Yost-Bonitz ?

[Brasso]

Is anyone here familiar with the Yost-Bonitz 1* Packages? Their Elite Package costs $2300 on a Colt 1991. But they don't put in a match barrel and the frame and slide are stadard Colt. The price seems a little high considering that you can get a Springfield Professional, Ed Brown, Les Baer, Wilson for that kind of money and have tool steel everything, NM frame and slide, Kart or Nowlin barrel, etc. What do you think? Would you spend that kind of money on an enhanced Colt or Milspec or would you go with one of the other big boys?

[plumbum2]

2 differant animals. i believe the #1 guns will have no m.i.m in them period.

now, yes you can buy a pro or other semi custom gun for about the same money.

but it will never look like a CUSTOM from one of the pistol smiths out their. beaver tail fit, every little detail ect.

personally it wouldnt be worth it to me to get a #1 package unless it was the best one. and that is a lot of $$$.

[Ricky T]

I have handled different pistols coming out of the Yost-Bonitz shop. Their fit and finish are superb. Match barrel maybe nice to have but not necessary. Most factory barrels will shoot very tight group, and with a tight bushing and properly fit, will shoot just accurately as any "match" barrel. I've met the guys from the Yo-Bo shop as well as most of the crew from Louderthanwords (www.louderthanwords.us). They're a bunch of great pistolsmiths and also a nice group of down to earth guys with no attitude or chip on their shoulders. Guys like Ted Yost, C.T. Brian, Stan Chen, Don Williams, Ned Christiansen and John Harrison. Lou Alessi does the cool holsters. I haven't met Chuck Rogers. As far as I'm concerned, they (folks from LTW)ARE the BIG BOYS.

[Brasso]

Well, I suppose "big boys" wasn't the correct verbage. I meant one of the big makers. I have no doubt that Yost's work is top notch. I'm just wondering if he goes over the entire pistol when he does the work or just swaps parts? I imagine that some of the production guns have some less than desirable dimensions sometimes and I'm hoping that Yost checks everything out and tightens them up where necessary when doing the package deals?

[plumbum2]

i would almost assume yes.

[Critter]

I had the opportuinity to handle several pistols and rifles out of the Yost-Bonitz shop at this past years Shot Show. The only thing that impressed me more than the fit, finish and attention to detail that the firearms had was the group of men behind the name and their commitment to the quality of the products they produce.

Give them a call, Ted or Lew are normally there early. I'm sure they will be happy to answer any concerns you may have.

[plumbum2]

with the little output from the custom shops, (ltw guys)

all they have to keep them working is their reputation. all of the gunsmiths either have a 2-5yr. waiting list or arent excepting anymore work until they catch up..

gotta say something about them..

[spober]

besides some of us want the barrel serial number to match that of the frame and slide.

[Ricky T]

Originally posted by spober
besides some of us want the barrel serial number to match that of the frame and slide.


There is no such thing as a barrel serial number.

[RCS]

Not that he needs me to speak for him, but here goes....

Ted Yost built my Marksman and my LW GSP over the past 5 years. He's also done the custom work on my Colt Gold Cup, LW Commander and my Officer Model. All have NEVER had to go back to him to "fix" and/or "repair" any part, and the GC & Officer Model 1911's are both 20 years old, the LW Commander is even older. I've just regularly changed out the springs, had a couple of them refinished (I like blued guns), changed grips around a couple of times, kept them cleaned & lubed and that is it. Oh, and yes, I'm VERY satisfied with his work.

"I'm just wondering if he goes over the entire pistol when he does the work or just swaps parts?"

He'll CHANGE OUT" parts for one's that are not MIM (or may "work out better") then he "fits them" to your frame or slide.

Regards

[Brasso]

Thanks. From what I've read, he seems to be one of the top smiths around. My question was more about what he puts into the "package" deals. From what you guys say, he goes over the entire gun, which is what I wanted to know. I'm not ready to order one yet, still saving the money, but I will most likely give him my business when I do decide to buy.

[Rinspeed]

Originally posted by Ricky T
There is no such thing as a barrel serial number.

Sure there is, though not real common I have seen some barrels that have a serial number.

[plumbum2]

usually on a semi custom/custom gun. its etched in after final fitting. i had a s.a. trophy match that was like this.

[Critter]

That's usually done at production plants that do some minor fitting to keep the parts together. Kimber does or used to do this. It'sjust so the are assembled together, and sometimes it still doesn't happen.