ltwguns.com

This gun was finished about a year and a half ago, but I've never gotten around to posting it until now. It started life as a stock stainless steel Springfield target 9mm, but as you can see, it has evolved just a bit. The barrel is still factory, but it is in line for a match barrel in two months, and the factory barrel, which fits fairly well and shoots great, will be rechambered to 9x23. As is, it shoots under 4" at 50yds with about six different loads I've tried. I'd like to get that down to less than 1.5" with the rebarrel. Oddly, it likes 147gr bullets best from what I've found, but I haven't treid any handloads.

The finish is Dave's blackened stainless, or stainless bluing as some would call it. As you can see, it has worn fairly well and give a much nicer finish than most of the bake on types about these days. The blem on the right top front of the slide is actually dust from the flagstone where I took the photos.

- Beveled slide bottom
- Ball cut front end
- Surface ground slide sides to remove rollmarks
- Flush cut muzzle with slight recess
- Hand cut 30lpi checkering, front and rear
- STI trigger
- Ed Brown Mag Catch
- Ed Brown Slide Stop
- C&S hammer, sear, and disconnector
- 2.5lb trigger pull, no roll
- Ed Brown Thumb Safety, trimmed and dehorned
- Hex Grip Screws
- Take Down Pin Hole in Full Length Guide Rod (Disassembly with any type spring plug/rod couldn't be easier)
- Hogue Grips, wood unknown
- Wolff Springs throughout, except for Colt Sear Spring
- Fully tuned for functioning
- All factory and aftermarket parts dressed/blended
- Bead Blasted and Blackened Stainless Finish

Pics taken in natural light, outdoors, and are unedited except for size cropping.

I kinda dig the serial number.

Enjoy!

~Jim Keeney

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

What is the story on the frame safety? it looks slightly downsized, yet still big enough to ride.

Why remove the factory roll marks? Or is that a Caspian?

Is that the origional grip safety?

The thumb safety is an Ed Brown stainless that Dave trimmed down and recontoured to be usable but not too long. I have that feature on quite a few of the guns he's built for me, and it's a happy medium between a GI/Colt safety and an extended.

The beavertail is factory, but it has been blended and trimmed a bit as well. Getting a good fit on beavertails on guns that have already been cut is a pain, and this one actually was acceptable, so I went with it.

As for the rollmarks, I'm not a big fan of them when they're big and guady looking, especially when they're uneven. Dave surface ground them off, as they were shallow enough to not take away the serrations at all. Besides, it said 9mm, and I wanted it to be able to become a 9x23 without being mismarked. I've never been a fan of 9x23 conversions on 9mm or 38 Super guns where the slide designated one caliber and the barrel another. I think it also cleaned it up quite a bit for a more classy look, if you will.

~Jim Keeney

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

That looks really clean. Beautiful finish and I'm with you on removing the rollmarks. Looks much better without them.

I think that pistol looks great. I am not a big hater of roll-marks, but I don't like my slides to look like the Gettysburg Address.

Regards,
Greyson

I guess I'm just really picky about rollmarks. I absolutely love the rollmarks on early Colts, anywhere from the first 1911s to the 60's commercials. The series 70 guns don't do it for me, and the newer series 80 guns were a step in the right direction. I think it has a lot to do with the font and the application process. I like the simple rollmarks on the Springfield GI/WWII guns, but not the Mil-Specs or loaded models, and Kimber's rollmark is just awful. Same goes for Caspians logo. I like the wreathed "C" but the actual "Caspian" on the side is just ridiculous. Having these ground off was a no-brainer for me, especially since they weren't too even at all. Strange, since they're not stamped.

~Jim Keeney

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

That finish is outstanding !!! Very nice build.

That is a fine lookin build. Dave really creates some nice work. Thanks for the great pics.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

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

I feel 100% the same way.

I have one of those SA 9mms for IDPA and have been toying with the idea of having a build done on it.

Thanks for the photos of this one.

Due to being in a major pinch for funds, this gun is being put up for sale.

~Jim Keeney

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