ltwguns.com

I am new to this forum and hope this question has not been answered a thousand times already. My question is what constitutes a “Signature Grade” gun?

I am about ready to take the plunge into the world of true custom 1911s. I have shooting the 1911 since 1980. In the past few years I have moved up to the “Semi-Custom” brands of ED Brown, Les Baer, Wilson and Rock River. The improvement in “niceness” over the factory guns I had before is amazing. Now I want to find out what all of the buzz surrounding the Yo-Bo guns is all about.

About 15 years ago, my friend Wayne Novak gave me some of the best advice I've ever received. He said " Even though you work for someone else, you should have something that's unique to you - something no one else can do". The reason was twofold - first, it establishes your identity in addition to the company you work for. Second, it establishes a benchmark or a standard of pride that's a cut above the normal product. I didn't get to build a lot of Signature Grades at Gunsite, as time just didn't allow it. They are still out there, and in capable hands.

I still believe a craftsman has to have something that's unique to him, and in my case I've chosen the traditional hand built 1911. I stand in awe of the things Ned and Chuck can do on a machine, but that's just not my thing. For me, what makes a gun a signature effort is that it represents my very best efforts. I don't farm out work, or have anyone else in the shop assist on any aspect of the build. From hand checkering to final polish and finish, only one person is involved. I even make my own grips for each one. I also try to live up to a simple motto - "Each one better than the last". Sometimes the "improvements" might be hard to spot, and might be something so intangible as a subtle change in the "feel" of the gun, but rest assured - the effort is there, every time.

I feel that if you're going to put your name on a product at that level, it should be a reflection on the builder, not a community project, assembled and "signed".

There are only a couple of YoBo Signature Grades out there that I didn't personally build, and it's something we won't do anymore. Ray Harms built two excellent examples - absolutely fantastic detail, and perfect function. Ray's moved on, and is going great guns with his metal Glock frame, but I'm sure he could speak volumes about what a PITA the old man can be when a gun is going to be called a Signature Grade

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

TR

And there you have it from a true master, and a true craftsman! Thanks Ted (and all the other guys here) for ALL that you do!

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

Great response, Theo. Could you further explain the significant differences between a full house custom Norinco and a Signature grade?

Just kiddin' buddy! Thanks for sharing your metallic artwork and your knowledge with us mortals. Just as Roy Fishpaw has been referred to as gripmaker to the gods, you most certainly must be their pistolsmith!!!!!!

Best regards,

Jim

Thanks for your informative post, Mr. Yost. I will be sending a colt your way soon. I need to decide if I want to sell of a couple or AR-15s or just give up a kidney to fund the work I need done.

If the ARs are Colt, give up a kidney....

Any other type of AR, sell em and get that pistol to YoBo ASAP!

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Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun
"You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman

I'm in the market for a good used kidney if the askin' price ain't too high! I agree that if the AR's are Colt's...hang onto them!

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

Ted (Master Yoda) speaks the truth about the Signature Grade guns. Theo "literally" but on the magnified visor to review EVERY detail on the guns.

Besides being a general good guy, Ted is a great teacher. One of those few individuals who can pass on their knowledge and also have a willingness to do so. I count myself lucky, to have been taught by him.

Ted's philosophy on every one being better than the last and best effort is something that he truly believes in. I like to think that I have adopted that same idealogy for the custom guns which I am building now and for the CCF/RaceFrames frames. It is one of the reasons that I had some customers of CCF/RaceFrames frustrated with our shipping delays. I just would not let the product go to market until I was 100% sure that our consistency and quality were correct.

Best,

Ray

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http://www.harmscustomdesigns.com

And speaking of Ray Harms and CCF RaceFrames...
I just picked up a copy of American Handgunner's 2007 Annual this AM, and starting on page 52 is an article on the CCF RaceFrame. I haven't seen an article elsewhere, but I don't read that many gun magazines anymore. So if one is looking for an article...there's one.
I haven't read any more than the first and last couple of paragraphs, but it sounds pretty good.

Also, there is an article in there by our Jason Burton on Swenson 1911s. Ignore the "James Burton" listed in the table of contents. He becomes Jason for the article.
And yes, I hear Swensons are OK too.