Pistol off to John Harrison

[Proc]

I've got a pistol off at John Harrisons as we speak. So now the pain that is waiting begins. Here is a preview of the build sheet. On top of the normal reliability/tuning etc here are a few of the highlights.

1 Tighten the slide to frame via welding up the frame and refitting.

2 Kart barrel and a EGW bushing

3 recrowned to fit flush.

4 Checker the front strap 25 lpi to match the mainspring housing. True the front strap in the process.

5 Replace the Novak front sight with a gold bead.

6 Recut the magwell to 60"

7 Best grade trigger job with a med length trigger(never tried one thought i might) set to 3.5 pounds.

8 Refinish in a matte stainless.

Now the hard part help me decide on weather or not to french boarder the slide and add a new cm beaver tail.

[brahmabull8413]

With anyone other than a top 'smith i'd say avoid the french boarders, but with John Harrison doing the work, definately go for it.

[Proc]

Yes sir that is what I was thinking. His work is first rate.

[leade45]

The French Border would look great. Go for it.

[elijdub]

I think the French Border will look great as well.
I'm curious, what kind of gun did you send "off"? I'd like to know what you're starting out with...

[Proc]

I stated out with a 1991 Stainless goverment model that had some work done by Larry Vickers. I spoke with Larry about building on that gun and using another smith (I could have gotten Larry to do it but he is so busy it would run into years wait time.) he is the one that recommended John Harrison and I had the chance to view some of his work. First rate and above reproach so off it went for a total rebuild. The pistol sent is very similar to the one in my thread Vicker's retro. I had a couple of those done up and a full house or two over the years.

[Proc]

Ok I've decided to leave off the french borders simply because it is going to have the fool bead blasted out of it. but I am going to go with am extra extractor and have him round the butt slightly.

[Ping Ping]

Please, oh PLEASE, do not post pics when you get it back!
It's killing me.;)

So now LV is giving Harrison the nod? That speaks volumes.

[Proc]

Ping its killing me too. Yes sir LV has given Harrison the nod at least to me. I would not dare speak for Larry and whom he endorses.

[dogdollar]

So now LV is giving Harrison the nod? That speaks volumes.

HEY....what am I , chopped liver?
I've been giving him the nod for years.
DD

[EchoBravoKilo]

+1 for Mr. Harrison - a wonderful 'smith and a true gentleman.

[jrhawk]

+2 for John Harrison. Dogdollar was the one that originally directed me to John. I am fortunate to live in the Atlanta area and have had the opportunity to meet him and interact with him personally. He is a craftsman and a gentleman. The work he did on my Baer SRP was top notch and I am looking forward to my next project with him.

[Ping Ping]

HEY....what am I , chopped liver?
I've been giving him the nod for years.
DD

No, no. You're a prince amongst swine to me, Bubba.

But comparatively speaking, not chopped liver exactly, perhaps duck pate' ? :D

[Proc]

Tim I stand CORRECTED. I did not mean to imply that you are anything short of a gentleman and a scholar. You are correct DD singing John's praises helped to solidify my choice.

[dogdollar]

Well, now.......
:bf:
that's more like it!!!!!
:lh:
DD

[Cody302]

You see that last post of his(dd).........that's called doggie-style. I've read his "Reasons" post several times over to make sure I extracted every last possible connotation.Couple that with knowing of a few of the high end 1911's Doggie owns,then to here him praise Harrison like he has.......Proc, I'd short a fuse anticipating the return. I know everyone loves a fine pistol and it's usually very hard not buying everyone of them you come across, but I wonder sometimes when certain people find that certain someone of high quality and like mind in the pistolsmith field,how much of their repeat patronage is born out of just wanting to see that persons gamesmanship and achievement one more time? I can tell you that I am really beginning to appreciate the '4th-dimensionality' of the pistol craft. I want pics when it gets back. :)

[Proc]

Cody Indeed sir you shall have them. I have opted for his round butt conversion and a set of fitted Ironwood grips to round out the finished product. In seeing this wonderfully slight blending of the frame it rounds out the pistol without being to dramatic such as a bobtail. It is one of those custom touches that you take note of without ever really knowing what it is that makes the gun feel different.

[Cody302]

Those are the best of all modifications. To borrow a term it's what I'd call 'Intelligent Design".Chip Foose did a Thunderbird for Ford a few years back,and he left not one square inch of that car unmodified. After the show he said it was a real compliment when people said.."other than two or three things,what did you change from what Ford did??". The point is any idiot can slap on parts and call it customized, but that's a looooong way from being a properly designed functioning piece. And when you get one of those pieces,for the people who know, there's a quiet appreciation. Well, outside of the ubiquitous "ooooh..that sure is a purdy gun".

[G34Shooter]

You won't be dissapointed!!!!!! DD was definitely an influence with me going with John Harrison :D

[Willis68]

John is the man, he will be doing my stainless 70 series government Colt

[d90king]

Hows your progress going Proc? He has a WWI repro that I am letting him loose on and can't wait untill it's return. :D We need pics soon.

[harrydog]

HEY....what am I , chopped liver?
I've been giving him the nod for years.
DD
You're just not quite as famous as LV.