel to aid feeding.
A titanium commander weighs about midway between aluminum and steel framed gun, so the weight saving is only 4-5 ounces. I like titanium for its strength and durability. As John said, we left the frame bare. One day maybe I'll have the frame coated with polymer/moly based paint of some sort. It's fun shooting this gun in 9mm because there is absolutely no recoil, allowing fast follow up shots as the front sight returns to the target quickly with less flip. Another reason we chose titanium was the lack of available aluminum frames and Colt 9mm or .38 super LW Commanders are scarce.
But I see that nice one that Ted Yost built in the for sale area. I suggest you jump on that gun.
Good luck in your search.

Marsh,

I also would suggest a LW Commander as a better option if you're getting tired of the full-weight Combat Commander. The other option would be to get as big as I am .......then you won't feel the weight of the CC. There was a thread recently here discussing LWCs and Ted swears they're fully durable if maintained properly. Yo-Bo talked me out of a bobtail on mine.

I am less than totally confident in titanium pistol frames at this point.

_________________
Bob

Smiths and 1911s are what it's all about!

Bob, what is the down side to a bob tail?
Marsh

For me, the bobtail enhanced the concealability of this gun. I don't lose any grip control over the pistol with the bobtail. Remember, most shooting are done two handed. Even shooting strong hand or weak hand only doesn't feel much different. It also reduce weight a little.