Rodgers Class photos. Pick the honor grad!!!

[Bob Rodgers]

I just finished the photos of four of the six class guns. Two are already on their way home.

It's time for these guys to be in the spotlight.

I personally think this group of first time building, overachieving, Type A personalities did a great job. A lot of my time was spent reining them in from starting something that simply couldn't be completed in the allotted time of the class. For example, Ricardo wanted to deepen the bevel in his mag well on Day 6....starting on it at 4:00 PM.

At any rate, I thought it would be interesting for YOU guys to pick the gun for the honor grad, and why you chose it. Please don't allow your vote to be influenced by the builder's personal choices like ambi-safeties, front grasping grooves, etc. I'm only looking for your choice of the best all 'round work.

Choices are labeled 1-4. Names were not used although I'm sure some of the guys who train with them will recognize parts preferences.

ALL of the students busted hump in this class. Long hours and hard work paid off, at least in MY eyes.

NUMBER ONE





NUMBER TWO





NUMBER THREE





NUMBER FOUR





Obligatory group photos:





Bulldog Six has added last day photos and a complete wrap-up to his thread. He did a terrific job and it's worth a visit. Here's a link:
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=229119

[cjw3cma]

WOW. My vote goes to number 1 - love that trigger !!!

Beautiful final products, all of them. Just as a point of reference, what would their final cost be for their gun [parts / class cost / etc.] ? If you ever decide to take your class "on the road" please come to southern Oregon. I'll sign up first.

[Dave Berryhill]

I just want to know what a "window licker" is. Is that like a booger eater?

Nice work by all of the students!

[torrejon224]

All very nice but my vote goes to #1.

[nking]

I am speechless. Those all look like $2000 customs, not the work of a first time builder!

My vote goes to #2, but all are outstanding.

[Caspian17]

#1 is very nice!

[nking]

EDIT: Whoops, double post.

[6285108]

It's a toss up between #1 and #2

[Ske1etor]

Gonna have to go with #2 for complete work.

[Caspian17]

Whats the complete work thing about, they are all finished 100%!

[Lt. Commander]

#4


Scott

[Ske1etor]

Originally Posted by Caspian17

Whats the complete work thing about, they are all finished 100%!

Supposed to be judging on the "Complete Work" as in the entire build. Not just what trigger you like the most.

Look at the fit of the grip safety on #2 and then look at the rest. Now look at the bevel on the bottom of the slide on #2 and then look at the rest.

The person holding the file on #2 did the cleanest work IMO.

Congrats to all that attended the class for learning stuff that only some of us will ever have a chance to learn...

[RickB]

I'll go with #4, as well. They are so similar that there's really not much to focus on, but I like the extra bit of contouring of the thumb safety.

[irvin]

Having held all in hands and inspecting them all I couldn't pick one best without allowing my own likes and dislikes influence me. For instance I loath that straight trigger and front cocking serrations. That being said I would gladly own any of them and would put them up against any of the high end pistols of the major companies.

Seeing the long hours and sweat that went into them only makes me want them more!

be safe irv

[Rinspeed]

They all look pretty damn nice to me.

[SharkZF6]

They're all beautiful and it's a tough call without seeing more of the pistols. I look for things like the bushing/barrel fit and if crowned how well it's executed. The blend on the GS and MSH. How well the back of the slide/frame area match up. Symmetry of the dehorn job, and, believe it or not, whether the grip panel screws alignment match when the screws are fully tightened (can actually be accomplished with flat blade screws if the bushings are carefully inserted and cut). Other things like quality of checkering and, of course, the slide/frame fit and feel but that can not be judged by photos ...

Bob asked that we not base our assessment on the parts selected though I must admit the flat "speed" trigger pistol sets it apart from the others ... obviously the work of a competitive shooter ...

I'm going with number one, not because of the trigger, but it "looks" to be fit the smoothest - though they all look great in the photos!

Well done to all!

[Auto Mag]

I have to agree with you Rinspeed. They are all very nice 1911's!!!

Mr. Rodgers, give my regards to all who worked on these excellent looking pistols!

[DannyK]

Originally Posted by Dave Berryhill

I just want to know what a "window licker" is. Is that like a booger eater?

Nice work by all of the students!

This is a winder licker. I would tell ya the story, but its much better when Randy tells it.

[DannyK]

Every last one of those are soooo sexy. Great job guys!

[goetztrp]

Cant decide. Im sure the two in the mail are just as nice. Im stunned i cant think what to say. there awsome. If my TRP was a fraction of that work. Pure works of art. Okay one last word WOW.

[Torquem]

Little do you guys know that the only vote that counts is mine. And I cast it in favor of #1. Congratulations. Now that I have stated it, it cannot be contested.

[TAckerman]

Bloody Hell...Except for #1 with the flat 10-8 trigger, they all look the same to these old eyes...and they are excellent!

[rglock35]

I think they all look good. I would be thrilled to have any of them!

My vote is for #2. I think that's unbiased because it isn't setup exactly to my preferences so what I like and where I like it shouldn't be playing a large role.

Even though I can't see or that weapon in person, just looking at the pictures, the dehorn job looks nice and even, especially the bevel on the bottom of the slide.

The beavertail fit looks really nice on that one, too. Well, it looks pretty nice on all of them! On #2, though, where the frame tangs meet the beavertail, it flows and contours nicely with very little visible seam.

Yep, #2 gets my vote .

[thearmedrebel]

They all deserve the honor. What an amazing job.

If I had to pick one, well, two, i'd say #2 and #4. The attention to detail on all four is amazing, but the thumb safety seems (based on pics) to be slightly, and I do mean slightly, better on # 2 and #4.

All deserve a pat on the back and a "job well done" from their instructor.

Robert

[Roadrider18]

Very nice job...all participants.

Forced to vote for just one.....

#1...

due to the very nice dehorning job and blending the beavertail and receiver tangs.

But I REALLY like the one(s) with the Horned Lizard grips!