A.D. Swenson

[midwestjimbo]

First of all, thanks to everyone on this forum. Excellent info all the time.
I picked up a Combat Commander saturday. It's in o.k. shape. (will post pics later, batteries dead) When i got her home I noticed a name on the thumb safty. Did A.D. Swenson sell parts or did I find a diamond in the rough?

[Rio Vista Slim]

First of all, thanks to everyone on this forum. Excellent info all the time.
I picked up a Combat Commander saturday. It's in o.k. shape. (will post pics later, batteries dead) When i got her home I noticed a name on the thumb safty. Did A.D. Swenson sell parts or did I find a diamond in the rough?
The literary material I have doesn't specifically mention whether Armand Swenson marketed parts. If he performed his gun smithing magic on your pistol, there should be other markings with "A.D. Swenson" displayed.

Perhaps the experts will contribute shortly, but a photo (or several) of your Combat Commander will definitely help. ;)

[John]

Is there anything else unusual on your gun? Post a picture, we may be able to help.

[midwestjimbo]

I'll get pictures this afternoon. Sorry! She also has a barsto barrel, a small stamp on the lower trigger guard and a number 4 on the upper edge of the trigger guard. I am interested to hear comments after pictures are posted.

[NYCMedic]

People used his safeties. I have a Behlert with one. I assume that yours looks like this.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/AriSuss/127_2718.jpg

[midwestjimbo]

Another non-stop Sunday! Here are some pics ( I hope)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1326/1172046847_609b2dbe1d_m.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1020/1172046825_337b38758e_m.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1142/1172046839_cb6612e470_m.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1423/1172874084_c5a2f41a4e_m.jpg

[OD*]

Did A.D. Swenson sell parts
Yes sir he did, I have a couple sets of his thumb safeties.

[midwestjimbo]

I appreciate everyone's info. I'm looking forward to my first range trip with my first colt. It doesn't matter to me who did the upgrades as long as everything functions. Now I have a little info for range chatter. Thanks again for all your info.

[dakota1911]

I always look forward to the range reports, and love the pictures.

[LoadedColt45]

Swenson would put his mar under the serial number of the gun he worked over.

Nice gun, enjoy it either way!

[midwestjimbo]

Well I managed to squeeze 30 minutesout of life and sent 150 rnds down range. I was shooting for function not accuracy. Still, all were on the paper at 20 ft. 95% were in the rings. It was so easy to make some ragged holes when I really tried. I'm thrilled!! :D
Had 3 failure to chamber on the 2nd rnd with a new Kimpro mag, but after that it ran fine. Took her home for a good cleaning. (Should have done that first I know). This old colt had been ridden hard and put away wet! Multicolor debri under the Pachmyer wraparound grips, and in the original mag body. Sad to say some corrision under the grips. :mad: I'm still in love. Put some new grips on after a good cleaning http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1378/1262963568_d0f925cc93.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1368/1262129891_7d4458741b.jpg All in all we're looking good.

[cameroni]

With wood and organic-substance grips it might be a good prophylcatic against rust and corrosion to use the thin,tough,gasket things like the ones offered thru AlumaGrips. I use them with AlumaGrips to keep the aluminum from rubbing against the grip-frame. Honestly though,the AlumiGrips caused very little if any rubbing against the frame on my guns.

I just hear so many people who have had rust/corrosion under grip panels;maybe the gasket/liner things would help with this(?)

mike

[midwestjimbo]

Thanks cameroni, I'll keep that in mind. I think most of the problem in this case was poor maintainance and rubber wraparound grips. It's something I'll have to keep an eye on.