Great service from Bob Rodgers

[Hersh]

Some of you may recall that my Commander has been a "problem child." There were a lot of instances of failure to return to battery, inconsistent ejection and some other annoyances like mags not dropping free. For a gun that I had planned to carry, it was entirely too inconsistent. A lot of help came my way here on the forum, unfortunately my limited skills caused me to question my ability to properly follow through on those instructions so I started looking for a 1911 'smith.

After searching and a strong recommendation from Joni Lynn (thanks Lynnie!), I found Bob at Rodgers Pistolsmithing http://www.rodgerspistolsmithing.com/ I sent Bob an email describing the problems and after a follow up phone call, I knew I had found my man. Actually the phone call was a week after the email and Bob remembered me, my name and the problems I had described!

As it turns out, my pistol didn't have any huge problems, all it needed was a skilled hand. Bob did his Reliability/Carry package, a few other repairs, upgraded some parts that we had discussed and he was also generous enough to "say grace" over some mags. What I have now is:

Greider Precision trigger
EGW oversized FP stop
Colt Commander ejector
Nowlin Plunger tube (mine was very loose)
McCormick tactical length mag catch (mine was on the short side)
EGW barrel bushing
Ed Brown extended thumb safety

Bob also found a crack in the nylon MSH and I elected to go with a nice Brown checkered replacement. Here are a few pics of the finished product.

EGW bushing http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/Hershel_Van/Bob-1.jpg
New mag catch and safety http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/Hershel_Van/Bob-2.jpg
Final product http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/Hershel_Van/Bob-3.jpg

With the exception of Will the Jack Russell Terrier, who doubles as shop manager, Bob is a one man operation so you get his expertise, attention to detail and concern for your satisfaction. All he does is 1911s and now mine "runs like a sewing machine" which is a term I've picked up from Hunter ;) I won't hesitate to call on Bob again and recommend him to anyone needing a good 'smith!

By the way Bob ... there was a speck in my eye on that last flyer :D

Hersh

[John]

Thanks for the drooling! Sincerely appreciated.

[Joni Lynn]

I heard you also cheated UPS out of the shipping fee by picking it up yourself!
My experience with Bob was great! He does good work and is easy to talk with.
Night and day compared to the first time I had a gun worked on by someone whose name shall not be mentioned, I sold that one off for parts afterwards.
Bob is a class act. I recommend him highly!

[bearboy]

Nice gun it's good to hear from someone who is satisfied.So many are but we usually only hear from the disgruntled.

[Hersh]

Bob is a class act. I recommend him highly!

Agreed! He showed me a pic of your series 70 too ... VERY nice!

[garrettwc]

I'm starting to hear a lot about Mr. Rodgers from people who know what a "fit for duty" 1911 should be. Hersh, you have a keeper there.

The rest of us better get on his list before he gets famous :p

[Rio Vista Slim]

I'm starting to hear a lot about Mr. Rodgers from people who know what a "fit for duty" 1911 should be. Hersh, you have a keeper there.

The rest of us better get on his list before he gets famous :p
Hersh,
I can only enthusiastically echo what garrettwc and joni lynn have said. That is one FINE looking Colt. Congratulations!

[Dustoff '68]

Some of you may recall that my Commander has been a "problem child." There were a lot of instances of failure to return to battery, inconsistent ejection and some other annoyances like mags not dropping free. For a gun that I had planned to carry, it was entirely too inconsistent. A lot of help came my way here on the forum, unfortunately my limited skills caused me to question my ability to properly follow through on those instructions so I started looking for a 1911 'smith.

After searching and a strong recommendation from Joni Lynn (thanks Lynnie!), I found Bob at Rodgers Pistolsmithing http://www.rodgerspistolsmithing.com/ I sent Bob an email describing the problems and after a follow up phone call, I knew I had found my man. Actually the phone call was a week after the email and Bob remembered me, my name and the problems I had described!

As it turns out, my pistol didn't have any huge problems, all it needed was a skilled hand. Bob did his Reliability/Carry package, a few other repairs, upgraded some parts that we had discussed and he was also generous enough to "say grace" over some mags. What I have now is:

Greider Precision trigger
EGW oversized FP stop
Colt Commander ejector
Nowlin Plunger tube (mine was very loose)
McCormick tactical length mag catch (mine was on the short side)
EGW barrel bushing
Ed Brown extended thumb safety

Bob also found a crack in the nylon MSH and I elected to go with a nice Brown checkered replacement. Here are a few pics of the finished product.

EGW bushing http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/Hershel_Van/Bob-1.jpg
New mag catch and safety http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/Hershel_Van/Bob-2.jpg
Final product http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/Hershel_Van/Bob-3.jpg

With the exception of Will the Jack Russell Terrier, who doubles as shop manager, Bob is a one man operation so you get his expertise, attention to detail and concern for your satisfaction. All he does is 1911s and now mine "runs like a sewing machine" which is a term I've picked up from Hunter ;) I won't hesitate to call on Bob again and recommend him to anyone needing a good 'smith!

By the way Bob ... there was a speck in my eye on that last flyer :D

Hersh
Beautiful work on that 91; how busy is this guy? Some of these pros are putting folk on a 2+ year waiting list; and, finally, what kind of grip safety is that?

[Hersh]

Beautiful work on that 91; how busy is this guy? Some of these pros are putting folk on a 2+ year waiting list; and, finally, what kind of grip safety is that?

Thanks to all for the kind comments !

Dustoff 68,

The grip safety is the factory Colt.

Regarding schedule, on reliability/maintenance 'smithing like mine, he works them in around his custom work and he only had my gun a month. Your best bet is to give him a call ... he's really interesting and easy to talk to!

Hersh

[OD*]

Hersh,

That little Colt looks great, congrats!

Is there any chance you could get a picture of the cracked MSH? It's the first one I've heard of breaking.

Again, nice pistol. http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Hersh]

OD,

Thank you Sir!

On the cracked MSH I didn't think to snap a pic and I've already chunked the part :o so I'll try to give you a description. The crack was on the inside flat surface of the part (opposite the serrations) at the top within 1/32" of the hole the MS cap pin goes through and the crack was about 1/16" long.

I've had that MSH off doing a detail strip/clean but never noticed the crack. It must have been a hairline that got worse over time.

Hth,

Hersh

[OD*]

Thanks Hersh, I appreciate it amigo. ;)

[Hunter]

Hersh I am glad to hear you got your Commander running like a Colt should. I know this has been a monkey on your back a little while now and I imagine your glad to have everything squared away and Mr. Rodgers took care of it for you. That is a beautiful Commander you got yourself as well. Take care my friend and stay in touch.

[Hersh]

Hersh I am glad to hear you got your Commander running like a Colt should. I know this has been a monkey on your back a little while now and I imagine your glad to have everything squared away and Mr. Rodgers took care of it for you. That is a beautiful Commander you got yourself as well. Take care my friend and stay in touch.

Thank you Lee ... yeah that thing almost had me pulling out what's left of my hair :D

[Hunter]

Man I know what you mean. That scratch on my Gold Cup Trophy kept me up till 0200 wondering what in the world am I gonna do (that is why I was up so late). My buddy just left and was telling me not to worry about a scratch and blueing wear but it's my GC Trophy. I shoot the dang thing at least 100 times every range trip and it has become my closest friend. A visit with Mr. Beliveau Friday hopefully will get her straight. I buffed the scratch almost out with steel wool and touched up the blue but in a bright light you can see the touch up pretty good.

[Joni Lynn]

Instead of fixing the scratch, buy another Gold Cup. Come on...........ya know ya wanna................just one more.............retire the other to house duty or something. Buy one more and then post pics of it here. ;)

[Hunter]

Funny you should say that. I was so ill about the scratch last night (well really this morning about 0200 if there was a gun store open I probably would). I don't mind having the Colt reblued it is just the though of her being locked up in my gunsmith's safe and away from home a few days. Last time I had a Colt away from home for work she was gone almost 10 days and I hated that. I think I got the scratch gone and the touch up O.K. Mr Beliveau will make the final call tomorrow. I am saving my next purchase on a Colt wheelgun hopefully next month. You can bet if I get the one I want I will post pictures.

[Joni Lynn]

You need one of these.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Joni_Lynn/A12Python.jpg
Well, probably more than one.

[Hunter]

Nice Colt and yes I do need more than one. Or were you referring to the rack? :D I made me a nice one out out CPVC pipe that holds 12 pistols well. I got the scratch practicing IDPA. My Gold Cup Trophy is my primary range pistol and the only pistol I use in competition. I think I scratched it during practice draws and magazine changes. I will be honest with yall my Trophy has a hard life and is no where near as pampered as the rest of my Colts. I would trust that Colt with my life without question scratched or not. She is a good one.

[Joni Lynn]

Don't forget Pythons were made in at least 4 finishes, 4 barrel lengths and mostly 357, but a few 38 Specials are out there as well. Then you'll need a couple Diamondbacks, a 22 and a 38. They are mostly in 4" & 8". Then of course are the Anaconda 44 & 45 Colt as well as the older Officers & Officers Match revolvers. So many guns, so little time. (& $$$$$$$$$)

[Joni Lynn]

If you get a Python, Diamondback, etc....... and want to upgrade the rear sight from an Accro to something better, There is the Eliason which came on some of them and Champion makes a repro of the sight.

[OD*]

http://www.gunwantads.com/data/2/2python41_002.jpg

http://www.gunwantads.com/data/2/2python41_001.jpg

http://www.gunwantads.com/data/2/2python41_003.jpg

[Joni Lynn]

That's cool..........I've heard about them and the 44's which I still bet don't exist. Your's is the second time I've seen pics of one. Thanks!!!!!!!!
If I see one, it may have to come home with me.

[OD*]

You're welcome Joni.

I wish I could say it's mine, it's not. It belongs to a member of the Colt Collector's Association. 10K+ might get us one. ;)

I've never seen one in .44, can't say for certain I've ever heard of them before?

[Joni Lynn]

You know how the myth goes, they made them in 44 Special, 44 Magnum, 45 Colt and 45 acp and one guy was nuts enough to tell me he had one in 454 Casull. 41 I'll believe, the others..............well..............I know of this flying car..............;)

[OD*]

I know of this flying car
I've always wanted one of those. ;)

[Joni Lynn]

How about an almost flying motorcycle?

[OD*]

Had one. :D

[Hunter]

How about a Colt Gold Cup Elite IX now those are rare (and really exist). :D

[OD*]

How about a Colt Gold Cup Elite IX now those are rare (and really exist). :D
So are flying motorcycles, hit a soccer ball at 50mph. ;)

[Joni Lynn]

I had one, I've had one of just about every caliber of Gold Cup made prior to the enhanced model of series 80. (mostly just the blued or bi-tone models)

[Hunter]

I want one bad. I found one of gunbroker starting at $2200 I have though seriously about bidding. I do not care for 9mm but it is a Colt. I am not sure yet I may look a little longer elsewhere.

[Joni Lynn]

Well, they were made in enough quantity that if you want one, you only need keep watching. I like the older Gold Cups, pre 70 series.

[Hunter]

I believe the Gold Cup Elite IX was numbered around 500 if I am not mistaken.

[Joni Lynn]

I've found that 500 is a large enough number that if you want one, its out there with your name on it just waiting to be adopted. I had one that was much much more rare than that and like an idiot got rid of it.

[Hersh]

How about an almost flying motorcycle?

I had a mountain bike that could fly. And "yes" I have the scars to prove it :D

[bslamb]

Bob is a one man operation so you get his expertise, attention to detail and concern for your satisfaction. All he does is 1911s and now mine "runs like a sewing machine"
Hersh

Hersh - I know your glad to get that beauty home! Shoot well and often :D

[wetidlerjr]

Bob can't be beat as a smith or as just a great guy to talk to. He did his "Reliability Carry" package on my re-pro S70 and it is awesome ! All he replaced was the trigger and I put on double-diamond, gold emblem grips and it was ready as my CCW gun. I can recommend Bob without reservation. :D