Junk Yard Dog 1911 Challenge! FINISHED!

[Greg Derr]

This is the start of a transformation for an NES member who got this at a Cape gun show. Should be challenging to say the least. It has a host of issues, but with some work and a little luck it will be a winner.

Input welcome.

 

[Golddiggie]

What's your plan for the pistol??

I can see close to a dozen things I'd want taken care of... That's without knowing how it functions.

 

[ntomsw]

Is it just a mut of different parts? I see a Caspian frame. Where is the slide from?

 

[rkwjunior]

HAHA, The Junk Yard Dog is my 1911 so don't bash it to hard. It's not gonna be a bullseye gun, thats for sure. It was actually bought from a fellow NES'er not a show.

It's an old Caspian frame and slide made at the old Hardwick VT factory, and mostly Colt bits and pieces, some parts can't be identified. The mutts gettin a complete blueing, every part externally will be either Wilson or Ed Brown, the internals will be taken care of by Greg, 25lpi checkering front and back, standard magwell, new Bomar rear sight and a tritium front, and Nitre blue small parts.

Can't wait to see the transformation, bottom of the barrel to top of the heap, and ready for a dog show!!!!!

Thanx Greg, i appreciate the work.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

It's not gonna be a bullseye gun, thats for sure.

Don't be so sure with the craftsman you've picked for the job.

 

[Boghog1]

Frankly t looks beautiful as is

 

[stinger35]

Looking forward to the After pics.

 

[rkwjunior]

Don't be so sure with the craftsman you've picked for the job.

I don't doubt it, there isn't a better man for the job.

 

[white feather]

So... it has stippling on the back now but what the hell do you call what's on the front? Can't wait to see the "after" pics.
White Feather

 

[dgrafton]

Junkyard dog? Wait til you see what my Caspian I picked up today ends up looking like!

Knowing Greg's work, that is definitely going to be a looker and a shooter. Post up after shots when done.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Golddiggie]

Hope you have a healthy budget (and deep pockets)... While I don't think it will be cheap, I suspect you'll get back something that's both 100% functional and a work of art. It's going to be a bigger transformation than the ugly duckling...

 

[Gammon]

The only problem is see is the front strap. Will there be enough metal left for 25 lpi checkering?

 

[Golddiggie]

The only problem is see is the front strap. Will there be enough metal left for 25 lpi checkering?

Hoss, this is Greg Derr we're talking about here... Have faith...

 

[mac1911]

come on greg is only going to put the instachango lens on his camera and it will be all finished
any gun greg takes pictures of looks better from the get go.
I like his pictures as much as his guns!

 

[rkwjunior]

The only problem is see is the front strap. Will there be enough metal left for 25 lpi checkering?

Greg said it shouldn't be an issue, i have all the faith in the world.

 

[rocket500]

Looks fit to be a boat anchor to me.

 

[Greg Derr]

OK, I've separated out the parts I think I can salvage and reuse. The frame is off to checkering specialist "Metalsmith" for some love. I measured everything and most things were within tolerances. The ramp had been polished, but not overdone. I will recut that on the mill to 31.5 degrees and a depth of .360. The frame had no VIS (vertical impact surface) so I'll mill that in too. The slide will be getting a dovetail cut for the front sight and a high cut carry bevel.

Junk parts

Things I can work with.

 

[Sprocket]

Greg - you have a habit of taking on projects that look like Mimi from the Drew Carey Show and making them look like an SI swimsuit model - Looking forward to the "after" pics.

 

[Rotaryrocket]

Can't wait to see how it comes out

 

[rkwjunior]

Oh boy!! The suspense is killing me.

Greg, if there's any issues that need to be addressed don't hesitate to call. Thanx again!

 

[WBCCI3371]

What a great way to follow a project!

Rich

 

[Jonny5]

sub'd

 

[45collector]

In my mind, Greg has the song "eye of the tiger" on stereo repeat while working on these guns.

 

[Boghog1]

I would love to see what he could do with the pile of "junk" parts he has accumulated over the years

 

[Greg Derr]

Enlarged and cut the ejection port for live round ejection. Then the slide got a high bevel.

 

[shamrockjr]

 

[rkwjunior]

Love the play by play of the build, the suspense is killing me.

High bevel looks awesome!!!

 

[warwickben]

Drool . Wish you gave classes .

 

[Greg Derr]

A few folks PM'd about the original BoMar sight. Well to keep things as close to original, I managed to save this one and re-use it. I got a top hinge and rear leaf from my friends at Kensight and fit it to the old base. The base was sanded flat to smooth out the rollmarks and the crosspin was polished. It will get new bluing too.

I'm waiting on the frame to come back from checkering, then the fun starts with fitting a new beavertail and clockworks.

 

[45collector]

Giggity