CCW, a Luger? (Dumb question # 2)

[John Sabato]

The Seecamp conversion leans heavily on the mechanical design of the Walther P.38 Thanks for posting the photo from George Nonte. If that example had an arched mainspring housing, it could easily have been my pistol during the conversion! But this one has the flat housing. I only wish I had had the opportunity to meet personally with Lewis. I did all the arrangements by phone and had my gunsmith mentor do the shipping.

Originally Posted by sheepherder

I've always liked the basic idea, but never liked the triggerguard modification or the fact that it was only [AFAIK] offered in the Commander length.

Actually Rich, the only requirement at the time I had my conversion done was that the frame be steel and not aluminum alloy. L.W. Seecamp didn't think that the aluminum frame would hold up well with him cutting pieces out of it for the conversion, so he limited his work to the steel models.

I had a full size commercial Colt at the same time, and had a choice, but decided to go with my steel framed Commander because I was going to carry it and the shorter length was more appropriate. Looking back, I should have done the full size gun, because you can mount the Commander slide and barrel on a full size frame and have the best of both worlds. Short length when it matters, and long length when it doesn't.

As far as the trigger guard change, it is quite practical and I found that the front became more support hand friendly than the original shape. I never saw that the trigger guard shape change was necessary from a function viewpoint.

This was NOT a difficult conversion from a machinist point of view. I am sure that you have the skills to do this to a 1911 frame. All you would need is a working example to make duplicate parts. The paperwork is another matter. As this conversion required machining through the original placement of the serial number, you would need BATFE pre-approval for movement of the serial number to stay legitimate because you would be "defacing" the original serial number...

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by John Sabato

This was NOT a difficult conversion from a machinist point of view. I am sure that you have the skills to do this to a 1911 frame....

Gosh, no, I'm not that skilled...Well, maybe...

I do have an old Argentine Army frame that I've used as a 'mule' over the years...It's been plated, had the trigger well enlarged for Gold Cup trigger, re-shaped trigger guard, rounded heel...Some other stuff...It's pretty beat but I'm sure it would be happy to sacrifice itself for the greater good...