Some new Custom1911 porn…. Enjoy the pics!

[cundiff5535]

Thanks, and agree. I think history and evolution of the platform is what fascinates me most. When you start really looking at a pistol from the inside out, you can quantify a % of how close to perfect a gun is. It takes a lot of experience and a well trained eye to achieve this.

Most will never understand it, and a lot just glance past detail work that can take many hours to achieve…

As I’ve gone down the rabbit hole, it’s gotten so much more enjoyable, but also expensive. I’ve posted some pretty in-depth write ups that talk about what and why certain things were done…. And try to provide the perspective of a closer look and what makes things feel different. If 100% is the perfect 1911 and a DW is a 65-70% gun… how can one identify a 95-97% gun. It’s interesting and fun to try and do it.

 

[mmpsteve]

snip ...
and a DW is a 65-70% gun… how can one identify a 95-97% gun. It’s interesting and fun to try and do it.

All my DW's have a sad now ...

Seriously, I do enjoy your show and tell threads. I don't comment much because my 1911 knowledge is not in your league, heck, not even on your planet!

That said, that Marvel piece is a special thing of beauty (along with the rest of them). Thanks for sharing.

.

 

[cundiff5535]

All my DW's have a sad now ...

Seriously, I do enjoy your show and tell threads. I don't comment much because my 1911 knowledge is not in your league, heck, not even on your planet!

That said, that Marvel piece is a special thing of beauty (along with the rest of them). Thanks for sharing.

.

BTW, nothing wrong with a Dan Wesson!

Great guns

 

[wcd]

All my DW's have a sad now ...

Seriously, I do enjoy your show and tell threads. I don't comment much because my 1911 knowledge is not in your league, heck, not even on your planet!

That said, that Marvel piece is a special thing of beauty (along with the rest of them). Thanks for sharing.

.

I believe you are in good company Heck I am Happy with my Ruger it may not be a show piece but it continues to serve me well.

With that being said there is a lot to be said for running a stock 1911 that has not undergone the Bubasmith treatment. Often such things are better left to the experts such as the Mouse or other well qualified individuals.

Nice thing about a 1911 is well at least it used to be that there was a decent 1911 that could be had for a affordable price point.

 

[cundiff5535]

I believe you are in good company Heck I am Happy with my Ruger it may not be a show piece but it continues to serve me well.

With that being said there is a lot to be said for running a stock 1911 that has not undergone the Bubasmith treatment. Often such things are better left to the experts such as the Mouse or other well qualified individuals.

Nice thing about a 1911 is well at least it used to be that there was a decent 1911 that could be had for a affordable price point.

I truely hope you are not saying Chuck Rogers, Ned Christiansen, Bob Marvel, or any of the other smiths who’s work is shown here fall into the “Bubba Smith” category. If so, you’re out of your element here my man… Those men are legends of the platform and have forgotten more about the 1911 than most will even know.

 

[wcd]

I truely hope you are not saying Chuck Rogers, Ned Christiansen, Bob Marvel, or any of the other smiths who’s work is shown here fall into the “Bubba Smith” category. If so, you’re out of your element here my man… Those men are legends of the platform and have forgotten more about the 1911 than most will even know.

No I was referencing the hold my beer crowd that has never endeavored to learn any skills
and decides it’s great idea to start working on a 1911 sometimes resulting in an expensive paper weight.

My point was that while there are some awesome representations depicted, you do not have to have a High End 1911 to appreciate them.

To be honest I have no idea who Bob Marvel and Chuck Rogers are, but I am sure they are exceptional at their craft.

Also for me I am by no means a 1911 expert, however I am smart enough understand if something needs an adjustment or repair its best done by some one qualified.

 

[Dean C.]

Back to the topic of custom 1911's , you seem to gravitate towards Chambers guns. Any particular maker stand out as your favorite so far?

Agreed on the Dan Wesson assessment , they hit the "point of diminishing return" for most IMHO. The amount of time these smiths spend on each individual pistol is crazy, but then again most people don't realize these guys are only making 10~ guns a year.

That and I refer to knives and guns in this custom category as "blue chip" jokingly. Yes obscenely expensive generally , but they generally appreciate quite well or at least hold value.

 

[cundiff5535]

There is a lot that goes into deciding who should build your gun. Some goes into availability (meaning is the smith even willing to works with you/are his books open), relationship and personality, style of gun, and finally purpose of build.

Chambers was the first custom builder I was attracted to. His styling and approach to building was kinda right in line with what is right for me. I have always been a blued classically styled, extremely accurate, with some flair kind of guy. Chambers are learned from Bob Marvel. Imo, Chambers and Marvel guns look and perform very similarly… see below pics.

Bob Marvel 9mm


Joe Chambers 45ACP (Black Knight)


These guns have i her at beauty and along with accuracy capabilities from a rest to shoot 10 shot groups at 50 yards under an inch with the 9mm and under an inch and a quarter with the 45. The triggers are short rolls (with the Chambers BK allowing for full adjustability down to sub 3lb).


As I progressed into the custom world, newer smiths like Brandan Bunker came along striving to elevate the platform to new levels. He’s taken a whole new approach with precision CNC building allowing machine to take place of human hand. I was in early with Bunker so the relationship has afforded me some things that may not have been true for all customers.

As my shooting style progressed, and I learned more about combat shooting vs target line shooting, 2011’s came into play… again, just in line with my interests Chambers started doing double stack guns combining the best in accuracy and… tactical!



As I started looking at and shooting from a more practical standpoint, the double stacks started get my interest going toward a more “all business” pistol. And as much as I love the double stack 2011, the 1911 will always be the one I revert back to. From there I grabbed a few more Chambers guns because I had access/I was able to locate through other owners who needed some funds… here are three no frills “Wmg” pistols… these guns are ones I also train with and shoot often.

Three Chambers WMG’s configured in different ways (2 45’s and a 9mm).


Once I started gearing up and using the 1911 platform for more “training” and combat use vs line shooting and target shooting, I started to look at smiths who really focused those e every to that. The WMG’s are all business, but they can be taken to another level imo. It’s when I started looking for work by Ned Christiansen and Chuck Rogers. I would say those two guys probably build the greatest 1911 in terms of combat style gun. From ergonomics to snag proof edges, to finish options, to the way they have thought out every detail of extreme usage. I would encourage folks to read the write ups I’ve done in regard to those type of 1911’s I’ve posted. There is just far to much to put here…

Below are some Ned and Chuck guns…

Ned Frag



Rogers Colt



I could go on and on here… so many more pictures with so many more words… test targets, videos, etc…

Hope some of that made sense as well as shines sone light into approaches, philosophy, and even a little bit of what I look at when I’m buying a 1911… and how I choose a 1911 in regard to specific applications.

 

[Dean C.]

Definitely makes sense and kinda mirrors my own experience so far though I am still stuck in the 2011 rabbit hole. The cuts Rogers does on the slides are beginning to really grow on me actually. Also the lineage from Marvel to Chambers makes sense I did not realize the connection.

The "combat" style is definitely what I gravitate towards , just a semi custom Springer nothing phenomenal. Shot this pistol for 2 seasons in USPSA single stack, after a year of shooting it stock I figured out what I wanted my gunsmith to do and had him work it over.

Love the blued finish on the chambers / marvel guns have reminds me a lot of the older colts Royal Blue finish. That being said I once saw a totally custom gun my gunsmith was working on, he had polished the flats and left the edges sandblasted then had the entire slide and frame sent off for DLC coating. It looked like royal blue but was borderline indestructible. This is going to cost me a lot of cash I feel like one day.

I know the blueing is more classic , but the ultra modern stuff also is appealing (if only the actual cyanide based Tennifer finish was legal in the US). I need to get up to northern Indiana and visit Cabot some time if they will let me.

 

[cundiff5535]

Depending on who you talk to, there are varying opinions about tolerance levels and finish choices that play a part in it. You will likely not see the newer “modern” day super finishes like dlc on a Chambers gun as his tolerance levels are that high. He’s done some, but know he prefers bluing to the rest.

Folks like Bunker, has adopted DLC as the standard in in his shop






Believe it or not… the Marvel gun that most folks commented on is actually DLC!



I think at this point I’m willing to concede that every finish option has its pros and cons… for ultimate combat, properly applied Cerakote is hard to beat for the corrosion resistance…. DLC can still rust if not taken care of properly… that said, I believe that DLC allows for best wear resistance, and bluing for tolerance and fitment.

And of course… there is always Stainless!

 

[Fiddle]

Forgive the novice question, but what is DLC?

 

[cundiff5535]

DLC is “Diamond Like Carbon”… it’s also referred to as PVD or some know it as “Ion Bond”.

It’s applied through vapour deposition and takes the polish levels of the metal under it.

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

 

[wcd]

DLC is “Diamond Like Carbon”… it’s also referred to as PVD or some know it as “Ion Bond”.

It’s applied through vapour deposition and takes the polish levels of the metal under it.

I believe our local Guy uses that process, Severn’s customs

 

[churchmouse]

Thanks, and agree. I think history and evolution of the platform is what fascinates me most. When you start really looking at a pistol from the inside out, you can quantify a % of how close to perfect a gun is. It takes a lot of experience and a well trained eye to achieve this.

Most will never understand it, and a lot just glance past detail work that can take many hours to achieve…

As I’ve gone down the rabbit hole, it’s gotten so much more enjoyable, but also expensive. I’ve posted some pretty in-depth write ups that talk about what and why certain things were done…. And try to provide the perspective of a closer look and what makes things feel different. If 100% is the perfect 1911 and a DW is a 65-70% gun… how can one identify a 95-97% gun. It’s interesting and fun to try and do it.

Bingo.
I have spent countless hours trying to explain these things to folks. Some would get it. Some just got a glazed over deer in the headlights look and never will. No knock on those folks. Someone has to buy a G**** after all.

But yes, the differences are there and yes, they can be felt far beyond just a well done trigger tune.

 

[armalitesheepdog]

I look at some of these pistols and its just WOW....Mind blowing work

 

[DadSmith]

Bingo.
I have spent countless hours trying to explain these things to folks. Some would get it. Some just got a glazed over deer in the headlights look and never will. No knock on those folks. Someone has to buy a G**** after all.

But yes, the differences are there and yes, they can be felt far beyond just a well done trigger tune.

I got into 1911's because of what I seen and read from Chruchmouse mostly and several others on the forum.

My first 1911 was a RIA Ultra FS 10mm I really like it, and thought it was really good. I did add some suggested upgrades to help it handle full power 10mm loads.

I then seen the Springfield Ronin 10mm which I haven't seen available yet. However, after handling the 45acp version of the Ronin I bought it.
That is one smooth and amazing pistol out of the box. It's better than the RIA. It's hard to explain other than it's a smoother shooter, and the trigger is much better. The craftsmanship is also noticeable.
I'm a novice with 1911's I can't even imagine the difference a Dan Wesson, or better 1911 would be like. I imagine I'd see, and feel the difference the same as I did between the RIA and the Ronin.
Not saying the RIA is junk it's been flawless so far. It's just not as smooth or nice looking as the Ronin.

 

[churchmouse]

I got into 1911's because of what I seen and read from Chruchmouse mostly and several others on the forum.

My first 1911 was a RIA Ultra FS 10mm I really like it, and thought it was really good. I did add some suggested upgrades to help it handle full power 10mm loads.

I then seen the Springfield Ronin 10mm which I haven't seen available yet. However, after handling the 45acp version of the Ronin I bought it.
That is one smooth and amazing pistol out of the box. It's better than the RIA. It's hard to explain other than it's a smoother shooter, and the trigger is much better. The craftsmanship is also noticeable.
I'm a novice with 1911's I can't even imagine the difference a Dan Wesson, or better 1911 would be like. I imagine I'd see, and feel the difference the same as I did between the RIA and the Ronin.
Not saying the RIA is junk it's been flawless so far. It's just not as smooth or nice looking as the Ronin.

And now you are seeing and experiencing the differences in the manf.
You get what you pay for in a 1912.
Your RIA was fine as entry level and it being your 1st one and at a fair to you price point, filled that desire nicely.
Once you start up the ladder it’s hard to hold yourself in check.

 

[Dean C.]

And now you are seeing and experiencing the differences in the manf.
You get what you pay for in a 1912.
Your RIA was fine as entry level and it being your 1st one and at a fair to you price point, filled that desire nicely.
Once you start up the ladder it’s hard to hold yourself in check.

Totally agree, first it was a Springfield Operator , then it was a Dan Wesson and finally on to Staccato. Heck it's getting to the point where I can look at my 2011 (a very very nice pistol) and start point out cost cutting measures or things I would do differently on a totally custom gun.

I can not think of a deeper pistol rabbit hole to fall into than the 1911. People say Glocks are the most customizable pistols ever I just laugh at this point.

 

[cundiff5535]

Was able to head down to Kentucky last weekend to a 1911 meet up…. It’s a yearly meet I attend, some of the best guys who are high level shooters, collectors, and folks who are into the platform. It’s not all 1911’s, but the majority are

Here is a picture of my table… a lot here likely will not know all the builders, but the table is littered with work from Chuck’s Rogers, Brandan Bunker, Joe Chambers, Bob Marvel, Ted Yost, Dave Laubert, Greg Derr, Lou Biando, CT Brian, Ned Christiansen, and several others…. Literally a who’s who of the custom 1911 world.




Here is me shooting a friends 10.5” KAC upper on a full auto lower