Orphaned guns

[Obiwan]

I share your feelings about orphaned guns. You mentioned the Star PD. I had one and loved it. I sold it because the lack of availability of spare parts and the inability to put an ambi safety on it (necessary as I'm left handed). Such is why I now only buy guns made by main line manufacturers even though some obscure guns look neat.

[J. Kennedy-ar154me]

There is a fine line between today's orphaned guns and tomorrow's collector prize.

[alfsauve]

My Colt 1911 Mk IV is betwixt and between when it comes to the barrel bushing.  It will take most all other 3rd party parts but that.  I like that bushing, evidently I'm one of the few and it's good thing I don't shoot it a whole lot so maybe it'll last.  Of course it will never be a collectable because I had the slide cut to accept current model rear sights.

[bulldog75]

Obiwan I am a fellow southpaw. Being a lefty has made me pick only a certain type of gun and all others are training tools. I will train with firearms that are not lefty friendly and understand their capabilities. Clint Smith advised to learn a 3 types of semi handguns that will cover a large portion of guns, Remington and Mossberg pumps, ARs and AK platforms. I hate all handguns that have safeties on the upper slide. I do not use a slide release and that is why I run the top of the gun to do mag changes. I know people hate glocks but they are lefty friendly and have available holsters for left handed people that are not the price of a small countries defense budget. 

[Obiwan]

Bulldog:

I appreciate your thoughts. Of all the handguns that I have only two have manual safeties. Fortunately the handguns issued to me as a LEO were lefty friendly. Beretta 96D, and HK P2000 LEM. My own EDC guns are lefty friendly. I've been dealing with being a shooter/lefty for over 60 years and it really doesn't concern me much as I just naturally look for lefty friendly handguns without over thinking it. I use my left hand middle finger for magazine ejection and the slingshot method to chamber a round. Been doing that for decades. I've also developed revolver techniques.
Alfsuave:
I also have a MK IV. I've never been concerned with the collet bushing. It works for me. I've seen stories of one of the fingers breaking off but have never seen it personally. I don't shoot it much but it's nice to know that I have it - Just in case. The only mod is an ambi safety and a Harts recoil reducer. The Harts doesn't leak (mercury filled) but I monitor it.

[Sponsor]

[PegLeg45]

My Colt 1911 Mk IV is betwixt and between when it comes to the barrel bushing.  It will take most all other 3rd party parts but that.  I like that bushing, evidently I'm one of the few and it's good thing I don't shoot it a whole lot so maybe it'll last.  Of course it will never be a collectable because I had the slide cut to accept current model rear sights.

Alf, count me in that group also.
Love the bushing and mine will never be collectible since the frame had been butchered before I bought it and salvaged it via a beaver tail grip safety and Millet sights.