HerdThinner Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 I want to have a 1911 built. I started my research and came across Dave Dawson, Benny hill and brazo customs. Anyone have a 1911 done by these guys. I know in the rifle world it's SAC, GA precision, Tac ops to name a few. I'm just trying to get a few too builders and see who I click with. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 Matt Cheely at CCGunworks.com. He builds awesome guns and nobody else even comes close when it comes to customer service and satisfaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 Matt McLearn @ McLearn Custom Guns. 928-468-8984 Matt is a former world champ and also builds Nils Jonasson's pistols. In fact, if you want, he will build you a copy of Nils' pistol. Good luck with your hunt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echotango Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 +1 on Matt McLearn. I have one on order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 Dan Bedell Builds max's guns and 1911's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsa Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 http://www.innovativecustomguns.com I see you are in PA, so is this guy. Jim is first class, he used to work for EGW and did all of the gunsmith work there for several years before he hung his own shingle. His work is excellent! I have a full build from him and the only problems it has ever had were my fault (crappy many times fired range brass and a buff that should have been replaced sooner). Many, many top end gunsmiths that don't weld or have a project that requires some precise welding send stuff to him for welding. Give him a call, you won't be disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hvsmith Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 Matt McLearn @ McLearn Custom Guns. 928-468-8984 Matt is a former world champ and also builds Nils Jonasson's pistols. In fact, if you want, he will build you a copy of Nils' pistol. Good luck with your hunt! I have the Nils Jonasson Signature 002 limited, Nils gets 001. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHARLES D Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 I have a 40 cal. 1911 built by Bob from Brazos. Feeds anything I give it and runs like a charm. Might also check with Eddie Garcia at EWG Custom Guns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salsantini Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 I second the suggestions to use Innovative Custom Guns, I've had Jim do work on a Colt When EGW was forwarding all their work to him. I currently have him doing some work on my Dan Wesson 1911. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ELSOS Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 I have a 1911 in .45 built by Clark's Custom in Louisiana. They did an excellent job and are great to work with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PalmBeach1 Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 (edited) There are some incredible 1911 builders out there. It really depends on what you want from a Custom 1911. Can you list some details of what you are wanting, your probable budget and how soon. Generally a good builder can be backed up with work. Edited August 14, 2015 by PalmBeach1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerdThinner Posted August 15, 2015 Author Share Posted August 15, 2015 (edited) Thanks for all the replies so far keep them coming. As far as what I want. Being in the infant stages of custom handguns I'm not sure. What I do know is my budget is 3500 and under. I want to stay in the Tac ops division. I want a Sti 2011 9mm. Crisp trigger 2-3 pounds no creep. Something that eats ammo like a fat kid loves cake and isn't overly picky. Fiber optic sights (although what kind I'm unsure). Basically I want an extension of my arm. Not like the Glock I have that feels like crap shoots left because I don't hold my elbow in a certain way (corrected with some sight adjustment). Hahaha. Time to wait, I would like it by next April. I talked to one smith so far and one secretary, obviously impressed with one and the other should stay baking. Sorry for the lack of info. Any insight would be appreciated. Edited August 15, 2015 by HerdThinner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troupe Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 I can recommend Advanced Weapons Technology , Don Fraley in Kentucky, not that far from Pittsburgh. Down the Ohio a few hundred miles. Don builds world class 1911's using his own frames and slides. You would not be disappointed. Tommy Roupe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGus Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Gavin Ford, Ford Shooters in Logansport, IN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrickxx Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Another vote for Matt Mclearn great work and great customer service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooterj Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Other than being "custom", the CK Arms pistols would fill your bill with money and lots of time left over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glk21C Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Jim Anglin/Sailors Custom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviesterno Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Gan's Guns in PA. No bs service. mail him a box of parts, wait a couple week, and it will be a masterpiece. I had him do some custom work on mine and couldn't be happier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsa Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Jim Anglin/Sailors Custom Does he have a website? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glk21C Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 no, send me a pm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDubb Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Fordshooters.com Gavin Ford! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cactusbrew Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Just like the rifle world, lots of guys can build precision rigs. What sets them apart is customer service. Will they actually return your call? Do they respond to your voicemails? When you have a problem do they care or do they blow you off? All the big name smiths can build you an amazing pistol. The million dollar question is, will they support you when the gun needs fixed? There's nothing worse then when a smith doesn't have time for you or cannot be bothered after you drop $4k plus. When talking to a smith, calculate in how hard he is to get a hold of them, how responsive they are, how willing are they to answer your questions, etc? Ask him if something breaks on your $4k build, will he fix the gun immediately (depending on issue), or does it go to the back of the line and he'll get to it in 9 months. Best of luck. Picking the right smith is the hardest part in my opinion, especially when it comes to the 1911/2011 platform. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerdThinner Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 Just like the rifle world, lots of guys can build precision rigs. What sets them apart is customer service. Will they actually return your call? Do they respond to your voicemails? When you have a problem do they care or do they blow you off? All the big name smiths can build you an amazing pistol. The million dollar question is, will they support you when the gun needs fixed? There's nothing worse then when a smith doesn't have time for you or cannot be bothered after you drop $4k plus. When talking to a smith, calculate in how hard he is to get a hold of them, how responsive they are, how willing are they to answer your questions, etc? Ask him if something breaks on your $4k build, will he fix the gun immediately (depending on issue), or does it go to the back of the line and he'll get to it in 9 months. Best of luck. Picking the right smith is the hardest part in my opinion, especially when it comes to the 1911/2011 platform. I couldn't have said it better myself. That is what I'm trying to determine. I know for instance SAC, the customer service along with the guns are top notch. Mark bends over backwards to make it right. I know Rome wasn't built in a day but some too guys that take 24 months to push out your build also said if it breaks there is a long turn around. That to me is a negative. It's difficult to find review on the custom 2011. Custom rifles you read about personal builds all over the net. Pros and cons. Maybe it's the newbie in the hand gun world and I'm not searching correctly. Thanks for the advice. Keep it coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltdmstr Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Whoever you pick, it's a good idea to ask who's actually doing the work. It's not uncommon for someone to pick a big name smith for a custom build and it turns out someone else in his shop actually does the work. That may turn out ok, but maybe not. I've seen some real crap work come from some of the biggest names in the industry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunBugBit Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Tim Graves here in the north Phoenix area has given me fantastic service, and several of the fellows in our club proudly shoot guns he has built. He was trained by Matt McLearn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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