The Marvelous Mechanical Marvel

Since my last post, where I threatened to go out and procure a "plastic gun", a.k.a. Glock 19, I was presented with three rare buying opportunities and handled an heirloom. The first buying oppourtunity, was stumbling onto a "Talo" edition of the Ruger SR 1911 pistol. I have two of these already, in Stainless Steel. A Full Size and a Commander version. I think they are a very nice representation of the modern M1911 and a great "first" 1911 for a would-be buyer.

This Talo limited edition, "One of 500" DLC coated black beauty is Talo's tribute to the Navy SEALS. $100 of the purchase price goes directly to the Navy SEAL Foundation. It has wonderful French Walnut Basket Weave Grip Panels, and the Black DLC (Diamond Like Coating) finish is stunning. Gold Ruger and Navy SEAL medallions are etched/stamped onto the rear of the slide which really make them POP!

There goes the Glock for now...

Next, while searching for info on semi-custom 1911's, I came across a new Dan Wesson Valor (Bobbed) for sale. This Stainless Steel "V-Bob" is a .45 ACP piece of heaven. Its Burl grip panels were fabulous. The reason for its rarity, was the fact that a fire consumed part of the Dan Wesson Factory in Norwich, NY., last November. This put the facility "out of production" until March of this year. With back orders, customer's pistols in need of service, and the constant demand for these hand tuned quality firearms at an all time high, the availability of these sought after weapons is virtually nil. I snatched it up. What a fabulous find.

No Glock yet...

Finally, well, not quite, I came across a new Colt .45 Rail Gun. Another hard to find, much in demand full size M1911 with tactical rail and Black Cerakote finish. I had been in search of one for about two years when this one was foisted upon my wondering eyes at my local gun store. It went home with me.

Still no Glock...

The Dan Wesson Twins

I did have an opportunity last week to detail strip a friend's Korean War era, Ithaca made M1911A1. This Olive Drab "Parkerized" US Army Sidearm is a classic, and it is in great condition, albeit a bit lacking of lubrication. I took care of that for the most part in my disassembly and lubrication of the combat pistol. While doing so, I marveled at the condition of this weapon, and how it may have saved the original owner's life (my friend's father). And, that thought reminded me of something the great defensive pistol guru Jeff Cooper once said of this John Browning design, and hence, the title of this blog:

"Pistols do not win wars, but they save the lives of the men who do. The noble 1911 is a mechanical marvel, whose ruggedness, dependability and ferocious power have comforted four issues of GIs, and which, unlike any other instrument you can name, is as much superior to its rivals as it was in 1917."  -Col. Jeff Cooper, about the 1911 Pistol, January, 1968

The Glock is going to have to wait awhile. Maybe, a long while.

Best wishes to all, shoot straight;

Gaff