MatthewVanitas
Member
This question won't really be resolved until I finish gradschool and am drawing a proper paycheck again. But I thought I'd at least start developing the idea for the time being.
I'm getting by just fine with a Sistema Colt (built in '48), but once I get money flowing again, I'll sell the Sistema to a 1911-less young person, and get an heirloom piece for myself.
Here are my priorities:
a) Will last indefinitely, so stainless steel. I like the SS look, and hope to add elk grips onto it to complete the picture. Blued can be lovely (esp that WWI replica Colt), but I want something that will look great for the entire life of the gun.
b) Good for a small-statured man, so probably Commander slide with Officer grip, ala the Colt CCO. Not necessarily planning to CCW it, so no alloy frame, but the smaller grip will make it more carryable if need be.
c) Quality parts throughout, preferably no MIM, though I admit that I barely understand why that matters. Not sure whether the anti-MIM sentiment is just curmedgeonery, but I'll spring for solid steel rather than risk it.
d) I really like most of the WWI-style features: small gripsafety (never had hammer bite on any 1911, got small paws), old style hammer, flat MSH, etc. Don't want any modern jazz (forward serrations, skeletal hammer etc). Although upgraded sights would be nice. Though my Sistema sights are certainly serviceable with my young eyes, something a bit easier to see would be desirable, though preferably something with good lines that's aesthetically pleasing.
So, two possibilites come to mind:
1) Something custom modeled after a Colt CCO, made of good quality stainless slide/frame with quality parts installed by a decent smith. Maybe around $1500?
2) Detonics CombatMaster: though it's not exactly what I was thinking, it's incredibly cool in a funky way, and I covetted them greatly when a teenager. The lack of MIM parts is cool, BHP-ish hammer, flat MSH, non-existent gripsafety, etc. The forward sights are odd, but I'll survive. Or, heck, the Detonics StreetMaster is pretty cool: full-size Gov't slide on Officer grip:
For those that missed it, Detonics is indeed back in business, having been revived by author/holstersmith Jerry Ahern. MSRP on the tiny CombatMaster is around $1200, actual retail hopefully slightly lower.
What thinks, all?
-MV
I'm getting by just fine with a Sistema Colt (built in '48), but once I get money flowing again, I'll sell the Sistema to a 1911-less young person, and get an heirloom piece for myself.
Here are my priorities:
a) Will last indefinitely, so stainless steel. I like the SS look, and hope to add elk grips onto it to complete the picture. Blued can be lovely (esp that WWI replica Colt), but I want something that will look great for the entire life of the gun.
b) Good for a small-statured man, so probably Commander slide with Officer grip, ala the Colt CCO. Not necessarily planning to CCW it, so no alloy frame, but the smaller grip will make it more carryable if need be.
c) Quality parts throughout, preferably no MIM, though I admit that I barely understand why that matters. Not sure whether the anti-MIM sentiment is just curmedgeonery, but I'll spring for solid steel rather than risk it.
d) I really like most of the WWI-style features: small gripsafety (never had hammer bite on any 1911, got small paws), old style hammer, flat MSH, etc. Don't want any modern jazz (forward serrations, skeletal hammer etc). Although upgraded sights would be nice. Though my Sistema sights are certainly serviceable with my young eyes, something a bit easier to see would be desirable, though preferably something with good lines that's aesthetically pleasing.
So, two possibilites come to mind:
1) Something custom modeled after a Colt CCO, made of good quality stainless slide/frame with quality parts installed by a decent smith. Maybe around $1500?
2) Detonics CombatMaster: though it's not exactly what I was thinking, it's incredibly cool in a funky way, and I covetted them greatly when a teenager. The lack of MIM parts is cool, BHP-ish hammer, flat MSH, non-existent gripsafety, etc. The forward sights are odd, but I'll survive. Or, heck, the Detonics StreetMaster is pretty cool: full-size Gov't slide on Officer grip:
For those that missed it, Detonics is indeed back in business, having been revived by author/holstersmith Jerry Ahern. MSRP on the tiny CombatMaster is around $1200, actual retail hopefully slightly lower.
What thinks, all?
-MV
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