1911_purview

This Mil-Spec Springfield in .45 ACP was built by KJ Phillips out Ozark Custom Guns in Berryville Arkansas. KJ started building guns at Wilson Combat in 2011, moved over to Nighthawk for a spell, and then set out on his own in 2022 creating Ozark Custom Guns. My understanding is that he has moved to Indiana and is now heading up Alchemy Custom Weaponry in the wake of Mr. Schauland’s departure. I have followed his career from a distance for years, admiring his ornate and highly imaginative modern aesthetic. I’ve never bought one because they aren’t cheap and they never really appealed to my old school desire for Colts with Barstos & Bomars. I know…Boomer. But I’m glad he’s moving the needle and doing something different–because even kids know from video games that standing still will get you killed. This gun went up for sale on a popular 1911 forum and the cost of admission was almost nothing, so I couldn’t help but buy it. This was kind of KJ’s “budget build” but I am still impressed by all of it–beautiful stippling, meticulous dehorning, flawlessly mounted Heinie, surgically fit beavertail, and expertly plumbed Kart pipe. It has zero rattle and the slide articulates on the frame slicker than chicken grease on monkey bars. I love the unique stippling on his guns, so I called him and asked him if he could do more. He said absolutely, so I dropped it in the mail and 10 days later this 1911 came back with the top, thumb safety, slide stop, magazine release, and even the grip screws stippled. So, here it is–the future of custom 1911s, made by a kid who is willing to hang it all out there in an attempt to carry the ball when the old guys cross over the rainbow bridge. I get asked weekly who I would send a gun to for a custom build. Well, here’s your guy. Now, is KJ related to the legendary Ron Phillips? Distantly