1911 smith in So CA

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 1911 smith in So CA

Posted: 11/6/2014 4:14:48 PM EDT

Can anyone recommend a competent 1911 smith in So CA?

I recently acquired a nice Colt that someone installed an aftermarket trigger in and it doesn't pass the safety checks. Might get Novak night sights installed if the guy inspires confidence.

Thanks!

Posted: 11/7/2014 6:18:33 PM EDT

[#1]

Where in So Cal? There's a good 1911 smith in San Diego. Clothey and Sons.

Posted: 11/7/2014 7:01:42 PM EDT

[#2]

I'm in north OC but San Diego is okay for a smith that won't ruin my pistol.

Thanks, I'll give him a call.

Posted: 11/9/2014 8:15:41 PM EDT

[#3]

Dave's Metal Works in Covina. Top 100 pistolsmiths in America.

I'm happy with the work he did on my SA 1911.

Posted: 11/10/2014 1:54:09 AM EDT

[#4]

Novak night sights are very, very nice. I had a set installed on a new, blued slide. They are solid as a rock. 10 years later, they still work.

Posted: 11/19/2014 2:27:12 AM EDT

[#5]

Two names in SoCal are Alan Tanaka (Gardena) and... well, shit, I can't remember anymore... other guy was based in Corona.

Whatever you do, stay away from Bolsa Gunsmithing in Westminster. They FUBAR'd my Colt, and wouldn't own up to it.

ETA: Found it. Dude's name is Will O'Hara

Posted: 11/19/2014 7:32:03 PM EDT

[#6]

My question is are any of these 1911 smiths ready for heavy milling/fitting?

I know there's the light fitting stuff, but then there's sights, slide lightening cuts, sti/svi work and the stuff I'd rather the Smith not send out to someone who can do it for them.

Which one of these guys fit the bill?

Posted: 11/21/2014 12:58:43 AM EDT

[#7]

I was going to suggest Kings Gun Works. Having not been there in along time, I thought I'd make sure they were still around and post a link to their web site.

As it turns out, they are no longer in business and haven't been in a long time.

When I last had some 1911 gunsmithing done, the items were purchased and the gunsmithing was done by an excellent 'smith but he's in Arizona.

Posted: 11/21/2014 3:14:38 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
My question is are any of these 1911 smiths ready for heavy milling/fitting?

I know there's the light fitting stuff, but then there's sights, slide lightening cuts, sti/svi work and the stuff I'd rather the Smith not send out to someone who can do it for them.

Which one of these guys fit the bill?

View Quote

Dave Lawver (Dave's Metal Works) has a full machine shop and does all his work in house. He works on a lot of competition / race guns.

You can't go wrong with Alan Tanaka or Will O'Hara either. Top notch pistolsmiths.

Posted: 11/21/2014 3:19:25 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
...
Whatever you do, stay away from Bolsa Gunsmithing in Westminster. They FUBAR'd my Colt, and wouldn't own up to it.
...

View Quote

Bolsa did a trigger job on a Taurus .38 special snub nose for me and I swear there was not one iota of difference between before and after. He said there was a limit to how much he could improve the trigger without compromising safety, and I understand that, but I couldn't tell any improvement at all.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 1911 smith in So CA

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