Best Gunsmith / Opinions

[mwpslp]

OK so here is a subjective question. I know this will bring answers of opinion only but here goes.

If you were looking for a gunsmith or company to work on your 1911 .45 for enhancement, upgrades, or whatever, and money were not an issue, who would it be? I am not specifically asking what upgrades you would do. I just want to see who are some of the highly regarded and sought after smith's out there.

 

[HSMITH]

There are so many that it is hard to name them all. Money isnt' the issue, the top shops all have extensive backlogs. You send them a gun and a check for the work, and HOPE you get it back the same year....

Dan Bedell does some of the best work I have handled in quite some time, but focuses on STI and SVI widebodies for competitive use. Ted Yost also does extremely nice work. Jim Rose built the most accurate 1911's I have ever seen.

Skip the local butcher and you will get good work, go with a known shop or a shop with good references from people they didn't provide you with contact info.

 

[usp_fan]

I've seen some beautiful pics of guns done by Rodgers--he posts here. I'll also add my voice to the many that I'm sure will jump in for Ted Yost.

--usp_fan

 

[1911WB]

Tim Brian

How about Tim Brian of Grand Junction, CO? Beautiful work on 1911's.

 

[pcf]

Wilson Combat does 1911 modifications and good work.
Another excellent smith a Virgil Tripp, he was the "t" in STI. He usually has a short backlog.
Dave Berryhill, does great work too. He's back in Texas, Van Alstyne, so he's right in your backyard.

http://www.berryhillguns.com

 

[Will Fennell]

The G Man

Jim Garthwaite gets almost all my work........and I've been very pleased. As a matter o' fact, I think I'll send him another project

http://www.garthwaite.com

 

[SkyGuy]

If you were looking for a gunsmith or company to work on your 1911 .45

You nailed it.
There are 'gunsmiths' and there are gunsmith 'companies'. Many of the big 'names' actually have much of their work done by their understudies, apprentices and hired gunsmiths. Not cool at all.

If you want to protect your financial investment in a custom pistol, stick with a famous one man shop that you know does all his own work and his signature really means something. It'll pay off in the long run.

At the top of nearly everybody's nationally known list is C.T. (Tim) Brian out in Colorado.
His work has long been recognized as among the absolute very best....plus his pistols hold their value!

Check him out:
http://www.ctbrian.com/

 

[mwpslp]

Thanks for the replies. I am on the schedule with Dave Berryhill down here in Texas to have some work done. Anybody out there have any first hand experience with him?

 

[saltydog452]

A 'Smith report..

I was about to suggest Clark's Custom (about 200 miles East) or Actions by T (about 250..a little west of Houston)

No personal experience with Berryhill. Since he is considerably closer, please let us know how your project turns out.

There are several members of THR here in the DFW area. You might want to do a 'search' on The DFW Shooters Group and ask a couple of the members about Mr. Berryhill. Someone may be able to answer your question.

In any event, please keep us informed.

salty.

 

[Mossyrock]

Thanks for the replies. I am on the schedule with Dave Berryhill down here in Texas to have some work done. Anybody out there have any first hand experience with him?

In fact I do. If you go to the photos page on his website, the 4" 66 and the PPK are mine. He currently has my Colt Defender.

 

[mwpslp]

Mossyrock,

I am looking to get a PPK at the show this weekend. What did it cost you for what you had done to your PPK? Obviously you are happy with his work.

 

[blubro]

pistolsmiths

I know and work on occasion with Joel Peters of Peters Custom in Stevensville, MT. Very meticulous. Builds some pretty nice comp race guns.
http://www.peterscustom.com