Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 1951 1911 custom .45

When I put the Nickel 1911, discussed previously on this site, in my safe, I pulled out this one. It brought back some memories. It's a Commercial frame 248XXX-C, that I picked up used many years ago, 1951 vintage. It had one of those long target ribs with sights, a set up from the past. I didn't like the rib, it was longer than the slide, extended beyond the muzzle. I removed it, let my high school bud, Ken Eversull work it over. Ken welded the screw holes such that they're hardly visible.

He milled a series of grooves down the slide, sorta forming a rib, installed S&W sights. You can see where he engraved his name along the rear sight. He used a Micro bushing which was a big thing back then. I don't see them so much today; you guys may want to chime in.

I checkered the front strap, my first attempt at such. It wasn't the best. When I got to the curved part under the trigger guard, I stippled it. I installed a beavertail grip safety, Commander hammer. I did a trigger job which turned out pretty good. I installed an extended slide release and rosewood grips. Then I had the grip frame and parts hard chromed.

I haven't shot it in years, need to change that. We'll see how it stacks up against the Nickel 1911. I'm sure it won't keep up with my Les Baer Long Slide, but it'll be fun seeing how close it gets. And how good the 1975 "shiny" Colt does against those two.

DF

Really nice DF and well done.mb

Thanks, MB.

It was a lengthy project but an enjoyable one.

Picking it up again after years, lingering in the safe, lit up some memories.

I'll have to shoot it again. New interest has been sparked.

I'm curious how well it'll shoot compared to the others.

DF

DF

That is a super classy looking old 1911 and one that stands out from many that are made today. It is always nice to see something a bit unique these days.

Very nice.................looks vaguely familiar on a Commander version about 25 years newer.

LOL

MM

Another vintage approach to the 1911 with Smith sights.

Yeah, you don’t see that so much today.

But it works and to me looks good.

DF