Sorry, this ones not a S&W but this gun is so custom it's crazy. I figured you guys would appreciate it.

It's an Austin Behlert "Bob-Cat" mini-.45. Back before there were Officers Models and Detonics CombatMasters, Mr. Behlert was chopping down Colt Gov't Models and Browning Hi Powers into reliable, accurate, compact carry guns.

This particular gun is late 70's Gov't Model full house custom, it's had everything done to it that was offered in the Behlert catalog (got a copy of it with the gun, interesting reading). The barrel and slide were cut down 1", the grip frame cut down 1/2", the MSH and grip safety were cut down and fitted and hand checkered, even the leaf spring was shortened. The barrel has a ring built up around it near the muzzle to lock it into the bushing, which is threaded into the slide and it has an innovative reverse recoil spring plug and full length guide rod with a double recoil spring set up. The frame has had the front of the trigger guard built up into and squared off into a hook and checkered for the two handed hold that was popular at the time and is also built up at the base of the grip frame for a firm two finger grip. The sights are S&W, a revolver adjustable rear and a cut down ramp front. These guns also got action jobs and accurized, this one has as clean and crisp a trigger as you'll find. It is finished in Armaloy hard chrome. Even the mags were cut down and rewelded then Armaloyed. The grip length is in between an Officers Model and a Detonics CombatMaster, Detonics mags are just a little too short and Officers mags are about an 1/8" too long.

The gun is a shooter, very accurate. I've only tried it with ball ammo but it runs perfectly. It's a great example of Mr. Behlert's inventiveness, skill, and ability. He was one of the pioneers of the modern "fighting pistol" genre.










With my Behlert 25-2-

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

Very Nice!!!! I've been a fan of the Smith rear sight being used since I first looked at one. Sweet pair of thumpers...............

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Go big or stay home

Wow! That is one cool custom. Well actually that's two cool customs.
Congrats.

I like it a lot. Looks like outstanding workmanship!

Outstanding gun!
That's a real piece of history; all the tricked out, whiz-bang Government Models of today were pioneered by 'smiths like Behlert.

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John

Behlert made several different Custom handguns back in the day.

I never heard anything but good things about them...

Nice work and a fine Colt.

I sure would like to peek into that catalog!!!

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I Love This Site

Austin Behlert was a highly regarded craftsman and you can see why. Nice find!

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"I also cook."

I'm going to take pics of the catalog pages and post them if they're readable. The prices are crazy low by todays standards.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

Fine looking customs. I would be proud to have either.

Charlie

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SWCA # 2294

Very nice score. Austin was a true mechanical genius. Back when he was still alive he would post on gunsmith.com and tell stories of the early days. He said the one thing he was most proud of was his work on an early heart-lung machine.

I have a 25-5 that he worked on, didn't shorten the barrel on it though. Just a regular looking 25-5 with Mag-Na-Ports. Once you shoot it, you know it isn't a run of the mill 25-5.

bob

THAT brought back some memories. As a young cop in the early 1970's I used to visit his shop occasionally. I wanted one of the Bobcat BHP's so bad I could taste it.

Finally did have him work on a Colt Commander for me. The guy was a Genius. He liked using Smith K or J frame adjustable sights , milling a slot and adding them to various autos.

I really enjoyed the catalog over on your other post.

FN in MT

Behlert's used to have a tent at the Second Chance Bowling Pin Shoot.
I stopped by and admired his custom guns many times.
Too rich for my blood but fine to look at.

They had three generations of Behlert's there for a few years.