[mr. pitiful]

I am dropping off my officer model for a bunch more stuff to be done, and am considering having the trigger gaurd undercut and the frontstrap checkered. For both it will only run me $70.00, will this make much of a difference since the grip is so short, will it be alittle easier to hang on to?
Thanks;

mr. pitiful

 

[pistolwrench]

mr. pitiful,
I hope you don't mind the question, but who or what is going to do that job for $70???
That is just plain 'way to cheap' even for a smith with low overhead trying to build a reputation.
I would urge caution here, deals 'too good to be true', are quite often just that!
The normal price range of a high-cut and checker on an officer's would be from $175-$225, less refinishing.
Chuck

 

[mr. pitiful]

my gunsmith that I have used for many years, The guy is great. His prices are usually very good. the guy is always VERY busy. I have never been dissatisfied with any of his work so far. On this gun alone he has;
welded up my barrel lugs and fit the stock barrel to shoot as well as any of my custom full size 1911's'
done a wonderful trigger job, installed a couple of different sights,
throated and polished my barrel,
added a wilson high ride beavertail,fit my slide for a full length guide rod assembly,
and alot more stuff That I cant remember.
I trust his work, I am just wondering how much of anadvantage it would be on this gun.

 

[RBerry]

I had the trigger gaurd on a 1991A1 compact undercut,a machinist friend used an enhanced model for a guide,I was very pleased with the result.A little change made a big improvement in grip feel. Rick

 

[rex]

Holy sh!t that's cheap!Maybe I should quit messing with mine and send them to him-naw,I have too much fun.I personally like an undercut (especially with a Brown GS),but it's really your choice.I think it would help slightly with hanging on to it though,but I haven't played with many of these to give you any personal experience.I think I would do it though if I were building one.As a side note,I find if I compare my time to what a smith charges,I average $10/hr or less.Glad I don't expect to live on my hobby.

 

[Metal Smith]

Hi mr.pitiful,
To answer your question: yes, a high-cut trigger guard will give you a higher grip on your officers model, when I high-cut them I can fit my whole hand on the frontstrap, i.e. my little finger doesn't hang off the bottom of the grip. I DO NOT cut them higher than the Colt E- models, they leave approximately .060 to the trigger track, (get back with me if you want to know how to properly measure it) my cutter follows the true radius of the frontstrap, it removes more metal and gives a little bit of a higher grip then the Colt, Colt just lays the frame flat on the table and plunges a end mill, but any metal remove on a officers will help.

And Chuck is right, 70 bux does sound to cheap cuz it's a lot of work done properly, but if you know him well and are pleased, he's giving you a good deal and deserves a little extra! Pete

------------------
Metal Smith

The only thing I know for sure is what I can measure!
NRA Life Member

 

[mr. pitiful]

he is an older fellow, and has been doing this many many years, I believe he went to scchool with or from the older Clark {cant remember his name} any way I immagine he will be retiring one of these years. He has his own store, not just a basement part time guy, this is his buisness. It is in a smaller city in Minnesota, and around here there are not alot of pistolsmiths, every one shoots a shotgun or deer rifle here. Every time I have been there he has people lined up to drop off, pick up, or ask questions, and must have 30 plus guns to get done. He has always charged very cheap prices. when he does hang it up some day, alot of people will be dissapointed. I guess we sometimes take living in this region for granted. {you won't here me saying that in a couple weeks when its thirty below zero}

 

[CastleBravo]

It is subjective, but my Delta Elite has an undercut trigger guard and I like the feel of it better.

------------------
CastleBravo
The Pit: http://www.geocities.com/mr_motorhead/index.html

 

[popeye]

If it's not undercut it's "pre enhanced", right? If that's the case, I think I'd keep it stock and buy a Defender or Kimber Compact thats already got all the "stuff" on it. I don't see a lot of pre enhanced officer's around. I' ve got a stainless one I put a mag well on and use mags with pad on to give 1/4 in more grip. Obviously this doe's not give me higher grip, and there is 1/4" sacrafice in concealability, but mod is reversable.

 

[ScottsGT]

Send me his name and phone number! I want to get my Enhanced officers checkered!!

 

[mr. pitiful]

I sent it to you scottsgt, check our mail.