Need a recommndation for gunsmith...

[Colt630]

If you were to have a smith do work on your 1911, who would you recommend?

Wilson Combat
Cylinder & Slide
Ted Yost
Alex Hamilton
????

(Choices not limited to the ones above, just looking for opinions)

[Jim Clark]

I can't afford the 'Pros'. I read, study, ask questions & mostly do my own. there are lots of sharp guys in these forums.

jim

[Colt630]

Yeah,

Money is always an issue here too. But, when the time comes (working OT right now and that's putting quite a bit of extra $$ in the bank) I'm going to have a pro do the work on my Colt. Somethings I just really don't want to try myself (like checkering the front strap), and somethings I can't do (like mill the slide for Novak sights). Thanks for your post!

[Doran]

I've had good luck with Wilson's and C&S. I think you would be happy with anybody on that list, and there are quite a few others.

[BGregory]

Marc Morganti of Gemini Customs, LLC. Does great work checkering and milling. Guild member.

[John]

The only smith whose work I've used and trust, is Alan Tillman, in Texas. He is the guy who build my 9mm 1911 and since day one, it's been working perfectly. Just spend about 100 rounds this weekend without a hickup!

[Colt630]

BGregory,

I went through the APG's website and saw Gemini. His work looks good, but what's up with his prices? I mean... he's beating the h*ll out of everyone else that I've seen!

[BGregory]

BGregory,

I went through the APG's website and saw Gemini. His work looks good, but what's up with his prices? I mean... he's beating the h*ll out of everyone else that I've seen!I have had him do 2 jobs for me. A Kimber Custom that I wanted checkering done on the front strap, which he turned around in a couple of weeks and did beautifuly and a SA GI .45. Before I sent the Springer in to him for custom work he asked me to give him a call. During our talk, he mentioned that he has been doing a lot of checkering for other 'smiths who don't want to spend the time doing it. I stumbled across him on Jack Weigand's website. Mr. Weigand has a shop in my area, but no longer does gunsmithing. He gave Marc Morganti a thumbs up on his site for his customers to send work to. I have only met Mr. Weigand, once in passing, but know several people who I trust that say he did excellent work. I figured that if he was recommending Gemini, then it would be a good place to try. I'm glad I did. I'm going to be out of country in a week or two for the remainder of the year, but I already have some projects lined up that I plan on sending him next year. I'd suggest dropping him an email and asking what you want done and see what he has to say.

BTW - It's been posted on this site before, but if you haven't seen it, here's a link to the SA he did for me.

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b334/BGregory1/fbc880ca.jpg a big picture)