[Williamlayton]

Well I have posted this topic on another site and it is a fun topic.
I am a fan of BBQ Guns and I am building one----well I am having one built.
The base gun is a Colt Combat Commander in 38 super.
I chose this weapon after I acquired a LW Colt Combat Commander and have enjoyed it so much that at my advanced age of 68 I have decided that the .45 is going into hibernation.
The builder is Ed Vandenberg of Vandenberg custom, here in Houston.
He has worked on a number of my weapons and is a first rate Smith with all the credetials.
The work he did on the LW Colt was pretty straight forward. Some new guts, new arched mainspring housing, extended mag release, extended safety, short GI trigger, new ignition system and some special work on the series 80 stuff and the grip safety.
He would not remove the series 80 FP block but he may as well have afeter all he did. It has a 2 1/2 pound short GI trigger and a grip safety that is light---read, LIGHT---. Super work.
Same setup, basically for the new gun---except---he made a motion that he wanted the series 80 MKIV slide so I am getting a new Caspian slide with no roll marks.
Lowered and flared, Heinie front and rear sights---white dot, beveled edges.
Lots of free canvass on the new slide.
I will post a picture of the build gun soon.
The whittleing will be done by David Wayne Harris in Jacksonville, Texas. He is an old style crafter with some very good age on his tools and a lot of credintials.
I like French Borders. I don't care for a lot of Spanish influence. I like Western Carvings. I have five sets of initials to be scattered thru the engraving.
Got any thoughts or suggestions---comments, both negative and positive are welcome.
It has proved to be a good conversation at the other place.
Blessings

[budroe]

William, can you advise how long Vandenberg takes for such work?? I'm looking for a good pistolsmith in the Houston area to do some work on my combat commander. This may be just the guy I'm looking for.

[Williamlayton]

Depending on what you want done---mine will take about three months.
Vanden Berg Custom
15502 Galveston Rd #218
Webster, Texas
281-480-3180
www.vandenbergcustom.com (http://www.vandenbergcustom.com)

[budroe]

Thanks, I'll give him a call.

[jimfox]

The whittleing will be done by David Wayne Harris in Jacksonville, Texas. He is an old style crafter with some very good age on his tools and a lot of credintials.

By "whittleing" do you mean engraving or stock work? I'm looking for someone to do some engraving on what I hope to be a BBQ gun and Jacksonville is near enough for me to visit.

I agree - the .38 Super is a fine round.

[gmcfixer]

By "whittleing" do you mean engraving or stock work? I'm looking for someone to do some engraving on what I hope to be a BBQ gun and Jacksonville is near enough for me to visit.

I agree - the .38 Super is a fine round.

Jacksonville, isn't that kind of between Tyler and Nacagoatcheese?

I'm another that likes the 38 Super ..... if money is not as much of an object a ramped (or fully supported if you want to use that term) bull barrel would be a hot ticket. Not certain but I think Schuemann makes a commander length bull barrel or a 5" that can be cut down.

BTW Vandenberg Custom makes a very nice gun, I saw one not long ago that was quite cool. Having done metal checkering I tend to be a snob when it comes to checkering (and no mine isn't perfect but you would not know it unless you know what to look for and its close enough!) and Vandenberg's checkering work is very good! Everything was fitted beautifully on the gun too, it truely was a work of art! Flaws that are normally on many custom guns that people don't notice (such as how the beavertails are fit) where not on this gun.

We do want to see pictures once its finished! Mine is just ugly but works great! One day I'll build another pretty gun, I built one from an Essexs Arms frame and slide years back (I dumped way too much in that gun) but that thing was a beautiful gun, only real pitfall it had was I used Millett sights on it, the rear sight was melted into the slide but a Bomar would have been better (I was a1911 newbie then.)

Dave Z

[Williamlayton]

Jim
Engraving is what I am talking about.
I will get some new stag grips for it but they will not be engraved---but that is an interesting thought----verrrry interesting.
Look for David on line and e-mail him.
I plan on driving up in about two weeks and do a preliminary visit with him---just to make sure i understand the process and options. See if we can get on the same page--so to speak.
This is a fun project and i have wanted to do it for toooo long.

Nacagoatcheese :psycho::up::D---too funny.
Yup Budroe---you know over towards your old grounds. Your still in central Texas, I believe??

Anybody got ideee's about engraving styles?
Blessings
Bill

[budroe]

William, I'm just North of Houston in The Woodlands right now. Retiring within the year and moving back up to the HIll Country for good.

Jim, I figured you'ld catch this topic and read about the engraver. I sent an email to Vanden Berg Custom today. I'm planning on having him do some work on my Commander. Then going to check into Harris for a bit of engraving. Then I think I'm going for a royal blue finish.

[Williamlayton]

I like that Royal Blue--it is on the present Commander that is being worked on.
Where you gonna go too in the Hill Country?
I have been known to drive too Llano just to eat lunch at Cooper's---that is a real statement---luv his Pork Ribs.
Blessings
Bill Close

[gmcfixer]

I have been known to drive too Llano just to eat lunch at Cooper's---that is a real statement---luv his Pork Ribs.


You need to try Hard 8 BBQ in Stephenville, don't bother with the original one in Brady because it isn't as good. Its on Hwy 281 and Hwy 67 west side of the road on the south end of town. They also have Dublin Dr. Pepper on fountain too if you want to send your taste buds back a few decades. Be careful thou, its easy to eat enough for four people! I always brought the scraps and any bones (I almost forgot .... they got a 2" pork chop that is great!!!) across the street when we finished and threw them over the fence at the animal shelter so the dogs can enjoy them.

Dave Z

[budroe]

William - we like the area from Gatesville up to Brownwood and over to LLano and San Saba. Looking to buy a small ranchette to raise a few head of livestock.

We drive to Llano 4 or 5 times a year, and its not for the scenery. Coopers is a favorite of ours too. Dave, we're gonna try that Hard 8!!

[Williamlayton]

If you do something with Ed lets see if we can get together---coffee or supper/lunch, whatever.
Let me put a bee in your bonnett--I am going up to Jacsonville in the next week or two, to visit with our engraver---let me know if you wanta.
Blessings

PS--My brother-in-law has a place, 480 A, just out of Brownwood.

[gmcfixer]

Been to the LBCR (Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat) a time or two on Lake Brownwood, nice area.

Dave Z

[budroe]

Thanks guys.

William - I'll let you know.

[Williamlayton]

And the beat goes on.
Drove up to Gallatin yesterday. It is actually as close to Rusk as too Jacksonville.
What a fall drive. I kept to state and county roads as much as possible. It has been YEARS since I wandered those hills. What fun.
David Wade Harris is a real gentleman.
He has just moved from the DFW area where he was raised, onto a farm and a very nice older home. It has a basement, where he has his shop.
It is a funny story but worth repeating. I drove into Gallatin---well, drove into also means drove out of---the front of the car is out and the back is in.:)
Stopped at the country store--AKA, cafe which is right next door too the one room Post Office--in the same building and, well you know.
Asked inside where 320 Gallitin Cut-off Rd was? HUH!, was the reply.
Who you lookin for?
David Wade Harris!
Oh, Yea. The new guy. I don't know the numbers of the county roads or the names---BUT---If you go up this road out front til where it make a 90 degree left turn---but don't go left---it is right at the top of a hill--and if you just go straight--down another road--his house is the first one, well the only one, on the right--has an old Green Broncho in the drive.
They don't know roads but they know roads, who lives on 'em and what they drive.:D:D:D:D:D--and most everything about them;).
Anywho--I found David. We talked for the better part of two hours about the gun and what my thoughts are.
He had a friend come over and he just walked in as he was knocking---country folk---the best of America.
We shared--both are lay preachers. It was a glorious time.
The gun will be in good hands.
Blessings

[budroe]

William - I never got a response back on my email to Vandenberg. I was a bit surprised not to hear from them. If I ever get a response I'll have to have one of my sons deal with them for me. I'm back over in the sand and won't be home again 'til just before Christmas.

[Williamlayton]

Got another e-mail from David Wade-with pictures, suggestions and general discussion. He is working on some sketches.
Blessings

[Williamlayton]

I went over to Vandenbergs shop yesterday to discuss the Norinco and while there he LET me see the progress of the Commander.
It has the Caspian slide on and fitted and has the dovetails cut for the Heinie sigts. It is looking good and the slide is beyond my expectations.
May get it to David Wade before Christmas.
Blessings

[Williamlayton]

The Commander is finished and in the white.
I will pick it up Thursday and try to get up a couple of pics.
I am excited.:psycho::tigger:
Blessings

[Williamlayton]

Here is the Colt commander---back from Vandenberg and in the white as it will go to David Wade. No sights--after engraving it will be hot blued and the vandenberg will do the sights. These are not the grips that will adorn this weapon--they will be stag and are on order.
Blessings

[jimfox]

Lookin' GOOD! I'm anxious to see the engraving.

[gmcfixer]

Looks darn good so far! Did you have him checker the front strap too? Can't wait to see the finished product!

Dave Z

[Williamlayton]

Did not do the front straps--either I will have some engraving or David will do the checkering---we'll see---but something will be done here.
Blessings

[Brian45]

Nice work and enjoy the thread. I'd like to do the same one day but mine would be on a S&W N frame as those are my passion.
One of my gun shops has had several engraved guns by S&W and others. Simply works of art and I'll do one some day.

My only concern is I'll get one built and nobody will invite me to their BBQ.:D

[Williamlayton]

We could have our own. Meet you in Kansas City.:P
Blessings

[gmcfixer]

Did not do the front straps--either I will have some engraving or David will do the checkering---we'll see---but something will be done here.
BlessingsI have seen in the past a 1911 that had engraving done on the front strap and it looked good. The fellow had the US flag on top followed by his unit crest and then the SFC stripes which was what he retired at. While the flag was small as was the unit crest it was quite good and you could see exactly what it was. There are many things that can be done, main reason I was curious is you don't see many BBQ guns with checkering at all, the gun I mentioned even had a smooth mainspring housing that was engraved.

Dave Z

[budroe]

Bill, who did you order your stag grips from??

[Williamlayton]

William Rogers Jennings---Custom Elk Antler Grips
Buffalo, WY.
stag-grips,com
Blessings

[budroe]

Bill - checked them out. Looks like some nice grips at a very reasonable price!!
Eagle Grips (eaglegrips.com) also makes some excellent grips from American elk. Theirs cost a bit more, but you may want to check them out.

[Williamlayton]

Well, you develope relationships.
I have bought several from bill. This time I just told him what I was doing and asked him to see what he thought would look good. He sent me a picture of his prefrence---I agreed and they are, or, should be , on the way as we speak .
Blessings

[budroe]

I do a lot of business just that way!!!

[Williamlayton]

Well the BBQ gun is in the hands of the engraver-----And the beat goes on.
Two more steps.
Blessings

[caneman]

Very nice. Enjoying the discussion.

[Williamlayton]

The front strap thing is interesting.
Ed vandenberg WILL NOT checker a front strap with less than a certain depth/thickness of steel--he would not checker the LW Commander, The Norinco or this one for this reason and he did checker a Colt Government.
I don't know his anality on this except to say---he won't do it.
The front strap will be some engraving with six sets of enitials involved in the engraving.
Four of the enitials are for men that were father figures/mentors too me when I grew up and my enitials and my sons, who will inherit the gun--thought it will not be pristine.
Blessings

[gmcfixer]

The front strap thing is interesting.
Ed vandenberg WILL NOT checker a front strap with less than a certain depth/thickness of steel--he would not checker the LW Commander, The Norinco or this one for this reason and he did checker a Colt Government.
I don't know his anality on this except to say---he won't do it.


Some gunsmiths don't know to check the thickness. About 12 years ago I redid one for a guy (Yes it was a Norinco) that he had a guy checker the front strap. Well it was too thin and the frontstrap actually cracked across the checkering, he said he was firing it and it all of a sudden pinched his finger where he was gripping it. I fitted a new Caspian frame and recheckered the front strap for him. The guy that did the original job blamed it on poor chinese manufacturing.

Now its been more than a decade since I did this type of work and I'm trying to pull specs off the top of my head but here goes. On average 20 LPI cuts about .028 to .032 inches deep, 30 LPI is about .022 to .026. A lot of frames, the flatness of the front strap is not even so you have to cut even deeper. If I remember right the thickness minimum I used as a rule of thumb was .080"s if the strap was straight. I can remember measuring a front strap that was .060" and it was not flat and the guy wanted 20 LPI. You can figure by the time it was done he would have had .020 inches of front strap left. Thats not enough.

Dave Z

[Williamlayton]

Ed has used the number .075 as a minimun.
Whatever, it is his attention to details and just not doing something a dumb customer like me ask for that has kept me at his table more times than I care to admit.
I like folks that won't do silly things just for the buck.
He won't remove a series 80 FP block but after he works it you will never know it has one.
Blessings

[budroe]

Bill - my Commander is heading for Ed's shop today!!!

[Williamlayton]

April can't be far away.
Blessings