Colt gunsmith Puget sound area.

[Tinman357]

Any reccommendations? Starting out with a basic 3rd gen DS like new when I got it. Carried it long enough and fired enough that I want to improve a few things.



Install new 3in barrel
Cyl gap @ .003
Adjust poi/poa @ 20yds
Muzzel crown to 11 degrees
Recut forcing cone
Ream throats. (suggestions?)
Chamfer chambers.
Adjust timing
Dehorn hammer
Dehorn channel for ejector rod.
Durable finish. (suggestions? )
Lighten trigger
Dove tail in a tritum front sight (suggestions ?)

Any other suggestions based on your experiance? Yep, I know it's going to be expensive. This is a retirement gift to myself for 27 years of service. I earned it. I plan to leave it to my daughter when I shuffle off this mortal coil. Unfortunately, thats going to be sooner than I'd like it to be.

That, and while I'm not overly picky as a rule, I do want this one "right". I want dead on at 15yds. If not, it goes back. Uneven crown or raggedy chamfer, back it goes. I'll pay for a professional job, but I want to get that pro's best work.

Bill Laughridge at Cylinder & Slide is my choice right now but I'd like a local smith that I can sit down with and work out the details over a strong coffee.

Anybody like that around here?

 

[Boxhead]

I am not aware of anyone up where you are. I spent a fair amount of time up there on a project at the Shell (formally Texaco) refinery in Anacortes. Damn I miss the crab cakes in LaConner... Sorry stomach wander. I would send an email to Jim Stroh with what you are after and request his thoughts. He is a one man shop and a straight shooter (no pun intended), does flawless work and knows Colt's well. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

 

[Tinman357]

Boxhead; Thank you. You got any contact info? I got the hots to get this done now that I've made the choice. I'd like to get a few down range so I can turn it over to my daughter by the end of summer.

 

[mjsdwash]

You can try stan baker on lakecity way in seattle if hes still there. 206) 522-4575

 

[shootniron]

I would send an email to Jim Stroh with what you are after and request his thoughts.

He is a good one, but he is all the way across the country...in Georgia. But, he would be my choice also.

 

[Boxhead]

Here you go.

http://www.alphaprecisioninc.com/

 

[Tinman357]

Thank you. Looks like a crew that knows what they're doing. But. I need a smith in Washington state. Thanks.

 

[Tinman357]

Spoke to a locally well known smith in Tacoma. This guy tells me that nobody can adjust POA/POI in a fixed sight pistol. Nobody. Told me it's just the luck of the draw if it hits where it's aiming. and I quote... "Alls any smith can do is just screw the barrel in and that's where it's at. Hope for the best"

Needless to say, I didn't leave my Colt with him. Politely thanked him for his time and the advice.

I really want to find a local smith I can trust to do a good job. I did call Colt and of course they can do it. If I spend $75.00 to send it to them they'll get back to me in a month or two and tell me what it's going to cost.

Really? Have they never done this before and need to see the gun to tell what its going to cost? I didn't think what I wanted was all that unique. Am I expecting too much? Just common improvements that I assumed they do rather routinely. I know every gun is different but I did tell them that the gun is factory original and like new. Only fired 12 rds through it so far.....

Any help to offer guy's? Any??

 

[smkummer]

Find a FFL that will ship it to Colt using USPS flat rate box ($5.15) and what ever he will charge you for doing it. I believe Colt can do most of what you want done. If you go to there web site, they offer several finishes. Colt charges you $25 to ship back using Fed-ex 2 day service. I had them refinish a 60's vintage Officers Model Match that was well worn with a gray pitted surface. It came back outstanding and tuned up as well. If this is a carry gun, I don't know that I would lighten the trigger. The D frame is tricky, too light and you will get misfires in double action. If you send them a gun for refinish, it will include a timing adjustment if needed. I had to wait almost 4 mos. for my gun but it was worth it. For what its worth, if your gun is in mint shape it may be worth keep or selling and finding a finish worn model since you are going to have it refinished and rebarreled.

 

[Boxhead]

Once again, I would send it to Jim Stroh. Many folks make the mistake of using someone local to save on shipping (I suppose) and regret it. Particularly with handguns. Mr. Stroh does nothng but handgun work and has been doing it for a long, long time. Colt's and Smith's are a specialty. Here is a before and after of a conversion of a S&W M29 to a tight chambered, line bored 45 Colt. Note the original gun was well used, loose and missing much blue with some minor pitting. He cut, crowned, Taylor throated and fit the 45 Colt barrel fitting his proprietary front sight, tightened the lock up to zero (literally) movement, action job (like glass), properly set the timing, reshaped the hammer spur and trigger, matted the top strap and polished and reblued the rest.