How are the current generation of Colt Series 70 guns, in terms of frame/slide quality? I’m thinking in terms of using one as a base gun for a build.
With Hilton Yam and Larry Vickers not building commercially, who are some quality builders that I could get to build me my dream gun?
Is the Springfield Custom Shop any good for building on a customer supplied gun?
Thanks,
Jason
They are great base pistols for a custom build. I’ve had two of them built in recent years.
- With Hilton Yam and Larry Vickers not building commercially, who are some quality builders that I could get to build me my dream gun?
I recommend Ted Yost, Wayne Novak or Chuck Rogers. There are many other talented smiths out there, but these three have built some beautiful 1911’s for me over the years.
- Is the Springfield Custom Shop any good for building on a customer supplied gun?
Never used them or seen their work. But I’d pick a good gunsmith over a factory shop every day of the week. Just my opinion…
Just buy a Wilson combat, I have two and they never fail to go bang no matter what I put through them. Besides a gun smith, no matter who you pick, will charge you as much or more than a Wilson and Wilson backs his guns 100%. Plus his magazines ALWAYS work. If you opt to go with something else at least use Wilson mags. Oh yeah, I have a bunch of 1911s besides Wilson, but I only carry Wilsons.
Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, Chuck Rogers website currently says:
Update 2-13-08:
Due to an overwhelming backlog,
I am not accepting any work at this time.
I will be offering full-house ‘spec’ guns for sale here on occasion.
If you are interested in purchasing one, please check in from time to time.
Thanks!
Chuck
That’s too bad, those are some nice looking blasters.
I don’t personally have any experience with Colts, but have you given any thought to Ron Phillips? He’s out on his own now and has pictures up on his site, www.phillips1911.com , of some really nice work.
choosing a gunsmith for your “dream gun” depends on the vision for your dream gun. what style of customizing are you looking for? Ultra modern, retro, classic ipsc, for example? do you have a favorite gunsmith of the past? Swensen, Clark, Heinie, etc?
Right now, I’m a huge fan of Dave Errickson’s work. His shop goes by, “Condition One Pistolsmithing”.
http://www.conditionone.us/Gallery/ is his gallery. He has had a lot of the big name smiths like Chuck Rogers, Bob Rodgers, and the like say VERY good things about his work.
If it matters, he’s also a former Marine.
As for a base gun: Pick a smith, and get what HE recommends. Some will only work on Colts, others want to start with a blank slate from Caspian.
Regardless, good luck!
-Adam
The Colt Series 70 guns make great base guns. The have very sharp edges from the factory but they are made of quality parts.
I don’t have any experience with the well known high-end builders and I know that they are backlogged for several years for some.
The Springfield Custom Shop does quality work and their turn around time is very reasonable. Hilton Yam recommends them for work as well as trusts them to build the 10-8 Operators for him so I would take that as a hell of an endorsement.
I have had nothing but good work from the Custom Shop and they are very receptable to phone calls with questions or build ideas.
I would 2nd the recommendation on the Wilson. I have a CQB and think it’s a great gun!
I would highly recommend checking out the Louder Than Words forum. Most of the top tier 1911 pistol smiths are on there and you can ask any and all the questions you have there and get honest feedback from the source. There’s a ton of pictures of different people’s work so you can see their style as well. Good luck!
Try one of these excellent smiths from the buckeye state and you will not wait three years for it. The SA custom shop does very good work also.
+1 on the Springfield custom shop. Reasonable prices, quick turn around and good work.
Steve Morrison at www.marsguns.com
i can wholeheartedly recommend Drake. my pistol is in his gallery:
http://www.drakesgunworks.com/images/dgw_gallery/
but i think the OP still needs to match his vision with the proper gunsmith. they all have their specialty and niche. it’s best to find the 'smith that has a matching vision
There are many great smiths, but, as you are going to find out, a lot of reputable guys don’t take work now. Those who do take have long waiting time. For a shortcut, I suggest you register at www.louderthanwords.us and look at their classified section. There are several custom pistols available right now.
SA custom shop is a very reputable place; no personal experience, but people I trust spoke highly about it.
I’ve had EGW do some work, it was done well, but not super.
For a truly unique super-1911 pistol, keep visiting Chuck Rogers’ website. For a past 2 years he’s been building and putting pistols for sale occasionally, about 2-3 per year. Those are exceptional pieces, but you can’t spec them, they are what Chuck wants them to be. Last two of those commanded prices of over 7K.
The current generation of Series 70 Colt’s are very acceptable and possibly the Base Gun of choice with many smith’s. As far as a Builder IMHO you need to look no farther to the boy’s at Heirloom Precision. I would commission Jason Burton to build it. No doubt about it. I may be a little biased as I have the privilege of calling him a friend. In a recent American Handgunner magazine Clint Smith said his favorite 1911 was built by “Young Burton”. www.heirloomprecision.com.
Have you considered having your favorite Gunsmith
order you a Caspian Upper & Lower Set.??
You can likely save some $$ and certainly end up w/
an excellent set & set-up, if you choose the right 'Smith for your
build…
Our shop is up and running after a move “as we speak”
on Tue. or Wed., next…; We build 1911’s too…
'Drop me an email if you have any interest Sir,
Eric! 
If you like Hilton Yam’s builds and the Springfield Custom Shop, have you considered their 10-8 collaboration?
Not sure any are left, but it seems like future builds may be available…
+1. I’ve been hearing the rave reviews about Dave Erickson. Talked to him recently as well (phone). A very nice guy, and does sharp work.
Also, I can’t speak highly enough about Springfield Custom. They’ve done two of my 1911’s, and Dave Williams (who runs the shop) is among the best in the business. And Springfield totally stands behind their guns and their work.
When does this Dave Erickson guy sleep??
Doing his own smithing gig and running the SA custom shop.LOL…you mean Dave Williams at SA custom shop;)
Oops, you are right, little verbal slip there. Corrected original.