ltwguns.com

I have decided it's time to start looking into the purchase of a hi power. I have a few question that I need answered.

First off, what's the best starter gun? I looked at one tonight that was the two tone practical model. Felt decent in my noob hands. I did see a problem that could brew; the gun cycling and the hammer pinching the webbing of my hands. My hands are fairly meaty, but it seems like getting pinched would be fairly common for people with medium to large hands. Are there any other fixes short of a welded beavertail?

I think it would also need a lighter trigger...perhaps in the 5lb range. What would be recommended for a carry gun?

Can the safety be adjusted to it has a nice clean click on and off like a 1911?

Do they require as much maintaining and care as a 1911?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

I would call Don Williams ask him which one he wants to work on and tell him what you need and he will make it happen. He can do all you have asked for.

God Bless

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God Bless
45Fundi

HAHA. I don't exactly know what I want/need. If it were a 1911, I know exactly what I need.

Dave, The factory "ring" hammers will bite a lot of people, especially those with large hands. You can either change out the hammer to a C&S Commander type hammer which has a smaller "ring", or go to a factory spur hammer which is less likely to bite in most circumstances.
The Practical model you looked at is the same as any MK III HP with the exception of the finish, hammer, and sights. If you're going to do more work on the gun, I'd suggest just getting the standard matte finish model. It's the same gun with the exception of what I noted above.
Yes, the safety can be adjusted to be more positive, and a 4# trigger (or stiffer if you like) is usually considered to be court defensible for self defense purposes. Getting a trigger like this on a HP is not a problem.
Hope this helps,

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

I personally am going to have a beaver tail welded on next time. I use a high thumb hold, I have boney medium sized hands and the part of the frame that sits over the web of your hand to protect from the hammer even after much softening of the corners beats up the first joint of my thumb. I have a tendency when drawing fast to have that corner pressed against that first thumb joint and after a 100 rounds its sore.

My safety has been modified for a more positive snap on and off. I have a 1911 style saftey and not one of the new factory ambi safeties witht the big screw hinges which are not ergonomic for my hands.

My Barsto barrel doesn't make my gun more accurate and it was reliable with the factory barrel, so I think it was a waste of $... IMHO. If Don or one of the other LTW smiths says an aftermarket barrel will make a wider range of hollowpoints feed reliably then I'd listen to them and not me.

My magwell was beveled and the first time the "NON-LTW smith" beveled it so sharp that on fast mag changes my fleshless skinny hands would still catch the skin of my palm inbetween the magwell and mag and either raise a black blood blister or cut a hole in the center of my palm (wanna watch a grown man cry ) I don't think this was really a smithing error as much as it is a thin walled grip frame problem inherent to the P-35 guns in general. (but it sure does smart! )

Good Luck

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God Bless
45Fundi

Thanks very much for the replies! That clears up a lot of questions I have.

What did you decide? I hope my posts didn't seem like a list of negatives. I can list far more positives about the P-35. I love them. It was my first issue gun back in '89. I would only carry a P-35, 1911 or revolver for defense. I just wanted to share some of the quirks that go with the P-35 that you just have to accept as "endearing qualities" but might want to address with your smith. The P-35 to me is the most beautiful and elegant auto ever made. I will be using one in the IDPA (ESP Class) State Championship this weekend. I haven't practiced in months, so prayers needed!

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God Bless
45Fundi

Nope you sure didn't. I just wanted to get some preliminary information. I am not ready to act yet. I will shoot all the variants first to figure out what I need and what is a waste for me. For the time being, my 1911 runs like a champ. So does my Glock 19..but I will probably get some hate for that. hehe

Good luck!

OK Fundi 45. You got some 'splainin' to do.
What kind of quirky anecdotes can a solid, stolid, serious piece like a BHP have?

The ONLY quirky stories I have ever had regarding my BHP was one where I never, say again, NEVER had a failure to feed or a failure to eject. How cool is that

Moreover, the only fialure to go bang was from crapola ammo.
And that was before the Yobo crew got their mitts on it.

I am awaiting the perfection of perfection. Can that be done?


Joel Ariel

"If someone tells you he is going to kill you,...believe him"

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The mature gentleman sitting quietly in the far corner, sipping Lagavulin and very much enjoying the "Stan Getz's CD.

A BHP is quite an elegant pistol. I used to have one done by Cylinder and Slide before I discovered that I shoot the P99 and the 1911 much better.

Mine had the stock barrel in it. A local gunstore guy who's scarily accurate was able to put 5 rounds into one slightly enlarged hole at 15 yards with the stock barrel. The trigger does have a long reset to it.

Cleaning it is about the same as the 1911...not as streamlined inside as modern guns but still easy to clean. I used a rubber shock buffer in mine to cut down impact on slide.