Job Types Accepted for Restoration Effective Jan 1, 2008

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    To facilitate a very low backlog and excellent turnaround, 1911’s and 1911A1’s will be the primary job-types accepted for restoration, with very few exceptions. 1911's and A1's are my primary area of specialization. Secondary specializations such as certain other Colt Auto's, Imperial Lugers, Single Actions and a few others will be accepted in very minor quantities, and on a case-by-case basis.

    NO other handguns can currently be accepted. Please see the list below of the types of jobs that will NOT be accepted for restoration.

    All handguns must be shipped fully-assembled and working, so that I know they're properly functioning when received. That basically means the pistol can be dry-fired and that all safties are functioning properly. Original parts for the types of guns I restore are basically long-gone from my inventory, and these parts can be very difficult to find. I cannot do parts-hunting for customers.

    Guns accepted must be in fairly-decent, restorable, condition. Past-miracles performed are in the past. I really have no desire to work on some of the terrible messes I’ve accepted in prior years. If you have any doubt at all concerning the condition of your gun, please email some very good pics of the gun, including in-focus close-ups of the worst areas.

    The words ‘decent, restorable condition’ mean the gun has to stand a very good chance of being successfully restored, without having miracles performed on it. That doesn’t rule out ‘problem’ guns by any stretch. After all, problems are my business. But there are serious illnesses and there are terminal ones. Worse yet, there are others where the patient died a long time ago. My limit will be ‘serious’.

    Guns in condition that are worse than ‘serious’ include:

    Dug-ups or train wrecks.

    Very-overbuffed guns with few, if any, contours remaining.

    Guns so pitted that 2-pounders become 1 ½ pounders after de-pitting.

    Guns requiring parts to complete a restoration.
    (I cannot do parts-hunting for customers.)

    Plated guns or guns to be plated.

    Welding jobs

    Possible other restrictions

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    Job Types NO LONGER Being Accepted for Restoration:

    Long Guns; both Rifles and Shotguns

    Post-Imperial Lugers (post K-Date)

    Foreign Handguns (except Imperial Lugers)

    Colt DA Revolvers

    Smith and Wesson; all makes and models.

    All of the above have been excluded because they present certain major problems, and/or the exclusion of these will enable me to take more of my specialty-area handguns, such as 1911's and A1's.

    I'll be glad to answer email inquiries regarding 'problem' guns, and why they have been excluded. However, please do not ask for referrals. Except for the few referrals listed below, I do not keep up with the work of others in the field, and do not know who does what or what their reputation or work-quality is.

    Lettering jobs accepted:

    Most lettering jobs involving handguns or handgun parts will still be accepted, with a few exceptions noted below. For now, long-gun barrels will have to be excluded (rifle and shotgun).

    Exceptions regarding handgun lettering:

    Certain handguns (or parts) are so hard they almost defy re-lettering. The hardness factor causes breakage of tool points at a rate of 10 times normal. Some parts are so hard they can't even be scratched. Mostly, these are case-hardened parts. These include, but are not limited to:

    1911A1 Colt Series 70 and Delta Elite.

    Any color-case-hardened, or case-hardened part.

    M1 receivers (tangs).

    Ruger (and other?) Stainless Steel parts.

    Plated parts.

    WWII Lugers. ______________________________________________________________________________

    Referrals to other restoration gunsmiths:

    Smith and Wesson restoration and repair work:

    Dave Chicoine

    dave@oldwestgunsmith.com

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    Single Action's: Repairs and Restorations

    Alan Harton

    8822 Jackwood St

    Houston, Tx. 77036

    713-907-6031

    aharton@hotmail.com