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I just wanted to share a *1 that I had built for my dads retirement from being a casino dealer. My dad is sort of old fashioned, and I like to tease him because it seems like anything made after about 1980 he considers crap, be it music, cars, guns, etc. So don't even think about handing him a Glock. He loves 1911's, and is a big fan and follower of the late Col. Cooper, but he thinks all my 1911's with their night sights and beavertails are to "fancy and pretty." He always thought that Col. Cooper was right on when he said that a good 1911 needs quality sights, a good safety, and a good trigger.

He has always followed the philosophy of less is more, and I hate to admit it but the older I get, the more I start to agree with him. So I set out to have a 1911 built that followed his philosophy. I went with a repro series 70 Colt, and had the Yost boys do a basic *1 package with the Yost Retro rear sight and polished flats. I did break down and have them high cut the front strap as I love how it feels in the hand, plus I figured my dad might not notice

Anyways, we have had the gun for about a month and it shoots great. Don't let people tell you that you must automatically get rid of a factory barrel. I have to say this 1911 shoots damn good. At 15 yards offhand my dad is putting 7 rounds into a group you could cover with a quarter. The trigger is great and the hammer does not bite you. I actually really like the sight picture of the Yost Retro sight. It is very clean and quick to acquire. The gun just passed the 600 round mark with zero malfunctions, so I'm very happy. We took it out of the case, cleaned and lubed it, and that’s it. It is about to get its second cleaning.

This is the first 1911 I have shot a lot that has the stock GI grip safety. I would have never considered a 1911 without a beavertail, but now I realize that the stock setup works great with just a little tweaking. I've come to realize that a fairly stock 1911 with just a few key mods can be one hell of a good fighting handgun. I'd have no problems carrying this 1911, that is if my dad would learn to share the thing!

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Hard work pays off

Oooo, it's like christmas around here. Lots of new photos, and some really cool guns.

I like the less is more concept. I've got one that is very similar. Thanks for sharing!

--md

very cool gun...i bet the insides are very modern -cam

Beautiful classic fighting pistol!

I really like it; Col. Cooper would too.

John

I like it. All ya need and nuttin more.

Beautiful pistol!

Your Dad and I would get along great.

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OD

"Slow down, you'll get a more harmonious outcome...."

Beautiful in it's simplicity. Almost exactly how I'd have my own custom done. Congratulations to your dad,and good on you for thinking enough of him to do something like this.

The more examples I see of 'less is more' the more I want one just like this. Your Dad is lucky to have a son like you.

Scot,

I have to agree with your dad 100%. Of all the guns I own, I have found myself over the last two months shooting my very basic Caspian/Colt GI style gun most. Beavertails are nice, but if you're not shooting insane amounts at every session, methinks a GI grip safety is just fine. Bobbing the hammer a little is another great touch. That gun is just what your dad needed. Great gift.

~Jim Keeney

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

I completely and totally agree with your father. I have a large amount of 1911's that have numerous bells and whistles; I've built some and have some from some well-known 'Smiths. But I just did a Springer GI gun for a friend following the "less is more" creedo. Not in a long time have I been as impressed with what a huge difference simple additions made. Trigger work, reliability work, and good sights is ALL a fighting 1911 needs. I too used the GI grip safety though I did have to slightly reprofile the top to work with the C&S hammer he requested. But, if you shoot with a low thumb it matters not; I personally can't get used to it from shooting with a high-grip for so long but it works.

K.I.S.S.- Keep It Simple Stupid SO TRUE. Very nice pistol from Yost!
-JBurnett

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"Better judged by 12 than carried by six."

Very nice!

It's like a new GSP..... SWEET!

Was this built by Yost Bonitz, or Heirloom Precision ?

Ooops - looked closer at the pictures, and answered my own question.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

Thanks guys. After shooting it about 1,000 rounds over the last few months, my dad decided he wanted a beavertail after all (ha ha dad I was right!!! ) Along with the beavertail, the frame is getting hardchromed as dad is a sweaty mofo and seems to cause rust simply by touching a blued surface.

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Hard work pays off

That's cool, too bad no more Yo-Bo.

Well, maybe no more Yo-Bo, but the guys are still there at Heirloom Precision.

Still cranking out good stuff - and mine is in the works

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I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

he called his Dad a mofo!

Nice piece...it will be really cool as a two-tone with a beavertail

Something that some shooters forget is that a B/T not only eliminates hammer bite (or "hammer bruise" as I suffer it) but it helps to spread recoil over a wider area of the hand which makes the gun more comfortable to shoot and reduces fatigue when firing a lot of rounds.

There are always those fellows who chime-in with "never needed one,never will" and I would reply that is a good thing for them as it makes for lower cost when get getting a pistol customized.

I see the beavertail grip safety as having a pistol "fitted to the owner" much the same way shotguns are tailored to their owners.

I just wish they could be made smaller,particularly in the tang length,like the one John Harrison carved for his Swenson Tribute pistol.

http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/vie ... f=6&t=6285

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Dave
Member NRA

I agree with the less is more philosophy... and Ted is the master of that approach.