ltwguns.com

I have a 1952 Government Model 1911A1 in .45 that was setup as a Hardballer. The work is excellent, except I don't care for the Bo-Mars (mounted atop the slide, meaning they were slid into the existing dovetail and I would like a new front sight). I would like to have Ned Christiansen "Shield Driver" sights installed and a new front sight dovetailed in.
Of course I did contact MichiGuns and its a 5 year wait. I've contacted others with no success.
Any help would be appreciated!

That's gonna be a tough one unless your willing to do the wait on those particular sights. If that doesn't work out, I can see two pretty easy solutions. One solution might be to have a 1911 smith bury that Bo Mar and put in a dovetail front sight or..... if it were mine, I can see a Harrison retro rear sight in the factory dovetail with a gold dot, dovetailed front sight. Either way, a tasteful polish and reblue would make it a classy looking pistol without breaking the bank. Nice walnut or cocobolo grips would also go a long way to bring the life back out in it. If it shoots good already, those modifications can be done by a number of good 1911 smiths. Good luck and nice pistol. JT

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J. Timmons & Sons Custom 1911 Pistols
South Carolina
864-558-1911
www.jttimmonscustom1911pistols.com

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I thought I could purchase the "Shield Driver" sights from MichiGuns. I may have misread the description on the site.
This pistol is very accurate even with Tula FMJ. I wish that I could take really good pics, whoever built this back in the day, really knew what they were doing.
I envision a nice set of fixed combat sights and have the sights regulated to hit POI at 20 yards with 230 grain FMJ. I would then have it finished in a high gloss Iobond. Simple but very efficient.

I am not sure about the availability of the sights. I am also not sure about the availability of the "Ionbond" vender of DLC but there are other vendors available for the DLC process. Great finish. It will be nice. Good Luck. JT

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J. Timmons & Sons Custom 1911 Pistols
South Carolina
864-558-1911
www.jttimmonscustom1911pistols.com

Well, I've contacted Springfield Armormys Custom shop to make the mods on the Colt. Wow. Everyone seems to have a 5 year back log. I never thought it would be this hard or so expensive to complete this project.
Maybe they will do it for under $1300.00+ and a 5 year wait.
I'm beginning to think that the small guys like me aren't worth the time, but I could be proven wrong.
Not a gripe post, but I'm just a little perplexed.

You may try contacting...

http://www.businessendcustoms.com/

http://www.benchmark-precision.com/

http://1911doctor.com/

http://www.evolutionarmory.com/

All of these guys are active online and currently taking 1911 work.

The sights are available for purchase.

http://www.m-guns.com/tools.php

click on the pic in the upper left hand corner then scroll down. The website is a little funny right here, when you click on the item you get the info but you can't see it if you don't scroll down so it seems like a dead link.

Wish I coulda helped you with the install Russel but just too much going on.

I understand your frustration. It's not that jobs like this aren't worth it, in fact at least in my case they are probably more worth it in terms of cash flow.

I can't speak for the other guys but I just feel responsible to the people that have been on the list waiting patiently for years, to fight my way to their project as soon as possible. It's hard to imagine, I know, that I can't take the time for a quick little job and there was a time when I was easier to sway on that, but then doing several a year adds up and pretty soon everyone that's been on the list for years just got bumped down another month or more. Plus, very often such a one-line-item job turns into much more.... I find a cracked part, or the trigger is unsafe, or some other area of the gun needs attention and I don't feel I can in good conscience not address the issues.....

So-- again I sure get it that it seems like the guy that makes the sights ought to be able to install them for a customer but regrettably I can't install every one I sell-- wish I could!

An option would be Novak's
http://www.novaksights.com/products/sights/index.html

I have 4 pistols from 3 of the Gunsmiths here and waiting for a 5th--wonderful guns, and worth the wait if you have the time.

But, I agree with Condition One's statement about Novak Sights. I've sent 2 pistols this past 12 months to Novak for sights, and they have done excellent work. Also, I needed a small job done about 6 months ago and sent a 1974 Colt Combat Commander to XXXXX (starts with W...) in Berryville, AR. A couple of months later I got my pistol back. So, you might try either of these two places for help.

Rob

SACS?

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

Give Tim Cronin a call at Elkhorn Precision, (406) 892-4441.

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Clyde, You've got 3 pistols and only one arm for Christ sake....
I just don't want to get killed for lacka shootin back.
"Unforgiven"

Novak makes a nice, I sent my Commander in and got it back in about 3 weeks. I know it's not what your looking for but its nice..