Its Here! Liebenberg/Salassa

[TonyW]

Finally, after many long months, my Pistol Dynamics/Briley collaboration arrived. All the fitting was done by Paul Liebenberg with parts from either Briley or Pistol Dynamics except for the springs, mag, and grips. The slide is Caspian, but cut and fitted for the external extractor by Paul. The frame is a new Briley forging. Actually most of the parts are made by Briley, but some are exclusive to Pistol Dynamics.

Chrome frame and Ion Bond slide. The Ion Bond is beautiful - looks like a fine rich black bluing. My pictures don't do it justice.

A very simple but elegant design - absolutely no play anywhere. The slide is like it is on greased rails. Actually it is since the gun has Accu-rails. The Briley barrel feels like it has more heft than a standard barrel. So do some other parts, like the bushing and the slide itself. The ejector certainly is stouter than most.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/TonyW_01/Case2.jpg

(Ok- this leather case didn't come with it)

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/TonyW_01/Leftcase.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/TonyW_01/Rightcase.jpg

Shoots pretty well when I don't pull the gun to the right. I'm always nervous when first shooting a new gun. These 5 shots were at a close distance- only 21 feet. Shot a box of American Eagle and one of MagTech - gun was flawless.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/TonyW_01/RTarget.jpg

The Accu-Rails (look at the fit) and front cut:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/TonyW_01/Accurails.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/TonyW_01/front.jpg

[d90king]

Very nice build well done. :appld:

[John]

Nice looking pistol. What are those inserts in the frame rails? Accurails?

[ranburr]

I have seen three and handled a two of these guns. I personally would not accept an Accurailed pistol that cost as much as these do. Some of these pistols have the rails, some don't. It is not an order option, they either show up railed or they don't. My guess is, if the fit isn't tight enough, it gets railed. I'm sorry, a pistol of this cost should be naturally tight and not need to be railed. If I want to Accurail a pistol, it will be a loose Colt or Springer. It should not have to be done on a $3K+ pistol.

ranburr

[John]

That's what I think too. On a pistol of that caliber (and I am not referring to the .45ACP caliber), I would never accept Accurails. If Paul didn't like the tolerances between the slide and frame, he should either tighten them or get a different combo. This is too expensive a toy to have such things on it.

[joffe]

I thought he chose accurails for a reason.

I know smiths like Yost, Burton and Harrison weld and recut the rails if they're no good, but that's on old guns. One would expect that brand new parts wouldn't need any tightening at all, so I thought it was a conscious choice. :confused:

[TonyW]

The first 8 guns of this series of 40 offered the Accu-Rails as a no cost option - it was not a matter of a loose side fit, etc. And they definitely do not just show up this way or not. If not one of the original 8 - the rails are an expensive extra. However, I suspect some of the original orders did not request the rails, so some further down may have gotten one of the first 8 without having to pay the extra. The rails are precisely done to offer the very best in accuracy - supposedly better than a new gun can be fitted, even by the best smiths. Since Paul Liebenberg is one of the very best smiths in the country, it isn't something he does to overcome a sloppy job. Any squeezing and filing of the rails is bound to leave some high and low spots - the gun may seem smooth but it still is not riding 100% on the rails. Say you slurry the rails -- by definition this is only working on the high spots. As soon as those high spots are worn down to where the slide feels smooth, you stop. This does not mean you have a good fit with 100% contact. And without that perfect fit, the gun will get looser quickly. With the Accu-Rails you have the 100% contact.. Also, the rails take the wear and can easily be replaced in about 5 minutes with the same or a slightly larger size - although they usually last 50- 60,000 rounds. It is true you usually don't hear of a new gun having rails (except for custom builds by fanatic bullesye shooters), and this method is usually turned to after a gun has been worn. The cost is about the same for a used gun as either re-wielding or squeezing and filing - but is safer than the later because there is no danger of cracking the slide. Also, adding rails is a good way to have an alloy frame gun last a lot longer.

BTW, just take a close look at my picture of the accu-rails if you think this was done to correct a loose fit - how many of you have guns that are fit that closely? Even my two Nighthawks are not.

[ranburr]

I know two of the first 8 owners. #1 showed up without rails (it didn't need them), nor was the rear of the slide checkered. The other pistol showed with rails, the owner asked what they were and why they were there. He certainly didn't order them. Personally, I have seen and experienced a number of quality issues with Briley. If Claudio does the work no problem. If one of the gunsmiths in training does the work, you have a 50/50 chance that there will be a problem. My personal opinion is that Liebenberg is trying to compensate for a lack of consistency in the Briley frames. I can tell you for a fact that he has complained about the quality of Briley parts in this project. There is no reason to rail a new pistol that is made to spec.

ranburr

[Ping Ping]

One would expect that brand new parts wouldn't need any tightening at all, so I thought it was a conscious choice. :confused:

Hmm... Something in my brain just wont let me accept that Paul Liebenberg used accu-rails on a gun because the parts were badly married. As I look around the rails, at the rest of the fit, it looks extremely tight and consistent. Unless there was something really funky about the rails internally (in which case I have to think that he would have rejected it, or welded it), I have to assume that this was a conscious choice.
Collaborations can be a strange thing however. After all, isn't a camel a horse built by a committee? I don't know enough about these pistols to know exactly who does what, but it wouldn't be the first one to come out, which was not "just exactly perfect."

Still, something as significant as accu-rails, doesn't qualify as a simple oversight. There has to be more to this story than what we usually consider reasons for using them.

Regardless Tony, it's a gorgeous piece and I hope you get as much enjoyment out of shooting and owning it, as I do looking at it. Congratulations.

[TonyW]

I know two of the first 8 owners. #1 showed up without rails (it didn't need them), nor was the rear of the slide checkered. The other pistol showed with rails, the owner asked what they were and why they were there. He certainly didn't order them. Personally, I have seen and experienced a number of quality issues with Briley. If Claudio does the work no problem. If one of the gunsmiths in training does the work, you have a 50/50 chance that there will be a problem. My personal opinion is that Liebenberg is trying to compensate for a lack of consistency in the Briley frames. I can tell you for a fact that he has complained about the quality of Briley parts in this project. There is no reason to rail a new pistol that is made to spec.

ranburr
Dogdollar ordered his (#1 in the series) the way he wanted it - without rails. My understanding was that the other 8 automatically came with the rails unless they were specified to be without them. Maybe that person who was surprised didn't read the specs very well! Briley didn't do any of the fitting - it was all done by Paul. Briley does make custom guns in house and also customize guns sent to them - but that is not the case in this series. All Claudio does is receive the completed gun in the white and send it out for finishing. When it comes back he does a second functioning check - Paul does the first - and sends it out. And I'm not sure how one forged frame can be inconsistent with another - plus forging should produce a stronger frame than cast ones. CNC machining of bar stock may be the best, but of course that is dependent on the bar stock. From inspection of my parts, they appear to be of the highest quality. I can't believe Paul would use any part he didn't think was perfect -- he would just send that part back. In my shotgunning I have been very familiar with Briley and have never heard any complaints.

[Bladeandbarrel]

People like accurails since after 50,000 rounds a new set is dropped in and the fit is like "new" again. Paul Liebenberg is no dummy.

[TonyW]

People like accurails since after 50,000 rounds a new set is dropped in and the fit is like "new" again. Paul Liebenberg is no dummy.

That pretty much says it all. :D

Closely looking at the fit and finish of my gun, it surpasses anything I have seen on my other expensive 45s or on my custom shotguns.

John, it I had known the Ion Bond (Black Diamond) was going to look so good, I would have had the whole gun done in it. But then of course I would have owed you a royalty payment. :lm:

[DANNO45]

It is a beautiful weapon. Congratulations!

[Dr. Jekyll]

Congratulations TonyW. You have a very nice looking pistol. I agree with you in the fact that they just don't "show up" railed or not, for the record the Acc-U-Rail option is $235. It is my belief that one would order a pistol railed in order to have a lifetime of shooting enjoyment as that is their purpose, not to cover up a sloppy fit or poor parts and workmanship. I know both Paul and Claudio to be very professional as well as more than competent in their workmanship. One only needs to visit Pistol Dynamics website to view the quality (and demand) for Paul's work. I highly doubt Paul would cut any corners in regards to this project. I know that Tim is an avid collector and shooting enthusiast and doubt that he would ask to be first in line for a pistol that was not first rate (let's not forget Harrison does a majority of Tim's work). This is just my opinion and I'm sure Tim will be more than happy to post his experience and impression of his pistol. TonyW, I know you will be more than happy with your pistol, congratulations once again!

[Joni Lynn]

That is a spectacular looking 1911. The rails should last a long time, not a bad idea as far as I'm concerned.

[John]

Don't get me wrong guys, I am not bashing Paul or his work, I have been admiring his pistols for many years. Actually I had invited him to participate here, but the man is too busy building those beauties, to spend time on the Net.

It's just that I am an old traditionalist and those rails do not exactly fit my image of a custom gun. I am not sure why they offer 100% contact as TonyW says, as far as I can tell, they are just another metal part between the slide and frame. If the slide and frame do not make 100% contact, why would the rails do so?

I guess it's not easy for an old dog to learn new tricks (even though this has been proven wrong on several occasions).

[joffe]

To me the rails seem like the pistol answer to cylinder sleeves. Smart for longevity's sake. A bit like the external extractor, then, which this gun also has.

I guess it will be passed down to the great grandchildren without worries and still be used. :appld:

[auto45]

I have "felt" a 1911 with the rails and it does feel like it's "gliding" on ball-bearings.

Pro's and con's...more parts, etc...but a "neat" idea anyway IMO. ;)

[sarge43]

VERY nice pistol! Congratulations!
Sarge

[TonyW]

It's just that I am an old traditionalist and those rails do not exactly fit my image of a custom gun. I am not sure why they offer 100% contact as TonyW says, as far as I can tell, they are just another metal part between the slide and frame. If the slide and frame do not make 100% contact, why would the rails do so?



John, Let me restate that. Take a finely fitted custom 45 that has been hand fitted either from parts that have been made slightly oversized and then hand filed to fit, or a slide that has been squeezed and then hand fitted. In both cases, after the parts have been finished (i.e. blued), I have never seen rails where this finish has been absolutely evenly worn off. Maybe others have, but I suspect this is a rare gun or one that has had so much use that even the low spots have finally come in contact. I am talking about a new gun here. So this uneven wear is evidence of the rails not being in complete contact. However, a channel for an Accu-rail can be cut absolutely straight and parallel with todays machinery, and with the Accu-rails being available in very small increments in size, a very accurate fit can be achieved. I grant this is no longer a traditional Browning, but it is something you can find on the best of the custom guns - and it works. There are only a few smiths that are licensed to install Accu-Rails. I believe Harrison is one of the others.

Such a gun can be more accurate than one made conventionally, plus when there is wear after many thousands of rounds, a new Accu-rail slightly larger can restore the gun to its original accuracy. Because this is an added cost to a gun already accurately fitted, it is rarely seen in a new gun except for the few custom bullesye guns made for fanatics.

Now I realize that frame to slide fit is only a small part of a 45's accuracy, but it is still a part, and that is why accuracy fanatics have new guns made by the best smiths but with Accu-rails.

In my case, at my advanced age, this probably is more for pride in ownership than in improving my accuracy! And I will never fire enough rounds to need a gun reworked. I wouldn't have paid the extra cost of the rails, but since it was a promotional extra to get the limited series going and showcase the talents of a couple of the best gunsmiths in the world, I jumped at the opportunity.

Besides the slide fit, and not to knock the other fine guns we both have, but the lockup of the barrel to the slide and fit of the barrel and bushing are something to be seen and felt on this gun.

[TonyW]

There has been some bashing here about Briley saying that Paul Liebenberg was not happy with the quality of Briley parts in this project. Just to put this to rest, here is what Paul says about his new guns for 2008, which use the identical Briley frame, " We are very pleased to announce the introduction of our new 1911 receivers; platform to the next generation of handguns from Pistol Dynamics. These dimensionally optimized frames are forged and machined from high carbon steel and designed to integrate seamlessly with all our pre-existing parts and components developed thus far for the 1911. This significant step represents the attainment of our goal to market unique 1911 handguns and places our business in an extremely competitive position as a legitimate manufacturer of handmade, purpose specific 1911 based pistols. "

As some of you know, Paul and Claudio go way back to their youth days in South Africa together, and both could be considered the fathers of the competitive pistol action sports there. I suspect as such close old friends, there is occasional bickering between them of things meant to improve certain features- and in fact Briley's (Claudio's) new frames have been an involving project over several years. But the fact that Paul has chosen these frames to highlight his work says volumes as to them being the very best available anywhere. I am honored to have one of them.

[OD*]

It is a beautiful pistol, Tony.

Congratulations! http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Joni Lynn]

It's not only beautiful, it's practically a work of art. It probably shoots even better.
I could of course appreciate a few more glamour shots. (hint hint) ;)

[Lucho]

Congratulations !! that is a great looking .

[TonyW]

I could of course appreciate a few more glamour shots. (hint hint) ;)

Thanks Joni -- but that assumes I have some artistic abilities. At times I can take a technically good picture - if I take the time to get out the tripod and set up some lights - but that is about it.

Cameras and guns are somewhat similar - its not what you have but how you use them -- I went to a photo workshop once and most of the participants had nice Canon and Nikon SLRs. But one lady had a cheap fixed lens camera. When it came time to show our results, that lady put everyone else to shame.
Similar to the time I went to shoot sporting clays with an LEO who had never done this. He had his service sawed-off 12 ga with an open choke. The rest of the party had nice guns with interchangeable choke tubes. I thought to myself that this guy might be able to hit some of the close shots, but that would be it. Well, you guessed it - he smoked us.

Not artistic, but:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/TonyW_01/Briley.jpg

[piedrarc]

Great looking pistol. Is there a reason why you didn't go with a Pistol Dynamic's hammer?

[TonyW]

Great looking pistol. Is there a reason why you didn't go with a Pistol Dynamic's hammer?

The basic parts were pretty much set for the series by the collaboration between the two companies - and I didn't have any reason to request a change - don't know if it would have been possible or not. However, this hammer has been used by Paul in some of his other builds - I think the cover pic on his site of the Colt Combat Commander with the ivory grips has this hammer.

[piedrarc]

The basic parts were pretty much set for the series by the collaboration between the two companies - and I didn't have any reason to request a change - don't know if it would have been possible or not. However, this hammer has been used by Paul in some of his other builds - I think the cover pic on his site of the Colt Combat Commander with the ivory grips has this hammer.

The angle of the ball cuts and the beavertail make this pistol stand out when I look at it. Very unique and classy design. The gun looks flawless, the two tone color is outstanding, Congrats.

[Poohgyrr]

Congrats. That looks like many years of enjoyment and satisfaction. Good job.

[tacticalacp]

Tony
Awesome pistol !!
I love the slide and how everything flows together.

Tac

[TonyW]

Thanks guys (Joni too!). I am really enjoying this pistol.

If I had realized how super the ion bond finish was going to look I would have gone for the complete pistol that way. This ion bond looks nicer than the Perma Kote that Nighthawk uses, and that Perma Kote supposedly looks nicer than their Black Diamond (of course Perma Kote doesn't have the wear properties of Black Diamond or ion bond). Therefore, since I think it is an almost identical process, I thought it would look more like Black Diamond. But it has the gloss of a fine blue job.

Now I have another dilemma - I had specified the new Liebenberg tritium sights for this gun and it came without them. Claudio said to just send the slide back at any time and he would swap them out. But most of my guns have the tritium -- and I had forgotten how much better a sight picture one gets with all black sights. In the past I have tried blacking out the tritiums with a marker pen (unfortunately a permanent one) and it was a bear to clean it up (alcohol works somewhat, but that took off some of the white ring around the tubes!) So I don't know whether to get the tritiums put on or not. I may wait a couple of months before deciding.

[dogdollar]

Tony,
Sorry I am late to the party, work has been kicking my tail.
That is a superb looking weapon and by all accounts, a great shooter, too. Mine has mellowed like fine wine and I actually like it much more today than the day I got it, I am sure you will enjoy a similar experience. I hope you consider it worth the wait (I bet you do :p ).
DD

P.S. - I will chime in on the accurail issue if you want my two cents but to me it is a non-issue, they are a beneft, not a detriment, and obviously not there to make up for a loose fit. Truth is, they wre backed up on frames and had some pre-drilled for accurails they were forced to use in the interim while more frames were being manufactured, so they decided to offer the completed accurail package on these guns to customers for FREE so they could continue to fill orders. I was contacted by Claudio, unsolicited, and he offered rails to me for free if I wanted them, just out of a sense of fairness since they weren't an option at the time I got mine. I declined (didn't want to give the gun up for however many weeks), but he told me the offer stands if I change my mind, and there will be no charge whatsoever. That kind of service and commitment is pretty tough to beat.

[A.B.]

Wow, that's service, DD!

Wonderful pistol, Tony, and I agree 100% with your thoughts on her. A work of art, to be sure. I hadn't noticed the symmetry between the BTS and the ball cuts, before piedarc pointed it out. Just fantastic. :D :D :D

[elijdub]

Outstanding pistol, Tony!!! (and great shooting too ;)) The phrase "work of art" comes to mind. I'm curious, the stainless "pin" that's just above the extractor...is that part of the external extractor?

[TonyW]

Outstanding pistol, Tony!!! (and great shooting too ;)) The phrase "work of art" comes to mind. I'm curious, the stainless "pin" that's just above the extractor...is that part of the external extractor?

Yep- that's what holds the external extractor in - and also acts as a pivot or spring point. The channel for it extends through the inside of the slide, and I'll have to one day ask an expert which way it pounds out. It seems to me it could have been set a little lower from the top of the slide - probably a simple touch with a punch and hammer but I am inclined to leave it alone.

[elijdub]

Thanks for the explanation. I admit, i've never fired a gun with an EE before :o.

I'm really impressed with the IonBond. Much more "depth" than i imagined.

[Dr. Jekyll]

Now I have another dilemma - I had specified the new Liebenberg tritium sights for this gun and it came without them. Claudio said to just send the slide back at any time and he would swap them out. But most of my guns have the tritium -- and I had forgotten how much better a sight picture one gets with all black sights. In the past I have tried blacking out the tritiums with a marker pen (unfortunately a permanent one) and it was a bear to clean it up (alcohol works somewhat, but that took off some of the white ring around the tubes!) So I don't know whether to get the tritiums put on or not. I may wait a couple of months before deciding.

My 2 cents. I think it's a matter preference. I personally have a revolver, Sig's and 1911's and all have different sight pictures. I like to have the tritiums for my home defense pistol and gold beads for all other pistols. My EB Jeff Cooper have straight blacks and my TRP has the factory tritiums. In my opinion there is no perfect solution save for a micro HID light in the front sight :scared:

[leade45]

Maybe you should send him the slide and have them do your sights and fix that extractor channel pin. Not sure if it is the flash or the lighting, but it looks like it should be recessed more.

Other than that, the gun is a thing of custom beauty and in some sense, knowing who did the Accurails and why they were used, seems to add an extra custom touch to the gun. Truely a prized firearm.

[TonyW]

Maybe you should send him the slide and have them do your sights and fix that extractor channel pin. Not sure if it is the flash or the lighting, but it looks like it should be recessed more.

Other than that, the gun is a thing of custom beauty and in some sense, knowing who did the Accurails and why they were used, seems to add an extra custom touch to the gun. Truely a prized firearm.

Thanks. It has become my favorite 45. I have a set of brass punches- I may just give that pin a tap before long. Still haven't decided on the sights. I know what caused the confusion - shipping and the sight upgrade were exactly the same price- and I had only paid for one of these!

I'm really impressed with how the Ion Bond looks on a polished slide. If the Perma Kote starts showing wear on my Nighthawks, (also chrome frames and black slides), I'm going to have the slides redone in Ion Bond.

[BringerOfStorms]

Thanks for the explanation. I admit, i've never fired a gun with an EE before :o.

I'm really impressed with the IonBond. Much more "depth" than i imagined.

Never even fired a HiPower Eli?! You dont know what you are missing!

Great pistol Tony, thanks for sharing, and enlightening those of us who knew too little about the accurails.

Best,
~BoS

[elijdub]

Never even fired a HiPower Eli?! You dont know what you are missing!

~BoS
Alas, it's true :o. I've never fired a Highpower (though i've handled dozens ;)). ...Next on the list.

[Joni Lynn]

You most definitely need a HP.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Joni_Lynn/LynniesHP.jpg

[BringerOfStorms]

You most definitely need a HP.


I second that statement!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a319/BringerOfStorms/NovakBHP40cal.jpg ~BoS

[A.B.]

Nothing special on my part (geez, those are nice ones, Joni Lynn and BoS--C&S?), but I'll take it to the floor:

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t316/gordonsorensen/BHPleft.jpg

Cheers!

[John]

You most definitely need a HP.

Me too, but.......

[elijdub]

Very nice "trio" of HP's, Joni, BoS, and A.B.!!!! I definitely do need one Joni. It's high on the priority list (if i could only stop thinking about Colt revolvers ;)). Great pics.

[BringerOfStorms]

Very nice "trio" of HP's, Joni, BoS, and A.B.!!!! I definitely do need one Joni. It's high on the priority list (if i could only stop thinking about Colt revolvers ;)). Great pics.

Oh, no... I didn't know you didn't have a Python yet either... what a disreputable bunch we have around here! Who is checking credentials?! ;)

Can't go wrong if either is your next choice Eli!

Good luck on the search. I am sure pictures will follow.
~BoS

[elijdub]

Oh, no... I didn't know you didn't have a Python yet either... what a disreputable bunch we have around here! Who is checking credentials?! ;)
Seriously...there should be a "reference check" or something :D. ...Maybe a safe inspection ;).

Can't go wrong if either is your next choice Eli!

Good luck on the search. I am sure pictures will follow.
~BoS
Thanks BoS! Just a few more pesky bills to pay and then i'm back to purchasing firearms ;). Pics to follow for certain!

[berkbw]

I think that the gun is a true work of art in form and execution. It shames any "1911" that I have.

I hope that it is easy to keep the EE channel clean, as it addresses common issues with clocking and tension. [yes, these are not weak parts of the JMB design].

I really like the rails + the superb fit. Traditionalists/purists, evangelists, and those sworn to JMB as embodied in the 1911 or 1911A .... I guess also Ser 70, 1991.. etc, may not accept this as a "True" 1911. If it hadn't been for Kimber, would so many hate the EE today?

Beautiful gun, I hope it lives as well as we [I] hope.

b-

[harrydog]

Beautiful gun and the fact that Paul Liebenberg (and Claudio Salassa for that matter) has his name associated with it means that you can't question the quality of the work.
As to the accurails, given the choice, I doubt that I would order a gun with them. I have a Liebenberg (Pistol Dynamics) and the slide/frame fit is very, very tight and incredibly smooth. In fact I really can't imagine it being any smoother.
In checking the rails, there appears to be even polishing the full length of the rails, indicating that they are making almost full contact. With oversized rails, modern CNC machining, and skilled hand lapping, I don't see why full contact would not be possible without having to resort to accurails.
I suppose after 50,000 or even 100,000 rounds, if the slide/frame fit became loose enough to matter, I could have accurails fitted to bring it back, rather than the squeeze and peen method. But I doubt I'll be shooting the gun that much in my lifetime, especially with the cost of .45 ammo these days.
One feature I really like on my gun is the interchangable front sight system that Paul uses. I can have plain black, gold bead, fiber optic or tritium front sights all on one gun, so it eliminates the need to make the tough choice.
But back to the Liebenberg/Salassa, it's a beautiful gun that anyone would be proud to own. If you want to sell it, let me know! ;)

[SharonAnne]

my first encounter with AccuRails was over 20 years ago. A shooter at our Thursday night indoor ipsc shoot was loading. As the slide went forward this 'thing' stuck out the back. The rail had broken where it fits into the railway. I have been leery of AccuRails ever since. I know Doug Jones and he was trained by Kreiger. He does beautiful work and is aware of my distrust of AccuRails. It has always been a sore point between us.

[Joni Lynn]

I guess I should have had an extra set or two of rails made for the 1911 I had them installed on. Hopefully mine will have a nice long and useful life.

[SharonAnne]

I must say this. While it was my first encounter with or knowledge of AccuRails, it is also the ONLY time I have heard of it happening.

[TonyW]

I suspect the alloy used has been changed many times in the last 20 years- but that is a good idea to have an extra set -think I will do that too.

Strange things can happen to metal -- we were getting some cracks in some of our aircraft wing spars. (Fortunately the cracks were not in the direction of stress- not a good thing to have wings fall off in flight). The engineers went back and checked slabs of the metal that had not been made into spars but were just sitting unstressed on pallets. There were some new cracks in these! Of course everything had been magnafluxed when first made and was perfect. The fix was to drill little holes at the ends of the cracks to keep them from continuing. I don't think any of us crew were too happy with this situation, but at least we had ejection seats with parachutes.

I've heard of just about everything that could possibly fail happen in 45s - slide stops, hammers (not MIM either), frames developing cracks (then others of the same make were discovered to have the same cracks), etc. Then there are the magazine problems. Maybe that is why most of us have a lot of 45s (and mags)! But a good thing about the 45 in condition 1 -- that first shot is pretty certain to go bang!

[SharonAnne]

Tony, does your pistol have the Pachmyer wide link. I believe Paul work there for a bit. I handled one Liebenberg pistol that did have the wide link and it was impossible to feel when the link cammed the barrel into the slide.

[Joni Lynn]

I've only seen pics of that in some old magazine article years ago. I didn't know Paul Liebenberg might still be using them.

[SharonAnne]

they are in the Midway catalog #3 and I think Kings carries them. They are NOT listed on the Pistol Dynamics web page. I bet he would put one in if asked.

[TonyW]

The link thickness is standard, but the lug is a hair bit beefier. Paul now gets that feel with the standard link- the lockup is simply amazing.

[dogdollar]

I can't see myself calling Liebenberg and telling him what link I want him to use.
Mine is nothing short of amazing, whatever it is.
And yeah, Paul DID work for Pachmayr for a while, the Combat Special is legend.
DD

[Joni Lynn]

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=886357

[SharonAnne]

DD, I did say ASK ;) I am sure if he didn't like the idea he would say so.

[Joni Lynn]

From what I've read about his work I can possibly see one of his guns being adopted at some time in the future. Beautiful work superbly executed.

[berkeleygiraffe]

do you have any pictures from the front of the barrel showing the bushing/plug detail?

[TonyW]

do you have any pictures from the front of the barrel showing the bushing/plug detail?

Not offhand - I may take one later. However, it is not the keystone shaped one that Liebenberg uses on his signature guns - it is pretty much standard but is thicker (what is outside the slide) than most. I think it is a Briley part rather than Paul's.

Actually, my post #25 in this thread shows the side view pretty well, and head on is pretty standard except for the design on the plug.

[harrydog]

they are in the Midway catalog #3 and I think Kings carries them. They are NOT listed on the Pistol Dynamics web page. I bet he would put one in if asked.
Actually they are mentioned here.
http://www.pistoldynamics.com/Features.html
The website used to have some in depth information on them but it was apparently removed when the website was updated. I remember talking to Paul about them when I ordered my pistol and he did not recommend them for a defensive pistol, only for target pistols.

[SharonAnne]

I stand corrected. I looked only in the parts section. Thank you.