So... any of our members here have an interest in firearms?

noelekal · Dec 3, 2019

Wryfox
Working on restoring a mid 1700s Swallow of London double shotgun. Converted to percussion early 1800s.

Took several applications of stripper to remove 250yrs of varnish and muck. Much more to do. The barrel bores are clean enough(rough but no muck or rust) and the locks work so ideally i'd like to get it to a presentful firing condition again. I'll bet it hasn't been fired for 150yrs.

Pre 1800 doubles are pretty rare. This one has silver bits in the stock, and remnants of gold inlay on the barrel. I can find nothing at all on Swallow of London as a maker so if any of y'all know anything, I would love to hear.

I'd love to be a "cricket in the corner" watching your restoration efforts on that neato old piece.

Mtek · Dec 3, 2019

DLC coated barrels, hardness is off the Rockwell scale and very thin. These pistols are both shooters and the finish shows zero wear.

03Hemi · Dec 3, 2019

Mtek
DLC coated barrels, hardness is off the Rockwell scale and very thin. These pistols are both shooters and the finish shows zero wear.

Two of my favorite, is the Guncrafters 45 or 50? Both are gorgeous!

Mtek · Dec 3, 2019

03Hemi
Two of my favorite, is the Guncrafters 45 or 50? Both are gorgeous!

Thank you. It’s a 45 bud, the nighthawk is a 38 super.

noelekal · Dec 3, 2019

I crave a .38 Super as the next 1911-gun addition.

64Wing · Dec 3, 2019

It's so nice to see some love for the 1911 here. In my circle of squares there are too many Glock fans. It's like when you ask anyone about watches and they just go "Rolex...blah blah blah" I'm over here like "come on, there are oodles of others I'd rather have!"

03Hemi · Dec 4, 2019

I don't do plastic guns.

MikiJ · Dec 4, 2019

As many as I've owned and as much as love Colt 1911s, one of these days I'll carry an Ed Brown 45 😀

noelekal · Dec 4, 2019

I'm still joined-at-the-hip with ol' Colt. They've treated me right since that first World War I Model of 1911 was acquired back in 1978 when I was young, dumb, and broke. They've always been well mannered ponies that have delivered on the legendary reliability and with perfect satisfaction.

All Colts excepting for a World War II Remington Rand. All 1911 types except for the "king" at the top which is an uncommonly seen Colt Model 1905 .45.

Top: Model 1905 .45
Second row: Model 1911 .45 and Remington Rand 1911A1 .45
Third row: Government Model .45 from 1947, Government Model from 1967, Gold Cup from 1979
Forth row: Government Model 9mm from 1981, Government Model .45 from 2014, Delta Elite 10mm from 2016

I'll be on the prowl for the next year or two for a Government Model .38 Super. Would love to play with hand loading for the cartridge.

Also need to round off the menagerie with a Colt Service Ace .22.

Waltesefalcon · Dec 4, 2019

I definitely like Colts I have, I believe, twelve of them right now.

noelekal · Dec 4, 2019

Way more Colt revolvers on hand here than 1911-guns. We won't even talk of the Smith & Wessons.

MikiJ · Dec 4, 2019

noelekal

I'm still joined-at-the-hip with ol' Colt. They've treated me right since that first World War I Model of 1911 was acquired back in 1978 when I was young, dumb, and broke. They've always been well mannered ponies that have delivered on the legendary reliability and with perfect satisfaction.

All Colts excepting for a World War II Remington Rand. All 1911 types except for the "king" at the top which is an uncommonly seen Colt Model 1905 .45.

Top: Model 1905 .45
Second row: Model 1911 .45 and Remington Rand 1911A1 .45
Third row: Government Model .45 from 1947, Government Model from 1967, Gold Cup from 1979
Forth row: Government Model 9mm from 1981, Government Model .45 from 2014, Delta Elite 10mm from 2016

I'll be on the prowl for the next year or two for a Government Model .38 Super. Would love to play with hand loading for the cartridge.

Also need to round off the menagerie with a Colt Service Ace .22.

Great lookin' collection, but why not Colt Defender? It's really a great carry piece and shoots like a dream.

noelekal · Dec 4, 2019

Yeah. It's way cool and has a really "bu'ness-like" look about it that I like really well. I'd love to own one. But, I'd rather shoot the full-sized models at the range and in the field and, if "push came to shove" and I did have to defeat an assailant, I'd rather gunfight with a full-sized model. Handgun size and weight never bothered me as much as handguns not having enough weight and with stunted ergonomics. I have fairly large hands with long fingers. It's only my opinion and it's just me being the Luddite that I am.

https://www.colt.com/series/DEFENDER_SERIES

The Father · Dec 4, 2019

Ain’t no polymerphobia here

noelekal · Dec 4, 2019

Wouldn't say that I had a polymerphobia, but the doctor says that I have an allergy to them. Hah!

That's not entirely true. Three polymer handguns live here. I view them as specimens for study purposes rather than as serious side arms for use. Oh, that's not entirely true either. I have a grudging admiration for the Smith & Wesson .40 Shield, but mostly for its .40 S&W caliber which I admire. I have toted it a few times.

Oh, and aluminum alloy as a material for firearms construction doesn't really trip my trigger either. Hence the Smith & Wesson Model 642 snub in the photograph with the plastic ones.

I love cozying up to forged steel.

MikiJ · Dec 5, 2019

noelekal
I have fairly large hands with long fingers. It's only my opinion and it's just me being the Luddite that I am.

On the other "hand" my hands are no so large and the Defender fits me just right.
However in a real gunfight situation I'd much prefer a Colt Gold Cup.

Waltesefalcon · Dec 5, 2019

I don't have a Defender, but my EDC is a New Agent. I often wish it had the sights on the Defender.

Wryfox · Dec 5, 2019

Glocks are like a dirty girlfriend....fun to play with and up for anything, but its the 1911 you bring home to meet Mother. 😎

noelekal · Dec 5, 2019

What's the saying?

"1911s are for showing to your friends. Glocks are for showing to your enemies."

Around here it's: "The 1911 is for showing to enemies. The Glocks will be shown the door. "

But as I mentioned on another forum. I liked the Edsel when it was current and I was about three years old. At about 33 years old I viewed one of the first Glocks to hit the local gunshop in the area and I snorted that the cheap-o, plastic, gimmicky thing would never last on the market.

I've learned that I don't know how to pick 'em.

03Hemi · Dec 5, 2019

Yeah, all steel guns are better than plastic guns! ::stirthepot::

🍿
Seriously, it's whatever you can hit your intended target with, right?