ltwguns.com

Info on the firefights these weapons have been in is requested as well.

Here are pics of a Jardine gun. Its a Colt 38 super enhanced 1911 converted to 9mm. I had it built to shoot high round count practices/training and classes without beating up my hands/wrist and to save some money with 9mm ammo compared to 45acp. It includes a 4.5lb trigger job, short trigger, Brown beavertail, Jardine tritium bar/dot combat hook sight, Bar-sto barrel 9mm, serrate top of slide, french border, high cut grip and hand matte grip front/rear and under triggerguard, bevel magazine well, tighten slide/frame, Esmeralda ebony grips (usually wears VZs), dehorn edges, Wilson ambi safety

Littlelebowski...I will not elaborate on the actual gunfights his 1911s have been in (they are real I assure you) but am happy to post my name and background. Introoper4255s comments are on the money.

Daniel Huie MD, JD
Hillsborough PD/North Central San Mateo Regional SWAT
Medical Director, North Central San Mateo Tactical Medics

Would the statement "some of Jardine's pistols have been in gunfights but not issued en masse and therefore any other (insert popular high end, custom 1911 maker here) brand has probably been in just as many gunfights" be truthful?

If the above statement is wrong and he is literally backlogged for years manufacturing pistols for military units and LEOs, what units are issuing these en masse?

What I'm getting at is I know the Marines aren't issuing these things. Pretty sure about the Navy too. Larry Vickers and other Delta guys always mention Caspian builds. So who's issuing these things? What units are enduring his years long wait to receive these pistols?


Sgt (former) Baxter Shepperson, United States Marine Corps Infantry 1995-2004

Hi Baxter....I never said that Jardine's 1911s are issued to whole departments or units.....he's a one man shop and still builds for the individual (LE and military when an individual can carry his guns/everybody doesn't always use issued only equipment).....I also never compared the number of gunfights his are in compared to other manufacturers or gunsmiths.....he simply builds ultra reliable, mechanically correct 1911s for individuals who use them and run them hard, LE, MILITARY and CIVILIAN alike....Dan

Dan that is a nice looking gun. Almost ashame that it is a 9mm but I would still love to own it. I would like to hear officially if the Valtro is in fact a dead issue or if they are just severly backloged. It seems that some the conversation in this thread has gotten off the topic and belongs more in the 10-8 forums rather than here in the custom gun section.
Thanks for the kind words Pete but....well I could always use another custom. I certainly would treasure a piece of Jardines work.

Good enough for me, I'm done. Enjoyed the candid answers.

Here's a tribute pic from my gunsafe. Great shooter on silhouettes out to 50 yards.
http://www.hunt101.com/watermark.php?file=566304

I have seen many of Johns customs and yes they are nice. I do have a Valtro, so I guess I am lucky. I do have other Customs and they are nice and I consider myself lucky and fortunate in that department.
On the question of "What is the official Status of the Valtro". I can say its over. This is my personal opinon. The Italians just could not produce them to his specs and standards. When he receivied the Valtros he spent many hours to get them to his standard before he would let them out of his one man shop.
Why would John a very busy and in demand smith want to sell $1,200 Valtros. He could spend the time that he was putting into those unexceptable Valtros and be selling Jardine Customs for 5 times that Valtro price tag.
John like many of the great Custom Smith's on this site, it is not about money. It is more about pride, workmanship and the love of their craft.
I feel the people who have the 1911 passion are fortunate to have these Gunsmith's available to them no matter how long the wait.

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Steve

I have been lucky enough to have shot a Valtro based on the Italian gun, and it was an amazing gun. The idea was great, have a well tolleranced production gun that had a final individual tune done to it.
My understanding is the final tunes ended up at times taking quite a bit of time so anticipated output was never reachable.
Too bad, as I say they were very nice.

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De Oppresso Liber

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I just stumbled across it and wanted to share my humble opinion.

I own a Jardine Valtro, in fact I used to have two of them. The Valtro's are very nice pistols, especially at the original $1200 asking price. Jardine's influence on the specs/design were impressive. Its too bad the Valtro's never became a more widely available pistol. I've seen them on the second-hand market going for 4-5k, which I find unfathomable...but I suppose something is worth the price someone is willing to pay.

I've handled and shot quite a few fully customized pistols by Jardine. I've even had the interesting experience of meeting him on a few occasions. His pistols are very nice and have served their owners very well. As far as his guns being involved in law enforcement encounters, I can vouch for the veracity of that claim...as I work for a PD (a PD that consistently has the highest per capita violent crime rate in California) that probably has the highest number of Jardine-customized pistols being carried by many of its officers.

If anyone would like further details on these encounters feel free to email me. I may have to be somewhat vague in some details (such as the identity of involved parties).

By the way, I really enjoy this website. My compliments to all the fine pistolsmiths and leather workers on this site.

Sergeant L. Tirona
Patrol Bureau
Primary Firearms/Tactics Instructor

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To die well, one must live well.

Mr. Jardine would be in very good company at LTW. He has performed time sensitive repairs and upgrades for me. His workmanship is excellent. 870P; will always put a smile on my face. Thank you again John. Stay Safe.