I’ve seen more than a few posts here on ‘stumbled upon’ LGS finds. They aren’t maybe as common up here in Anchorage, AK-at least for interesting 1911 finds. Lotsa polymer-and really big revolvers, because everybody should wear a giant chunk of steel over their chest waders in bear country, right?
On a literal whim, my brother and I decided to drop into an LGS yesterday afternoon-the type that has lots of AR and shotgun parts, stacks of bulk, off brand cases of ammo, surplus mil gear-and an eclectic wall of long guns…just a lot of…stuff-including a couple of front counter glass cases of polymer handguns no one wants today, and a smattering of new stuff-priced on the high side.
I was turning away when it caught my eye-they guy behind the counter seemed to smile like he knew I’d spot it-even though I’d just asked him to take a look at a new Gen5 Glock 20 (cuz I’d rather wear polymer over my chest waders-and we have lotsa black bears, occasional browns-and even an occasional lynx that frequent our mountainside place).
He said he’d had it “for a while, I think”, and couldn’t tell me where the gun came from. I only really noticed it because of the magwell and I thought the grips were probably really nice if they got cleaned up.
Hmmm…A Springer 1911 - A1! Beautiful checkering…25LPI? Yep, grips are kind dirty but gorgeous….crap! six port job on a BARSTO barrel, slide racks like it’s on bearings-with a heavy spring, a vintage Wilson Combat target type rear sight that I can’t say I’ve seen before-but REALLY like…and a trigger that had clearly been done by someone that knew their Biz-thumb safety…no play, on and off like snapping a glass rod (although I’m a lefty…so that will hafta be addressed)
$850 bucks?
I felt like it was kind of a steal-I did ask if he’d budge…tolerant smile with a head shake. Happy to let me take field strip and get a look-he knew then he had me hooked. Only Springfield’s I’ve had have been EMP’s
Took it home, spent a few hours on it-it really cleaned up pretty nicely-a little pitting on slide (from right hand carry?)
Guy at the store didn’t know who had done the work-but turns out he’s a 1911 fudd…like we are
Maybe a gun someone brought up here? Or, maybe came from Wild West Guns here in Anchorage…I have a couple of customs from them-Jim West usually puts his stamp on them-none on this one. Counter guy thought that perhaps a a smith that worked for WWG in the 90’s and early 2k’s might have done it…Tim Thompson was the name he threw out. Dunno…
Well, this morning it’s all cleaned up-on the way to the range I’m dropping by Wild West to see if they can shed any light
Never shot a ported steel Govt like this-always been curious. I’ll post later with a few pics
