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Gunsmithing Want UNKNOWN 1911 smith!!!!!!!!!!!!

J

Jacklulu

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 28, 2011
136
0
63
Eastern Long Island
Hi guys
I am new to high Calaber automatic hand guns
Waiting for a Colt 70 to arrive at my FFL here in NY and would like to have work done
So what I would like; is to find a gunsmith that someone has used on his 1911 and Happy with his work
I have called or emailed the top shelf guys, and they are all very nice, but way too busy ( years wait ??)
I do not need a big name gun, I want a nice gun that runs great and shots as well as I can do ?
I can buy a high end gun online for a lot of $$$ and it will be a good investment for sure.
Any thoughts
Thank you
John
 
Call Chester Cox at Palmetto Arms. Very nice guy, most of the guns I've seen by him were competition STI's, but he can do whatever you need. He does great work.
 
Last edited:
Call JD Thomas atHigh Speed Shooting Systems. He goes by HSSS here on the 'Hide. He can do whatever you'd like and has great turnaround times. He's a straight shooter to boot. I've had him do a bunch of work for me.
 
Personaly I use Jim Milks http://www.innovativecustomguns.com/ Call him, don't e-mail him. But he is sorta well known (he was the main 'smith at EGW for years).

A lot of local guys are using Abernathy (spelling?) who's I think in North Carolina. Supposed the guy does amazing work, for great prices, and is not nationally known...yet.
 
I'm going to suggest that you shoot it for a while before you have anything done. If you're new to pistols, find someone who can teach you- an NRA instructor, or look around your area for businesses that teach. Shoot it for a while, enter some IPSC/IDPA type matches, and get to know it well. Other shooters, if asked politely will let you handle their pistols and maybe shoot them as well. You'll get a good idea of what you do and don't like.
Then decide what you want done, and what it's worth to you.


1911fan
 
Give Rob Schauland a call at (309) 944-1911 or www.1911doctor.com. I had him build a full house Colt Delta Elite for me last year. The work was phenominal, and Rob was very friendly and helpful along the way. I can provide pics if you like.

P.S. there isn't really such a thing a fast gunsmith. Quality takes time...
 
Another thought: if you have the funds, the quickest way to get into a seriously well built pistol is to give Ed Brown or Wilson Combat a call. They both make fantastic products, and they tend to hold their resale value better than customs (especially by guys that aren't nationally known, no matter how good their work is). That said, I have a thing for Colt, and the series 70 is a fine platform to build on (the ponies seal the deal). However, this gets quite expensive quite quickly. If your gun is stainless it's no big deal to have a beavertail installed( which will neccessitate a combat hammer), Checker the front strap, add some good dovetailed sights, and throw in some good lockwork. If it's blued you will have to have it refinished after all the metalwaork. However, if you have hands that don't get bit by the standard grip safety and hammer you can skip the beavertail. I'd prob start off with some good lockwork which any competent smith can install and fit, and go from there. I don't know your skill level, but unless you shoot pretty well you won't benefit much from a Bar Sto barrel. The lockwork and sights will be the best bang for your money.

just my $.02
 
John Hobbs at the Phoenix PD.i have a full house floating in the 1911 pic thread. I believe he just got his FFL to start doing this professionally. He's unknown to everyone, but known by some of the premier arizona 1911 smiths.
 
A very Heart felt THANK YOU to all the info, from the great guys (and Gals ) here on the hide
i will take it all in
1. i have been to nighthawk,ed brown, and already a customer of Wilson (I like my semi- 5.56 and 308s with the occasional 338 ;-), but not really a big reseller of my fire arms, just would like a really nicely tuned gun to shoot with my son and then leave it to him someday (with all the rest!!)

2. i am more in to the Journey of getting this gun done (and yes I know that this will be $$$$$$$, most of my Hobbies and Toys are!!!

3. I shoot fairly well ; long history with colt Python, Kimbers, and Walther's, but now moving into the Colt 1911 arena

4. want this gun because with the Crazy laws and attitudes here in NY who knows if I will be even allowed to buy one one day
i picked up a nice 70 and the an 80
from what i have read the 70 is the one too dothanks again
john
 
Thank you all, for great advice
I have been shooting my new hand guns and
Sorry to say I do not Love them yet :-(
So now I am really in a bind
I have been looking at 1911 smith with est around $2,000 for work ( and not sure what that will give???!?!)
I looked at a very high end Wilson Combat to shoot and keep in my safe for a legacy piece to my son
Or do a nice custom job on this Colt 70 or 1991 80???
Just picked up a king cobra 4" that shoots wonderful even full hot 375 loads
Be well
John
 
Gary Natale at gansguns in PA. He is a 1911 expert. Excellent work, fair prices, and his turnaround time will blow you away. Weeks not months!
 
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