ltwguns.com

I think it’s official now, 2008 has been the year of the Retro gun for us at Heirloom Precision! Pretty cool that after all these years the Retro style and flair has remained and, judging by quite a few of the guns we’ve built this year, is still very popular among the enthusiasts.

So far this year it’s been our pleasure to have taken the Retro thing in a few different directions. From traditional builds, to customized restorations of old war horses, to the Neo-Retro gun, our Retro-styled beavertail, and back again there seems to be a calling among many of our customers who want a highly detailed gun with that old-school look. They may not be for everyone but they are certainly a joy to build and shoot... and they look pretty cool tucked into a well worn Nelson Summer Special.

It almost seems ironic that this particular Retro piece be built on one of the “new” Series 80 Commanders... either way I was happy to build it for this very patient customer. The gun represents the best of what we can do and is a full house effort detail rich from the inside out complete with line straightening and 30lpi hand-cut checkering, all while exhibiting that Retro style. As with most everything we do this gun got a weld-up frame and slide fit, Kart barrel with EGW bushing, new extractor and ejector from Wilson, Colt Commander hammer, C&S sear and disconnect, etc. Keeping with the Retro theme I used a Yost Retro rear sight with a silver soldered ramp front sight with gold line insert as well as the Retro styled beavertail.

Enjoy!

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Heirloom Precision
http://www.heirloomprecision.com

You have done 'it' once again!
I'm not a retro kinda guy, but this gun is simply gorgeous!!!!!

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http://www.rogersprecision.com

Absolutely stunning work as we've all come to expect.

Very well and tastefully done.
Bob

That is an exceedingly sweet pistol. I am rapidly falling in love with the Commander in all its guises. This just adds to the spell.

Rick

Oh yeah!!! Give me that gun, Charlies Angels, abd a hot tub and I'd never move out of the seventies.

ML

Love this one Jason, restrained, on theme, and perfectly executed.

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www.mattlamey.com

Very nice Jason, You guys have done it again ! I just happen to have a series 70 Colt Combat Commander in the safe crying to look like that one.

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GO-FOR-IT

Simply outstanding work as always brother!

Very cool idea with the Commander hammer and short beavertail. Do you get any hammer bite?

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Hard work pays off

Very nice work from your shop! Retros - Be - Jammin. Don't let it walk to hard.

This is probably my favorite of all the retro pieces I’ve seen coming from your shop. You guys never cease to amaze!

Thanks guys... the feedback means allot!
Charlie’s Angels and a hot tub and I’d be good enough... but I was only 4 in the '70s.
Thanks pally I appreciate that...

Even with as high (or goofy as Ted would say ) as I grab a 1911 this grip safety saves me from hammer bite 100% of the time. This is a pretty cool way to set the gun up as it really does give the shooter the best of both worlds... you get a Retro gun in appearance but all the familiar modern comforts when it's time to start shooting.

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Heirloom Precision
http://www.heirloomprecision.com

Awesome execution.....I love the line as the frame meets the top of the beavertail...wish I had the skills you fellas have

I love this gun!!! There is just something about how you guys at HP do 'that voo-doo that you do' and a retro gun like this one is a great example of functional art at its best.

One question for you, what exactly is "line straightening"?

Grips safety is simply too cool for school I love it!

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God Bless
45Fundi

Line straightening is a process we do to, quite simply, straighten all the lines on the frame and the slide. This is something that is most prevalent with Colts of any vintage and usually the worst offending areas are the lines above and around the trigger guard, around the mag-catch, and the lines that form the dust-cover but many times Colt slides are just a crooked. Frame and slide sets such as those from Caspian, Rock River, or Les Bear seldom seem to need this type of cosmetic clean up... or at least not as much.

Here’s a comparison that can hopefully well sum it up…

Before...


After...

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Heirloom Precision
http://www.heirloomprecision.com

Thanks for that info! I always wanted to know, but was too scared to ask

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God Bless
45Fundi

I have to admit I was somewhat skeptical of the whole line straightening thing. That was until I saw how bastardized some of those old Colts are and how clean they look after Jason or Ted gets done with them. That is one of those things about an "all the way" gun that can be overlooked but can also bring down a whole gun if not done correctly.

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Best regards,
Brady Miller
www.monkeyedge.com
The Finest in Custom Knives and Gear

I have to admit it really is wonderful to see that. This forum is like a guaranteed mini vacation for me. Every day I get to escape for awhile to be with wonderful people who have a similar interest and passion. Some vacation days are better than others. Learning about the line straightening was a WONDERFUL VACATION DAY! It makes me enjoy this site so much more when I learn something which gives me more appreciation of the site and more importantly a greater appreciation of the LTW guys work. The more you CAN SEE and UNDERSTAND the more you really enjoy the site and the quality of work here! Thanks LTW!

ps Thanks Jason the photos were worth a 1000 words!

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God Bless
45Fundi

One day when you grow up you'll learn not to care what others think of you NOT!

Its always nice to hear and you deserve it my friend.

That has to be the sweetest Commander I have ever seen. At my advanced age and sore back that would make a great duty/carry gun. My jealous congrats to the proud owner.

Al

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

That is one fine looking pistol. Outstanding work once again.

Good God, that's schweet! The before and after line straightening pics are jaw dropping.

-Matt

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"If it has breasts or a motor, you're gonna have trouble with it."

I keep thinking that i need one of these for a carry gun! Awesome job Jason ....

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GO-FOR-IT

Enchanting!

(oh, and there's that elusive due to perfection beavertail again)

I was also kind of rolling my eyes when seeing posts about "line straightening". Seriously, no longer. That is an incredible difference and really adds to the appearance of that piece.

Jason..

Well done!! and very classic.

I´ve been concerned for years about those cosmetic faults from the factory, just wondering why they didn´t care about the crooked ones at least those for the civilian market?

I got three my self sitting on a vault for years, waiting for the make over!!


Merry Christmas!!

Alex

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Alex NossaR
www.nossargunleather.com

Love the two tone look and the Ivory gripps.
Overall amazing piece.
T

Who makes the grip safety?

Thanks.

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Semper Paratus,

Steve

You would have to see this one in person to really understand how nice of a build this was. As for the grip safety, Jason makes those for each gun to look the way they do. It is a lot of work but all worth it to the end user. Nice work brother.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

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

WOW!!

Now THAT is one sweet Commander for sure! I LOVE it!

I have a Colt XSE Commander that I have been adding parts to over the years and each time I think I have it settled on how I want it to look I come here and see something like this RETRO Commander that makes me rethink all my choices.

I wonder how hard it would be to make a beavertail like that? I am under no illusions that I could even come close to the safety on this baby, but I can give it a shot and see what comes out on the other end.

What base Beavertail did you use for this custom?

Thanks for the pics and the BEAUTIFUL pistol. The owner is in for a real treat.

Nala