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 Post subject: Commander ala Retro
PostPosted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:32 pm 
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Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 10:26 am
Posts: 1306
Location: Kennesaw, GA
This is one of those guns that, when you lay it down, you find yourself stopping what you're doing to pick it back up again. It pleases my eye and speaks to my soul. Dunno why, but the connection was there.

It came to me as a rattly old '51 vintage Commander with a few fleas. Someone (a Dremel demon, I'd say) had done a little too good a polish job on the frame feed ramp and function wasn't so hot. The client likes the retro styling theme and we made a plan intended to keep that classic look, make it accurate, and build in some durability and reliability.

The over-cut feed ramp made the decision to install a steel feed ramp insert an easy one. It had so much slide to frame clearance that a set of Kreiger Acc-U-Rails were spec'd as well. The rest of the accuracy improvement campaign was handled by fitting a Kart barrel and bushing. A Yo-Bo retro rear sight with a H-D dovetailed front sporting a white dot handles the aiming needs. A clean 4# trigger pull was created with a King's trigger and Commander hammer and a Colt sear, disconnector and springs.

That comfortable feel in the hand was created in part by a set of hand-made grips in claro walnut coupled with a high-gripped, 20 lpi serrated front strap. The rear face features a flat aluminum VZ main spring housing, serrated 20 lpi to match the front strap, then round butted. A Government Model grip safety was modified for the Commander hammer notch and blended and smoothed to make a surprisingly comfortable grip, even when shooting 230 grian Hydra-Shoks.

All the edges and corners were treated with bevels for handling and carry comfort. The mag well was beveled in the traditional 60 degree manner all around. A custom made thumb safety was added featuring a dropped thumb shelf, which adds a bit of recoil control that you don't expect. The finish is a 1200 grit polish job with bluing by Glenrock Blue and anodizing by Yo-Bo.

Enough hot air from me, let's enjoy a look-see. :D

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:48 pm 
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Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2004 7:22 pm
Posts: 110
Mr. Harrison, You are quite the master! The owner of this fine weapon called me yesterday after opening his box from John. I could "see" the grin over the phone. He kept going on and on about how the gun just melted into his grip. John, you couldn't have delivered any kid to a more pround papa......... Congrats to the builder and the new owner. Can't wait to see it in pereson. :D


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:53 pm 
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Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 3:17 pm
Posts: 951
John, That looks fantastic. I knew that frame was headed toward something special!

Schlamoo, your buddy isn't the only one who's getting a retro LW this week....and I'll betcha his didn't come with a matching Government model :lol:

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:43 pm 
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Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 5:30 pm
Posts: 92
Location: Kennesaw, GA
John ... that damn thing is freaking off the charts incredible! Since you've obviously now reached the pinnacle of pistol making, where do you go from here? Please promise me you'll build my '51 Commander before advancing to the next plateau ... designing freaking spaceships or something.

David

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 6:06 pm 
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Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2004 7:22 pm
Posts: 110
OH MY! Ted, ya made my night! Kinda reminds me of the old Mervyns commercials... open, open, open.... Ah the anticipation. :D :D :D . Oh and I have something special coming from John at some point.... I am looking forward to my first Harrison Custom guns.

The owner of this fine gun and I are very lucky folks, indeed!


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 6:40 pm 
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Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:44 pm
Posts: 45
Location: British Columbia, Canada
I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E!!!!!! :shock: :shock: :shock:

I like it!!!!!!


Connor

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 Post subject: Re: Commander ala Retro
PostPosted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 6:51 pm 
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Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 5:30 pm
Posts: 92
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Quote:

...A custom made thumb safety was added featuring a dropped thumb shelf...
John; I forgot to ask in my earlier post, do you have a picture of the gun with the thumb safety in the off position?

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 5:22 am 
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Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 2:56 pm
Posts: 22
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
All I can say is YES SIR. That is the finest Commander I have ever laid eyes on! I bet it is a little tack driver too after shooting the Colt John built me with the rails..


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:45 am 
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Joined: Thu May 25, 2006 7:05 pm
Posts: 290
gorgeous gun john, you made that '51 feel years younger :D -cam


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:16 am 
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Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:16 am
Posts: 2115
Location: Casper, WY
That's clean, John. Well done and right to the point. I'm loving your metal polishing.

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 Post subject: Jealousy
PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:51 am 
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Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2004 1:41 pm
Posts: 540
Location: CA
Man, a guy with a gun like this makes me SICK! He's probably:

spoiled
:evil:

ungrateful
:evil:

a show off
:evil:

Oh yeah...it's MINE. Never mind.
:P


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:51 am 
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LTW Supporter
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Joined: Fri May 28, 2004 10:52 am
Posts: 790
Location: Indianner
That's a retro with a just a touch of wild.
And it has my favorite hammer. "Stretched/speed/Delta/whatever hammer" my butt.
And that nice bluing we are getting used to seeing from Mr Harrison.


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PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 9:15 am 
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Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2004 1:41 pm
Posts: 540
Location: CA
I can't say enough good thing about John and the entire process. I tried not to "bug" him too much but when I had a question, he never made me feel like I was burdening him. Friendly, professional and helpful.

John gets the highest of recommendations. And I'll put my money where my mouth is -- I think a matching LW 38 super will be on the way to John soon.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 11:08 am 
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Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2004 7:22 pm
Posts: 110
Hoser, Showed my wife the pics of your new pride and joy..... She thought the grips were pretty........ Women! :roll:


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 11:16 am 
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Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 10:26 am
Posts: 1306
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Quote:
Hoser, Showed my wife the pics of your new pride and joy..... She thought the grips were pretty........ Women! :roll:

That's not so bad, one day I had just finished a set made from cocobolo, you know, reddish with really striking black grain and decided that I'd show them off to my wife. I handed them to her saying, "Honey, look at what I just made" and she replied "That's nice, but how did you get those pretty black stripes in there?".

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


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 3:46 pm 
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Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 2:09 am
Posts: 88
great looking Commander!


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 6:53 pm 
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Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:21 am
Posts: 89
Location: Tennessee
Damn classy gun.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 4:31 am 
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Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2006 3:09 pm
Posts: 192
Location: New Jersey
Now that is one nice pistol. I would really love to shoot one with a safety set up like that.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 7:04 am 
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Joined: Mon May 24, 2004 3:44 am
Posts: 151
Location: Athens, AL, USA
That Comamnder sure is spruced up and ready for a BBQ or a gunfight. Love the classic styling and the functional thunb safety.

The claro walnut grips are breathtaking. I have seen the blanks and it is amazing what John brings out of the wood.

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Scott


Last edited by farscott on Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:00 am, edited 2 times in total.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 7:49 am 
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Joined: Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:26 am
Posts: 96
Location: Iowa
Very cool, love the styling and the grips John! :shock:
R.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:55 pm 
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Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 5:57 am
Posts: 273
Location: GA
John,

Great work. Makes me want to build another one up. I hope you will post the one for the Ellijay customer when it is completed.

Regards,

Rob

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:34 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:17 pm
Posts: 105
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Love the finish on the slide and rear sight. Very nicely done!


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:05 am 
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Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2006 9:09 am
Posts: 59
Location: Worthington, OH
That is simply beautifull! That reaks of class, and the polish job is beyond anything I've ever seen. I'm not usually into retro's, but this peice has me thinking.... AWESOME!


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 Post subject: Retros!
PostPosted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:18 am 
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Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2004 1:41 pm
Posts: 540
Location: CA
Retros all the way for me these days -- especially Colts! Just seems right.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 8:00 pm 
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Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:29 pm
Posts: 24
Location: Illinois
I like the grips!

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:29 pm 
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Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2005 1:47 pm
Posts: 7
Location: Washington State
Glad you kept the classic lines/look................outstanding!

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 12:15 pm 
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Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:13 am
Posts: 55
I see accu-rails hiding in there. This gun has more under the hood than one might guess at first glance. Now, if it was just 38 Super!


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:28 pm 
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Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2005 6:42 am
Posts: 454
Location: Tucson, AZ
Very nice and clean!


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:41 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2005 6:31 pm
Posts: 76
The finish looks great, a perfect blend of retro and function. Now go shoot the sumb... :)


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:57 pm 
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Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:01 am
Posts: 153
Location: USA
John

Thats a super clean Commander - just classic - no ball cuts, grip safety with no silly bumps - attention to detail is astounding...great job on an American Colt classic pistol.

I love that!

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