Shade00
Member
Probably not a "tough" gun to most of you guys, but this old Colt has stood up to almost 100 years and she's still kickin'. That makes her tough in my book.
Let's see your tough guns....
- Thread starter gizamo
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gb6491
Member
Has had a little work done to it.
Rainbowbob - thank you for pointing out I didn't spellcheck my post. Hilarious. 
Jim - My post was not directed at you personally. I know you from other sites and have complete respect for you and I know where your heart was... I understand completely. My post was directed solely to those that seem to think that safety is not THE priority in all things firearms. I have been there. I was once young, bullet proof and full of myself and opinions. I have learned a little humility and respect. I apologize for any insult.
While gizamo is obviously proud of his little Frankenstein, I don't consider it a 'tough' gun. I consider it a cobbled up, chopped up, overused tool that has outlived it's usefulness. Were it mine I would probably cut it up, but then again I would never own it. In my opinion THIS is a tough gun:
Shown with 2 modern replicas is a Colt Model P built in 1876. Colt Lettered, researched and of some historical value. Those are the originally ordered wooden scales. Chambered in .32-20 it is tight, safe to shoot (blackpowder only) and has been shot across 3 different centuries. It has been shot and been effective in war, against Indians, against Mexican bandits and in the hands of a West Texas Peace Officer of the 1800's.
It has seen silver mining, bandit raids and cattle ranching. It was witness to the first railroads, that were later occasionally used (and photographed in the family books) as roads for those new fangled Ford motor carriages - much to the chagrin of the driver that occasionally got stuck on them.
The finish is all but gone, looking for consideration like the weathered sun beaten hands of the old man that ordered it brand new, like he was at the time. The front sight has been reshaped and filed down to hit POA and the trigger will bring tears to your eyes. It has been in the hands of one family for at least 5 generations and it will not leave that family for at least one more. In my humble opinion THAT is a tough revolver.
If you want to see a giant closeup go here... I don't post ridiculously large pics on forums in consideration of others:
http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/modules/gallery/Revolvers/SAA_s_001?full=1
Jim - My post was not directed at you personally. I know you from other sites and have complete respect for you and I know where your heart was... I understand completely. My post was directed solely to those that seem to think that safety is not THE priority in all things firearms. I have been there. I was once young, bullet proof and full of myself and opinions. I have learned a little humility and respect. I apologize for any insult.
While gizamo is obviously proud of his little Frankenstein, I don't consider it a 'tough' gun. I consider it a cobbled up, chopped up, overused tool that has outlived it's usefulness. Were it mine I would probably cut it up, but then again I would never own it. In my opinion THIS is a tough gun:
Shown with 2 modern replicas is a Colt Model P built in 1876. Colt Lettered, researched and of some historical value. Those are the originally ordered wooden scales. Chambered in .32-20 it is tight, safe to shoot (blackpowder only) and has been shot across 3 different centuries. It has been shot and been effective in war, against Indians, against Mexican bandits and in the hands of a West Texas Peace Officer of the 1800's.
It has seen silver mining, bandit raids and cattle ranching. It was witness to the first railroads, that were later occasionally used (and photographed in the family books) as roads for those new fangled Ford motor carriages - much to the chagrin of the driver that occasionally got stuck on them.
The finish is all but gone, looking for consideration like the weathered sun beaten hands of the old man that ordered it brand new, like he was at the time. The front sight has been reshaped and filed down to hit POA and the trigger will bring tears to your eyes. It has been in the hands of one family for at least 5 generations and it will not leave that family for at least one more. In my humble opinion THAT is a tough revolver.
If you want to see a giant closeup go here... I don't post ridiculously large pics on forums in consideration of others:
http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/modules/gallery/Revolvers/SAA_s_001?full=1
Brass Rain
Member
"Were it mine I would probably cut it up, but then again I would never own it."
Markbo that's a horrible thing to say. It looks to be in perfect working order. Just because it's worn doesn't mean it's not a useful and reliable tool. Powerful and compact, besides the safety issue of the open trigger I think it would be a fine carry piece in the right conditions.
No gun should ever be cut up unless it's unsafe to use and can't be fixed.
Markbo that's a horrible thing to say. It looks to be in perfect working order. Just because it's worn doesn't mean it's not a useful and reliable tool. Powerful and compact, besides the safety issue of the open trigger I think it would be a fine carry piece in the right conditions.
No gun should ever be cut up unless it's unsafe to use and can't be fixed.
Markbo,
While gizamo is obviously proud of his little Frankenstein, I don't consider it a 'tough' gun. I consider it a cobbled up, chopped up, overused tool that has outlived it's usefulness. Were it mine I would probably cut it up, but then again I would never own it.
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Hmmmmmm,
So you think that the Fitz Special is not worthy of anything other then the smelter?
Are you so sure that it has no value?
What would you say if I told you that the "Pride and Joy" of over 25 years of gun collecting was this one?
This is the "Toughest" gun that I have.....bar none. Makes the Fitz pale in comparison.....
And to be fair, you are looking at another gun that has no intrinsic value....but ~ there are two kinds of value in guns.....
Giz
While gizamo is obviously proud of his little Frankenstein, I don't consider it a 'tough' gun. I consider it a cobbled up, chopped up, overused tool that has outlived it's usefulness. Were it mine I would probably cut it up, but then again I would never own it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hmmmmmm,
So you think that the Fitz Special is not worthy of anything other then the smelter?
Are you so sure that it has no value?
What would you say if I told you that the "Pride and Joy" of over 25 years of gun collecting was this one?
This is the "Toughest" gun that I have.....bar none. Makes the Fitz pale in comparison.....
And to be fair, you are looking at another gun that has no intrinsic value....but ~ there are two kinds of value in guns.....
Giz
theotherwaldo
Member
Markbo: I feel that a Fitz Special .45acp belly gun is at least as valid and historical as a safe queen original Colt .32-20 blackpowder. I have no prejudice against specialized and modified guns, especially if the gun is improved for its intended purpose by the mod.
I certainly wouldn't destroy the Fitz!
-And I certainly know which gun I'd rather be carrying in a tight spot!
(I can't digest the line, "outlived its usefulness" while favoring a blackpowder antiquity!)
I certainly wouldn't destroy the Fitz!
-And I certainly know which gun I'd rather be carrying in a tight spot!
(I can't digest the line, "outlived its usefulness" while favoring a blackpowder antiquity!)
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XavierBreath
Member
I have to say I have long admired Giz's Fitz Special.
But then I own other guns cobbled up and chopped up by the likes of Jim Clark Sr, and a few other notable gun cobblers.
But then I own other guns cobbled up and chopped up by the likes of Jim Clark Sr, and a few other notable gun cobblers.
I have to say I have long admired Giz's Fitz Special.
But then I own other guns cobbled up and chopped up by the likes of Jim Clark Sr, and a few other notable gun cobblers.
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XavierBreath,,,,,
Thank you....
I have one of Jim and Jerry's Guns, Hope to post it here some day....
Giz
But then I own other guns cobbled up and chopped up by the likes of Jim Clark Sr, and a few other notable gun cobblers.
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XavierBreath,,,,,
Thank you....
I have one of Jim and Jerry's Guns, Hope to post it here some day....
Giz
Guillermo
member
I undertand none of that except the "chopped up"
(I don't know what "cobbled up" means and there is no evidence of "overuse". Certainly a revolver of such substance still is useful)
While tactical thought has changed over the years, the old Fitz still has an honored place at the table.
Add me to the list that would be proud to own the Fitz Special, friction tape and all.
Brass Rain
Member
Personally, I'd like to get a used Smith that doesn't look so great visually and have it modded to look like a Fitz. They're attractive in the way that they're ugly. I don't care what anyone else says, gizamo, that's a darn cool gun. What does it weigh?
Heavy Metal Hero
Member
Nothing like staring down the barrel of a loaded gun....especially when you are the one taking that picture.
I really don't understand these pictures with loaded guns pointed at a camera (or yourself for that matter). Does it make you look tough on Myspace? (No, I am not trying to leave the High Road, I am actually very curious.)
tipoc
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2006
- Messages
- 3,563
mavracer,
I don't have any strong objections, per se, to a pic of a gun pointing at the camera. I don't take them, but too each their own. But I would like to see a pic of the gun where I can recognize what it is. Too much light bouncing off the muzzle in those pics and the focus is off. Also who's the homeless guy in the background?
Gizamo,
I like the Fitz. It is a useful piece.
tipoc
I don't have any strong objections, per se, to a pic of a gun pointing at the camera. I don't take them, but too each their own. But I would like to see a pic of the gun where I can recognize what it is. Too much light bouncing off the muzzle in those pics and the focus is off. Also who's the homeless guy in the background?
Gizamo,
I like the Fitz. It is a useful piece.
tipoc
Boxhead
Member
Does a 500 Linebaugh qualify?
Brass Rain:
Smith & Wesson revolvers don't lend themselves very well toward Fitz conversion because the cylinder stop spring is nested in the front corner of the trigger guard. It can be done, but it leaves a little nub where the trigger guard was.
Smith & Wesson revolvers don't lend themselves very well toward Fitz conversion because the cylinder stop spring is nested in the front corner of the trigger guard. It can be done, but it leaves a little nub where the trigger guard was.
Brass Rain
Member
How about Rugers, Tauri (plural of Taurus, right?), or Colts?
Well no, I don't think I could do that to a Colt. Wouldn't be right.
Well no, I don't think I could do that to a Colt. Wouldn't be right.
rdrancher
Member
giz - Since your Fitz is all worn out and stuff...
Please send it to rdrancher's Rest Home for Wayward & Worn Out Firearms. I've got a warm, fuzzy spot picked out for the beautiful warhorse.
Now I've heard (read) everything...
rd
Please send it to rdrancher's Rest Home for Wayward & Worn Out Firearms. I've got a warm, fuzzy spot picked out for the beautiful warhorse.
?????
Now I've heard (read) everything...
rd
Jim March
Member
For the record: that old DA Colt Fitz is still a viable street piece. S&Ws of that vintage have questionable safeties and I would not recommend CCWing one...but I can't say that about a WW1-era Colt. It's as drop-safe as anything else.
The main trick with a Fitz is that re-holstering requires extreme care and a well-designed holster. If I were carrying that gun, I would build it a leather-over-kydex-core holster that didn't cover the triggerguard at all, rather it would grab the cylinder and retard rotation plus it would have a thumb-snap keeping the hammer down. In this fashion, the gun could be inserted into the holster yet nothing could cause the trigger to stroke while re-holstering.
This isn't the only option but it's what I would consider. In any case, with care that old beast is still viable.
The main trick with a Fitz is that re-holstering requires extreme care and a well-designed holster. If I were carrying that gun, I would build it a leather-over-kydex-core holster that didn't cover the triggerguard at all, rather it would grab the cylinder and retard rotation plus it would have a thumb-snap keeping the hammer down. In this fashion, the gun could be inserted into the holster yet nothing could cause the trigger to stroke while re-holstering.
This isn't the only option but it's what I would consider. In any case, with care that old beast is still viable.
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