SINGLE ACTION DEFENSE
Gunsmith wanted:
Top 1911 pistolsmiths in the USA
Finding a good gunsmith nowadays is difficult.
If you talk to any working pistolsmith, he or she will likely tell you their backlog is counted in years instead of weeks or months. SingleActionDefense.com can’t help with the wait times, but we can curate a list of reputable 1911 gunsmiths and single-action auto pistolsmiths here.
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We offer these gunsmiths in no particular order, and keep in mind that we are only listing custom builders here who offer gunsmithing services on existing guns. A list of the best custom gunsmith/builders for 1911 pistols is a slightly separate enterprise. The list is based on personal experience or recommendations from trusted figures within the 1911 and/or gunsmithing communities.
TUSSEY CUSTOM
24 Moonlight Road, Unit #B
Mound House, NV 89706
Tel: 775-246-1533
Fax: 775-246-1544
Unfortunately, the renowned pistolsmith Terry Tussey passed away a few years ago, but his innovative work continues at his shop in the Nevadan desert. Tussey’s hard-chromed full-house tactical 1911s are famous for their reliability and are a favorite of veteran gun writers like Roy Huntington. Tussey’s reliability and performance packages are preferred by many shooters because, in his words, “I carry that basic package further: bolt face work, extractor tuning, an oversized firing pin stop, which all Springfields and Series 70 Colts need, trigger, hammer and sear work, check the hammer strut, and weld and refit the magazine catch on Springfield pistols is a basic list.”
David C. Rose Gun Shop
12521 West Highway 62,
Farmington, AR 72730
Tel: 479-267-3965
Fax: 479-267-3965
Mr. Rose’s shop is something Edgar Melville Ward might paint if he were alive today. Every tool and gun part imaginable for certain. Mr. Rose is more of a general gunsmith than a customizer, but he does fantastic repair and enhancements on pistols of all types.
Guncrafter Industries (GI)
171 Madison 1510
Huntsville, AR 72740
Tel: 224-321-5044
https://www.guncrafterindustries.com/
Alex Zimmermann is a certified 1911 hero. A highly successful competitive shooter, former head pistolsmith at Wilson Combat, and the inventor of the 50 GI cartridge, Zimmerman heads what many consider to be THE best custom 1911 maker in the world. My experiences with Guncrafter have been nothing short of excellent.
Wilson Combat® & Scattergun Technologies™
2452 County Road 719
Berryville, AR 72616
Tel: 800-955-4856
Fax: 870-545-3310
https://wilsoncombat.com/wc-all-custom-work
Bill Wilson needs no introduction. I have had Wilson do custom work on a pistol or two, and the results were high quality as one would expect. On occasion, Wilson will restrict its gunsmithing services to Wilson-built guns due to demand. Check the website for more information. Wilson also works on Berettas, Glocks, and Sig Sauers.
Volkmann Precision
https://www.volkmannprecision.com/
A younger pistolsmith, Luke Volkman is turning out some great looking 1911s in Littleton, Colorado. Prices for required reliability work for most 1911 pistols are reasonable, and work is exceptional, especially his finishing.
Defensive Creations
253 Maplewood Dr.
Alliance, Oh 44601
Tel: 330-823-6906
https://defensivecreations.com/1911-goverment-defensive-creations-gunsmith/
Unique in that they build off almost all production 1911 base guns, including Kimber.
The Action Works
3030 Center Street West
Chino Valley, AZ 86323
Tel: 928–636–1691
http://www.theactionworks.com/colt-1911/
Don Williams specializes in 1911s and Browning Hi-Powers.
Nighthawk
1306 W. Trimble Ave.
Berryville, AR 72616
Tel: 870-423-4867
Toll Free: 877-268-4867
Fax: 870-423-4230
https://www.nighthawkcustom.com/custom-shop
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The cool thing about Nighthawk is the custom shop’s willingness to take on projects of all shapes and sizes that some other big names might not. Highly trained gunsmiths make this one of the best high-end 1911 makers and a great place to go for general 1911 and 2011 work.
Cylinder & Slide, Inc.
245 E. 4th Street
Fremont, Nebraska 68025
United States
Tell: 402-721-4277
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Fantastic Hi-Powers, 1911 hybrids, and a great selection of custom parts. Great company with excellent customer service.
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One final note: remember to always vet any gunsmith before allowing them to work on your firearm. The American Custom Gunmaker’s Guild is a great resource for finding quality gunsmiths.
Want your gunsmithing shop to be included on this list as we expand it? Just shoot us an email at contact@singleactiondefense.com.
Jon Trobaugh