Being either a spectator and/or a builder in the custom 1911 market as well as working sixteen years in LE I have made some observations. I may be alone on this but probably not. Custom guns are just that.....custom. Not guns with some "necessary" parts changed but rather guns that have had every detail addressed. Details that the builder can mold, shape, and ply his trade to in order to reasonably insure the gun's reliability, consistency, accuracy, aesthectic beauty, and appeal to the owner. Lots of interesting terms get thrown around and used in today's market "working gun", "beater gun", "car gun", just to name a few.
That terminology brings me to a point. If your gun is truly those things then one could draw the logical conclusion that it's the gun that will likely be with you most of the time. In your car, on your person, on your bedside table, or in close proximity for you to use to protect yourself, your partner, or your loved ones. That means when the sh$t hits you are looking to this gun to save your life, plain and simple. In describing the guns above many often take the term "working gun", for example, to imply the piece is one that leaves the user with a gun that is "less" or somehow sub-par to what's possible and only relying on the minimum modifitacitons to make the gun "ready for duty". Often times this need, or imagined need as it maybe, for a minimalist weapon, whether driven by economic factors, user preference, etc., leaves one with the impression that for a "hard use" "working" sidearm one must insist on only the most basic modifications and certian things are frivilous. Yes, cost can be a factor, however, in my opinion you should have as much gun with you that you can afford and that you know will do it's intended job. That does not mean everyone needs a full blown custom 1911.
Another interesting opinion often heard today is that if you are a police officer or law enforcement of any kind you don't want to get into a shooting with your $3k custom 1911 because IA or PSB will have it for months. I have thought of this for some time. If I get into a shooting and my 3k custom is the best gun I have and I use it to save my life then they can have it....for awhile. And these are things that are equally applicable to the private citizen who's main concern will likely be his/her life and the life of their loved ones. It simple logic that if you are serious about carrying a gun you should have another somewhere in your bag of tricks that you trust and that can be brought out and used should your original gun no longer be available to you. Allowing the thought of a potential investigation to cause you to leave your finely built gun, crafted to excell at it's intended task, where it can't be touched is silly and it flies in the face of why these guns are built in the first place...IMO.
In that same vein....two fold. In peace time, if you watch the trends of the custom pistol industry one may notice that customers want beautifully polished Colts, ivory, exotic wood, attention to detail, match barrels, etc...When we are at war, and the market cleverly catches on to an emerging trend, then the guns shift to "tactical", "deployment pistol", "duty gear", "hardcore", "high speed, low drag", "Spec Ops" or some other term that is designed to make the potential buyer invision himself on par with those who "do" and actually go into harms way. And by the way, the custom 1911 industry is not the only one to suffer ths fate. Soon after this you see the emergance of blasted black guns designed to be "less refelctive" and help the civillian who carries
concealed be less prone to being spotted. All of which gives the reader or user the idea that these guns are somehow more durable or will by some measure shoot better and out preform the an elegantly styled polished blue custom in a fight for ones life. Marketing is a fantastic thing and it works in both directions. I have a Strider knife and I know why Mick Strider describes his knives as being for hardcore individuals. Those knives could survive almost anything, but does owning that knife make me "hardcore"? If it does cool, but I doubt it. I always liked to think that ones level of training, awareness, and common sense kept you in one piece. My carry gun is a two tone 5" Colt that is very appealing to me and at first glance it surely doesn't scream "steely eyed dealer of death" but it can and has kept me safe, polished flats, wood stocks and all.
"Tactical gear" is another interesting misnomer. Is "tactical" gear for getting tactical? Or is it to make one more "tactical"? Or wait now, is it for actually applying "tactics" and if I'm with out my "tactical" gear in the middle of a fight does that mean I would not be able to apply "tactics" or that mine will somehow be sub-par? This kind of thing could get a guy worried.
I guess "tactical gear" is for those LE and military guys and gals who are on just that, a tactical team, or military unit (whether it be a part time or a full time unit) whos job or specialty requires that type of gear. Small four to six man LE squads don't enjoy a dozen or so of their friends who are always equipped with an armored vehicle, long guns, shields, etc. but those squads can surely still apply "tactics" with out all the "tactical gear". Some LE personnel like the UC guys, or jump squads have to travel lightly, the idea is nobody knows who they are. This has been and still is very common in the military but being efficient and carrying what is necessary is a great deal more common plain clothed street partol than any LE or military personnel. In fact true LE SWAT guys make up a very small portion of the department. I have worked in law enforcement for sixteen years and with one of the largest Sheriff's Office's in the country for ten. Some of our best and most efficient guys and gals put on a cover shirt, jam their gun into an IWB holster and stick a reload and light on their belt when they are not wearing their blacks. They don't want anyone to know who they are. Ya, can't go in the grocery store looking like you just stormed the castle clad in black with gear hanging off of you. That stuff if for a very specialized and detailed type of environment. Certainly not the everyday civilian, UC cop, or housewife. Understanding these scenarios (or "mindset" if you will) and their related pitfalls is also most important for the civilian who, in reality, would only wear these items in a fantasy training scenario.
Most civilians are miles ahead of the competition with a great gun (your choice) a great holster (your choice) magazines that work (CMC Power Mags) and a light. You will more than likely use your light and your cell phone more often in a day than you will your pistol in terms of your well being. The phone gets the cavalry there if you need them and the light just lets you know which direction to run. Running, by the way, may include applying "tactics"
Lasers, tritium, gold BB's, GPS sighting, point shooting, icosoles, weaver, whatever
All those thing don't amount to much unless you have trained, understand your gun, your equipment and most importantly your capabilities and apply those gathered strengths in a realistic mode. For the same reason you don't walk into the local Hell's Angels bar and declare "motocycles are for assholes" is the same reason you don't put yourself into a scenario that makes you have to use your gun when you otherwise would not. This brings us back to training and common sense, and what you carry.
The pictures below only illustrate what myself, my friends, and professional acquaintances feel works pretty well and is important to have on you at any given time and represent some of the best the industry has to offer. The first gun was built at Yost-Bonitz and I am not declaring that our guns are what someone needs to survive. The gun is only a representation of what I like on a personal carry gun. This one has extras that does not make it run better, or more accurate. The extras make it my gun, your gun, or whoever feels that the modification they want represent just that...WHAT THEY WANT. If this gun was a hardchrome Colt, Kimber, SA, etc...it would have black micarta stocks. That would be the only difference.
The light, a Surefire to me is a very clear choice. Espcecially this version. The A2 has LED and incandescent capabiities. The LED is for navigation and situation when you don't want to backlight yourself. The Emerson knife is a durable, well configured design that works out of of the box whether you carry your gun on the left or right. The leather speaks for itself. A great deal has been written on leather holsters, IWB, OWB, etc...However, for concealed carry Lou Alessi's PCH represents a collision of expertise and experience for those that carry concealed...with a little style. CMC magazines have proven to me, and many others to be the most consistent magazines. They hold up over time, the springs are overpowered, and the follower locks gun open consistently. In order to set up a gun properly to run there are only so many things that have to be right. However, when it comes to custom touches the builder and the customer are limited to their imagination. My guns are set up to be accurate and reliable.
These are just some thoughts that have been swirling around for awhile. Not meant as a declaration of any style, type, or brand....just some thoughts. Hell, I get overwhelmed with all the new doo-dads, and when you think about it the more basic you stay the less you can really cluster.
Some other excellent examples of fine carry guns.
CT Brian
John Harrison
Chuck Rogers
Stan Chen
Don Williams
Ned Christiansen
Theo Yost
Certainly I am not saying that the above builders agree with what I have written but I feel their guns fit the description of elegantly crafted carry gun.
And as I think about it...I could be wrong.
Register
Login
FAQ
.
