Sidearms & Scatterguns Top Pistolsmiths List attempt

[Bruiser_Joe]

As most know i'm a bit of a pistol guy and specifically a 1911 guy. i get asked alot about where to send a gun for misc work. i found most of this list on another site but added a few they missed figure this will get most pointed in the right direction. I added a lot to these lists and took some of them from other sites but figured it would make a nice starting point for people.

This list so far. Of course this is just opinions, but it's fun. Obviously there is no real way to rate the top "x" number of gunsmiths, so there are no wrong answers. There are some beautiful guns to look at if you follow the links. Alphabetical order by first names..

no i do not have guns or have shot guns from all of them, but through word of mouth and pics online these all seem to be good to go. if someone can say otherwise i'll add or remove names as needed. currently i own guns from steve morrison, chris james have shot ones from hilton yam, dave berryhill, chuck rogers, ned chrisiansen, jason burton and Don Williams and would not hesitate to order from any of them.



Top 1911 Pistol gunsmiths

> Alex Hamilton, http://tenring.com/about-alex/
> Bill Laughridge http://www.cylinder-slide.com/adventurer.shtml
> Bill Wilson http://www.wilsoncombat.com/handgun-index.asp
> Bob Hunter http://www.huntercustoms.com/
> Bob Londrigan http://www.brazoscustom.com/
> Bob Marvel http://bobmarvelcustomguns.com/
> Bob Miller http://www.millercustom.com/photo.htm NO LONGER ACCEPTING WORK
> Bob Rodgers http://www.rodgerspistolsmithing.com/
> Bobby Keigans http://www.freedomgunworks.com/
> Bruce Gray Grayguns by Bruce Gray
> Chad Kandros www.kandroscustoms.com
> Chris James www.combatprecision.com/
> Chris Peters http://www.originalmetaloy.com/
> Chuck Rogers http://www.rogersprecision.com/
> Claudio Salassa http://www.briley.com/
> C.T. Brian http://www.ctbrian.com/
> Dave Berryhill www.berryhillguns.com/
> Dave Dawson http://www.dawsonprecision.com/
> Dave Helton http://www.dvsmallarms.com/
> Dave Lauck, http://www.dlsports.com
> Dave Sams http://www.samscustomgunworksusa.com/
> Dave Severns www.severnscustom.com
> Dave Williams www.Springfield-Armory.com
> David Sams http://www.samscustomgunworksusa.com/meusoc.html
> Don Williams http://www.theactionworks.com/
> D.R. Middlebrook, http://www.tacticalshooting.com/custom-guns/
> Drake Oldham http://www.drakesgunworks.com/
> Dwayne Greufe, http://www.doubledcustom.com
> Ed Brown http://www.edbrown.com/
> Ed Vanden Berg http://www.vandenbergcustom.com/
> Greg Derr www.Derrprecision.com
> George Piper http://www.pipercustom.com/
> Hilton Yam - http://www.10-8performance.com/
> Jason Burton http://www.heirloomprecision.com/
> Jason Perkins, http://www.southforkarms.com
> Jeremy Reid http://reidpistolsmithing.com/About.html
> Jess Gypin http://www.ontargetcgw.com/
> Jim Garthwaite http://www.garthwaite.com/
> Jim Hoag, no contact info
> Jim Milks http://www.innovativecustomguns.com/
> Jim Stroh http://www.alphaprecisioninc.com/
> Joe Barnsfather http://superiorfirearmsllc.com/
> Joe Chambers http://www.chamberscustom.com/
> John Harrison http://www.harrisoncustom.com/Home.aspx
> John Jardine www.jardinescustom.com/
> Karl Sokol http://www.chestnutmountainsports.com/
> Ken Crawley http://www.crawleycustom.com/
> Kent Singletary http://kentsingletarygunsmithing.com/home.html
> Kevin Toothman http://www.usshootingacademy.com/content.aspx?id=46
> Larry Vickers http://vickerstactical.com/
> Les Baer http://www.lesbaer.com/
> Lou Biondo http://www.businessendcustoms.com/
> Luke Volkmann http://www.volkmanncustom.com/
> Marc Morganti http://www.geminicustoms.com/ NO LONGER ACCEPTING WORK
> Marianne Carniak http://carniakcustom.com/
> Mark Morris http://www.morriscustompistols.com/
> Matt Davis http://www.mdcustommachine.com/
> Matt Gish http://www.professionalgunsmithing.com/ website currently not working.
> Matt Cheely http://www.ccgunworks.com/
> Ned Christiansen http://www.m-guns.com/
> Neil Keller http://kustom-ballistics.com/
> Nelson Ford http://www.thegunsmith.com/thegunsmith.html
> Paul Liebenberg http://www.pistoldynamics.com/
> Pete Single, I had no luck finding a website, but read his checkering is some of the best.
> Rich Dettelhouser http://www.canyoncreekcustom.com/
> Richard Fletcher, http://www.fletchercustompistols.com
> Richard Heinie http://www.heinie.com/index.php NO LONGER ACCEPTING WORK
> Rob D'Andrea www.Benchmark-Precision.com
> Rob Schauland http://1911doctor.com/
> Ron Philips http://www.phillips1911.com/
> Ross Carter, Carter Custom Weaponry, website seems to have been taken over by someone else
> Ryan Flynn http://www.acgwllc.com/
> Scott Mulkerin http://www.sdmfabricating.com/
> Stan Chen http://www.chencustoms.com/
> Steve Bailey http://www.heirloomprecision.com/
> Steve Morrison http://marsguns.com/Home.htm
> Steve Nastoff, May not be gunsmithing any longer. No contact info.
> Ted Yost http://www.heirloomprecision.com/
> Teddy Jacobsen http://www.actionsbyt.com/pricing-semiauto.htm
> Terry Tussey, http://tusseycustom.com
> Tim Cronin http://blackopsprecision.com/
> Troy Harp, http://www.harpcustom.com
> Victor Tibbets http://www.wilsoncombat.com/about_us.htm#Victor_Tibbets
> Wayne Novak http://www.novaksights.com/customguns/index.html

Sites i don't know the name of the smith but does good work
Robar Home
Home Page
Springfield Armory
http://www.barsto.com/index.cfm
Gans Guns http://gansguns.com/
http://www.sviguns.com/
Limcat Custom http://www.limcat.com/
http://www.nighthawkcustom.com/


For plastic guns and other work (sig, HK, glock, XD, etc)
Custom 1911-Glock- M&P's
www.boresightsolutions.com/
Salient Arms International
Grayguns by Bruce Gray
ateiguns.com/
Bowie Tactical Concepts Home Page
Index

Holster Makers:
5 shot Leather - 5 Shot Leather, LLC - Home 5shotleather
A Holster Company - Home Page
A.E. Nelson - A. E. Nelson Leather Co.
AJ Concealco - Miva Merchant: Fatal Error
Aker Leather - Aker International, Inc.
Alabama Holster Co. - Alabama Holster Company - Concealment Products That "Just Plain Work"
Alessi Holsters - Alessigunholsters.com
Alfonso's Gunleather - Alfonsos gunleather gunbelts and leather gun holsters
Andrews Leather - Andrews Leather Catalog
Arizona Gun Leather - Under Construction
B&D Concealment Holsters - Bdconcealmentholsters.com
Bandera Gunleather - Beltster, concealed carry holsters, colt handguns, glock handguns, leather gun holsters
Bell Charter Oak Holsters - BELL CHARTER OAK CUSTOM HOLSTERS (607) 783-2483
Bianchi - Bianchi Leather Holsters, Concealment Holsters, Duty Holsters and Duty Gear
Black Hills Leather - Black Hills Leather - The best custom gun leather western holsters & rigs
Blackhawk - Home BLACKHAWK!
Blade Tech - Blade Tech holsters, knives and tactical gear for military, law enforcement, shooting competition and hunting.
Boston Leather - bostonleather.com |
Brigade Gunleather - Custom Holsters- Brigade Gun Holsters | Shop for Custom Leather Holsters
Brommeland Gunleather - Holsters Concealment Systems Gunleather Concealed Carry for Weapons
Bulldog Custom Gun Leather - Bulldog Custom Gun Leather - Home
Bulman Gun Leather - http://www.bulmangunleather.com/holsters.html
C5 Leather - Home Page
C Rusty Sherrick Leather Works - C. Rusty Sherrick Custom Leather Works - Custom Concealment Holsters
Center of Mass Holsters - Kydex Holsters
Combat Gun Leather - Home
Cobra Gunskin - http://www.cobragunskin.us/default.aspx
Comp-Tac - Comp-Tac : Top-Quality Firearm Accessories
Coronado Leather - Coronado Leather | Handcrafted Firearm Concealment Leatherwear Handbags/ Luggage/ Jackets/ Law Enforecement
CR Speed - Rescomp Handgun Technologies - CR Speed
Cross Breed Holsters - CrossBreed® Holsters
Custom Carry Concepts - Custom Carry Concepts, LLC - Home
D.M. Bullard Leather - Gun Leather, Concealment and Cowboy holsters, Azle, TX.
Dale Fricke Holsters - Dale Fricke Holsters
De Santis - Welcome to DeSantis Gunhide®. "We didn't invent concealment, we just perfected it." ? DeSantis Holster
Del Fatti - Del Fatti Leather
Don Hume - Don Hume Leathergoods, manufactures high quality leather and nylon goods.
Durango Gun Leather - Texas Ranger Belts,Tapered Belts,leather belts,gunleather
Eagle Industries - http://www.eagleindustries.com/index.asp
El Paso Saddlery - El Paso Saddlery - Holsters
Exodus Gun Leather http://www.exodusgunleather.com/
Fin Designs - FIN designs
Fist - FIST, Inc.
Fist- http://fist-holsters.com/
Fobus Holsters - http://www.fobusholster.com/
Front Line Ltd. - front_line, holsters
Galco - Galco holsters; Holsters; Gun holster, pistol holsters, western holsters, shoulder holsters, leather holster and Glock holsters
Garrett Industries http://garrettindustries.mybigcommerce.com/
Garrity's GunLeather - Garrity's Gunleather - Exquisite Hand-Crafted Holsters
G-Code Holsters - G-Code Holsters and Accessories for Tactical Carry Systems
Ghost Holster - Untitled Document
Gould and Goodrich Holsters - Gould & Goodrich | A passion for protection
Gradfather Oak Custom Carry - index
Grahams Custom Leather - Site Disabled - FreeServers
Grassburr Leather Works, Inc - http://www.grassburr.com
Gunworks - Leather Holsters for Springfield XD, Glock, 1911, M&P, Beretta, Ruger, Sig, Taurus, Kahr,
Haugen Handgun Leather - http://www.haugenhandgunleather.com/
Hazel Leather - Hazel Leather
HBE Leatherworks - H.B.E. Specialty LeatherWorks
High Noon - High Noon Holsters
Hillsman Holster - Hillsman Holster Company
Hoffners - Hoffners Custom Leather Holsters
Holsterama - JBP Holsters / Holsterama Home Page
Horseshoe Leather - Holsters for Handguns, Firearms and Concealment at holsters.org
International Handgun Leather - International Handgun Leather - Home
JRC Holsters - Handmade Horsehide Holsters
JS Holsters - JSHolsters.com - We don't do pretty. We do practical.
J.W. O'Rourke Leather Products - O'Rourke Leather
K.L. Null Holsters - K.L. Null Holsters Home Page
Kirkpatrick Leather - Kirkpatrick Concealment Holsters
Kramer Leather - Gun Holsters | Custom Handgun Holster | Kramer Leather
Lightning Arms Sports - Lightning Arms Sports
Little Bear Holsters - GeoVario LLC - Web Access
Little Feather Leather - http://www.littlefeatherleather.com/
The Malabar Front - Raven Concealment Systems
Master of Concealment - Concealed Carry Holsters, Products and Clothing, Concealment Holsters, CCW Holsters, Handgun holsters
Mernickle Holsters - MERNICKLE HOLSTERS
Milt Sparks - Milt Sparks Holsters
Mitch Rosen - Mitch Rosen Gunleather
Monica Kuehn Leather - Monica Kuehn Leather, LLC
Mountain Home Leather - Mountain Home Leather-Custom Holsters,Belts,Knife Sheaths,Saddle Bags and More
Nosser GunLeather - NOSSAR GUNLEATHER
Nevada Gun leather - Nevada Gun Leather: Fine leather holsters, belts, slings and other goods
Nick Matthews Holsters - NM Holsters - Home
Overland Gunleather http://overlandgunleather.com
Pacific Canvas & Leather - Pacific Canvas & Leather Co. Inc. |* www.pacificcanvasandleather.com
PagerPal - ConcealCity.com
Peters Custom Holsters - Peters Custom Holsters
Pistol Packaging, Inc - Pistol Packaging Inc.-Online Store
Pocket Concealment Systems - Pocket Concealment Systems, Inc.: Main Catalogue Page
Pro Carry Holsters - http://www.theholsterstore.com/servlet/StoreFront
Pure Kustom Holsters - www.purekustomholsters.com
PWL USA - PWL USA: holsters, pouches, belts
Python Holsters - Python Holsters
Rafter S Gunleather - Holster for people you know Quality
Raven Concealment - Raven Concealment Systems
Ray's Holsters - Your Gun Holster, Gun Purse and Leather Concealed Carry Source | Ray's Holsters
Rick Waltner Holsters - Rick Waltner Holsters - Home
Ritchie Leather Company - Ritchie Leather Co., Inc: Amherst, NY
RKBA Holsters - Home - RKBA Holsters
RF Holsters - http://www.rfholsters.com/rfholsters/default.asp?
RM Holsters - Home Page
Ross Leather - Ross Leather Online - Full Range of Holsters Rigs Belts and Accessories - Buy from Ross Leather Online
Ryan Grizzle Leather - Holsters by RGrizzle
Safariland - SAFARILAND? - Error
Sickinger - SICKINGER Holstererzeugung / Sportholster / Behördenholster / Holsterzubehör / Websitelayout und -konzept: Mag. (FH) Roland Voraberger ([email protected])
Side Armor - Sidearmor, Tactical Rails and Holsters
Side Guard - Side Guard Holsters - Home Page for Custom Leather Holsters
Simply Rugged Holsters - Simply Rugged Holsters ? Holsters, Gun Belts, Ammo Pouches and Accessories
SmartCarry - SmartCarry - Concealed Gun Holsters
Southern Holsters - http://southernholsters.com/
Strong Holsters - http://www.strongholster.com/
Sunrise Leather - Holsters - Handcrafted Leather, Concealed Carry Holsters, Gun Belts
Survival Sheath Systems - SURVIVAL SHEATH SYSTEMS : Kydex Shoulder and Chest Holsters
TacPro (Kydex) - TAC_PRO
Tagua GunLeather - GeoVario LLC - Web Access
Talon Tactical (Kydex) - http://www.talontactical.com/
Tauris Holsters - Tauris Holsters, L.L.C. - Custom Leather
Ted Blocker - - Ted Blocker Holsters
Tennessee Holster Company - Leather Holsters for Springfield XD, Glock, 1911, M&P, Beretta, Ruger, Sig, Taurus, Kahr,
The Leather Arsenal - http://www.leatherarsenal.com/
The Wilderness - Tactical Gear, Tactical Equipment, Duty Belts, Slings, USA
Trojan Tactical - Trojan Tactical
TSC Holsters - Welcome to TSC Holsters
TT Gunleather - TT GunLeather High Quality Leather Gun Holsters
Tucker Gun Leather - Tucker Gun Leather | Premium Leather Gun Holsters
Tuff Products - Tuff Products
UBG Holsters - UBG Holsters
Uncle Mikes - Invalid license key
Vega holsters - Vega Holster
Wild Bills - Wild Bill's Concealment | Holsters and Accessories for Concealed Carry

i'm sure i forgot some so i'll update as i find em

 

[SporterII]

Lots of familliar names there.
David Pruitt.
Sold Gun Doc but shoots.
Don't blink.

 

[dragbag]

David Bowie @ Bowie Tactical Concepts, I think is worhty of the list.

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

yep he is, i knew i forgot people but my brain hurt

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

updated with more info

 

[Bluejazz]

Holy sh!!!t what a list

 

[drglock]

This would be a very good sticky thread

 

[varmint slayer]

Bar-Sto Precision in Sturgis SD.

tel:605-720-4000
[email protected]

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

added to list

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

updated again, lots of good input from people

 

[Pester]

Are the good folks at Blackhawk Custom there and I am missing them?

Nighthawk Custom

 

[KM375]

FIST INC. Link for new site. Fist Holsters

David Sams, US ARMY MARKSMANSHIP UNIT gunsmith Retired. Sams Custom Gunworks LLC

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

updated yet again. damn there are a lot of 1911 guys

 

[FourNineThree]

Great post and some amazing skills on this page. Keep it up!

Be safe,
FourNineThree

 

[matchking]

I must be missing Jim Clark's name on that list.

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

their site says "until further notice we suspend all 1911 work on customer supplied pistols"

 

[RADcustom]

They are referring 1911 work to his nephew @ Hayes Custom Guns.

https://www.facebook.com/HayesCustomGuns?fref=ts

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

Awesome and informative list! How about a list for wheelguns also?
Need a pistolsmith for Dan Wesson currently and S & W soon. Perhaps
some of these 1911 masters work on revolvers also?

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

oh yeah just check their pages, i know for a fact jason burton, ted yost, steve baily all do

 

[Mortar Maggot]

That is an incredible list, I need to remember this thread.

I see Luke Volkmann there, I have one of his pistols and am happy.

 

[Steve Jensen]

You should consider Frank Glenn in Phoenix, AZ?

 

[MinorDamage]

Ray Parga of Del Valle Gunsmithing definitely belongs on there. He fixed a screw-up by one of the smiths (a guild member) on your big list.

Josh

 

[Finris]

Brazo's custom guns he does lots of 2011 work and custom IDPA and IPSIC.

Currently running a 1 year long wait time for one of his guns.

 

[Decoy]

I would add:

Derek Janowicz of Millennium Customs www.mcguns.com


Matt Mclearn of M2i Custom Tactical M2i Custom Tactical (MattMcLearn.com)

 

[JaysonF]

+1 for Terry Tussy - best gun I've ever held and fired!

 

[bluto77]

That's a great list of 1911 gunsmiths! What about a good gunsmith for revolvers? Specifically big bore revolvers. I'm looking into getting a Ruger Super Redhawk cut down to 4.5" and ported. Magna-port is backlogged over 6 months last time I checked.

 

[bogeybrown]

Thank you, truly, for taking the time to even ATTEMPT a list like this. It's not possible to name them all, but DAMN that's one helluva attempt. Nicely done sir.

 

[c1steve]

Excellent reference list. Add PerSecSolutions for kydex holsters, both stock and semi-custom.

 

[boomdoggie]

Virgil Tripp in Bastrop

 

[VKC]

Harrison unbelievable work and attention to detail. http://www.harrisoncustom.com


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

sorry guys i haven't checked this in a while i'll update later today

 

[Delta4-3]

Wow, well done!

 

[sunburned]

Adam Bon @ Overland Gunleather made me very nice, durable and functional holsters:

Overland Gunleather- St. Louis, MO

 

[truth]

Springer Precision :: The XD Specialists

 

[Bradu]

I need to find one on the list that will take on two 1911 projects that another gunsmith on the list started but appears to have no desire to finish. I know that is going to be a challenge because a lot of smiths don't want to work on something that someone else has messed with. I don't blame them since it's no different turning wrenches and getting someone elses half finished bullshit.

 

[Mark Housel]

Kent Singletary has a new URL
Home

 

[Triggerf16]

Ed Cameron. Camerons Custom in Phoenix,AZ. Very very good pistolsmith for the 1911.


Cameron's Custom Guns

 

[Steve Suhr]

I would nominate KC Crawford, of Maysville, NC. KC's Kustom Creations, Specializing Custom Made Hand Guns

 

[Jmilera]

Karl Sokol has built two 1911 for me and he is top notch, and he builds to your needs and not his own!
Joe

 

[W8-2112]

Love the list and looking forward to seeing it evolve

 

[308sniper147]

You do not consider bravo concealment a good holster company? Their RTT holster has been my CCW holster for 8 months now.

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

I can't stay on top of every single kydex maker that pops up. Too hard

 

[Rob01]

Controlled Chaos Arms also does excellent pistol work on top of coatings. They worked on my 2011.
Controlled Chaos Arms

 

[benchmstr]

for glock?

Robar
Salient

if you cant get what you need between those 2? you dont deserve to shoot a handgun

bench

 

[sendit300]

I've worked with a guy who owns a small company that does amazing work. Check out MHA Custom!

 

[DonovanM]

Very good list!

Names at SVI are Sandy and Brandon Strayer, Mike Voigt. Limcat Custom is Johnny Lim. There are a number of great gunsmiths at Nighthawk, it's a crew who all build each gun themselves start to finish.

And don't forget Shay Akai at akaicustomguns.com - this guy is crazy talented and may just be on the cutting edge of 1911/2011 performance these days.

Also Ed Cameron, Anthony Luciani and Eddie Garcia at cameronscustomguns.com

 

[Wyldeman]

Adam Nilson Www.atlasgunworks.com

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

I will update again when I get some time, hadn't touched this thread in years

 

[502Chevelle]

Jeff Abernathy at Tommy Guns is an amazing machinist and pistol smith. Check his work out on his website or Facebook. He is the go to guy for 1911 work in North and South Carolina.

 

[Baron26]

Dave Gregor, now at JJ Firearms Unlimited does some nice work too.