To Fitz or not to Fitz.....

[Deacon KC]

Okay, I am looking for your opinions, so let's have 'em. I even want SaxonPig in on this....
This old warhorse started out as a parts gun. Lot's of help and parts later, it is a good shooter, but nowhere near pristine or matching. i am considering doing a "semi-Fitz" on it. Shorten the barrel to 3"and remount a front sight, bob and serrate the hammer and trim the forward trigger guard [but not remove an entire section]. This is a great shooting little gun and would become a daily carry piece. Might even get refinished if it works right.

 

[Deacon KC]

Okay, I am looking for your opinions, so let's have 'em. I even want SaxonPig in on this....
This old warhorse started out as a parts gun. Lot's of help and parts later, it is a good shooter, but nowhere near pristine or matching. i am considering doing a "semi-Fitz" on it. Shorten the barrel to 3"and remount a front sight, bob and serrate the hammer and trim the forward trigger guard [but not remove an entire section]. This is a great shooting little gun and would become a daily carry piece. Might even get refinished if it works right.

 

[digi-shots]

I just "knew" you were still thinking about the "fitz"...!

You might even hear from Saxon Pig, but only if you promise to cut down that "pencil barrel"...

 

[Deacon KC]

Yup, and you are partially to blame for this dilemma.......

 

[digi-shots]

You mean because of this one...

If you do the "fitz", you'll have to come up with some real classy grips for it!

About a month ago, I passed on a cut down Brazilian... now I wish I hadn't. I saw it at a show, when the show first opened. Went back about 30 minutes later and it was gone. Someone had cut the barrel to about 2" and reinstalled the front sight. It wasn't bad looking at all.

 

[Deacon KC]

I've got some very nice Herrett's that would look real good on it.

 

[mikepriwer]

Kevin

Either you've got too much money, or too much extra time on your hands !

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[Onomea]

I think the point of this hobby is to have fun. I like project guns. Maybe they make no sense at all financially, but then what is all that fun, the fun of putting it together they way you want it, worth to you? We enjoy our hobby in different ways, so my advice is go ahead and enjoy yourself.

I like the thinned trigger guard idea rather than a full Fitz, BTW. While I think the full Fitz looks cool -- like Giz's gun or Digi-shot's above -- no way in hell I'd stick one in my pocket, or even carry one in a holster, for that matter.

 

[cgt4570]

I agree 100%. You would not be destroying a collectable at all. I've customized a couple of mixed parts N frames and made them much more valuable (to me) than they were before.
Chris

 

[Curt Dawson]

Go for it!None of us live forever.Enjoy it while you can.

 

[MBaneACP]

As the Official Curator of the Home for Wayward 1917s and Other Lost S&Ws, I say carve it up...that's why God made parts guns!

Michael B

 

[Curt Dawson]

By the way anyone ever run accross a single action that has been given the Fitz treatment?

 

[mjr]

A fair number of Colt single actions had the front of the trigger guard and front sight cut off, like this one:

http://www.maxanet.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?condon/21707

Probably not too many had the hammer spur cut off, though.

 

[Jellybean]

I'd leave the trigger guard alone too. But I wouldn't put the front sight back on, like the one pictured above.

 

[Deacon KC]

If I need the front sight I will put it back on. If it hits to point of aim with just the notch, it might stay gone. It does look rather sleek without it.

 

[dbarale]

Go for it! I cut one recently (it had a bulged barrel) and had plans to bob the hammer and thin the trigger guard but the wife claimed it before I could get to it.
I like the balance of the 3" so much that I sometimes carry it, just because.
The only thing I would do different than a full Fitz would be to just relieve one side of the trigger gaurd instead of completely removing it.

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

DeaconKC;

Based upon what you've got there, I see no harm in modifying it as you wish. In fact, depending on how and what you do, it may increase it's otherwise modest value as it currently stands. Not everyone is a collector of "original" condition revolvers. Many like the appeal of the "Fitz" type conversion for practical as well as, nostalgic reasons. A parts gun is a good candidate, in my opinion. Good luck!

 

[gizamo]

Kevin,

I personally like Big Bore Fitzed guns with customized grips

Giz

 

[digi-shots]

Giz, I really thought Santa would bring you some new grips for that Fitz... or at least a new roll of electrical tape...

Aren't you curious as to what's under the tape?

 

[gizamo]

Linda,

Why for? I bet that friction tape has been on that gun for better then 40 years

Ask yourself, would it be the same with a spanking set of new stocks on it? I think it would kill the guns persona.

Why, because they are so Butt ugly

Kind of got that "toss the gun" because friction tape don't hold fingerprints feel..................LOL

Giz