Cut Down Old Cop Guns

Outpost75 · March 27, 2025, 02:37 PM

A couple cut down Police Positives I got cheap because they had no collector value.

Pseudo-Banker's Specials in .38 S&W both good shooters.

Sharkbite · March 27, 2025, 04:52 PM

Ohhh those Tylor t-grips!!!! My first m36 (backup gun) bobbed hammer and T-grip. I think i just dated myself. Lol

Hawg · March 27, 2025, 07:20 PM

I think I'd be looking for new barrels.

HighValleyRanch · March 27, 2025, 07:31 PM

How are those front sights mounted after the chop? Silver solder?

deadcoyote · March 27, 2025, 07:54 PM

I once saw a colt model 1917 with the barrel cut to 3”. It was on consignment being sold by a young man who said his father had had it cut down for concealed carry many years back and it was really cheap, around $300. The shop employees were talking about how it was trash but I wanted that thing badly! I still regret not buying it and this was about 25 years ago.

ZEBRARANGER · March 27, 2025, 08:17 PM

Cheap, I wouldn't pass them up either, unique Colts. I was also one wondering how the front sight blades were attached.

Jim Watson · March 27, 2025, 10:47 PM

My Dad had a sawn off .32-20.
The heat color where the sight was soldered back on was clearly visible.

GEM38 · March 27, 2025, 11:37 PM

@Outpost75

Nice job on the snub conversions!
Btw, have you ever considered doing a "Fitz Special" replica?

Outpost75 · March 28, 2025, 12:13 AM

Fritz is unsafe butchery. Open trigger guard is hazard.

Outpost75 · March 28, 2025, 12:15 AM

Front sights fitted into milled slot in barrel and then silver-soldered on both. Quiality Pre-WW2 work.

bamaranger · March 28, 2025, 04:33 PM

The T-grip has become a sort of special item. Vintage ones go for around $50, or more, and acquiring a new Tyler made one is a touch and go deal. There is a fellow making something similar out of space plastic, but his inventory is limited as well.

I'm hunting one for 'Smith N-frame. Used to be every shop in the country had a box full of old grips and grip adapters.

**44 AMP** · March 31, 2025, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Btw, have you ever considered doing a "Fitz Special" replica?

IF you're going to do that, use a cheap POS so as to not damage/destroy the value of an actual quality gun.

I'd recommend you also make it a non-firing replica. That way, you can hang it on the wall, show it off, play with it, etc., without putting yourself or anyone else in danger!

Pumpkin · March 31, 2025, 01:12 PM

^^^And give it to Plaxico Burris for approval

^^^

GEM38 · March 31, 2025, 02:14 PM

@44 AMP

"If you're going to do that, use a cheap POS so as to not damage/destroy the value of an actual quality gun. I'd recommend you also make it a non-firing replica. That way, you can hang it on the wall, show it off, play with it, etc,. without putting yourself or anyone else in danger!"

I concur! ; )

@Pumpkin
You're too funny!!

GEM

GEM38 · March 31, 2025, 02:56 PM

Computer error.

This device is requesting a PCI interrupt but is configured for an ISA interrupt (or vice versa). Please use the computer's system setup program to reconfigure the interrupt for this device. (Code 36)

GEM38 · March 31, 2025, 03:07 PM

@Outpost75

"Fritz is unsafe butchery. Open trigger guard is hazard."

In light of my original question for you, it was that out of my own curiosity and I wasn't implying approval for an unsafe modification. I too, am not a fan of the "Fitz Special". Frankly, I think it's a ______ stupid idea to begin with!

**44 AMP** · March 31, 2025, 04:25 PM

Fitz thought it a good idea, a few people copied him, but only a few.

Sharkbite · March 31, 2025, 10:06 PM

I had the opportunity to walk through the Texas Ranger museum a number of years ago. I was astounded by the number of displayed handguns that had trigger guards cut off. Dbl action revolvers, 1911’s, etc.

All supposedly modified to make the gun “faster” into use. Ive never been hampered by a trigger guard (that i know of).

**44 AMP** · April 2, 2025, 12:07 PM

Extreme "fashion trends" happen in the gun world, too. Those that have actual utility tend to stick around, those that don't are like shooting stars, they flare brightly and briefly in the night sky, before fading away and crashing into the earth. Sometimes, their remains are displayed in museums.

Ricklin · April 2, 2025, 05:30 PM

There is some history in those old revolvers that should be respected. Aping bad ideas today, not so much.
Wow I can't imagine cutting the trigger guard off a 1911 pattern pistol, faster to shoot yourself with I think. At least the long pull of a DA revolver lends a small modicum of safety to a bad idea.

**44 AMP** · April 2, 2025, 06:47 PM

If the trigger guard gets in the way of your trigger finger, you're doing it wrong.

Consider this, the point of a trigger guard is to help keep things other than your finger from pulling the trigger, AND to help keep your finger from being forced to pull the trigger when you don't want it pulled.

Is it perfect? No, but it is more of a help than a hindrance, by a long shot.

consider if you fall with the gun in your hand, and your hand hits, a full trigger guard might be all that keeps you from mashing the trigger.

This might not happen with the fairly thin, unsupported rear part of the Fitz cutaway trigger guard.

OR possibly something hits the remaining guard and bends it, jamming the trigger and making the gun unfireable.??

Now with a 1911 type gun, you have both the safety lock (thumb safety) and the grip safety that the AD has to get past in order to happen. But it could happen.

There is a good and valid reason why the spur trigger is found only on the very smallest pistols today. Its a trade off in safety to get the smallest size package for concealment.

glider · April 2, 2025, 09:44 PM

I suppose everyone has heard the joke about the lady that asked a ranger if he didn't think carrying his 1911 cocked was dangerous to which he replied, mam I sure hope so!

Pumpkin · April 2, 2025, 09:56 PM

Makes you wonder why they call it a “Trigger Guard”

March 27, 2025, 07:31 PM	#4
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,128	How are those front sights mounted after the chop? Silver solder? __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

March 28, 2025, 04:33 PM	#11
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,788	T-grips The T-grip has become a sort of special item. Vintage ones go for around $50, or more, and acquiring a new Tyler made one is a touch and go deal. There is a fellow making something similar out of space plastic, but his inventory is limited as well. I'm hunting one for 'Smith N-frame. Used to be every shop in the country had a box full of old grips and grip adapters.

March 31, 2025, 02:14 PM	#14
GEM38 Member Join Date: December 11, 2024 Posts: 27	@44 AMP "If you're going to do that, use a cheap POS so as to not damage/destroy the value of an actual quality gun. I'd recommend you also make it a non-firing replica. That way, you can hang it on the wall, show it off, play with it, etc,. without putting yourself or anyone else in danger!" I concur! ; ) @Pumpkin You're too funny!! GEM Last edited by GEM38; March 31, 2025 at 02:27 PM.

March 31, 2025, 02:56 PM	#15
GEM38 Member Join Date: December 11, 2024 Posts: 27	Computer error. This device is requesting a PCI interrupt but is configured for an ISA interrupt (or vice versa). Please use the computer's system setup program to reconfigure the interrupt for this device. (Code 36) Last edited by GEM38; March 31, 2025 at 03:12 PM.

March 31, 2025, 04:25 PM	#17
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,433	Fitz thought it a good idea, a few people copied him, but only a few. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

March 27, 2025, 04:52 PM	#2
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,822	Ohhh those Tylor t-grips!!!! My first m36 (backup gun) bobbed hammer and T-grip. I think i just dated myself. Lol

March 27, 2025, 07:20 PM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,376	I think I'd be looking for new barrels.

March 27, 2025, 07:54 PM	#5
deadcoyote Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2009 Location: northern CA Posts: 721	I once saw a colt model 1917 with the barrel cut to 3”. It was on consignment being sold by a young man who said his father had had it cut down for concealed carry many years back and it was really cheap, around $300. The shop employees were talking about how it was trash but I wanted that thing badly! I still regret not buying it and this was about 25 years ago.

March 27, 2025, 08:17 PM	#6
ZEBRARANGER Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 626	Cheap, I wouldn't pass them up either, unique Colts. I was also one wondering how the front sight blades were attached.

March 27, 2025, 10:47 PM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,155	My Dad had a sawn off .32-20. The heat color where the sight was soldered back on was clearly visible.

March 27, 2025, 11:37 PM	#8
GEM38 Member Join Date: December 11, 2024 Posts: 27	@Outpost75 Nice job on the snub conversions! Btw, have you ever considered doing a "Fitz Special" replica?

March 28, 2025, 12:13 AM	#9
Outpost75 Member Join Date: October 4, 2024 Location: Potomac Highlands WV Posts: 69	Fritz is unsafe butchery. Open trigger guard is hazard.

March 28, 2025, 12:15 AM	#10
Outpost75 Member Join Date: October 4, 2024 Location: Potomac Highlands WV Posts: 69	Front sights fitted into milled slot in barrel and then silver-soldered on both. Quiality Pre-WW2 work.

March 31, 2025, 01:12 PM	#13
Pumpkin Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2020 Location: Seguin Texas Posts: 979	^^^And give it to Plaxico Burris for approval ^^^

March 31, 2025, 03:07 PM	#16
GEM38 Member Join Date: December 11, 2024 Posts: 27	@Outpost75 *"Fritz is unsafe butchery. Open trigger guard is hazard."* In light of my original question for you, it was that out of my own curiosity and I wasn't implying approval for an unsafe modification. I too, am not a fan of the "Fitz Special". Frankly, I think it's a ______ stupid idea to begin with!

March 31, 2025, 10:06 PM	#18
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,822	I had the opportunity to walk through the Texas Ranger museum a number of years ago. I was astounded by the number of displayed handguns that had trigger guards cut off. Dbl action revolvers, 1911’s, etc. All supposedly modified to make the gun “faster” into use. Ive never been hampered by a trigger guard (that i know of).

April 2, 2025, 12:07 PM	#19
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,433	Extreme "fashion trends" happen in the gun world, too. Those that have actual utility tend to stick around, those that don't are like shooting stars, they flare brightly and briefly in the night sky, before fading away and crashing into the earth. Sometimes, their remains are displayed in museums. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

April 2, 2025, 05:30 PM	#20
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,368	Well put There is some history in those old revolvers that should be respected. Aping bad ideas today, not so much. Wow I can't imagine cutting the trigger guard off a 1911 pattern pistol, faster to shoot yourself with I think. At least the long pull of a DA revolver lends a small modicum of safety to a bad idea. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

April 2, 2025, 06:47 PM	#21
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,433	If the trigger guard gets in the way of your trigger finger, you're doing it wrong. Consider this, the point of a trigger guard is to help keep things other than your finger from pulling the trigger, AND to help keep your finger from being forced to pull the trigger when you don't want it pulled. Is it perfect? No, but it is more of a help than a hindrance, by a long shot. consider if you fall with the gun in your hand, and your hand hits, a full trigger guard might be all that keeps you from mashing the trigger. This might not happen with the fairly thin, unsupported rear part of the Fitz cutaway trigger guard. OR possibly something hits the remaining guard and bends it, jamming the trigger and making the gun unfireable.?? Now with a 1911 type gun, you have both the safety lock (thumb safety) and the grip safety that the AD has to get past in order to happen. But it could happen. There is a good and valid reason why the spur trigger is found only on the very smallest pistols today. Its a trade off in safety to get the smallest size package for concealment. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

April 2, 2025, 09:44 PM	#22
glider Member Join Date: March 16, 2025 Posts: 51	I suppose everyone has heard the joke about the lady that asked a ranger if he didn't think carrying his 1911 cocked was dangerous to which he replied, mam I sure hope so!

April 2, 2025, 09:56 PM	#23
Pumpkin Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2020 Location: Seguin Texas Posts: 979	Makes you wonder why they call it a “Trigger Guard”