ltwguns.com

We like the Retro thing... we like building them and shooting them! Despite what some internet experts might have you think a Retro styled gun can be a viable tool in a fight as well as a classy piece to carry, shoot, and show off. Retro guns have a certain ‘personal pride’ thing going for them as they typical show the owners/shooters sense of style and understanding of history. Plus, it’s kind of neat to have a gun that looks “old school” but shoots “new school”. And keeping with the “retro thing”, one of the best base guns for a Retro styled build is a Lightweight Commander... a pistol that now-a-days is a bit retro all by itself. The gun pictured here is just one such example done for this past SHOT Show by our pal and cohort Steve Bailey...



The way we do Retro guns is very much the same as we do all our other conversions. The gun is a full-house effort from the inside out and it’s the details, aesthetics, and careful selection of parts that make the gun into the style that you see. Like our other conversions only the best quality internals were used throughout the gun such as a Kart barrel mated to an EGW barrel bushing, Wilson Bulletproof extractor, Wilson ejector, bar-stock plunger tube, tool steel action components, and more. To keep with the retro theme the gun wears our classic ramped front sight with Gold Line insert, Retro rear sight, and of course our Retro beavertail that swings on a traditional Colt Commercial style thumb safety. The frame was hand checkered a 30lpi front and rear, all lines were straightened, and rounding out the frame are a new set of stocks from John Van Zyck at VZ grips.

Throw in the Colt Dick Special as a back-up piece, a classic knife, and a Summer Special holster and you’re ready for just about anything. Enjoy!

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Heirloom Precision
http://www.heirloomprecision.com

An "oldie but goodie" just like me. A real beauty guys.

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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

I have always been partial to Commanders.

You guys are KILLIN' me!


-Matt

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"If it has breasts or a motor, you're gonna have trouble with it."

Not to stray from the beautiful 1911 (and I own one of Steve's guns, it is better in real life than a picture) - but the revolver, which Ithink is an older Colt Agent - was it refinished, and if so, by whom? (I am looking at one that is mechanically OK, but in need of refinsihing).

Thank you

Richard

Nice one Bailey! Very nice one.

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Common sense isn't so common

Beautiful classically redone pistol! I just love those LW retro Commanders!

John

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NRA Endowment Life Member
I may be big, old, and slow, but so are the ball rounds in my 1911.

Fine work Steve that sure is a classy 45!

Thanks fellas. I really dig the retro theme, especially on a lightweight Commander. For some reason in my mind they just go together. A couple of years ago I found another lightweight and will build that one for myself one day in the same manner. I think the new VZ woods with the medallions reminds me of a gun that we gravitated to in our youth or one that our fathers may have carried. Classics are classics. Sure glad you guys enjoyed this one. Be safe.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

Let me add something else. While building this gun I remembered John Van Zyck telling me he was experimenting with some resin impregnated wood grips. A couple calls later and the Fed Ex guy dropped these at Heirloom. First I am a huge fan of wood stocks in fact you could say I prefer them on some guns. And John being John hit this one out of the park. These are the first woods that are handsome and will hold up to everyday use. The stock shown on the Commander is his Walnut. We put the emblems in at the shop for an added touch.

Currently I am building a gun for a very good friend of mine that is also one of our Sergeants at the Sheriff's Office. He doesn't realize how close he is go getting his gun but whether he likes it or not it will have a very similar set of stocks. Plus a set of VZ mics or G10 as well. He deserves it....he a pretty good guy. I guess he will know now if he is paying attention to LTW.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

I agree 100% maybe because my Dad's gun was a Colt LW Commander I can remember shootng and the web of my hand bleeding..ahh good times. Really like the "retro" style here because the grip safety was addressed in a functional way that really fits the overall build...nice work Steve. Very clean classic lines.

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https://www.graffcustom.com/

Beautifully done.

Nicely done, really like that front sight as it adds the golden touch.