ltwguns.com

Before anyone challenges my use of "autopsy" here is 1 definition. an "analysis of something after it has been done or made. "

Behlert chopped Series 70 45 acp.

Obvious is the shortened slide with holster/BHP cut. Fabricated extended thumb safety. Reshaped, thinned and checkered trigger guard. Shortened checkered and flared/funneled front strap & magwell. SW sights.



Behlert threaded bushing and recoil system.



Checkered shortened MSH with set screw to pin grip safety.



Notice anything odd about this barrel??

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Gary Eastridge
http://www.randgfirearms.com

That's pretty neat. I like about anything that came from his shop.

Hey, that barrel is missing sumpin'.
I have an article around here somewhere by George C. Nonte on shortened 1911s and S&W 39/59s, and it shows at least a couple of methods (I think) done to make shorties work- including that.

Yes! Everything. Looks in my picture like the lower lug is cracked at the pin hole. Also looks like a big shortage of upper lugs and some EZ Fit Pads on the only one! Wow!

Gary, I have two questions: Where do you keep coming up with this stuff? and Will you adopt 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 tre kool!!!

No cracks. Looks like a peen mark on both sides.

Follow up autopsy next week on this one.

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Gary Eastridge
http://www.randgfirearms.com

Kewl!! Good stuff, Gary. The barrel is configured very similar to the
M-15 chopped 1911s issued to general officers up through the early 80s. I'm anxious to see the "guts and feathers" of the Hi Power, too.

Although rough by todays standards I am fascinated by the fabrication and more so the thought process behind the fabrication of a few years back. In the days before you could order a hand fitted frame and slide from Caspian in any size or length, safeties from Brown, and a semi drop in barrel.

May have to autopsy the comped 38 super with pivoting trigger system after the hipower.

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Gary Eastridge
http://www.randgfirearms.com

Gary,

I really like the idea of that chopped Colt. I actually have a VERY similar gun being built, but it won't be missing an upper lug. I brainstormed a few ways to make such a gun happen, and Dave Sams, my gunsmith, looked it over and said he could do it. I've always wondered why Colt didn't just cut down a 5" gun to make the commander size so the slide travel would be the same, but bull barrels weren't around yet and the bushing has to move with the slide. It's probably a few to 6 months out still, but I'll post as soon as it's done.

Thanks much for sharing this one with us.

~Jim Keeney

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

The missing lug probably didn't need to be there in the first place, and Austin knew that.... we discussed it a couple years ago during one of our several phone conversations that I will always be grateful for.

Most 1911's only actually lock on one or two lugs anyway, due the the fact that rarely does the spacing of the three lugs in the barrel exactly match the three cuts in the slide. In certain cases (and always, in certain calibers) I will measure the slide and recut the barrel lugs to match perfectly so all three lugs are pulling their weight. But most factory .45's you look at closely, you'll see it's hitting on one and one is enough. The other two might have .002 to .010 clearance.

The ring at the end of the barrel is a Behlert thing that I copied on one of my first guns. Build up chrome and then grind a ring into it for the barrel to pivot on. Might not have been his idea originally, not really sure, but that's where I saw it.

That is a great little piece of Behlert history there!

Looking forward to that next autopsy!
I sure wish I had one to autopsy myself.