ltwguns.com

When LTW was conceived by Ted the idea was easy...do good work for those in need. Everyone orginally contacted did not hesitate to jump aboard. Well then one of our favorite members had to go out and do something above and beyond.

Al Shear GAVE away a full house Operator Ted had built him the year before. When Al presented the gift we all stood around scratching our heads thinking "wait a minute...we are in the good deed business" So, how do you get him back? Tell him to send us a gun.

Al was a little uneasy about the base gun because it wasn't your typical configuration. It had an aluminum Commander sized frame, an Officer's slide, and it was in 9MM....As soon as the earth shifted back on it's axis and John Moses Browning stopped turning.....we got to work.

There are not alot of folks who would giveaway one of their prized possessions to better someone else. Al you are a valued member of this organization and I know another member is very happy you donated your Operator, as he should be. The most important thing is that some kid is going to be at Ted Nugent's Kamp for Kids this summer and have a better time and opportunity for what you did.

The smiths at LTW were happy to put this together for you. I could be wrong but I believe CT Brian, John Harrison, Don Williams, and Ted figured you would enjoy this one. See you at the Shot Show.









A shot of the handmade cocobolo stocks.














Al, I can tell you from where I sit you are going to really enjoy this one.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

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

Al, As I told you when I had to twist your arm to get you to send us a gun, this is fun for us. We thank you for the opportunity to have a little fun, and at the same time express our sincere appreciation for the nice things you do for others.

Just so you know who did what...

John Harrison executed the high cut and frontstrap serrations

The slide is unmistakably CT Brian

Don Williams fit the seamless beavertail gripsafety

Frame anodizing courtesy of Anodizing of Mesa

I made the grips, did the round butt, and detailed the frame lines

Steve and Jason helped with the prep, blueing, and final assembly.

For having so many cooks, this dish has a flavor all its own. I hope you enjoy it.

_________________
Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

TR

Wow. You guys rock.

Just when it seems like this country is turning itself upside down do to greed and hate you group of guys always show me there is hope. The firearms industry and the Private Gunsmiths in particular always seem to climb above all the propaganda and prove that they are the greatest bunch of guys around.

Al, I have read this every time I read one of your posts.

"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

That is very true my friend. I believe you to be one of the most unselfish caring people I have ever known and who better than the most unselfish carrying bunch of guys to bestow such an honor on you.

Gary Morris

OH MY GOD!

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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

I have to compose myself here. I just did not know what to say, I still don't.

The gun is absolutely beautiful! Ted, John, Steve, Jason, Tim, Don and Anodizing of Mesa there are not enough words in the English dictionary to express my heartfelt gratitude and thanks for you hard work. You guys are the best life has to offer.

I just don't know what else to say, I'm in awe here. Thank you all for letting me be part of this bigger picture. It is I who owe you!

Al Shear

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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Wow. Congratulations Al. All your good deeds weren't unnoticed. At the end of the great movie classic "It's a Wonderful Life", George Bailey received a book with the following dedication, "He who has friends is no failure".

This gun looks outstanding, and it's going to a helluva great guy. To everyone who contributed work and/or parts, ya' did a fine job. To the owner of the gun, Al, it's been a true pleasure getting to know you, my friend. You deserve the best life has to offer, and this gun is but a small part of it.

GOD Bless you all.

~Jim Keeney

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"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

What a great group of people doing wonderful things!

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Brett

Gary, Your statement about greed and hate isn't entirely true - that we do on mondays. Hope you enjoy it Al.

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Don Williams
http://www.theactionworks.com
http://www.ltwguns.com

I have to second Brett's sentiments. I am truly humbled by the acts of generousity and kindness which have become the rule rather than the exception by the members of LTW.
While the many expressions of kindness and generousity which transpire regulaly here are many, never presume that they are ever taken for granted. I just hope that I can clear the "high bar" that has set the standards here at LTW.
My very best to all,
Jeffro

What a pleasure it was for us do do just a little something for you, Al. I can think of no one more deserving.

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CT Brian Custom
'Blending Art With Firepower'

To all of the fine craftsmen involved in this work of art--THANK YOU!! Thank you for taking care of one of the finest gentlemen I have had the honor of meeting!! To Al, I have met few people in this world of the quality of character that you display, and it is truly my honor....I cannot think of a more deserving person to present a treasure like this, made by the finest in the industry, and as any member here can tell...also gentlemen of the highest measure!! Enjoy, my friend!---John

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

Couldn't have happened to a better human being. Al, you are the embodiment of what this site is all about. Your deeds, and thoughts bring us humility, understanding, and joy. I personally guarantee that you have made us all better just by allowing us to witness you doing nothing other than being yourself. You think you're having a problem finding words to describe your gratitude? These gentlemen thought it would be easier to sweat and bleed with files in hand than to try to express what you mean to us with written or spoken word. That, my friend, is how much you are loved!

Thank you for sharing yourself with us, Al!

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damian@adcofirearms.com
http://www.adcofirearms.com

Since yesterday morning when I first saw this post I have been trying to compose an appropriate word of "Thanks" to everybody involved in this and to say a few things about Al. John has expressed my thoughts for me exactly (You are very eloquent, my 'baccy chawin' hillbilly friend Thanks buddy)

Al is the real deal. I am greatly honored to say that he and I have become friends (we both are old and a little on the cranky side) over the last couple of years. We met through one of his acts of kindness, as he drove 40 miles to my office to put a part in a S&W m29 for me. For FREE, parts and labor! I know all of you have heard of what he has done here in his spirit of giving, but Jim Keeney and I (and I'm sure others I don't know about) have personally been recipients of his kindness and generosity. And he wants nothing in return, he is uncomfortable being a recipient. The only way he allows me to buy his dinner when we get together is for him to buy the next time. Ted, literally, had to pry this pistol away from him, but that's another story all in itself. (You are good Mr. Yost, very, very good.)

I talked with Al yesterday. He was surprised, shocked, elated, thankful, joyous, grinning through the telephone, but at the same time having his "discomfort" that someone would do something from their heart for him. My reply to him is, "Shut up, Al, you'll just have to suffer through this ordeal of being a recipient of kindness and generosity." He usually quiets down, for a little while anyway

Ted has promised me that when Al gets to SHOT they'll try to make him suffer some more. And Al, remember what I told you, Lew Bonitz is a BIG man, you might not want to object to any other, shall we say "surprises".

To all of you noble gentlemen involved in this, Thank you for what you have done.

To Al, thanks for being you. Thanks for being my friend (I do get to shoot this pistol, right?) Enjoy all of this, you rightly deserve it. And it's my turn to buy!

Chip

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Sic Semper Tyrannis

AL-
Now you know how it feels!

And I'm very glad that you do.

If you like it half as much as I do the Operator, you'll be pretty happy indeed. Thank you again.
When I won the Operator, I asked if they knew if there was anything I could do to thank you, but was told "something was in the works".

I had a feeling it wasn't an LTW hat.

It sure isn't, is it?
Wow! I couldn't even think up a gun like that, let alone get it built! That gun is outstanding- you and it will go together well.
You deserve it, buddy.

P.S.
Will you shoot this one? Please?

Barry,
I have to protest to this statement. I got an LTW hat with Signatures from all the gang and I am tickled pink about it.

Just being a tiny part of LTW I feel like I know all the guys. As for Al he has done some very kind things for me and he will have to Buck Up and let the gang do something nice for him.

God Bless you Al and God Bless LTW.

Gary

The hat sounds very cool indeed.
About as cool as the gun. Not quite, but close.

One friend sharpens another like steel sharpens steel.

There is quite a statement being made here by all of your efforts and the nature of this forum. The bar continues to be raised!

Speaking of raising a bar...have fun at SHOT.

Good work yall!

Jim

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An amateur practices until he gets it right. A professional practices until he never gets it wrong. Anon

Ahhh....Karma.

Nice to see it works in positive ways, too.

I'm glad to see the deserving rewarded.

Congratulations.

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"Suppose they gave a war, and nobody came?
Why then, the war would come to you!"
(Bertolt Brecht)