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The starting point for this project was fairly simple in theory, but more difficult in practice... build a 1911 that felt different, without losing what makes the platform what it is.

Like most, I looked at the work of guys I consider masters... Ned Christiansen, Bruce Gray, Chuck Roger, Jason Burton, etc... as a general source of inspiration. Not to replicate anything specific, but to understand the level of thought and execution that has already been applied to the platform.

From the beginning, the intent was for Hakan to have full latitude as the “artist” on the project. The request wasn’t to copy, but to interpret.

The basic parameters were straightforward: Colt base, Carbon steel construction, .38 Super, Integrated compensator, Custom roll marks... Where things became more involved, was in working through the sighting system. I was initially undecided between a traditional iron sight setup and a modern optic. Hakan suggested the Aimpoint COA, which led to a broader discussion around flexibility.

The goal became a system where the COA could serve as the primary optic, while still allowing for other configurations: RMR, ACRO, or even a return to irons (Bomar or fixed). Hakan indicated he would work through a solution that would both function properly and remain consistent with his overall vision for the pistol.

We also discussed the compensator. Ned's Zen Ten has always stood out as one of the more well-executed examples, so I reached out to him for his thoughts. His response was straightforward, if Hakan was building the pistol, he didn’t see an issue with pursuing something in that direction. From there, Hakan developed a one-piece barrel/comp design to meet the intent.

There are also a few elements that draw from established ideas... such as a welded magwell and a hardtail treatment in the style of Bruce Gray’s work. These are not new concepts, but it will become apparent later in the thread that the methods used to execute some them are somewhat different and totally Hakan!

One consistent point from Hakan early on was that the 1911 should remain a “round” gun. That guided the overall direction... no tri-top, square trigger guard, or angular treatments... He wanted to keep the lines traditional while integrating more modern features.

That was the starting point... The second component was the CAD drawings laying out the layout and how everything would essentially come together... At least from the sight system and barrel perspective.

Plate System and Optics/Sights









Barrel/Comp

As I work through organizing and uploading photos, I’ll do my best to provide context for each step along the way.

This is the .38 Super that was sourced as the base for the project.

Given that Hakan is in Sweden, suitable 1911 base guns are not readily available, so the approach was to source what we could and work from there

Step 1: Source Base... done

Thank you for posting that, and the more the better!

The lucky poster is known to me and I've already seen some of the details on this masterpiece in progress. I'm so happy to have it under discussion here, and even more so so say that the other day I saw that Håkan had signed up for LTW and I vetted him in. Hope to hear from him soon but I think he's one busy Swede.

I don't want to over-introduce Håkan, maybe he will and maybe he won't want to do that, but his company's products, and his reputation for innovation and excellence, are know across many categories of firearms products and accessories. To American precision rifle enthusiasts and PRS competitors, the SPUHR logo is very well known:


There are other aspects to the company that I will save for later or let someone else reveal, but "fascinating" and "impressive" come to mind.

I don't know how much he is or has been into 1911's but I think he's pretty much into everything firearms.... for a living and as a hobby. One of his projects that fascinated me was a Luger he customized (as I understand it) for his wife. This is just a little taste of it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6tOZRgt-1Y

Mr. Cundiff, you mentioned some Bruce Grey inspiration. Did you see where Bruce Grey himself called Håkan, "The best gunsmith in the world?"

BTW, Håkan is spelled, H- alt0229, k, a, n. And yes, of course I hadda look that up! He told me in our one phone conversation that in Sweden it is pronounced something like HAWK-on or HOKE-on or something in between, that I think American English speakers might need a little practice on.

So THAT's the gun I've been seeing him post teaser pix of on (un)social media! Nice to see some more details on the overal concept. Hakan is truely a master in metal and wood. Glad to hear that he will have a presence here.

Bobby this looks like it will be an amazing pistol. I look forward to more post as the build progresses.

_________________
And this eternal resting place Is known as Fiddlers' Green.

Note that the barrel and comp are one piece. The whole thing is whittled out of one piece of steel.

Bobby, tell me that was from a barrel blank-- right? I mean, he didn't take a chunk of steel and and drill-ream-rifle it, did he?

Ned, I did not hear that but, it doesn’t surprise me. There are very few gunsmiths I have interacted with that have a technical know how on doing the things Håkan (fixed) does. Guys like yourself or Chuck… Gray, Single, Burton. Outside of that, I am not certain I can think of any. One thing that does ring true is his background starting as a tool and die maker. Something about the guys that started there and innovation and vision they have is just a little different.
Bill… that’s the one. I hope Håkan jumps in and can provide even deeper insights to his process vs my limited explanations.
Yes, it’s a project that will be cherished. As I say often, the gun will be the special, but the relationship and friendship Ive made/gained through the project is really what its all about for me!
Ned… perfect timing! Yes… he started with a Lothar Walther blank and went to work… post coming on that shortly.

Before getting into the barrel work, it’s worth noting that the original base gun required chrome removal, as shown in the post above. The pistol had previously been chromed, so the finish had to be stripped back to bare material before any further work could begin. Mission accomplished:


One-Piece Barrel / Comp... Initial Machining

Following up on the CAD portion, this next step focuses on the one-piece barrel and compensator.

Håkan started with a Lothar Walther rifle barrel blank and machined it down to suit the 1911 platform. As shown in the photos, the process begins with turning the exterior profile to establish the basic dimensions of the barrel, including the transition areas that will ultimately interface with the slide.

From there, the work progresses into forming the barrel ramp etc and compensator as a single, continuous unit. The threads, chamber area, and locking surfaces are all developed from the same blank, rather than assembling separate components. This allows for full control over concentricity and alignment throughout the entire length of the part.

You can also see the machining of the lug area and lower geometry, which is critical in establishing proper lockup and timing within the 1911 system. These surfaces are being worked with the final slide fit in mind, rather than simply cut to nominal dimensions.

The compensator itself is also formed directly from the same piece, rather than added later. This approach removes variables associated with threaded or pinned comps and keeps everything aligned with the bore axis... a process I personally have not ever seen done

Overall, what stands out here is the amount of time spent to arrive at a finished handgun barrel from a rifle blank, all while maintaining the tolerances required for proper function in a 1911.

More to follow as this progresses.

The barrel alone trumps pretty much any work done by 99% of the pistolsmiths out there in the world.

Cutting the locking lug recesses alone is some impressive cutter path programming.