Sidearms & Scatterguns 1911 smith

[cast1]

Ok, so I would like to get my Dad’s old nickel series 70 Colt worked over. Reliability and accuracy are the obvious primary goals. I am flexible on cosmetics. I’m not married to original finish, but wouldn’t mind keeping it either. It’s a little scratched up from time spent in an old leather holster. I don’t know the range of funds that can be spent on a 1911, but I wouldn’t mind spending $2500-$3000 if there were tangible benefits in doing so.

I’d like to know who you guys would trust to handle something special like this, and also what direction you might go as far as style. It would be great if they weren’t 18 months out, but if that’s the requirement, that’s fine.

FYI I’ve looked at the pistol smith thread but there are soooo many. Would like personal feedback if possible.


Many thanks,
Shep

 

[bluegrasspicker]

I don't have a smith to recommend, but if your dad put those wear marks on it I'd think long and hard before getting it refinished. You can't buy those kinds of memories. Please disregard if your dad's still alive.

Sincerely,
Dude with his dad's old 1911

 

[cast1]

I don't have a smith to recommend, but if your dad put those wear marks on it I'd think long and hard before getting it refinished. You can't buy those kinds of memories. Please disregard if your dad's still alive.

Sincerely,
Dude with his dad's old 1911

Agreed for sure. It was a house gun. He never really carried it much. I don’t mind the patina at all but depending on the work it can get into the finish and there you are, you know? I want something I will want to shoot. Dad is still alive but if I make that piece a main axe if you will, every time I take it to the range is like taking him with me.

 

[bluegrasspicker]

Got it. Then I'd say have it done up like you want it then scruff it up with your dad :^)

If no one comes along with a good smith it's worth checking out 1911addicts dot com. Those guys will be more than happy to spend your $$$.

 

[camocorvette]

C o m b a t Precision®

built by a master craftsman Combat Precision 1911s are the pinnacle of form and function

www.combatprecision.com

Dude makes some of the nicest pistols I've ever seen. I haven't had one built by him, but I've followed his progress since he started and his work is top notch. Responds quickly to email too.

 

[The38Super]

Venom Custom
Carne Custom
Innovative Custom Guns - Jim Milks
Are all recommendations from several USPSA shooters, when the subject of custom 1911's came up recently

 

[cast1]

C o m b a t Precision®

built by a master craftsman Combat Precision 1911s are the pinnacle of form and function

www.combatprecision.com

Dude makes some of the nicest pistols I've ever seen. I haven't had one built by him, but I've followed his progress since he started and his work is top notch. Responds quickly to email too.

I had looked at that dude’s work! Awesome.

 

[camocorvette]

I had looked at that dude’s work! Awesome.

He has alot of good photos of the process on his Instagram if you use that.

 

[oso1]

The best 1911 pistolsmiths aren't 18 months out, they are 7-8 years out.

 

[camocorvette]

Who the fuck is gonna wait 7-8 years? I know the op wants a nice pistol; but I don't think he wants to wait 7 years for a gun he will never want to shoot.

 

[oso1]

Who the fuck is gonna wait 7-8 years? I know the op wants a nice pistol; but I don't think he wants to wait 7 years for a gun he will never want to shoot.

Apparently plenty of people or their wait wouldn't be that long

 

[The38Super]

The problem is that a lot of the good journeyman smiths have either aged out or gone out of business, from lack of day to day work. One of these could turn out a gun that's on par with some of the super high priced options. Better yet, they'd build you a true custom and not insist on using their own brand of parts, because they didn't have their own brand of parts. They built guns, dammit.

 

[502Chevelle]

Call Jeff Abernathy over at Tommy Guns in Mount Holly NC. He does incredible work, and builds tons of pistols for the local uspsa crowd. He specializes in 1911s.

 

[FWoo45]

Pics of the gun would help. I’d stay off the Addicts site, those guys guys have cost me more than I’d care to admit. The best 1911 smiths aren’t out 7-8 years, they’re not excepting any work. Jim Milks does great work but is more of a race gun guy. Here is a commander he built me with some aesthetic work by Chuck Rogers.

Steve Owens at Integrity Arms has built me a couple guns and does fantastic work as well. This is the 9mm/.38 super.

I’d call Steve to check on his wait time, or Jim, or the guys at Evolution Armory or Nighthawk, although my experience with the latter two is definitely more limited.

 

[Averageman]

I second the SA TRP, They are solid and reliable.