Custom Build

[JTD314]

What Kind of $ am I looking at if I hire a gunsmith to build a custom 1911 10mm form high quality parts I will provide?

[Kruzr]

Depending on what metal work you want and what frame and slide you are starting with, about $2000 - $3500 and at least a year wait. Most of the top 1911 smiths who do custom builds currently have a 2 year waiting list.

[jerryd]

Have you checked the DW forum at 1911 site? DW will build any thing you want! Officer size to the extended slide 6in bbl. I have their razorback 10mm sweet pistol!:)

[Clyde]

I'm with Kruzr. 2K up easy.

[BillK@tcmhmrs.o]

Good luck, these guys may be picky about the parts from their own personal experience as to what works and what doesn't. I think you're looking at a couple thousand dollars...

[quantico]

Depending on the base slide and receiver.. and the finish and how fancy you want to get... you are looking at 2500 - 4000 dollars. This will also depend on what you want to make ??? A defensive gun is cheaper to build than a bullseye gun or a unlimited class pistol... an IDPA- CDP gun or IPSC limited ten gun is not too expensive to build... A custom finish with high levels of polish and perfict fit requires many many hours ( maybe hundreds ) to make... you will pay for those hours.

I would look at Dane Burns for classic functional pistols... built on colt or kimber base guns... for high level service pistols I would recommend Don Williams in Arizona, he likes to work on colt frames...

You can certainly have STI or Wilson or caspian frames to build from...

I would suggest a visit to www.pistolsmith.com and look over the many pictures... consider what you want and what the most cost effective way of getting there is.

Limited production 1911's like les baer / wilson / rock river / STI and Ed Brown offer a lot of pistol for the money... you will find that out shortly....

[E5MC]

Hi Quantico. Thats a fine looking pistol. I have to disagree with yor take on Dane Burns though. I would lean toward Ted Yost, Chuck Rogers, and Don Williams. ;c

[THELimey]

Gotta totally agree with E5MC here i would add EGW,Ned Christiansen,John Harrison,Alex Hamilton and I would forget even trying Heinie or Vickers.My Chuck Rogers Colt GM is due anyday;f

[Bert.40]

Where would one find information to do some improvements on his own? A vague question; but I'm looking for a starting point! I have the talent but not necessarily the tools.

[E5MC]

I must admit that I did leave quite a few names off my short list of pistolsmith's. I also would not hesitate to use any smith's listed by THELimey.

[THELimey]

go to the 1911 forum theres advice there and Dave Sample has an online 1911 build course lots of build advice from "pistolwrench" (Chuck Rogers).

[JTD314]

Thanks for all of the great info. I did not realize a build would be so labor intensive. I think I am going to go with a production pistol for my first 1911. I am torn between a S&W, Sprignfield Loaded, and a Kimber Custom.

[tjtucker]

Look at the auction sites. you can pick up a good used custom from 1000.00 to 1400.00 I just picked up a full custom Terry Tussey light weight commander for $1200.00 about 300.00 more than the Kimber or Smith. The gun looks almost new. If I was to have it built 2,600.00 or so. If you look at Guns America there's several custom guns by the Smiths listed above. Yost 1350.00, Yost has some new guns for sale I think for 1499.00 on their web site, Tussey 1,400.00, EWG 1,200.00, CT Brian 2,000 or (make offer). As a fellow gun nut do yourself a favor and spend the money to by the custom the first time. It's much cheaper in the long run.

TJ