Category Archives: Guns

911_purview Don Nygord out of Prescott AZ was one of the most influential precision pistol shooters of the 20th century. Revered both as a world-class competitor and an innovative gunsmith, Nygord helped modernize Olympic-style pistol shooting in the United States and became a legendary figure in international target shooting circles. Nygord attended Oregon State beforeContinue reading “Don Nygord Bullseye 1911”

1911_purview Gold Cup National Match in .45 ACP by bullseye shooter and retired highway patrolman Jimmy Gale Rose out of Jacksonville FL. For decades Jimmy made BE guns for hundreds of accomplished shooters in the Southeast. He passed away in 2017. Custom grips by Steve Herrett.

A true one-of-a-kind Custom revolver from Hamilton Bowen’s bench. Built in the 1980s, it is one of ~20 “Best Grade” customs to leave his shop. Very special example I am honored to have the chance to handle.

1911_purview 1979 Colt Series 70 Government Model in .45 ACP, masterfully built by legendary Bullseye pistolsmith George Madore of Brookhaven, Pennsylvania. A familiar presence at Camp Perry, Madore was known for his trademark phrase, “test, don’t guess,” a philosophy that produced pistols celebrated for their flawless reliability and exceptional accuracy. This outstanding example is fittedContinue reading “George Madore Bullseye Pistol”

1911_purview 1973 70 series Colt in .45 ACP by RG Curtis–an AMU armorer who apprenticed under Richard Shockey. Curtis acquired Shockey’s business upon his retirement and continued custom 1911 work like this for decades after. I have never been able to source a picture of Curtis.

In the second video in the Series of “Every Gun Tells A Story” we have three great revolvers all with their own cherished piece of history.

1911_purview This 1954 Colt is a purpose built bullseye 1911 with a highly accurized NM slide, barrel, and bushing, by Ernest Blackburn (1951-2013). Ernie, from Bemidji Minnesota, was a devoted family man and outdoor enthusiast. He enjoyed bird hunting with his Gordon Setters, camping, canoeing, hobby farming, and flying his J3 Piper Cub. His bullseyeContinue reading “Ernest Blackburn Bullseye 1911”

1911_purview Up next in the Bullseye marathon is a 1979 Colt in .45 ACP by John Giles out of Odessa Florida. The legendary Giles was absolutely prolific in his production –making over 4000 guns between 1951-1983. He himself shot competitively (in the 1930s) for his employer the Goodyear Rubber Company. Giles is known best forContinue reading “John Giles Custom Bullseye”

This article was originally published in American Rifleman, May 1983 It is pretty generally agreed that the most difficult handgun to shoot is the .45 Model 1911. The soldiery from two wars, the U.S. Expeditionary Force of 1917-18 and the buckos who were in the last brouhaha of 1941-45, are in hearty agreement. When theContinue reading “Askins on the 1911”