What Makes it a Custom Gun?

[richardoldfield]

1911A1s With All the Bells and Whistles


What is a custom pistol? In this case, I am speaking of 1911A1s. My question came about with my purchase of the 10mm Dan Wesson Patriot Commander. Dan Wesson only produces 10 handguns per day. This pistol has Novak night sights, a match barrel, and a checkered front strap on the grip and checkered main spring housing. The entire pistol has received a carry bevel and its trigger pull equals the best. I desire no other modifications. Is this a custom or production model pistol?

I generally do not require a lot of bells or whistles on my 1911A1s but they have all been done to my specification. An example is my Norinco 1911A1; it has a match barrel bushing, McCormick parts (trigger, sear, and hammer plus a trigger job), a beavertail grip safety, carry bevel, Novak sights, and a reblue. I put a nice set of grips on it and I am happy.

My Ballester-Molina was worse than a beater when I received it. Marianne Carniak of the Accurizer Gunshop in Troy, Michigan worked on it. First, Marianne fitted a Series 70 barrel and she then did a match barrel bushing, Novak sights and a reblue followed these. I purchased a nice set of grip from Hakan and it is good to go.

Marianne also did a Sistema Colt 1927 for me. This pistol has a fitted a Series 80 barrel and match barrel bushing, Novak sights, McCormick parts (trigger, sear, and hammer plus a trigger job), a beavertail grip safety, carry bevel, and a reblue.

Again, I ask are these custom pistols or production model pistols with modifications? If not, what make a custom pistol? Let me know what you think.

Regards,

Richard

 

[Slimbo]

I think a custom pistol is a pistol hand made to your specifications. This is different from a large manufacturers "availible options". When you actually talk to the person who is either making it, (or directing a those under him to make it) to your exact preferences (not just which model or make of assessories) like size, looks, LPI of checkering. This in my mind constitutes a custom made pistol.

 

[richardoldfield]

Jan Libourel said what I wanted to say in the January 2007 Gun World:

"Well, the world is full of 5-inch, single-stack 1911s. Many are very good, some not so good. About all I can say is that this (Para) Tactical Duty SSP is a very good one indeed, so good that I am left to wonder why some people feel a need to spend three times as much for similar pistols that can't do too much better."

The price of the Para Tactical Duty SSP is $1,169 and I paid $950 for the Dan Wesson Patriot Commander. In both cases these are superb handguns and I doubt any 1911 will perform better for me.

Regards,

Richard

 

[thebaron]

Great, thanks alot, now you have me looking a price lists for a new pistol

 

[NAA]

Jan Libourel said...

Geez, is that guy still around?

 

[NAA]

For me a "custom" is something that departs from the "as issued"....

Something taylored to the desire of the owner....

This single stack 1911 is based on a 1945 USGI frame. Long adjustable aluminum trigger. Smoothed internals. New Wolf springs. Top end is a Colt factory Series '70 with hi-viz sites & forward cut serrations. Barrel is a standard Series '70. Full length recoil spring guide. This econo 'custom' feeds all bullet profiles reliably & shoots like a house on fire, which is exactly what I want it to do...