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View Full Version : Retro Custom Chuck Taylor Combat Master 1911


Paul Gomez
12th February 2009, 19:42
A friend of mine recently built a couple of Gunsite Service Pistol inspired 1911s. Along the way, we discussed the earlier Chuck Taylor Combat Master pistol. This is the end result. While the CM didn't get a lot of press, it did get quite a bit of exposure through books & articles written by Taylor and other ASAA instructors.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3275619446_8049313085.jpg

Chuck Taylor was the first Operations Manager at Gunsite. Clint Smith was his replacement when Taylor left to found ASAA in the early 80s.

Taylor worked with Richard Aldis, the gunsmith at J&G Sales, to develop a package that epitimized what he thought was 'just what was needed and nothing else' for a defensive 45. Taylor wrote an article on the Combat Master in the November 1982 issue of SWAT magazine. The gun giveaway for that month was an Auto Ord 1911 worked over by Aldis into a Combat Master and the J&G Sales advertisements featured the Combat Master for several years.

In 1982 the package cost $125. It included reliability work, a trigger job, MMC low profile, high vis sights, a stainless steel extended thumb safety and complete dehorning. Pinning the grip safety and the commander hammer were options, costing $12.50 and $14.95 respectively.

Paul Gomez
12th February 2009, 19:47
This gun specs out as follows:

Auto Ordnance M1911A1 .45ACP [West Hurley, NY]
MMC Classic Carry Rear Sight
MGW Improved Serrated Ramp Front Sight
King's Extended Thumb Safety – SS
Original Commander pattern hammer
Grip Safety dehorned & relieved for Commander hammer
Ed Brown Sear Spring
Wilson Bulletproof Extractor, tuned & fitted
Ed Brown Max Dim Firing Pin Stop
Wolff XS firing pin spring
Wolff 18.5 pound recoil spring
MGW barrel bushing - SS

Prior to beginning this project, I had no idea how long the MMC rear sight had been around. MMC brought it to market in 1959!!

Much like with the GSP, a fairly simple, solid 1911 with minor tweaks.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3357/3275620940_20d0447366.jpg