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I did a search on this and couldn't come up with an answer...

What is 'straightening lines' on a pistol?

The Yost pistols always have a certian look to them that I can't put my finger on... they seem to be cleaner in their look than other pistols. Is this due to 'straightening lines'??

If so, can I have this done to my pistols? How much does it cost?

Thanks!

M

“Straightening lines” refers to matching the lines on the pistol so that they are simply straight, even, and parallel so that the lines on the left side of the gun match those on the right.

Often times the lines that separate the flats and the rounds, especially those above the trigger guard area, will need to be straightened. Here’s an example... look at the area above the trigger guard.

Straight lines...


Not so straight lines...


Hope that helps.

That is very time consuming work and many people don't fully appreciate how much time and effort goes into making the lines straight and parallel. When you factor in the time spent, the overhead, and the plain cost of doing business, I don't know how many smiths make a decent living. Steve Bailey told me that on one older S70, he spent 2 days just straightening out the lines. You figure he puts in 8-10 hours a day and that is 16-20 hours just for line straightening.

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John Del Pinto

John,
That is because I am slightly challenged. When you have to straighten a trigger guard on an old S70 plus the area of the frame above it, and the lines that transition the flats to the round of the slide it can get time consuming. But if that is what the customer is expecting that is what Ted has us do. The end result is obvious. That is where costs can start to escalate.

_________________
Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

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

You mean you're a consumate professional and meticulous in completing your work. No doubt Ted and Lew had significant influence, but I think it is ingrained in your nature to make sure it is perfect. That is what sets apart the true custom pistolsmiths over the parts changers. AS Chuck Rogers would say, "
CHEAP-FAST-GOOD
Pick any two"

Too bad too many people would rather go the cheap route than have something of quality.

_________________
John Del Pinto

Thank you Gentlemen for the quick and accurate reply.

After seeing the difference, I must have my lines straightened- I will never look at a 1911 the same way again.

M