CUSTOM 1911 Buyer's Guide: Part 1 - Faux "Custom" 1911's?

Published on June 2, 2023
Duration: 20:37

This video critically examines what constitutes a 'true custom' 1911, contrasting high-end manufacturers like Wilson Combat and Les Baer with brands like Cabot Arms and ACW Arms. The presenter highlights issues with fit, finish, and tuning on some 'faux custom' 1911s, particularly focusing on grip safety functionality and overall attention to detail. The video emphasizes that genuine custom quality involves meticulous hand-fitting and tuning, which is absent in many production-level 'custom' firearms.

Quick Summary

A true custom 1911 is defined by meticulous hand-fitting, tight tolerances, and precise tuning, especially for components like the grip safety. A well-tuned grip safety allows trigger pull with only 20-30% depression. Faux customs often display poor fitment, gaps, and unaddressed issues, indicating a lack of true gunsmithing expertise.

Chapters

  1. 00:16Introduction: What is a True Custom 1911?
  2. 01:21Cabot Arms Gran Torino: Not a True Custom
  3. 01:50ACW Arms: Issues with Grip Safety Tuning
  4. 02:30Addressing 'Stalkers' from Cabot & ACW Arms
  5. 04:03Poor Grip Safety Blending on Cabot National Standard
  6. 06:24Why Manufacturers Get 'Not Recommended' Ratings
  7. 08:04Basic 1911 Controls Explained
  8. 08:33Novice Fit Beaver Tail Grip Safety on Cabot
  9. 08:43Testing Grip Safety Tuning: Cabot Arms Example
  10. 10:55Poorly Sensitized ACW Quantico Grip Safety
  11. 11:10ACW Arms: Missing Custom Features & Lost Gun
  12. 12:07ACW Arms: Missing Melted Undercut Trigger Guard
  13. 12:49Wilson Combat: The Benchmark for Custom Quality
  14. 13:32Wilson Combat Grip Safety Tuning
  15. 14:37Les Baer: A True Custom 1911 Example
  16. 16:07Spar-della Arms: Full Stroke Commander .45 ACP
  17. 17:50Spar-della Arms Grip Safety Tuning
  18. 18:04Spar-della Arms Trigger Reset
  19. 19:02Conclusion: What to Look For in a Custom 1911

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key indicators of a 'faux custom' 1911 versus a true custom?

A faux custom 1911 often exhibits issues like poorly fitted safeties and grip safeties, significant gaps between parts, and features that were not correctly installed or are missing. True custom 1911s, in contrast, demonstrate meticulous hand-fitting, tight tolerances, and precise tuning of all components, especially critical ones like the grip safety.

How can I test the tuning of a 1911's grip safety?

To test grip safety tuning, apply slight pressure to the trigger and then press the grip safety. A properly tuned safety will allow the trigger to be pulled with only about 20-30% depression. If the trigger requires nearly full depression (90-95%) to activate, the grip safety is poorly tuned or fitted.

Which 1911 manufacturers are considered top-tier for custom quality?

Based on this video's review, Wilson Combat, Les Baer, and Spar-della Arms are presented as examples of true custom quality 1911s, showcasing excellent fit, finish, and precise tuning. Manufacturers like Cabot Arms and ACW Arms are critiqued for lacking these high standards in some of their offerings.

What specific issues were found with ACW Arms and Cabot Arms 1911s?

ACW Arms and Cabot Arms 1911s in the video exhibited problems such as poorly tuned grip safeties, un-melted trigger guard undercuts, missing ordered features like front cocking serrations, and in one instance, a lost firearm. These issues suggest a lack of attention to detail and quality control.

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