ltwguns.com

Just realized I never posted my Tiki here!
I know its not a LTW gun but its as close to as amazing as a non LTW gun can be....
I was always fascinated with the ASP pistol by Paris Theodore when I first saw it in the late 80's the grips and the sights were just so cool!
I ended up modifying the grips and a few mags on my CCW back then which was an Italian Beretta 92F (I still have it)
About 10 years ago I saw the Tiki and it reminded me of the ASP sight concept so I was trying to find a used Tiki but I had no luck
Well I had a business deal which went really well and I decided to spoil myself and contacted SVI about getting a Ti Tiki.
By the time I got it all figured out and ordered my son was born and I had a custom serial # (initial and bday)
As I am a watch guy I have always loved the Patek saying "You never own a Patek, you are simply holding it for the next generation" So I bought a new ceramic green Rolex Submariner with the warranty card dated his Bday and in his name (it sits in my safe waiting for him someday in its shipping coffin), I ordered him a custom 22 NULA from Melvin Forbes (I have 2 of his rifles myself) and got him a custom serial # (initials and bday again) LOL hopefully he turns out decent if not I will sell it all when hes proven to be a window licker in his mid 20's and buy myself something nuts.
ANYWAY back on topic
Just wanted to share the pics I have of it from when SVI finished and was shipping it to me.
I still have not gotten my ASP but I may be very soon!
Id really like a modern LTW ASP inspired 1911. I know Ive told Ned this a couple times over the years.
Sorry to see how slow this forum is, it really helped me get into the true custom 1911 world...
Before meeting Ned in a Pat Rogers class I thought Wilson and Nighthawk were customs LOL

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Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun
"You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman

I remember the magazine articles on this gun, but I never saw one in the wild, so I figured it was a concept that never caught on. Glad to see that it's real. How does it shoot/carry? Does it have the frame rail inserts that I think I remember?

It shoots and carries great!
It runs like a champ.
Any sig grade from a LTW smith will outshoot it simply due to it having what is defensive sights but after shooting it for a while you can shoot quicker than traditional sights and if you do not care about dime sized groups for self defense. You will have no issue maintaining 3 in or better groupings (acquired and sent down range quickly). It is not a gun I take to the range when I want to just shoot a ton but I do shoot at least a few mags every 6 mths and if I was to do a tactical handgun class again I would strongly consider running it.
If I was only to buy one EXPENSIVE gun I would buy from the likes of Ned, Ted, Jason or the other LTW guys without a second thought!
But if you already have a few custom 1911's and need to have something that will even make a 1911 snob ask you what it is and want more info you can't go wrong with the Tiki.
I am kinda lucky in that my second business is selling high end watches so my high end handguns, my Krieghoff etc are more or less my advertising.... Most guys into high end guns are high end watch guys, the guns start a conversation when I am shooting and then I have the potential to turn them into a client. I also do not believe in keeping everything in traditional investments like stocks etc, guns can always quickly be converted into cash if need be and if you buy the right guns you may not always make money but you generally wont lose money either. While I would NEVER tell anyone to only have guns as your investments I will say I wish I had bought a lot more ammo than I did 15 years ago (I bought plenty but seeing whats happened with prices I coulda done better buying and reselling it now than I did with most stocks (even ones that did well) LOL
BTW from what I have heard they only make about 6 a year and most of them are sold to the wealthy in the Middle East and the Philippines (the Philippines surprised me)

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Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun
"You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman

Well Jeremy the gun is great but even better is to have you posting again on LTW!

I've always been curious about those too, the sights and reliability. I recall that at one time they were making them or maybe just made an experimental one with a Ti slide-- yours is not, right? I would treat that one like an Officers and feed it ammo on the milder side. Not to say the gun can't take it but I would think reliability would not be as good with really hot stuff-- that's been my observation with very compact 1911's in general.

Yes, LTW is slower than it once was...... but in my opinion our forte here is still top-end work and discussion, 'smithing quality and bold strokes not always seen elsewhere. I don't know how that became less popular but anyway it's good to have some news of you and to know you're still "into it".

My first 1911 was a Kimber Series 1 CDP.
I thought it was a "high end" 1911.
Then I learned about Wilson etc and though WOW that's what a custom high end 1911 is.
Well thanks to taking some tac classes I met you and several other great guys (Greg Bever was the one who turned me on to a 1911 RIP) and then I learned what a true custom 1911 was. I purchased a couple pre owned from friends and I think the first that I had built for me was from Mr. Ted Yost. LTW taught me so much, the ability to be in regular contact with the best out there is amazing! You can't call Ted or smiths every time you have a question, thought or idea (they'd never get any work done) but LTW gives the chance to post your question and get answers from people you know are smiths not armchair gunsmiths.
LTW changed how I hunt. I had been hunting with a .308 model 70 and was very happy with it but I saw Ted's lever gun work and thought wow! I realized I really do not need a .308 as most of where I hunt is close shots so I decided to order something everyone said would kill me if I shot it etc etc but Ted laughed and said don't listen to them. I bought my first lever gun a Ted Yost 45/70 which had a 12.5 in lop and 18.5 in barrel. Short and powerful! I LOVE it, my friends I hunt with say it is ideal for me and I agree.
Heck I am one of few people out there who can say they have a R9S customized by Ned!!!! I think that's the gun Ive carried the most since I got it back from you all those years ago!!!
LTW was a HUGE part of teaching me about guns, meetings good friends and I hope some younger guys out there find this place and get the chance to learn and have the experiences and opportunities I did when I was younger.

So I know I have said it before but THANK YOU to the guys like you who made LTW great!

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Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun
"You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman

Good to see that little devil is getting some use, I remember it well.

Great to see you back, Jeremy. Just so you know, we at LTW haven’t been just sitting around. Shortly, we’re going to be releasing a new LTW project charity custom, complete with a custom knife and custom leather. Stay tuned!

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CT Brian Custom
'Blending Art With Firepower'

Oh Mr Brian I don't think you guys ever get to just sit around!
That is what amazes me so much about LTW!!
The best smiths/artists out there who are busy non stop with paying work stacked in front of you all but you guys still take the time to answer questions, share information etc.

Since you took a minute to chime in to my thread I would like to share two beautiful 1911's I am honored to have in my humble collection.

I think you may recognize them.....
Mr Chopper and Mr Sidewinder!


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Seriously LTW changed the way I hunt. I NEVER had a lever gun, don't recall firing one and never even debated getting one till I saw what Ted was doing with levers! My Big Lewie is my go to hunting rifle unless I am going somewhere with a chance for longer shots, Lil Lewie is my camp gun (44) and I have a 30-30 I picked up second hand which was also done by Mr T!

I hope more people discover LTW again!!! Im back to do whatever I can to help! Do not hesitate to contact me if I can contribute in anyway!

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Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun
"You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman

Since you took a minute to chime in to my thread I would like to share two beautiful 1911's I am honored to have in my humble collection.

I think you may recognize them.....
Mr Chopper and Mr Sidewinder!


You have a couple of really good carry pieces there, Jeremy!

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CT Brian Custom
'Blending Art With Firepower'

Tell me more about the Tiki or maybe bring it along-- I have a few dates coming up in Detroit..... if you feel the need for a refresher....

I think the Tiki was the gun carried by Crockett/Colin Farrell in the Miami Vice Movie.
Michael Mann always liked cool guns.

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No good deed goes unpunished.