What is it like to receive a gun made to your own specifications by a master craftsman? It's like entering a cathedral to the sound of a distant Gregorian chant while being embraced by the aroma of incense and burning candles. Not fancy, it lies before me in subdued elegance.
I admire the Smith & Alexander magwell blended to the frame almost seamlessly mated to the G10 diagonal flat bottom grips. The thick barrel bushing blends perfectly with the beveled barrel. The letter "P" engraved on the recoil spring plug stands as quite witness to the guns creator, Ron Phillips. I grasp the slide and move it back. There is a firm resistance. It is tight. I apply pressure to the trigger. It breaks sharp and clean. I thumb cock the hammer and set the thumb safety, both firm and tight. Field stripping reveals bushing to frame, bushing to barrel, and lug fit all tight. There is no excess clearance, everything fits together perfectly.
The first hundred rounds feed flawlessly and the target shows the gun is more accurate than I. The target today is fifty feet away. I shoot off hand standing in one position. Not my favorite stuff. Tomorrow will be action shooting practice.
My Ron Phillips 1911A1 is a custom pistol because I specified certain features that I prefer and find useful. The difference between a bag full of the parts I like and a fine pistol is the skill and craftsmanship of the gunsmith fitting and assembling the parts. I am more than satisfied with my custom pistol.
Some of you may have noticed that George at Gunslingers has received a similar Ron Phillips custom and offers it for sale.
I will defer to the Ron Phillips web site for pictures. The first six pictures are of my gun. The next seven are of the gun George has for sale. See if you can catch all the differences.
http://www.phillips1911.com/gallery/
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