Fitz Special

[AJ]

No one has mentioned the safety aspects of cutting away the front of a trigger guard. Are there any concerns here?

There are always safety concerns when you modify any gun. The DA revolver would be more of a concern to me than a single action auto carried Condition 3. Texas Ranger Engraved Colt Lightweight Commander Pistol | Rock Island Auction

 

[Frailer]

No one has mentioned the safety aspects of cutting away the front of a trigger guard. Are there any concerns here?

Most places on the Internet this feature is the first thing one will see mentioned. People below a certain age will fairly recoil with horror at the safety implications.

As for me, I certainly wouldn't advocate for the practice for a gun intended to be routinely carried. But when viewed in context it makes sense. The original guns were purpose-built things, and anyone who has fired an old Colt New Service can attest to the fact that the risk of inadvertently pulling the trigger is small.

What I love most about the Fitz Special is its legacy. It is the grandfather of the firearms many of us carry on a day-to-day basis.

 

[Xfuzz]

That music dern near put me to sleep.

 

[Mule Packer]

All I can say is WOW!! That is definitely a work of art...and I appreciated the history, too. Thanks.

 

[boykinlp]

Thanks, all -- really appreciate the feedback!

Cost to do this on a client's supplied revolver is in the $1,400 - $1,800 range dependent on options. Example: jeweling the trigger and hammer requires significant labor hours. If one were to opt for a nitre blue, standard blue, or polished trigger and hammer, the jeweling hours could be eliminated.

I'm an old guy, and when I was first looking at the video, I was on my phone. When the video was showing the jeweling of the trigger and hammer, I had no clue what I was seeing. My phone display just wasn't big enough for me to determine what I was seeing! When I rewatched it on my iPad, I knew what it was, even though I hadn't seen it done before. Very Cool!
Larry

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Nice video. Beautiful Colt. I have one of his very rare Smith and Wessons. Wink wink.

 

[45Smashemflat]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Always wanted a Fitz. Now I have a method. Thanks for spending my money.

 

[max503]

I've known about Fitz's for a long time and always thought cutting off the trigger guard was reckless.
After watching that video I've completely changed my mind.

It's apparent he put a very high priority into being able to bring your gun into action immediately, in any and all circumstances.
Very practical. I like practical.

 

[mikerjf]

Read Chapter 55 in his book (link in post 14), the part about dealing with a guy holding a gun on you. Several times he mentions twisting the gun away and breaking his opponents trigger finger in the process.

Note that with a Fitz trigger guard, no one is breaking *your* finger!

 

[ladder13]

That is some real fine craftsmanship right there.

 

[JOliver]

Great video
Here is one believed to be real and a letter from Colt indicating "special" in .45 Long Colt

 

[Capt. F.]

Great video! Very informative.
Would love to see more like this.

 

[AJ]

Read Chapter 55 in his book (link in post 14), the part about dealing with a guy holding a gun on you. Several times he mentions twisting the gun away and breaking his opponents trigger finger in the process.

Note that with a Fitz trigger guard, no one is breaking *your* finger!

We were taught "Weapons Takeaways" when I went through Battalions Schools Anti-Terrorist Course back in the late 1980's.

 

[kwill1911]

Here is one believed to be real and a letter from Colt indicating "special" in .45 Long Colt

Please post some details; maybe a copy of the letter, if possible. Thanks.

 

[rwsmith]

That is a really cool video....

..and the history portion is great education. First, I have to state that I'm not a fan of Fitz Specials, I simply don't have a need or want for one, though I can see the point of having one. That said, what you guys created in your workshop is a WORK OF ART. My idea of a Fitz could be accomplished with a hacksaw and file. Functional, but lousy in the aesthetics department. But functionality is the main reason for having one Of course there's nothing wrong with having one that is really dolled up. Oh, and fabricating a new front sight for it was a special touch. I don't suppose the sights were used very often.