From 1911_purview

Does it seem like a

significant portion of the best 1911 pistol-smiths in the world (Yost, Burton, CT Brian, Lauck, Williams, Rogers, and Glenn) are hyper-congregated in the Phoenix Scottsdale area code?

Well add Marty Enloe to that list. Marty was hired by industry legend Robbie Barrkman (a pioneer of Gunsite, who Jeff Cooper referred to as “maestro”) to focus on custom pistols at the now defunct Robar. Barrkman, who was trained by Gale McMillin, was focused on custom rifles so he needed a right hand man to build everything that wasn’t a rifle or a Glock. Enloe was that guy, building most of the special projects or guns that were to adorn the many magazine covers awarded to Robar over the years. The training at Robar was sparse. As stated before, Robbie was busy doing “other things” so a young gunsmith there had to be self motivated, and to a degree, self taught. Bill Laugheridge came through for a few days here and there to show the young bucks a thing or two, but for the most part you were on your own. Robar was known for stippling 1911 front straps, but checkering is life. Left to learn it on his own, Marty did what any smart man would do –he asked a guy down the street, who also happened to be the best in the business, to teach him…Mr. Ted Yost. Well you can see from this beautiful gun that Marty learned how to hand checker. Approximately one year ago, I sent Marty a crooked, out of spec Colt, and asked him to do the virtually impossible–turn it into this beautiful work of art. This gun, featuring handchecking, Kart match grade barrel, OG (low mount) Bomar sight, etc etc is simply amazing. Of course the lower is NP3, which is effectively electroless nickel. Yesterday’s 150 flawless rounds were a pure pleasure to shoot. The gun feels heavy and well balanced and it seems to inexplicably eat recoil. Add Enloe to the short list of gunsmiths that are willing to take on a Colt build. That list is shrinking by the day. If you want a gun to last you a lifetime, and also one that you can leave to your children, give Marty a call. Because this gun is all business, so are the grips –“skip line” D45s by Steve Herrett.