Best U.S. 1911 Custom Pistol Maker

The Best U.S. Custom 1911 Pistol Manufactuer'er Is

  • Total voters
    112
Status
Not open for further replies.
For "custom guns", my impression is that Ted Yost is not likely to personally work on your gun if you send it there. But I could be wrong. I think that Yost's shop is something akin to Ed Browns shop... guns are built by people who's name is not on the marque. Not that the work isn't very good... just that you aren't really getting the work of THE man! For that, one might want to look to the true "one man" shops like Ned Christiansen, etc.

By the way, there certainly is NO "best" here... just a number of skilled pistolsmiths cranking out some nice guns, that's all... ;)
 
Best Custom

I own a Wilson Combat CQB and a Les Baer TRS, Wilson Combat hands down when comparing fit and finish and detailing finish of slide, frame and slide rails, very disappointed with Les Baer.

I have never owned or shot the other guns mentioned, I would like to buy a Nighthawk Custom .45 ACP, I would have faith in their ability sight unseen as they are the guys that built my CQB.

I like the looks of Ed Brown's new "Tactical" pistol but I read on another forum that Ed Brown has no intention of seeking California approval for this firearm at this time, oh well another fantasy weapon.
 
Dan: Paul Liebenberg is a S. African expat who was an IPSC pioneer, came to the US, started working for (and eventually ended up running) the Pachmayr custom shop, went to S&W and founded what became their Performance Center. He is the man whose brainchild, the "Centimeter" cartridge he conceived while at Pachmayr for IPSC gamesmen, became the .40 S&W.

Of the higher-volume boys, I like Les Baer. Ed Brown and Wilson tied for second.

Of the real artisans, Liebenberg and C.T Brian. Followed by Novak and Heinie.
 
For "custom guns", my impression is that Ted Yost is not likely to personally work on your gun if you send it there.
Click to expand...

I don't know how true that is, but, when I visited his shop when my Delta was getting built, he was there and talked to me.

He brought my gun out in pieces and we talked about what I wanted done. I am pretty sure he fit the Schuemann barrel. The first one went back because he did not like the way it fit. So, waiting for another added about 3 months to the build, but worth every minute. How much of the other work he did, I don't know. I feel that if he doesn't do every bit, he is at least looking over somebodies shoulder as the work gets done. Afterall, it is his name on the gun when all is said and done.

frontsmall.gif


bob
 
Hello Again Folk's-

The way it see it, I don't think there is a bad custom designer of 1911's
out there~!:D

I see that nobody has voted for my friend Larry Snow. Grant it, he does
not have as per say "a machine shop", but he does one hell of a job in
building 1911's from the frame up using parts from other manufactuer's.
The weapon he bulit me, using a Safari Arms stainless frame and Colt
barrel, slide, and small parts with Bo-Mar click adjustable sights was
one fine weapon; that ran flawlessly. And, his work was reasonable
at only $400.00:) Honestly, I can't see how the poor fell'a made a
dime on that deal~!:uhoh: :D
 
Of the people on your list I'd have to go with Ted Yost. But you omitted so many talented people.
My vote and my money goes to Paul Liebenberg. He's at the very top of the field in my opinion.
 
I don't know Snow, but the rest, with the possible exception of Yost, are "Production/Custom" shops. I don't think you can get a ground up custom, built by the man in charge, from any of them. That's not saying that they aren't darn fine pistolsmiths, but their business models have changed.

My vote goes, in no particular order, to Steve Nastoff (I had heard that he was building some guns again, but I haven't been able to verify it) Paul Liebenberg, C.T Brian, and John Harrison. If you haven't seen John's work, he has an almost cult-like following in Georgia. Exceptional work, and a true Southern Gentleman.



Scott
 
Custom weapons

I 'd have to go with LBC....Les Baer custom. Admittedly a "production custom" shop, as opposed to a one man shop, where one does purchase a "custom gun".
 
Micheal C. Bay of Tulsa, I wish I could afford his work right now but I can't. I have shot a couple of them, No breakin period needed, built just right.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top