Sidearms & Scatterguns Top Pistolsmiths List attempt
- Thread starter Bruiser_Joe
- Start date
Greg Peine
www.peinecustom.com
Built my USPSA Open gun. The fit, finish, and workmanship are flawless.
www.peinecustom.com
Built my USPSA Open gun. The fit, finish, and workmanship are flawless.
I suggest an in memoriam section.
There were great pioneers in pistol smithing who are no longer with us.
Two off the top of my head are Bob Chow and Armand Swenson.
Legends in their field.
I couldn't afford a Valtro so I jumped when I had a chance to buy one of his uncle's guns. I really like my Swenson custom.
There were great pioneers in pistol smithing who are no longer with us.
Two off the top of my head are Bob Chow and Armand Swenson.
Legends in their field.
I couldn't afford a Valtro so I jumped when I had a chance to buy one of his uncle's guns. I really like my Swenson custom.
Gang, brand new here, but I thought I'd add a couple of holster makers who do superb work that I did not see on the list. Mike "Doc" Barranti does great work. He is a Shootist and a dedicated student of all things gun and holster related; website: https://barrantileather.com
Another first-class holster maker is Von Ringler: Von's work is stunningly beautiful. His "Wyoming Combination Holster" is very popular with outdoorsmen and women from Wyoming to Alaska. https://ringlercustomleather.com
I'll warn you, however, both of these gentlemen are backordered for custom work.
Another first-class holster maker is Von Ringler: Von's work is stunningly beautiful. His "Wyoming Combination Holster" is very popular with outdoorsmen and women from Wyoming to Alaska. https://ringlercustomleather.com
I'll warn you, however, both of these gentlemen are backordered for custom work.
I know that Joe Chambers has fixed some less than optimal work done by other smiths - he's worth giving a call. He's very detail oriented and stubborn (in a good way) about getting things right. You may have a long wait ahead, though. I'm not sure what his backlog is like these days.
Wilson Combat! I worked with them and several of them have never had but one job from HS on and they are still at that one job they had when out of Machinists school in their late teens or early 20's. Several have been there 30 plus years and the volume of guns they have laid hands on and hand checkered from the start is staggering!
Desert Gun Leather:
https://www.desertgunleather.com/
Well made, but reasonably priced, leather holsters and have more items available than is listed on their website. They also stand behind their work.
https://www.desertgunleather.com/
Well made, but reasonably priced, leather holsters and have more items available than is listed on their website. They also stand behind their work.
I think Brandan Bunker definitely earns a spot on the list. The precision of his builds takes to the .0001 what other smiths take to the .001, not to mention the option of PVD coatings that look like traditional bluing.
https://www.bunkerarms.com/
https://www.bunkerarms.com/
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There are a couple 1911 guys I'm not seeing on that list that should be. Understandably, as keeping up with all the good ones would be a full time job.
Matt Mclearn - 1911 builder https://mclearncustomguns.com/
Will O'Hara - 1911 builder (no site)
Brett Cifaldi - 1911 builder https://cifaldiprecision.com/
Matt Mclearn - 1911 builder https://mclearncustomguns.com/
Will O'Hara - 1911 builder (no site)
Brett Cifaldi - 1911 builder https://cifaldiprecision.com/
2nd. I have had a P-10C from CGW and an SP-01 Tac trigger kit. Plus a slide milling job for an optic. Everything was top notch at CGW.
Bought several parts from CZ C. Great stuff too.
Dave Gregor, former head gunsmith for the FBI hostage Rescue team
now located at
US Trinity Customs
in Northlake, Texas
now located at
US Trinity Customs
in Northlake, Texas
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On the holster front I can suggest The Southern Trapper. Quality gear, lots of exotic hides (croc, gator, elephant, ostrich, shark, ray, etc.), and they offer a 100 year, generationally transferable warranty.
www.thesoutherntrapper.com
Southern Trapper - Generationally Fought Over Leather Goods
Leather so tough, your grandchildren will fight over it. Hand wrestled alligator wallets, alligator belts, leather holsters, leather rifle slings, and 1911 gun grips and more. Order today and receive free shipping.
www.thesoutherntrapper.com
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Chen has the coolest idea about 1911 mag wells: shorten the grip and add a magwell that does not make the grip longer than standard. A couple of different implementations. http://www.chencustom.com/magwells-1
Not sure if others are offering parts for that.
Jim Garthwaite passed away last week.
He built two great guns for me.
RIP Jim,
R
He built two great guns for me.
RIP Jim,
R
Very sad. Jim built me a couple of guns, showed me how to build my own, and basically taught me how to shoot. I'd lost touch with him over the last two years, but he was very healthy last time I saw him, or seemed so.
Been on John Harrison’s list since 2013.....still waiting my turn.
I have two of Virgil's guns. 2011 9mm. He is wonderful to work with and builds great equipment. 4Certain!
I would Add Bob Serva of Fusion Firearms to your list. He was president of Dan Wesson Firearms for about ten years. I have two of his pistols. a 2011 Commander and a 1911 Bobtail Commander. 4Certain
fusionfirearms.com
Fusion Firearms: Crafting Excellence
Discover the epitome of precision and craftsmanship at Fusion Firearms. Explore our rich heritage in crafting premium firearms.
fusionfirearms.com
Looking at the list, Garthwaite also passed this year
RIP
also on the list ...
Bailey hasn’t been with Heirloom in some time I don’t think, built 2 guns for me in the 80’s
Cronin went back to full time LEO I believe, Shame as I heard he was excellent
RIP
also on the list ...
Bailey hasn’t been with Heirloom in some time I don’t think, built 2 guns for me in the 80’s
Cronin went back to full time LEO I believe, Shame as I heard he was excellent
Great list. CT Brian says no longer accepting orders. Several years ago I had contacted him and back then he had about a 2 year wait. Lots of great work from him and the others on this list. I've had Greg Derr do some work on a pistol and I'd highly recommend him.
Alan Harton would be on the short list when it comes to single actions. I saw Clements' name mentioned. he's getting out of the business.
Jason Burton... a great gunsmith but also really easy to work with. And still gets back to me really quick two years later when I have questions.
Don Fraley from " Advanced Weapons Technology" in Russell, KY . He builds custom pistols and rifles, and does some amazing work.
Alex Hamilton is truly one of the greats! I have been taking things to him for over 20 years (local for me)... he has always met my expectations for what I considered very reasonable prices. I don't know how much longer he will keep going.... he is probably 7-10 years older than I am... and I'm not young.
Agreed however the slide needs to be pretty beefy as the cut is deep.
Joe Chambers does a pretty solid plate mounting system that will mount on a large variety of slides.
bill fuchs for colt sa i think better than turnbill ,bob mcgrew but he fell off the edge of the world wizard on 1911s elmer keith liked him alot did a beauty of a gold cup match tactical for me i still carry over 10000 rounds thru still one ragged hole at 15 yards and im old and feeble, anybody at shiloh sharpsis great metal to wood fit unbeliveable
Dave Laubert is a member of the elite American Pistolsmiths Guild. He runs Defensive Creations (on IG and FB) out of Alliance, Ohio. I went to high school with him. He’s top notch.
defensivecreations.com
Gunsmithing - Defensive Creations Gunsmithing
Defensive Creations Gunsmithing operates a full-service gunsmith shop, with services from general cleanings to complete custom-built weapons.
defensivecreations.com
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