Lonestar Hoss

I carried an old Staccato for a couple of years, and with the Texas heat and Kydex, it needs some love. It still runs like an old Singer sewing machine, but it's rough looking. I've been talking to my Cerakote guy, and this one may get a "Jurassic Camouflage" theme, because, why not? I know a 10mm would be more appropriate, but with my worn out wrist, those aren't fun to me. I've been driving him crazy trying to come up with an idea for the grip panels on how to mix and match the Texas Star and Captain America symbols into something different. We haven't settled on anything yet, but he has a new laser that he wants to "Practice" with. I kind of have several projects that I want to do, but nothing is etched in stone at this point. The thing I notice is that having a tried and true firearm is kind of like have a '57 Chevy, sometimes you just need an outside point of view to breathe new life into it. Well, that and an unlimited check book. Yes, sometimes it's hard to have a vision of what could be, but we have so many options out there, that a couple of phone calls, and the next thing you know, you can have a collaboration that puts a smile on your face. Then there are the ones we have that it would almost be a sin to change. My better half is a curator of collectables, and there are some things that just won't fly. She had me pick up a couple of MP-5's, and to my way of thinking, I could make the cool factor go up, a lot. Well, that was a non-starter, but a different one in 22? I had one tricked out, and low and behold, that is first up in front of her safe for varmint control. One of my off the wall deals was an actual Winchester 1885, in 6.5 Creedmoor. Something about a 19th century rifle in a 21st century caliber. A buddy of mine borrowed it, and took it to far west Texas, and after hitting out to over 1500 yards, he really wanted it. Me being somewhat attached to it, wouldn't sell it. Eventually, I picked up a couple of more in that caliber, but on different platforms, and he had already bought one he liked. I eventually sold it on the wire, and the purchaser picked it up for his son on a ranch. As long as you have a vehicle to carry it around on, you're good. Did I mention it was heavy as all get out, but that thing was accurate. I really enjoy seeing and hearing what other folks have, and who knows, maybe we can inspire each other to try something different? By the way NM rocks, and you be safe, and have fun out there.

I had a Ruger SR1911 for a while, but had an instructor that had gotten tired of "Loaning" his WC 1911 with mammoth grips to new shooters, and then they would drop it, or throw it on a table, so I re-homed it to him. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but it's one of those that I should have hung onto. SWMBO wanted a 1911, so I found her a Colt commander in 9, a single stack, and she really liked it for a while. Still does, but she had me order several different grip panels, pink, purple, red white and blue, and I can't remember what else, but she has taken a shine to the CZ Shadow 2 Compact now. We moved a couple of years ago, and I need to find my 1911 grip box ( I have a couple of them ), and see what her preference is, probably orange for pumpkin spice season, and see if I need to change them out for her. She had options for it, but we don't go to the range like we used to. I have almost as much 9 as I do 38 and 45, ( Both kinds ), my 650 and SDB are getting lonely, but I have so much in reloads and factory right now, I probably will never have to reload again. I should see if I really need 2 Dillons, and maybe consider getting rid of one or the other. I apologize to the OP, as I didn't mean to take over his thread, but I really enjoy seeing what other folks have, and what they are used for. I really like seeing old school metal frames. Now that I'm semi retired, I don't have to answer to corporate power trippers, and I will admit that I generally have something on me at all times, and I kind of have settled on the Hellcat as my EDC. I know it isn't cowboy, or WB approved, but I've never had a problem with it, it rides well, functions well, and it isn't picky about what it has in the magazine. Personally, I like the 147 and 124 HP's, but it will do 115 or 117 RN or HP's, and not have any hiccups. Personally, I still like having regular sights, but I have a couple that have red or green dots, but I just haven't spent enough time adapting to those yet. I have a couple of PDF/CQB items, and they have dot sights, but they only get to go for a ride if we go to a large metro area, which isn't often. I have a new Mossberg that I need to finish putting together to go behind the seat of the truck. I still love my '97's, but in the midst of modern problems, sometimes a modern solution is the answer. I will try to get a few more pics in the next day or so, but I'm working on bringing an old trailer back from the land of bad things, and I have been tied up working on it. That's a whole different problem, and very not WB at all, but still an interesting part of the real world. I hope that we can still see some interesting items, and the stories that go with them. I know this is pointed to WB, but if you do this, and also a different kind of shooting, there are those of us that like everything. What do you have, and why do you like them? Happy trails to all, and bless us all.

Those are sweet! I've always wanted an early production Colt, but haven't found the "Right" one yet. My brother, and my best friend are both FFL's, and every so often they see Tisas under $200. We have been thinking about getting a couple, and seeing if we can drop in a Nighthawk ignition system, just to see if it would work. On paper, it should, but you never know...... If we do, I will report on how it goes. On a different note, how many have gone down the 2011 hole? I have a couple of Staccato's, one a double stack 45, and it shoots like a 9. Actually I think it's an STI. Then I had to get a couple of WC's, just for grins. Then I found a DWX, and it's a completely different animal. The good news is that it fits 1911 holsters just fine. and the factory magazines hold a couple of more rounds than the others do. You either love the grip, or you don't. Personally, it works for me. Which led to me rescuing an Italian police issued Browning Hi Power, and doing a complete rebuild and Cerakote as it had been rode hard and put up wet. Literally. It was rusted pretty bad, but looks brand new now. I would get pictures, but I will have to wait until tomorrow, if anyone is interested? I felt bad posting pictures, but if we can see some other cool guns, and hear their story, that would be awesome. We are kind of the keepers of history, and my brother is a striker kind of guy, but he will shoot anything I bring to the range. Especially if I bring the ammo. Let's keep this one going, and if you're just perusing the post, but have something cool, please chime in, and if you have pictures, let's see them.

These are my 3 main 1911's. Full size DE. It was an early one, and has the billboard on the side, but it's probably my best .45. Full size Colt, and it's my back up WB 1911. Works great, but I don't want to beat it up too bad..... My commander DE, not WB legal, but was carried a lot, also an earlier model, but 'smith filled in the billboard, and then Cerakoted the slide. It has a set of Crimson Trace green laser grips, which is almost unfair, but I've never had a problem with it.

At the risk of making someone a little peeved, I can recommend Desert Eagle 1911's. When I could still do WB, I didn't want to tear up my Colt's or WC's, so I thought I would try one of them. All I did was change the grips and main spring to accommodate a lighter load, and with WC or McCormick magazines, I've never had a FTF or ejection problem. I liked it so well I bought a commander, and used it for years as an EDC. The only thing I didn't like about that was with Kydex, it wore some of the blueing off. I have since had that resolved with a custom Cerakote job, and she is sure pretty now. If I can dig through the safe, I will try to get some pictures, if anyone is curious. While I lack the knowledge of a lot you on here, I have enjoyed figuring out how to make them run. No one explained to me that a 1911 doesn't just dig a rabbit hole to go down, but it turns into a network of tunnels, with many twist and turns, and goes deeper than you could have guessed.

I've had a few '73's, and they are my favorite lever guns. I've held onto this one just because it's different, but it's smooth. I like different, and traditional at the same time, if that makes any sense? I had a 1885 that was in 6.5, and I lent it to a friend, and he took it to far west Texas, and was hitting targets out to around 1300 yards. He wanted it at the time, and I blinked, so he found something different. I did eventually find it a new home earlier this year. I have a couple of others, and now I'm back to hoping that I can get back into this. My first love is a good SAA, but when I went down the rabbit hole of 1911's, I took several branches. 1911's turn into 2011's, then something close but different, so then it's Browning Hi-Power, then CZ's, etc. That reminds me, I have a couple of projects that came back, and I need to get them out and smooth them out after being cerakoted. I don't generally get on any kind of media, but when it cools off a little more, and I finish up my rework on the house projects, I may have to dust off a couple of things that I'm working on, and share a couple of photos on here. I'm not into "Blingy" things, but I do have a thing or two that is a little different from everyone else. I may have to make a couple of new post post in the future, and see what ya'll think. Thanks for all the feedback, and I think I will stay with my current cards for now.

I'm still on the fence on whether to let it go or not. It's my last 73, and it is just sweet to shoot. I may wait a while and see if I can improve my abilities. I wasn't much of a threat to win anything before, and I still find putting rounds downrange therapeutic. I mostly do off of a rest with much smaller things now, but would really like to get back to being able to complete a stage, and hopefully a match.

I know that we're not supposed "To Go Fishing For Sales", but I've been out of the game for a few years, and I doubt that I will shoot much, if ever. I do keep my membership with SASS, as I do still buy and sell a few things. I have a 24" 1873 that I had sent off to be converted to 45 ACP, and it's probably had less than 300 rounds through it. If there is still any interest in a set up like this, I'm just trying get a ballpark figure. IF someone is interested, I can get more particulars, and post some pictures. If you want to PM me with your thoughts or questions, instead of replying here, I get it. I can assure that I'm NOT a scammer, and if the moderators think that this isn't a proper post, then I will delete it. I think that it has a Pioneer SS, not the super short, and a brass lifter. I sent it to Cody to have the conversion done. Anyhow, I'm just wondering if anyone still uses these, or if I assembled a Dodo bird. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, LH

That’s what I was thinking, but I wanted to run it past those that are in the know. Thanks L H

I imagine that this has been around before, but after a hiatus from doing this, I am getting back into CAS and WB. I am looking forward to getting to make some matches and hopefully get some other folks to join in the fun. One of my friends has a piecemeal 1911, and doesn’t want to buy another, but the frame has me puzzled as to whether it’s legal or not. To me it looks like it has a magwell from the manufacturer, which I think is a Caspian? Any clarification would be helpful. Thanks, L H

I love mine. It has become my favorite '73, maybe my favorite rifle ever. I can't recommend Cody Conagher's conversion any more highly. Even when I go to a public range, it is always a great conversation starter. Have had a couple of RO's tell me that I'm doing it wrong with the ammo, and it gives me a chance to explain about WB and CAS. I know the 18 to 20 inch rifles are most folks choice, mine is a 24', but if I run across a good deal on a 30' rifle, I may have to get another one done, just to say I have it. I don't know exactly how many it would hold, but it should be good for a big grin or two. I toyed with the idea of doing this for a year or so, but once I had it done and took it to the range for an initial test fire, I just couldn't believe how sweet it was. Good luck to you on whatever you decide. LH

The DE was my first "Modern" 1911, and it is still the one I grab first. Have a few other manufacturers, and while they are all the same design, this one just "Fits" right. I've let a few folks try it out, and they all want to know who did the work on it. They always look at me funny when I tell them I did. I put a set of stag grips on it, and started shooting it. That's it. It has the nicest out of the box trigger in a production gun, and with good mags, it runs like a sewing machine. I like the performance and lack of problems, so I thought I would try the C model, and it's just like it's big brother, it just works every time. Does it look like a billboard, maybe? Is it reliable without having to have a gunsmith on speed dial? It is! Maybe it was just the luck of the draw for me, but dang it happened twice. I am not a 1911 expert, actually I'm very far from it, but I am enjoying getting to know the design, and these have made it more enjoyable. I would be curious to hear from a 1911 smith, and know what they think.