Let's talk custom 1911 makers

chief38 · Apr 3, 2013

I do not own any fancy custom 1911's like Ed Browns, Wilson Combat, Les Behr, Rock River, or Kimber's. I only own 3 Colt 1911's of which one is a WWll 1943 US Army, the second is a Series 80 Gov't model, and the third is a Series 70 Gold Cup National Match.

Most of my friends do own several fancy custom maker's 1911's and I do not know one that has worked properly out of the box!
We belong to a Gun Club that will only allow the use of lead bullets on the indoor Range and the fancy 1911's just won't function reliably with lead headed reloads. Just about all of these custom 1911's have gone back to their maker's at least once to have them "loosened up" for more reliable functioning.

Now don't get me wrong here, I admire their workmanship. attention to detail, and beauty - all of which one would expect and demand in a $2500.00 to $3000.00 1911, but for that price the damned thing had better work 100% right out of the box. I for one do not buy into this **** that a $3000.00 gun should have to be shot 400 - 500 times to get broken in...... HOG WASH!

My Colt Gold cup worked right out of the box since 1974 and still works 100% today! It is just as accurate as any of the fancy ones and the damned thing will feed ANYTHING - even re-loaded stuff that's been loaded 8 - 10 times! True it might not have the fancy scallops, checkering and fancy grips, but I'll trade that any day for a 1911 that works and shoots!

YMMV

macdab · Apr 3, 2013

I own 2 Ed Brown 1911's, (2) Wilson 1911's, (2) Colt 1911's and (2) Volkmann Precision 1911's. Yes, I like 1911s, nothing like them out there.

Each of my semi-custom 1911s feed lead bullet ammo without failure right out of the "box". No feeding problem with factory ammo either. I shoot Custom Defensive Pistol (CDP) in IDPA with a 1911 using 200 grain SWC lead bullets without any problems.

I like all of my 1911s almost equally. My two favorites for looks, function, and build quality are the two Volkmann Precision 1911s. I have one commander and one government.

Luke makes a great gun. You won't be disappointed. Check out his website.

Volkmann Precision, LLC. The Finest Custom 1911, 1911A1, M1911's Hand-Crafted by Luke Volkmann

_________________

Below are a couple images of my Ed Brown Centennial Edition. I don't currently have images of my other 1911's out on the web.

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Cyrano · Apr 3, 2013

I've never been able to afford a Clark custom gun, but I've had them do work for me. Great job, and they can be talked to.

macdab · Apr 3, 2013

I will try and get some images posted of my Volkmann Precision 1911's. Until then, there are plenty to look at on his website.

beemerphile · Apr 4, 2013

I have a Volkmann and an Ed Brown that I am quite happy with. My Volkman Combatant Carry in NP3 was one of his early guns. You can see the Ed Brown influence in his work. Both are very fine. Who knows, Luke might have built my Ed Brown too!

WC145 · Apr 4, 2013

I love custom guns and have a few. Right now I have a Colt 1991A1 .38 Super out to Dietrich Gunsmithy for a full build and they're also doing a Model 10 for my wife. Also, I really like Chuck Rogers work his guns are incredible, I hope to own one some day.

The guns I really enjoy owning and shooting are "vintage" customs built by name 'smiths back in the day. Mine were all built pre-2000, some more pre than others. Guns like these can be had for very reasonable prices considering the history and the quality of workmanship your getting, certainly a fraction of what it would cost to build them today. So many people want the latest and greatest that guns like these are often ignored. They are still terrific shooting guns and some are real works of art. Plus, there is something incredibly cool about a gun that was hand built by one of the pioneers of modern custom gunsmithing.

The guns below have all been purchased for less than $1500, one or two for much less. I know, they're not all 1911s but the revolvers were built by shops well know for their 1911 work.

Austin Behlert chopped Colt Gov't "Bob-Cat" mini .45-

Austin Behlert Colt Gov't "Pin Gun"-

Austin Behlert chopped 25-2 snubby-

Clark Colt Gold Cup National Match-

Clark Colt 1991A1 Compact "Meltdown" (refinished by Dietrich Gunsmithy)-

Novak/Joe Bonar Colt 1911A1 Commander-

Mag-Na-Port Charter Arms Bulldog "Backpacker"-

Krebs Custom S&W 28-2 .45ACP "Crowbar" (Just purchased this one, still waiting for it to arrive)-

Onomea · Apr 4, 2013

Very cool, WC145. I think that -- custom guns from way back when -- is an exceptionally great idea for collecting focus!

RightArm · Apr 4, 2013

I love that Clark meltdown. I wouldn't be able to put it down.

mkk41 · Apr 4, 2013

macdab said:
I own 2 Ed Brown 1911's, (2) Wilson 1911's, (2) Colt 1911's and (2) Volkmann Precision 1911's. Yes, I like 1911s, nothing like them out there.

While the quality of Mr.Browns work is without question , I've often wondered why he and others use a 2-piece rear sight? Since they manufacture their own slides , why not just design and mill the slide to accept the inner section of the rear sight (T-bar) like a Colt Gold Cup?
Bases are so ya can adapt a basic Gov't Model round top slide. There were a few during the 80s like BoMar , Pachmayr , Millett and others. TIG welding the rear dovetail and remilling for a S&W K-frame adjustable rear sight was quite poipular during the 70s.

And aside from the roll pin shearing with too much hot ammo and the 15lb target load slide , the early Accro sight was pretty good onthe Colt Gold Cop. Certainly better than the later Ellison

And if I may say so , I consider the pre-70 Colt Gold Cup National Match guns of the 60s to be the high water mark for 1911's.

Let's talk custom 1911 makers

chief38

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macdab

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Cyrano

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macdab

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beemerphile

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WC145

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Onomea

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RightArm

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mkk41

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