ltwguns.com

Just sent this one back to Jeff (aka Sparky) in the northwest area of our fair country. Hope you like it Jeff.

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

Don, which grip safety did you use on that one?

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Gary Eastridge
http://www.randgfirearms.com

Nice, clean blaster Don!

The grip safety is a McCormick. I originally wanted a Brown, but we decided on the McCormick for various reasons. Obviously it was a good choice, 'cause the fit in the pictures is fantastic.

This pistol started out as a series 70 Colt LW Commander that I got fairly cheap due to it having a Millett dual-crimp front sight. I contacted Don about having it customized, and I was a little concerned about having the front sight fixed due to the dual-crimp holes being a little deep. "No problem" was the response, so we decided on the following work:

Don's Tactical Package (which is one of the best deals going, IMO)
Wilson match barrel
Front strap serrations in a point pattern (LPI and final pattern left up to Don)
Flatten and re-serrate existing aluminum MSH
Keep the Colt thumb safety and factory hammer, if possible.

Don was EXTREMELY easy to work with- he took the time to call me and go over my build request point by point, making polite suggestions but also making it clear that it was my gun and he would be happy to do whatever I wanted to it. He also kept me updated on the gun's progress from time to time. Don has a reputation for being one of the nicest guys in the industry, and that was certainly my experience. Anyone who is considering having some 1911 work done should think about Don.

Of course, he DID have to tease me with these pics before the gun makes it home!!!!

Anyway, the gun looks GREAT, Don. Thanks for the work, and I can't wait to shoot it!

Jeff

Sparky, you're going to love this gun!

I have a Don W. Commander on my hip right now, and he does wonderful work! Congratulations and enjoy your new sidearm.

Mark

RRRHHHHHH! I am soooo jealous!!!

Congrats on a beautiful piece.

Well done Mr Williams!

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

Don, you owe me a new keyboard, this one is totally slimed with drools. What a beautiful pistol, everything that's needed and nothing else.

Sparky, you're a lucky man.

Very nice! I also find that the combo of a "high" grip safety and standard thumb safety work for me.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE
Thunder Ranch THG & UR(x2), Gunsite 250C,
Yavapai Firearms Acad HG1(x2), HG2, & SG,
Shootrite Prvt Inst HG, NRA Life Member

Now that is a nice looking pistol. Good stuff Don.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

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

The shear simplicity of it is beautiful. Nice looking pistol Mr. Williams.

Nicely done, Don. Very elegant, yet simple. You and Jeff did good!

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shop.HarrisonCustom.com
www.HarrisonCustom.com

The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.

Don,

Beautiful LW Comm. - I'm sure this will "spark" a gleam in Jeff's eye!

Best,

Ray

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http://www.harmscustomdesigns.com

Upon second observation....that beavertail fit is unreal.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

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

Excellent workmanship on a classic commander!

Outstanding!

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

Awesome beavertail fit Don! Would be the perfect carry gun (if it were mine). Thanks for sharing.

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Aubrey<><

very very nice don, a beautiful lw commander-cameron

What a beauty, wonderful job Don. Jeff is one happy guy once he get hold of that piece

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docbob

Well, the pistol arrived yesterday, and the work is even better than it looks in the pictures. That beavertail fit is absolutely phenomenal! Don told me he likes to have the beavertail 'look like it grew there'- I think he's certainly accomplished that!

The rest of the work is equally as good. There is no sign of the old dual-crimp front sight holes, just a nice clean dovetail. Barrel and bushing appear to be very well fitted- nice and tight but with no binding, and the action is nice and smooth. Sights are fitted correctly in the dovetails, which were cut perfectly.

I spec'd this out as my ideal everyday carry gun, and Don has certainly delivered. Unfortunately I won't get to run it through its paces on the range until early next month, but I'll post about that when it happens.

Well, I finally got this one out to the range. It functioned perfectly with a variety of ammo and magazines, including my Federal Tactical 230-grain +P duty load. Accuracy was very good, and the sights were dead on. I really like the high cut with the serrations, as it gives a good solid grip without catching on clothing. This has to be one of the best-feeling handguns I've ever fired. Muzzle flip in a lightweight with +P ammo is interesting, but with this gun it wasn't painful at all.

Don did an OUTSTANDING job on this pistol. It has now become my daily off-duty carry gun, and rides on my hip whenever I'm not at work. One of my coworkers liked it so much, he found a 70's LW Commander of his own to send Don for almost the exact same package. I have to say I'm very pleased with Don and his work. Thanks Don!

I must agree with the others...the beavertail fit is outstanding! It's nice to see a pistol that is clean and straight to the point. Enjoy!

Hello, sir. That is a very, very nice pistol and one I'm sure that you are most proud of...and should be in my opinion.

Best.

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Please drop by http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com

sparky315 wrote .

I have a colt LW frame of my own and am considering various grip safetys- if you don't mind, what are the specific reasons you chose the McCormick? As an aside, is it MIM, and if so, will that save another 3/4 oz or so on the weight of the gun? I bet the durability of mim in this area is a non issue

thanks for your thoughts.

Tradewind, I sent you a PM.

Mr. Camp, thanks for the kind words. Not only am I proud of this pistol, it's the one that protects my wife and daughters. Can't give it any higher praise than that.

great looking commander

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Thanks very much,
Robert (13.45)
NRA Benefactor Life member

OK, Don. Now you are just showing off.
Lenny

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Show 'em where you live....

Don,

I really like this gun. It's an ideal setup, and its simplicity only makes it better. I think my tastes in 1911s have come full circle. The super elaborate guns are nice, but the ones that have been tuned to the nth degree, just the essentials added, and cleaned up on the outside are the ones that appeal to me now. This one, Sir, is outstanding. Great job, and congrats to the owner.

~Jim Keeney

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