I know what you’re all thinking... what is “neo-retro� And truth be told I didn’t really know until it came time to build this gun.
At first I thought it was just a snazzy catch phrase made up by the guns owner, who is also a friend and one of my shooting partners. But after hearing him say it a couple of times when describing what he wanted in the gun I realized he was serious... so okay, “neo-retro†it is.
So what’s it mean... the idea was for complete functional makeover while remaining a somewhat visually simple gun. Start with a new Series 70 Colt, throw away everything but the frame, slide, and a few small parts, and build a modern gun with a retro flair. Not a full fledge retro gun like we often do but rather a gun that made use of all the modern refinements and upgrades but in a minimalist venture. It wasn’t as easy as I thought... and this customer was kind of picky... with his last “major†decision it took him five months and as many trucks until he finally figured out which one was a keeper. But that’s another story...
The best example of the concept was an analogy he came up with... he likened the gun to the current Ford Mustang. Take a stylistically updated yet retro appearance and combine it with modern conveniences like air conditioning that works, and brakes that stop, a motor that sings, door and window seals that don’t leak, and an interior that is truly comfortable and useable, all while keeping that understated throw-back look. Now I was starting to get it...
The normal best grade work-up just wasn’t going to do. While the gun was to have all the standards such as a Kart barrel, weld-up frame and slide fit, Wilson extractor and ejector, EGW firing pin stop, tool steel ignition components, hand-cut 30lpi checkering, and complete line straightening, the controls were to be as minimalist as possible without impeding their function or usability. The grip safety was to be no larger than required to protect and cup the hammer and prevent the shooter from getting hammer bite. Likewise, the thumb safety was to retain the overall profile of a Colt Commercial part but with just the right amount of extra length and width to insure easy use. No flattened and serrated slide top or serrated rear of the slide on this gun but high visibility sights were still a must as was tritium and the ability to run the gun off the rear sight, all while still keeping the sight as small as possible. The Colt Commander style hammer, short trigger, and slightly extended serrated mag-catch help keep up the retro part of the theme while the slight round-butt, serrated slide stop, and blank spring plug keep the gun modern and functional. A bordered slide helps tie everything together and as a final meld of modern and retro the pistol was finished in Ionbond’s DLC, keeping the gun "blue" in appearance but with a bit easier maintenance schedule. Enjoy...
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FAQ
So, tell us about that watch in the first pic.
. Is HP going to start offering that as a package? I think I want one.
