Ted Yost

[Bathcat]

Mr. Yost got a great writeup in the newest 1911 magazine, great pictures, and he's been responsive to a couple of phone inquiries and an e-mail.

Does anyone have any direct experience with one of his full bore custom jobs?

[gunsnrovers]

Full blown? No. I did have them do a variation of their 1* on my Milspec last year. I wanted Heinie Straight 8's and the 1* must use Novaks to get the 1* logo per an agreement with the originator of the logo. Mine wears the shop "Y" logo instead.

Very happy with the work and the guys I talked to over at their shop. I would not hesitate to use them.

[gpo1956]

I had one of his full house Hi-Powers. It was a very nice gun. Accurate and totally reliable. I also had one of Jim Garthwaites, a Novak Special Ops and a Don Williams. While they were all high quality, only the Garthwaite stood out as being different enouh for me to keep. I've never seen or handled one of his 1911s, but, before its all over I probably will.

[1911Tuner]

I've handled two of Ted's pistols...Impressive, to say the least. Some correspondence with him leaves me with the feeling that Ted is not only a fine pistolsmith, but a genuinely nice guy who doesn't project the Prima Donna
Personna that many of the "Top Guns" exhibit. He's a class act. His waiting list is long, but worth it.

[Bathcat]

I'm in the process of locating a Lightweight Commander to send him. I don't know whether I can find a near mint older model. I'm uncertain as to whether I would like a Mark IV Series 80 Lightweight Commander. Most of the Custom Smiths seem comfortable with them despite the differences from the classic predecessors. If I can't find a near mint, I'm considering going to a new Caspian Titanium frame . Has anyone out there built a LW Commander from a Caspium Titanium Frame?