ltwguns.com

There is no doubt that the smiths on this site do heirloom quality work. I have a bit of a decision to make. I have an original unenhanced Colt 9x23 that is somewhat rare, but this one does not have the original box, etc. Financial issues forced me to sell a similar one that had all that stuff. My question is, would any of you leave this gun original, and instead use a more common gun for a custom build, or would you use this as a base gun? thanks in advance. by the way, condition is about 95 to 97%.

Heirloom is in the eye of the beholder. I picked up a Colt Commander in 9x23 from Dick Heinie (a good friend). After playing with it for the day, I gave it back to Dick to work his magic. I don't how rare this gun is or was, but it doesn't really matter, it is full house Heinie and that is worth more to me. I will never get rid of the gun, it will be passed along in the family. It is by far my favorite 1911 and I have not regretted the decision once. But that is me, and may not be you.

I would have to vote on getting it worked on, in a classic style. Since it is missing the box, etc., it has lost a little of the collector's value. So enjoy it while you can - you'll be dead a long time.

Uhmmm. . . 9x23. I love anything in that caliber. I'll second what OldLawman said - having some refined enhancements done would definitely add to the gun. These could be minor things like some new grips, changing to top quality small parts (internal and external), trigger job etc. At the end of the day, it will ultimately be up to you as to what degree of modification you want done.

I saw send it to a good smith and chop that bad boy into something truly awesome.

I have one I acquired some years ago when the speculator who bought it new started selling off his hoard. I had a very moderate amount of work done on it to make it shootable, mainly a trigger job since the factory trigger was ghastly I enjoy the gun much more when I shoot it! Mine came with a factory .38 Super barrel and Colt mag as well. I have always regretted Colt's failure to stick to the original plan with Winchester. I bought a full carton of factory 9x23mm in case Winchester decides to discontinue. That factory round chronos from the 5" bbl. at approx. 1,500 fps. ! That's true .357 Mag numbers! What a waste of a great cartridge

Bob.

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Bob

Smiths and 1911s are what it's all about!

I don't think that Winchester will discontinue it, but you never know. My understanding is that they make one run a year of brass & loaded ammo so I guess there is the possibility that there could be a short term shortage at least. I prefer the Winchester brass as it is much thicker in the web area than other similar ammo but if things get bad (like Winchester discontinuing it) there is enough "similar" ammo that we can keep shooting and/or modify the barrel to other calibers. We have Starline's .38 Super Comp, .38 TJ, and I think there are at least two other .38 Super/9x23 Offspring. Granted the strongest of the brass and my choice is still the 9x23 but I don't worry about not being able to get brass/ammo in my lifetime. Besides after Winchester's lawsuit over the 9x23 with the original inventor they probably have to keep making it just to break even on the settlement

Josh,

I also save all my brass and reload so I'm set.

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Bob

Smiths and 1911s are what it's all about!

Personally, customs built for me mean much more than 'factory correct'. Cut it, cut it, cut it.

I'd give it to Ned with a note saying, "Love your work, but could you spice it up a little for this project?"

It is truly a personal decision. You're the only one who knows what will make you happy.

Steve

ramptester, I suppose it might end up being a collector gun, but that would probably be 20 or more years down the line. I'd say make something you really like out of it. Regards,

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

I agree with Don and the others. I am just finishing a 9X23 Caspian and am starting on a number of "group buy" titanium framed Caspian commanders done in 9X23/.38 Super and 9 MM luger. Two barrels and mags, 3 calibers with the ability to plink all day with cheap 9MM Luger. Figure out what you like and don't like about the gun, send it to someone to get it tuned up and turned on and you will never regret it. At least a reliability job and trigger job, you will enjoy it a lot more.

Jess

I have a Colt 1991A1-type series 80 milspec Delta in 10mm. It has the large block lettering "DELTA 10MM" on the slide.

To lightly customize and refinish or not?! I'm torn!!

Do a search here on Deltas and you will see several that have been customized. Well worth it. I think the two largest problems you will have is deciding who to do the work and what features to get on it.

Jess

Mine is a limited Delta, not a Delta Elite. It's set up like a 1991A1 parkerized Colt with large block lettering "DELTA 10MM" on the slide.

If it was a Delta Elite, not question I'd customize.

hoser,

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. Is it that low-end 1991-A1 Deltas are more rare than the standard blue Delta Elite? Do you have some production numbers one the two? I'm just curious.......my DE got cut and built into a highly shootable full-house gun over ten years ago.

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Bob

Smiths and 1911s are what it's all about!

I think the question on both guns is : How much good is it doing you now? and Would it do you more good customized? In my case I would definitely go the custom route.

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