Category Archives: Thoughts

911_purview This Colt long-slide was crafted by legendary AMU armorer John Miller, but she is really a gun by committee. The slide was welded up by Jim Hoag, using a new GI Colt National Match slide. Hoag made the front sight wider to mate perfectly with the Bomar rear .125 notch, for a perfect targetContinue reading “John Miller Colt Long-slide”

In March 1967, the U.S. Air Force ordered 30 special Model 41 pistols for SR-71 Blackbird pilot survival kits. Equipped with threaded 5-inch barrels, slide locks, “sound depressors,” and extra magazines, they were designed to give downed pilots a quiet way to defend themselves or forage behind enemy lines.

Another perfected Colt by Ted Yost, this one a straight classic custom Govt Model in 45 ACP.

Larry Vickers made his whole adult life and career’s with firearms, entering the US Army while still in High School. Larry Served 20 years with Delta Force, he became well acquainted with the 1911 platform and began working on them in his down time, this beautiful example was finished by Larry in 1997/98.

1911_purview Leonard Baity out of North Wilkesboro NC was a cop who shot PPC in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Baity’s foray into gunsmithing was born out of dashed dreams and broken promises —he and a fellow cop ordered a pair of guns from a local smith and got tired of waiting. WellContinue reading “Leonaes Baity Custom 1911”

Bob Miller built a fantastic 1911, this RRA is beautifully fit and finished.

1911_purview This compensated 80 series Colt (in .45 ACP) was made by Dean Wilkerson out of Van Nuys California. For years, Dean worked out of a small shop in the valley, alongside a gunsmith named Bruce Gray. Yea, it’s like that. He has obviously slowed down, but believe it or not, he is still thereContinue reading “Dean Wilkerson Custom Colt 1911”

1911_purview 1977 “Large Letter” Colt 70 series by Marty Enloe. Marty was hired by industry legend Robbie Barrkman 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 orContinue reading “Marty Enloe Custom Series 70 Colt”