Bully

Hey All. Thanks for the compliments. Hiker88, these'll work for the time being. I have a couple extra sets at a friends and once I head over there I'll see if there's anything else I like. Zoid, no it's not compensated. Slide was lightened for faster reset. The thumb safety is a lowered "Gunsite" model. It's pretty cool and seems to fit me well. I must say that the part I'm most excited about on this gun is the trigger. It's the only thing I can afford from Joe Chambers at the moment. He makes them himself and they are not a fortune. I actually had him "sign" this for me on the inside of the bow. It's just a really cool little piece. C

C

Finally. Not really. I have a couple of cosmetic things I want to touch, but it's shootable. C

Just this past sunday, I took Urban Pistol 1 at the Gun For Hire (GFH) location in Cedar Grove. Got there at 9am to a pretty full class. The lead instructor was Joe. Detective Mac and Chuck backed him up. First off, I have to say that the instructors that Anthony hires are amazing. It hasn't ceased to amaze me how these folks take a subject matter that can see onerous and break it down so that it's fun and easy to learn. Also, their ability to keep the class safe while maintaining an upbeat and fun atmosphere is pretty damn awesome. And they do it with ease. They are most definitely safety concious, no doubt about it. However, it's not the typical range mentality where an ogre is on your ass yelling at someone to holster the weapon or some such thing. Everything comes across as a suggestion, at least the first time. I have no doubt that is someone continually breaks the safety rules that they would be out on their arse, but they way they deal with it is something I haven't seen before. Secondly, as I said, the material can be a little challenging to those of us that don't normally engage in these types of training excersises. There are a lot of motor skills to learn and putting them together while pulling a trigger while pointing downrange can seeem overwhelming. These folks make it all come VERY easily. It's a natural progression brought about by their teaching methodology. I had an overwhelmingly great time at the class. Learning to shoot with both eyes open, the constant draw/reholster, moving, scanning, just all great stuff. If I never do it again (I will be doing it again, btw) I would be thrilled with what and how I was taught. But since I will, I will be using it to base my next class with them off of. Thanks Anthony and the GFH staff. Much obliged. Christopher

I posted this video as I found it interesting. I'm not sure what having this knowledge means, but I like having it. Ultimately it'll probably be useless. C

Big Hayden... sent you a PM. C

www.rodgerspistolsmithing.com http://www.chamberscustom.com/ www.durningdefensecustomsllc.com http://www.Warnerpistols.com/ http://1911doctor.com/ http://www.fusionfirearms.com/ Alchemy is awesome. I sent them my slide and had it back in 2 weeks. Former Springfield/Baer guys. Joe Chambers... I bought a trigger from him. Maybe next lifetime. I got my kit from Fusion. C

Just had a friend send this to me. I'm sure some of you have seen it as it has somewhere north of 3 million hits, but I figured I'd share anyway. C

Thank you sir. Much obliged. C

Get some kind of CCO build done. Officers short grip frame with a commander length slide. Black frame, color case hardened slide. 10-8 rear combat sight, gold dot front. All the controls in brushed stainless. Get the concealed carry hammer and beavertail. Of course all barstock internals. Some black buffalo horn grips... done. C

I just got the new trigger in and fitted. Had a little work done by Alchemy Custom Weaponry in Illinois. Great guy that used to work for Springfield and Baer. He definitely knows his way around a 1911. Picked up the sights from him as well. He fitted them and popped them out so I can finish the frame and slide. I'll put them in when that's done. Currently I am sanding the frame and polishing the flats. I am going to go with a blued frame and slide because... I got a great deal on some bluing solution. So I'm in process of trying to make it look acceptable. Pics to follow. Kinda crazy that it's been over a year since I started. C

Here you go... Tumbler was around 40 bucks or so. I waited for the coupon so it felt like a good deal. Got the media from Heavyopp. Dish soap with white vinegar pre-mixed in a bottle from the beauty supply and just a touch of "Lemi-Shine" and I was off and running. Works well. C

Sure. Give me a bit. C

Nice pen. C

If cost is a consideration (or you don't need to do a sh$%ton of brass at a time), I use a Harbor Freight rock tumbler to great effect. I and get... I don't really know, a couple hundred pieces of 9mm at a time in there. Get the pins from Heavyopp and you'll be all set. Works a charm. C

If you want the slide machined, give Alchemy Custom Weaponry a call. Good turnaround, good guys, great work. You can send them just the slide most likely avoiding expensive shipping. C

Problem with that is you are adding at least a hundred dollars to the job for shipping. If it's something like the OP stated as a problem, a local 'smith is a good way to go. If you are looking for machine work, front strap treatments, or bluing work, most likely you will want to send it out of state. YMMV. C

Sounds good. If you're getting a new gun, shoot it stock for awhile. Lke the song says, "Don't go changin" out all the parts before you know how they work together. Also, you might reallly learn to love the gun as is. Grips and sights are no brainers. You start swapping out the internals you are solving problems that didn't exist. A little sandpaper here and there sparingly applied to smooth some stuff out and you will most likely be good to go. C

I would say that unless you are willing to invest in a sear jig, swapping the hammer is a bit of a crap shoot. The way the hammer hooks line up with the sear, if off by the slightest bit, can adversely affect trigger pull at best or you could have a "repeater" on your hands. IMHO, a job best left to a 'smith. For the trigger, get some files, some good sandpaper, and some DiChem or a Marks-A-Lot marker and take your time. A fairly easy job for the mechanically competent (which I believe you are). Swing by or call if you want to borrow anything. 1911's are NOT modular. There is no such thing as a "drop in part" when it comes to 1911's. You get lost, call Nick at Mastadon, Rick at OMG Customs, or Manny at the Bullet Hole. They'll get you square. Again, feel free to give me a shout. C

As a FWIW, I have a 9mm Kimber and a .45 Colt. I am finishing up my Fusion kit build. My Kiimber is stoopid accurate. It's so well built that it makes me look like I know what I'm doing. My Colt is beautiful. The .45 round is a joy to shoot. However, it's a GI gun so the sights, by modern standards, suck. My Fusion kit is super well built. I will have it back from Alchemy Customs in the next little bit. I will let you know how she runs then. The Fusion complete guns get good reviews for the money. I love that they don't rollmark the slide. I hate billboard slides (I bought the Kimber before my aesthetics were developed completely). Their customer service is pretty good from what I hear. Do a ton of research before you buy. C

http://www.fusionfirearms.com/ Bob was the president of Dan Wesson. Lead times are usually double whatever is quoted, but he makes a real pretty gun in my opinion. I have a kit from them. Real nice machine work. C

Yes.

Yup. This is the guy in Toms River. I have no idea on powder availability from him. Looks like I am gonna pick up for NickJC, anyone else? C

I am going to head down to CJN Casting in the next week or two to pick up some stuff and shake Carl's hand finally. He's very fair on his pricing and his projectiles are really nice. He has most everything in stock for small orders. If anyone wants me to pick something up for them to save on shipping, let me know via PM. You can call Carl, pay for it and I will bring it back up north with me so you can stop by to grab them at my home. I am not making anything on this, just offering since I'm gonna take the ride anyway. I live in Bergen County right by Paramus. I WILL NOT SHIP. YOU CAN STOP BY AND PICK THEM UP WHEN I HAVE THEM IN HAND. Please, don't be in a huge rush to get them as scheduling with Carl is a little challenging but it'll happen in the next couple of weeks. Again, send me a PM to set it up. Thanks. Christopher

Great letter. One criticism... "peddle" should be "pedal" C