F. Bob Chow Custom .45 Auto

Captain Crunch · March 29th, 2008, 05:02 PM

Today at the gun show, I drooled all over a customized Colt Series 70 Government Model .45 ACP, built by the late F. Bob Chow, who had a shop in San Francisco. External mods included a S&W "K" frame rear sight, wide grip safety & extended thumb safety. The pistol locked up tighter than a Fort Knox vault, had a sweet 4 pound trigger, bright blue finish & checkered walnut stocks.

The asking price was $1350.00, which isn't bad, considering.

Sorry, no pics, so if anyone posts that TTIWWOP smiley, I'm gonna put a curse on you!

This was the first Chow built gun I've seen in person. I've heard of him, of course, and I've seen pics of his guns in books. I know his work was right up there with Armand Swenson & Frank Pachmayr. Anybody else familiar with his work?

JD · March 29th, 2008, 05:20 PM

retsupt99 · March 29th, 2008, 06:10 PM

I'm second...the curse goes on JD...

Jaypee3843 · March 29th, 2008, 10:43 PM

Well, Cap'n Crunch, I hate to admit I'm that old, but yes, I remember F. Bob Chow and his guns very well. He was quite a guy. A roommate of mine back in the late 60's aspired to be a top name competitive pistol shooter and really had a shot at it too. He was that good. Then at one time in his life he reached a plateau he just couldn't overcome even by shooting a couple of thousand rounds a week. So in desperation he went to a match where Mr. Chow was in attendance and told him of his plight. He said he wanted to become a top name competitor but had hit a flat spot he just couldn't overcome and asked: "What's the secret." Mr. Chow looked him squarely in the eye and totally deflated him when he said: "There is no secret. You just learn the basics and practice 'till the hot brass burns the cheeks of your ass." That was in 1969. Like I said, he was quite a guy.

JayPee

SonofASniper · March 30th, 2008, 12:49 PM

After reading Capt. Crunch and Jaypee speak so fondly of those guns, I want to see some pictures now.

OD · March 30th, 2008, 01:07 PM

From another board

March 29th, 2008, 05:02 PM	#1
Captain Crunch Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Montana, The Treasure State Posts: 7,136	F. Bob Chow Custom .45 Auto Today at the gun show, I drooled all over a customized Colt Series 70 Government Model .45 ACP, built by the late F. Bob Chow, who had a shop in San Francisco. External mods included a S&W "K" frame rear sight, wide grip safety & extended thumb safety. The pistol locked up tighter than a Fort Knox vault, had a sweet 4 pound trigger, bright blue finish & checkered walnut stocks. The asking price was $1350.00, which isn't bad, considering. Sorry, no pics, so if anyone posts that TTIWWOP smiley, I'm gonna put a curse on you! This was the first Chow built gun I've seen in person. I've heard of him, of course, and I've seen pics of his guns in books. I know his work was right up there with Armand Swenson & Frank Pachmayr. Anybody else familiar with his work? __________________ Memo to the President: I'll keep my guns, money & freedom... You can keep the "change!" Terry

March 29th, 2008, 05:20 PM	#2
JD Senior Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bedford County Virginia Posts: 9,469	__________________ Forum Customs & Courtesies Forum Usage: Tips and Tricks

March 29th, 2008, 06:10 PM	#3
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 15,607	I'm second...the curse goes on JD... __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

March 30th, 2008, 12:49 PM	#5
SonofASniper Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,017	After reading Capt. Crunch and Jaypee speak so fondly of those guns, I want to see some pictures now. __________________ The unreasonable person will determine what the reasonable compromise will be.

March 30th, 2008, 01:07 PM	#6
OD VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vatican City Posts: 2,792	Bob Chow pistol From another board __________________ OD "Slow down, you'll get a more harmonious outcome...." -------------------------------------------- *"The pistol, learn it well, carry it always ..." - Jeff Cooper*

March 29th, 2008, 10:43 PM	#4
Jaypee3843 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: TN Posts: 55	Well, Cap'n Crunch, I hate to admit I'm that old, but yes, I remember F. Bob Chow and his guns very well. He was quite a guy. A roommate of mine back in the late 60's aspired to be a top name competitive pistol shooter and really had a shot at it too. He was that good. Then at one time in his life he reached a plateau he just couldn't overcome even by shooting a couple of thousand rounds a week. So in desperation he went to a match where Mr. Chow was in attendance and told him of his plight. He said he wanted to become a top name competitor but had hit a flat spot he just couldn't overcome and asked: "What's the secret." Mr. Chow looked him squarely in the eye and totally deflated him when he said: "There is no secret. You just learn the basics and practice 'till the hot brass burns the cheeks of your ass." That was in 1969. Like I said, he was quite a guy. JayPee

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