ltwguns.com

I had heard of John Jardine a few years back. He's one of those pistolsmiths that builds almost exclusively for LE and military these days. What I didn't realize was how close his shop was located to me as he is one of the last great pistolsmiths in the SF Bay Area. I put my name on his build list back in 2005 and my name finally came up this last year. This is now my duty/off-duty gun. I've had it since December and it gets carried every day. I apologize for the dust and the little bit of surface rust on the gripsafety (since wiped off). My pictures don't do this thing justice.

One of the best things about John is that he puts at least 2,500 rounds through every guns he builds to ensure reliability. When you receive the gun you know it will work and he warranties his work for his life. His attention to detail is nothing short of incredible.

I'd really like one of these. Enjoy it.

Nice!

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE
Thunder Ranch THG & UR(x2), Gunsite 250C,
Yavapai Firearms Acad HG1(x2), HG2, & SG,
Shootrite Prvt Inst HG, NRA Life Member

[quote="Gunfighter45"]Nice![/quote]

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GO-FOR-IT

2500 for reliability is unique and a huge plus for a duty pistol. Worth the wait it appears. Congrats

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"Bones heal, chicks dig scars, pain goes away"

I am a big fan of John's work and have had the opportunity to speak with him at length. He is a gentleman and he is also a wellspring of knowledge. I would really like to get hold of one of those one of these years. Congratulations on a truly fine piece of workmanship. ENJOY.

I am a big fan of John's work and have had the opportunity to speak with him at length. He is a gentleman and he is also a wellspring of knowledge. I would really like to get hold of one of those one of these years. Congratulations on a truly fine piece of workmanship. ENJOY.

Nice, but so very unattainable unless you are law enforcement or own a Valtro.

Mine has been a dream.

Absolutely beautiful! I have not seen many of his customs but I am really digging yours. Hope you are enjoying it! I know I would

It really is unique if you consider the cost in terms of time and ammunition.

2500 rounds of ammunition, approaching $1000, and probably at least FOUR or possibly FIVE days just to shoot all that. Now that's customer service.

I do have to take small exception to the use of the term "duty pistol" in this context. No offense, but it gets thrown around a lot. It seems that it is frequently used as a qualifier, or some esoteric representation of a pistol that is somehow more worthy. It's usually based on "who" built it (combined with their real or imagined reputation), or where it fits in on the sliding tacticool scale. I take a simpler view - at this level, they'd all better be exceptional in every detail. The job they do is the same, regardless of who owns them.

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''ya can't argue logic with ignorance.''

Very nice work. I hold John in the utmost high regard!

I guess there is no "breaking in period" for you now that Mr. Jardine ran 2500 rounds through her (that's a bonus) . That is a real nice blue job, carry bevel,etc. I really like the rear sight too.

Oh My!!!

That Colt nearly takes my breath away! I have wanted a Jardine ever since I read about and seen pics of the Valtro years ago. I called him one night and got to talk to him about the Valtro's and he was a really nice guy answering all my stupid questions and not minding at all that I probably sounded like a total gun ignoramus. He is extraordinarily knowledgeable. A lot of the stuff I couldn't even understand and I thought I was pretty well versed in the 1911. He asked if I wanted to get on his list and I declined. At the time the Valtro's were going for $1100 or so. I had some upcoming expenses and didn't get on the list. I seriously doubt I would ever have seen a pistol anyway as it was not too long after that, maybe a year, that I started reading that the Valtro's were no more and that J.J. had started building for military and LEO's.

I love the pics I see of the Valtro's and have several of them stored on my drive. This one is going right alongside them for sure. It is just beautiful. If I had it I'd probably sit and stare at it and fondle it for hours instead of actually carrying it. Thanks for posting the pics.....
You sure have a piece that is envied by a great many people.

Can anyone verify that years ago a shop in San Fran (or close to there) had a Valtro that they allowed people to rent and DEMO and that pistol had over 250,000 rounds through it? I talked to an employee on the phone and he said so, but you know how that is. He could've been just pulling my leg. I'm not doubting the abilities of J.J., just would like to know about the story.

Any Valtro owners care to post their thoughts and pics?


Nalajr

Man thats a gorgeous 1911. I do have one of John's custom Valtro 1911's but it only has about 1500 rounds through it since it left Jardine's shop years ago. Yes, its babied and cherished a little too closely.

"Can anyone verify that years ago a shop in San Fran (or close to there) had a Valtro that they allowed people to rent and DEMO and that pistol had over 250,000 rounds through it? I talked to an employee on the phone and he said so, but you know how that is. He could've been just pulling my leg. I'm not doubting the abilities of J.J., just would like to know about the story."

Yes, That shop was Bullseye, located in San Rafael, CA. That Valtro range pistol had over 250 K rounds through it, some say close to 300 K rds. They had John change out some worn parts and then reblue it. I then purchased the pistol.

Steve

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Steve

I think I speak for everyone when I say that pictures would be great.

KevH, congrats on the beautiful Jardine custom. It's fantastic looking. I'm down in the East Bay / NorCal, close to Jardine as well, and luckily had him do some work years ago without the long wait. I was very lucky. Since mine was done a little here, then a bit more at a later date, it wasn't one of his full comissioned builds (it's not marked - I have receipts of course). Here's a pic or two.

Credit goes to Ted for the frontstrap checkering. It was the one thing that wasn't completed by Jardine. Wanted it, but he didn't get to it.

Ignore the light oil smears. Extra tuned extractor last time I visited for a replacement.

Next to some classic architecture.

Muzzle view.


Love your fullsize Kev. That IS one sweet Colt.
EricO

Eric,

Your Commander is awesome. So what if John didn't stamp is name into the frame? His work is evident just looking at it. I'd be extremely proud to own that gun!

Is this true??? HOLY COW!

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STA Plt, USMC 1985-1993

Thank you KevH. I do love it, but he's guilty of introducing me to the custom 1911 sickness. Of course, it goes without saying that Ted and all the smiths here at LTW don't help at all. Doh..!

I know John liked (does he still?) the McCormick carbon fiber trigger that's on my cmndr, but I personally love the look of a solid trigger like what's on your fullsize. That looks great. Did you have to stick to your guns (pardon the pun) to have him install it?

Love the fixed rear sight as well. I think that's only the 2nd one I've seen.

EricO

Not really. I specified it and that's what he did.

Yes, he does 2500 rounds. I've been at the range (Saturday night steel shoot) when he's there. Lots and lots of reloads.

When mine was being built, I originally wanted the Dlask magnesium trigger and Mr. Jardine kept pushing the carbon fiber unit. When I finally deferred to his expertise, his response was, "good, because that's the one I installed."

Ross, that's classic.
Have any pics of yours available? Details of the build?
I have an old Handguns magazine, dated Oct 1996, that has a feature article by a Jim Wolcott, who wrote about the fullsize two tone built for him by Jardine. Looking at the article as I type this. Built off a Les Baer frame and slide, Nowlin stainless barrel, Briley spherical bushing, low mount Bomar adj rear sight, all the usual stuff with a full Jardine build, and..... wait for it... a McCormick carbon fiber trigger.

I used to work at a place called Blanc Noir right next door to Bullseye.
I went there one lunchtime back in '01 to shoot and asked to rent the Valtro, ( guntests had just run a very positive review)...The guy working there said that the rental gun wasn't available, but he was generous enough to loan me his own personal Valtro. An hour later I was plonking down my credit card and making plans to sell the Witness and a Kimber Gold Combat I'd bought barely 3 weeks before.

I've "only" about 10k through this, but I'm sure i can squeeze a few more out of it....



I'd love to have a proper Jardine custom one day....

Asiparks...that pistol is beautiful. The Valtro pistols seem to have taken on a life and an aura all their own. You can't find one for less than $4000, and that is bone stock from Valtro. I saw one of John's full on customs go for over $10,000 3 months ago on Gunbroker. I am still looking for one, but have little hope of finding anything. Congratulations, and keep throwing em down range. SO jealous .

Here you go...

http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/vie ... f=6&t=8585

Beautiful work!