The Rohrbaugh Forum

Miscellaneous => The Water Cooler -- General Discussions => Topic started by: yankee2500 on January 13, 2012, 07:09:57 PM

Title: New 1911 Project - update
Post by: yankee2500 on January 13, 2012, 07:09:57 PM
I just picked up a Colt XSE Lightweight Commander (100 years of service model) my plan is to have some modifications and upgrades done.
I plan to make it a Bobtail and I'm going to do that myself, I already purchased the Ed Brown Bobtail mainspring housing and I borrowed the Ed Brown jig for doing the mainspring housing retainer pin.

I'll post more pics and updates as I have them.

Here are the before pictures.

(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_1043.jpg)(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_1042.jpg)
(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_1036.jpg)(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_1037.jpg)


Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: Richard S on January 13, 2012, 08:02:25 PM
John:

That's an ambitious project, but if anyone can do it, you can. It's certainly more than I would care to attempt. I wish you all success and look forward to seeing photographs of the completed masterpiece.
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: kjtrains on January 13, 2012, 08:12:06 PM
Good looking Colt, John.  I'll be looking forward to seeing that at lunch when completed.  As I said, it looks good now!     :)
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: yankee2500 on January 13, 2012, 09:34:32 PM
This will be the first time I bought a thousand dollar gun and took a hacksaw to it. :o 
Richard  I'll use your positive thoughts and faith in my ability to guide me through it. ;D
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: kjtrains on January 13, 2012, 10:36:35 PM
Good looking Colt, John.  I'll be looking forward to seeing that at lunch when completed.  As I said, it looks good now!     :)

I'll add...................With your talent, it'll look great!    :)
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: AmmoToad on January 15, 2012, 09:00:06 PM
Can't wait for updates...
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: yankee2500 on January 16, 2012, 04:58:20 PM
Here it is today. I hope to start the bobtail in the next couple of days.

(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_1044.jpg)
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: birdman on January 16, 2012, 05:09:49 PM
     John,  your 1911 look s great now, I can't wait to see how it looks when It's finished.     Gene
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: Richard S on January 16, 2012, 06:39:10 PM
Here it is today. I hope to start the bobtail in the next couple of days.

(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_1044.jpg)

John:

Just remember that JMB is up there in Valhalla looking down on your effort.

No pressure.   ;D
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: kjtrains on January 16, 2012, 07:06:25 PM
Here it is today. I hope to start the bobtail in the next couple of days.

(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_1044.jpg)

Hey John.  That's a lot of pieces.    ;D  I know it's going to look fantastic!    :)
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: AmmoToad on January 16, 2012, 07:17:07 PM
Nice picture of all the parts...bet it'll be a fun project.
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: thor447 on January 17, 2012, 12:48:07 AM
Looking forward to seeing the progress.  Great Colt to start with, will be fantastic when it's done.  I'm getting a few ideas of my own after seeing yours.
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: chameleon on January 17, 2012, 07:00:26 AM
This will be the first time I bought a thousand dollar gun and took a hacksaw to it. :o 
Richard  I'll use your positive thoughts and faith in my ability to guide me through it. ;D

Oh my, when you put it that way.

Great starting with such a beautiful piece.
I can't wait to see the progress and then the finished project.
Use a new hack saw blade :)
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: yankee2500 on January 17, 2012, 05:48:47 PM
Here is the update.

Got the new hole drilled for the pin.
(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_1048.jpg)

After the big belt sander to remove most of the material.
(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_1051.jpg)

After some hand filing
(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_1055.jpg)

And the finished product, after the finish sanding.
(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_1060.jpg)(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_1064.jpg)
(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_1065.jpg)
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: kjtrains on January 17, 2012, 07:10:18 PM
Nice work, John.    :)
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: Richard S on January 17, 2012, 07:37:11 PM
John:

JMB would be proud. "D*mn the torpodoes, full speed ahead!"
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: yankee2500 on January 17, 2012, 09:01:24 PM
Thanks guys, it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. It was a  little stressful at the beginning but then you get into it and it went very smooth and I was totally pleased with the results.
Title: Re: New 1911 Project
Post by: tracker on January 17, 2012, 09:13:00 PM

Very impressive, John.
Title: Re: New 1911 Project - update
Post by: RickP on January 18, 2012, 02:06:19 PM
Really nice, looking forward to seeing the progress.

Rick
Title: Re: New 1911 Project - update
Post by: Chief-USN on February 15, 2012, 01:09:56 PM
What material is the slide made of?

Chief
Title: Re: New 1911 Project - update
Post by: yankee2500 on February 15, 2012, 03:22:35 PM
The slide is Stainless Steel.
Title: Re: New 1911 Project - update
Post by: Richard S on February 15, 2012, 05:46:12 PM
John:

Just to whet your appetite . . .  8):

http://www.esmeralda.cc/bobtail_grips.htm
Title: Re: New 1911 Project - update
Post by: kjtrains on February 15, 2012, 06:18:46 PM
Quote
John:

Just to whet your appetite . . .  8):

http://www.esmeralda.cc/bobtail_grips.htm

John.  Those will look nice!    :)
Title: Re: New 1911 Project - update
Post by: yankee2500 on February 15, 2012, 06:53:28 PM
They are nice looking grips, I just passed up a pair of Ivory Bobtail grips that looked very nice.
Title: Re: New 1911 Project - update
Post by: yankee2500 on June 29, 2012, 11:25:36 PM
It's been quite a while but here is an update on the Colt project.

The project is being done by Rob Schauland (ALCHEMY CUSTOM WEAPONRY)

Rob sent the slide & frame to Neil Kellers shop for Snakeskin on the front strap and the top of slide milled flat and serrated.
(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/Image-7.jpg)
(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/Image1-2.jpg)

Here are some pictures Rob posted on Facebook of the progress. Rob just serrated the rear of the slide.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.438089979557584.106744.281101065256477&type=1

More as I get it. ;D





Title: Re: New 1911 Project - update
Post by: Reinz on June 30, 2012, 04:54:49 PM
This project is coming along nicely.  You're going to really have a looker here.
Title: Re: New 1911 Project - update
Post by: Richard S on June 30, 2012, 05:59:15 PM
John:

That is looking more and more like a one-of-a-kind priceless 1911. I'm turning a slight shade of green from envy.  ;)
Title: Re: New 1911 Project - update
Post by: thor447 on June 30, 2012, 06:56:45 PM
Looks great John.  Thanks for the update.

-Adam
Title: Re: New 1911 Project - update
Post by: Z on June 30, 2012, 08:26:38 PM
Looking good John! :)

I cannot wait to see the finished product.
Title: Re: New 1911 Project - update
Post by: yankee2500 on June 30, 2012, 08:29:25 PM
Thanks guys.
I have a couple of other unique things that are going to be done. Once Rob is finished he will send it out to be Hard Chromed and they have a 4 week turnaround so probably another 5 or 6 weeks.
Rob is great to work with and is willing to do whatever you want, not one of those shops that says we can't do that or won't do that.