Sean's First Pistol
 

My son Sean is 18 years old and a freshman in college. He's a reader, a guitar player, a martial artist, and is just becoming a decent shooter.

He's got a 10/22, a Mosin Nagant, and my first 22 - a single shot, bolt action Stevens that my Dad got me when I was about 12.

We've been having fun for years shooting my rifles and pistols, and when he's 21, he'll be able to legally own his own pistol.

He and I had such a great time watching my custom come together that I thought I'd do a custom (or maybe it's a semi-custom) for him.

Navman had a mostly finished officer's model hanging around that he was willing to part with, and I've asked him to modify it for Sean.

It's a Remsport forged aluminum frame with a Colt carbon steel slide, a Jarvis barrel (I think - Navman may correct me), and a bunch of internal goodies.

Mods are new front and rear site, dehorning, new thumb safety and slide release, checkered front strap, and tuning for carry ammo. Maybe a couple I've forgotten.

After all that is done, it's going out for Ionbonding.

Here's a first look:

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...psb169be4b.jpg

Sean is home for spring break and we went over to Navman's last night. You should have seen his face light up when he saw the pistol.

Then you should have seen the disappointment when I told him it would be his when he graduates :)

Next I'm thinking of a 1911 in 9mm for my daughter Kate. I have plenty of time as she's only 16 next month. Still, you can't start planning too early :D


Boats

This one actually features a Schuemann Ultimatch (Clark/Para ramped) bull barrel....:)

Ok, got me!

that's very cool Tom!!! i can't wait to see it finished!

Nice!

You'll be building a set of grips for it. Save some ebony! :)

Tom

Very nice Tom!!:)

I had an original Colt Officers Model way back when, I never should have sold it!!!:eek:

Since you picked a Compact will this be a carry piece for your son?

Hindsight is 20/20! I'd like to have an original in original shape, too.

Sean wants to carry when he's old enough, and he's been eyeing both my compact and some of Navman's, so I thought this would make a great gift for him.

Although I love my Citadel Officer's as it was my first 1911, I wanted something more significant for him.

This is almost as good as it gets.

So this graduation gift is specifically from me. He is also getting a guitar - either an American Strat or Tele, or an American Les Paul Custom. He has good taste!

We're saving up :D

Tom

good job! Nice gun for a good son.

Sounds good Tom.........great taste in guitars also!!!:)

i think i might have a little ebony left:D

he does have good taste, what kind of music does he play?

Very nice.

Sorry for the limited responses guys. The pistol has been tuned and the ramped barrel has been adjusted for feeding. Additionally the rear of the slide has been hand serrated at 50 lpi and the slide has been given a carry bevel. Next on to hand finishing the flats and bead blasting the rounds. Unfortunately work is getting in the way (doesn't it always).

Keep yer powder dry and feet wet.

Great gifts. I sold my Starburst Les Paul when my first child came along in 78 :(

He plays a lot of different kinds of things, much of it too new for me to know anything about.

But he started with Zeppelin and other classic rock. He still plays that and Cream and other good stuff. It's funny, but he doesn't even know that he's playing blues when he does. He needs to learn more about the history of rock.

Lately he's been playing my Martin D-35 (bought new in 1970) and is really getting excited about acoustic guitar. He has a friend with a vintage Guild - you know, the ones with the really BIG sound.

So maybe he'll change his mind and get an acoustic. He already knows that the D-35 will someday be his.

My 15 yo daughter plays the Uke and says she is interested in acoustic guitar so there might be some competition for the Martin. But I have two, so they could each get one.

About a month ago, a very old and good navy friend (a pilot of all things) dropped in from Cali. He is a virtuoso blues harp player and even at 61 still carries a box of harps wherever he goes.

Late that night after one or two or maybe more drinks, we broke out the guitars, the Uke, and the harps and taught the kids what 12 bar blues is all about.

It was like opening the gates to a new world for both of them.

Tom

Sounds like you have a great relationship with your son.....keep it going.

Yeah I'm blessed with a great son and daughter - and also wife.

This time round everything seems to have worked out as well as I could have asked for.

Thanks!

Tom

BZ Tom!

Thanks, Colonel.

The pistol is almost ready for Ionbonding and I'll be visiting with Navman tomorrow night for:

• Fitting Zane's new ebony grips
  
• Taking some pictures
  
• Sipping some Laphroaig, which I've been saving, unopened, for this very occasion :)

Pics on Tuesday night, then a several week wait for the finished product.

Sean is going to be a very happy young man.

Almost ready
 

I spent a couple of hours last night with Navman talking guns, girls and Navy stuff as usual, sipping some Laphroaig whiskey, and looking at fine weapons.

Sean's pistol is ready for final bead blasting and sending off to Ionbond.

Here's a couple of pics. Unfortunately I forgot to bring Zane's ebony grips, but I did remember to bring the camera and the whiskey :)

We had to fudge a bit as all the pieces are not on the pistol, but heck, I did the best I could.

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...ps152c79e5.jpg

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...psd4b21ddb.jpg

Next set of pics will probably be in a couple of months when it's all together and finished.

Laphroaig is a wonderful whiskey. If any of you scotch lovers out there have not tried it, I'd recommend it highly. It's easily my favorite single malt.

Tom

Very Nice Looking Tom,


Clyde

Sharp looking! Shoots purple bullets does it???:rolleyes:

Feeds anything you feed it, including purple bullets.

Smart ass ;)

Tom

Hah!:p

Herb that is the only color of bullets they allow Boats to buy, so if he shoots somebody, they know who to talk to..............:D:D:D:eek::eek::eek::eek:


Clyde

Sean's custom officer's model got back from Ionbonding this week and I installed Zane's ebony grips - same as on my custom but smaller.

It came out great in every way, another testament to Navman's skillz, and also Zane's fantastic grips.

Sean was just awestruck when he saw it. I left it in the case on his desk and when he came in and sat down he said "What's this?". I said "What?" as he was opening it, and then there was this "Oh, hell yeah!". It was a good moment, the kind Dads remember.

We'll be hitting the range on Saturday to give it a shot, so to speak. :)

Range report to follow.

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...ps95ab5404.jpg

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...psa9259260.jpg

The build sheet:

• REMSPORT Forged Aluminum Officer Frame – IONBOND Finish
• Colt Enhanced model Officer Carbon steel Slide – IONBOND Finish, Polished flats to 800 Grit, rear of slide serrated at 50 LPI.
• Schuemann Clark/Para/Lissner Ultimatch ramped barrel (.45)
• EGW “melt” bushing
• EGW/ISMI flat wire recoil set
• EGW Stainless steel BARSTOCK Beavertail Grip Safety (.250 radius), memory grooved and stippled pad, IONBOND finish
• Wilson Combat Ultralight Hammer w/STI Titanium Hammer strut
• Cylinder and Slide Sear and Disconnector
• EGW BARSTOCK Thumb Safety, trimmed for carry, IONBOND Finish
• Harrison Design (Greider Precision) BARSTOCK .45 Slide Stop, IONBOND Finish
• Wilson Combat lightweight Aluminum MSH (30 LPI Checkered) Round butt, IONBOND Finish
• Harrison Design Plunger Tube, Blue
• MGW Staked front sight w/brass bead
• Mazer Custom U-notch rear sight
• 10-8 Flat solid trigger
• Colt Sear spring, tuned for 3.5-4 LBS trigger pull
• Wilson combat Bulletproof extractor tuned and serrated at 50 LPI to match rear of slide
• EGW Ejector, FP Stop and firing pin/Wolff EP firing pin spring
• High cut under trigger guard, front strap hand checkered at 20 LPI and hand bordered.

All parts are match fit and tuned for reliable function and maximum accuracy with quality ammunition and magazines.

Sweet. Good job, Dad

Nice piece! Umm, looking to adopt another son????

that is one sweet looking pistol Tom!