So I finally located an Austin Behlert 1911 mini combat. I've been looking for a while, and all of a sudden, it appeared. It's al worked out and will be shipping the middle of this month.
For those of you unfamiliar with Behlert's work, he was one of the early 1911 pistol smiths. A contemporary of Charlie Kelsey (Devel), and Armand Swenson, Behlert was early to latch onto the philosophy that smaller guns are easier to conceal. In the early 1970s, Behlert started with S&W Model 39s (about the only small, automatic around at the time) and cut them down. He cut down the barrel length, melted the edges, and added finger grooves. They were popular among police as back-up guns, but Behlert saw the need for more knock-down power and the plethora of surplus 1911s, so he took out his hacksaw and grinder, grabbed some K-frame sights, and went to town. Before Detonics (not Randall) solved the galling problem and was able to mass produce these pistols, custom smiths like Behlert, Swenson (the Bobcat), and Kelsey were the only way to go.
(Yes Bob, I know Detonics were more than mass-produced alternatives to custom guns. Even back in the day, Detonics prices--not to mention quality, innovations, and good looks--were up there with custom smiths.)
In addition to the Smiths and 1911s, Behlert did a handful of Browning Hi-Powers. If I didn't need it to shoot, I would likely give my right arm for one of those. Alas, someday...someday...
Anyway, here she is. If all goes well, I might be adding a Model 39 mini-combat as well. Remember, the only parts available at the time were from Colt, or Swenson's limited selection.
For those of you unfamiliar with Behlert's work, he was one of the early 1911 pistol smiths. A contemporary of Charlie Kelsey (Devel), and Armand Swenson, Behlert was early to latch onto the philosophy that smaller guns are easier to conceal. In the early 1970s, Behlert started with S&W Model 39s (about the only small, automatic around at the time) and cut them down. He cut down the barrel length, melted the edges, and added finger grooves. They were popular among police as back-up guns, but Behlert saw the need for more knock-down power and the plethora of surplus 1911s, so he took out his hacksaw and grinder, grabbed some K-frame sights, and went to town. Before Detonics (not Randall) solved the galling problem and was able to mass produce these pistols, custom smiths like Behlert, Swenson (the Bobcat), and Kelsey were the only way to go.
(Yes Bob, I know Detonics were more than mass-produced alternatives to custom guns. Even back in the day, Detonics prices--not to mention quality, innovations, and good looks--were up there with custom smiths.)
In addition to the Smiths and 1911s, Behlert did a handful of Browning Hi-Powers. If I didn't need it to shoot, I would likely give my right arm for one of those. Alas, someday...someday...
Anyway, here she is. If all goes well, I might be adding a Model 39 mini-combat as well. Remember, the only parts available at the time were from Colt, or Swenson's limited selection.
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