We at Heirloom Precision have often been described as building “classic” and “elegant” 1911s and I would say that for the most part those are apt descriptions. Much of what we do and what our customers request we do falls quite well in line with many folks definition of “classic”. Whether it be a polished blue Signature Grade, a two-tone Retro gun, or a more simplistic blued Colt outfitted with just the basic needs we’re quite happy to embrace each individual customer’s the idea of “classic” and “elegant” in whatever form it manifests itself.
However, in this familiar “classic” approach another style sometimes gets forgotten by those who don’t often see it come out of our shop. It’s not lack of desire or demand, rather just the timing of things, but every once and again something a bit different finds its way out from the shop and in front of the camera lens to show that even we do “tactical”... in our own special elegance of course.
This gun started as a Mil-Spec Operator which basically means it was a Mil-Spec with a dust-cover/rail that extended all the way to the muzzle. In stock form they’re great if you want a really heavy gun that nobody makes a holster for or if you plan to build it into something a bit more... and Ted did just the latter for the 2010 SHOT Show. Sometimes the little tricks you do are the most fun and with this gun basically being a Signature Grade with a rail, a mag-well, and VZ Operator stocks the little trick was turning “tactical“ into “elegant”.
Start with a weld-up frame and slide fit, add a Kart barrel and EGW bushing, flatten and serrate the slide top, and add PG sights with a tritium front and you’re on the way. Fit up a Wilson Combat “bulletproof” beavertail that swings on a Wilson ambi-safety, give the gun a clean trigger break with Harrison Design tool steel components, add a short trigger, and the best quality internals throughout the gun and you’re well on the way. Mix in hand-cut 30lpi checkering front and rear to give the shooter something to hold on to and make the whole package more interesting by fitting up a Legacy Custom mag-well suite with modified lanyard loop... sweet indeed.
Round the gun out with a good de-horn, rear slide serrations, VZ grips, and a heavy dose of matte hard chrome and you’ve got yourself an elegantly-tactical pistol that any discerning ‘operator’ would be proud to have ride in their holster.
Elegantly-tactical... sounds pretty good to me... whatever it might be. Enjoy!
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) Looks like the ultimate combo of tactical and fine taste!