WC1911

Who are the up & coming shops who do high quality 1911 work but who may not yet have the big name cache (and the long waiting list) of those master craftsmen who are household names for most of us? I'm looking for someone to do some upgrades on & refinish my earlier model WC CQB (no, it is not now nor was it ever green) and then after that is delivered build another 5" carry gun for me probably on a series 80 Colt.

JohnnyT

They are legion.

WC1911

I knoweth not, therefore I ask, but I'll go do a web search for gunsmiths named Legion.....

JimP

Well Played!!!

Brian D.

JohnnyT, I am giving you a mild rebuke for that wisenheimer reply. (I'm all out of hot rebukes. )

WC1911, John is normally a very genteel and knowledgeable member of this forum, don't give up on the place even though it's dang slow in here.

My advice would be for you to ask the IPSC/IDPA/Bullseye shooters in your area for leads on a good, local 'smith. Probably be some quasi-retired machinist/firearm enthusianado who works from his home. If the competition shoots around you are busy, I can almost guarantee there is such a fellow (sorry, ladies) within a short drive. He may not be able to do high techy jobs but really, it doesn't take that kind of equipment to make a gun function properly.

pistolwrench

Excellent advice, Brian!

WC1911

Thanks Brian for the feedback, I just retired to a beautiful slice of country here after 35 years in south Louisiana where I got spoiled by being surrounded by good gunshops, gunsmiths, gun clubs, all forms of competition, etc., but things are different here. The upside is that I now have my own safe, covered close quarter pistol range and I'm working on my rifle range (and my food plots). I have found a really good general 'smith close enough, but he doesn't do fancy metal work or checkering, and he's really busy this time of year with long guns anyway. I was really asking if there was someone somewhere that anyone knew of that had been paying his dues but was now striking out on his own and might not have such a long waiting period before he could even begin the work. I have made my list of names and have just started at the top. I'm just really bad at waiting - ask my wonderful, beautiful wife (who is also quite a good shot.)

cwo4uscgret

Although not a new up and coming smith I have to give a lot of high praise to David SAMS of Sam's Custom Gun Works in Virginia. When I get back to my home computer I'll post his work on my Colt Combat Commander that he did for me.

I sent my 1970s Combat Commander to David for a much needed "month or two" at the spa. I had him do his 22 step reliability checklist, install a gold bead front sight and Novak rear sight, and set the trigger to 4.5#. Since he had to mill the slide for the sights I had him refinish it in a matte blue finish. He has regulated the sights for a center bullseye hold at 25 yards...if only I could shoot it that well! Here are some photos of his work:










Here's his 22 step worklist

This is what the check consists of:
1. CHECK ALL SAFETY FEATURES
2. INSTALL CORRECT SPRINGS
3. REPLACE COLLET BARREL BUSHING
4. INSTALL EXTENDED RECOIL, ROD, & SHOCK BUFFER
5. CHECK & CORRECT BREECH TO DISCONNECTOR RAIL ANGLE
6. CHECK & CORRECT FEEDING RELIED ON SLIDE
7. RADIOUS & CORRECT TENSION ON EXTRACTOR
8. ADJUST ANGLE ON EJECTOR IF NEEDED
9. THROAT BARREL, POLISH RAMP
10. CUT LINK CLEARANCE IN FRAME
11. CUT SLIDE STOP DETENT
12. CHECK PLUNGER TUBE
13. SET TRIGGER STOP
14. POLISH DISCONNECTOR RAIL/BREECH FACE
15. SCRAPE/POLISH DISCONNECTOR SLOT
16. POLISH SLIDE INTERIOR
17. HONE ALL INTERNAL PARTS
18. INSPECT/TUNE-UP TO 3 MAGAZINES
19. CHECK FOR CLEAN RELEASE OF MAGAZINES
20. POLISH INSIDE OF MAINSPRING HOUSING
21. CHECK SIGHTS FOR LOOSENESS & TIGHTEN AS NEEDED
22. FULLY CLEAN & LUBRICATE

WC1911

Nice lookin' piece - looks like it enjoyed it's visit to the spa. I am also considering a gold bead front sight now (they're said to be good for those of us with more "experienced" eyes.)

Alabaster

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