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View Full Version : First Bobtail And Grip Safety Installation


sekatoa
12-21-2012, 9:22 AM
I picked up this stainless Colt Combat Commander O4012XSE last spring on the cheap. It was a bit scratched up, and the slide had "had been kick out the 2nd story window by my dog", when the former owner was cleaning it, and he couldn't get it back on far enough to insert the slide stop. I still have a hard time picturing that in my mind. And based on other things I observed with it, I think there's more to the story then that. But it didn't matter, I bought it based on the frame itself being good, and anything else useable was a plus.

Anyway, it started out as a gunsmithing project gun, and since it was already a bit scratched up, it was a good candidate to try some custom fitting. So, after I repaired the slide fit and had working fine, I decided I would bobtail it, and install an Ed Brown grip safety and smooth bobtail. It was also a good gun to test a job like this because it would not require rebluing, being stainless.

I also wanted thin grips. I had the proper bushings, but had borrowed them for another gun of mine I was working on. The new bushings and screws should come today. But I had the opportunity to give the Colt range time yesterday, so I temporarily used regular bushings and screws, which you might notice in the photos. I only had the thin bobtail grips, so I couldn't just use spare standard grips. Oddly, aside from them visible being the longer screws, I could not really feel them protruding when gripping or shooting the gun.

I was thinking I still have to bead blast the blended areas, but now I'm thinking I kind of like the satin finish left from the fitting and blending.

I gave it workout at the range yesterday, and I really like feel of the gun and the fit in my hand.

What do think?

Before:
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/sekatoa/Colt%20Commander/012ac3eddcdb6cfae39f3a6f22e43635.jpg

After:
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/sekatoa/Colt%20Commander/438a0e2fa676f3d470e5b81a340f20a6.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/sekatoa/Colt%20Commander/3b0d1a57224d975df81ef725e4897739.jpg

Bobtail:
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/sekatoa/Colt%20Commander/1ea1e4086c3e10e39ee7d61a229e2aa3.jpg

Grip Safety:
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/sekatoa/Colt%20Commander/fb835c5e29d3f0dc306c424757edb1e4.jpg

FTC
12-21-2012, 11:53 AM
Looks just like a dw cbob, nice!