It's rare to have a chance at two of your holy grail guns.
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2023 10:05 am
What's my holy grail gun? It's a Ted Yost (estate sporting limited) 1965 Browning Hi-Power T-series.
I've had a number of T-series high powers. All but one had been shot to hell. In the older series, if you use too much +p, +P+ or heavy subsonic ammo, you can round the lock lugs over on the barrel and the slide, which makes it a very costly repair. Back in 2015 ish, my LGS had a 1965 T-series sitting in the case, no box, no papers, used.
After a quick inspection, I took it home. It didn't take me long to get it into Estate Sporting Limited queue. After Ted worked his magic, this is the final result.
45lpi front and read strap checkering, his trigger, safety, and sight. It's superb. This is the gun I pull out when I want to grin like a six-year-old does on Christmas morning.
A few years later, I ran across a MKIII, that had some work done, and the work wasn't done well. It was cheap, very cheap. I talked to Richard Fletcher of Fletcher Custom Guns here in VA. He took the project on, and let me tell you, it's as nice a shooter as the the Estate Sporting Limited.
I went with a more durable finish (black DLC) with new sights; he fixed the beaver tail, improved the front and back stippling, removed the ambi safety, and fitted a KKM 357 sig barrel to the slide. To say that I am happy with the work is an understatement. This is an amazing high power that settles both the 40 and 357 sig down as you shoot.
Here is the pair together
So, if my grail gun is a T-series, how did I end up with two?
Friends who know my proclivities. The LGS that sold me the original T-series retired this year, but his old clients keep in touch.
He asked me if i wanted a hi-power.
You see where this is going.
After assuring him that I am broke.
I struck a deal with the owner for this, another 1965 T-Series. I waited over the weekend and sealed the deal at a local FFL transfer place.
I've had a number of T-series high powers. All but one had been shot to hell. In the older series, if you use too much +p, +P+ or heavy subsonic ammo, you can round the lock lugs over on the barrel and the slide, which makes it a very costly repair. Back in 2015 ish, my LGS had a 1965 T-series sitting in the case, no box, no papers, used.
After a quick inspection, I took it home. It didn't take me long to get it into Estate Sporting Limited queue. After Ted worked his magic, this is the final result.
45lpi front and read strap checkering, his trigger, safety, and sight. It's superb. This is the gun I pull out when I want to grin like a six-year-old does on Christmas morning.
A few years later, I ran across a MKIII, that had some work done, and the work wasn't done well. It was cheap, very cheap. I talked to Richard Fletcher of Fletcher Custom Guns here in VA. He took the project on, and let me tell you, it's as nice a shooter as the the Estate Sporting Limited.
I went with a more durable finish (black DLC) with new sights; he fixed the beaver tail, improved the front and back stippling, removed the ambi safety, and fitted a KKM 357 sig barrel to the slide. To say that I am happy with the work is an understatement. This is an amazing high power that settles both the 40 and 357 sig down as you shoot.
Here is the pair together
So, if my grail gun is a T-series, how did I end up with two?
Friends who know my proclivities. The LGS that sold me the original T-series retired this year, but his old clients keep in touch.
He asked me if i wanted a hi-power.
You see where this is going.
After assuring him that I am broke.
I struck a deal with the owner for this, another 1965 T-Series. I waited over the weekend and sealed the deal at a local FFL transfer place.
