Smithy in DC/MD

Coop de Ville · June 15, 2011, 09:26 PM

Hi All,

I am looking for a smith in the DC MD area that can help me with a SA 1911A1 Milspec.

In short the gun is about 11 years old and has been slightly modified. I ended up having a smith tune it nice with a 3.5 lb trigger. After awhile I decided I didn't like the trigger because it didn't match, so I bought a solid black trigger from a gun show. I ended up having function problems and had to buy a couple new thumb safeties til I found one where it works.

So now it functions the way it's supposed to and it won't malfunction. However, since I replaced parts with unknown parts, I have an issue with it in the sense that I am afraid it will malfunction at some point. I have fiddled with it so much, it concerns me.

So, what I would like is to have someone install some quality small parts only for the purposed of making it perfectly reliable. I can forgo the 3.5 trigger if necessary.

Basically someone who could tune it a bit without breaking my bank. Someone local if possible. Anyone on this forum up to the task?

Thanks,

-Coop

egor20 · June 15, 2011, 09:49 PM

I use these guys for my pistols, a bit pricey but the work is excellent

Hatfields Gunsmiffin' Inc
8898 Mathis Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 369-4867 ‎

http://www.hatfieldsgunsmithing.com

Hope it helps, they did my trigger work on my RIA CS, turn around was 10 days.

MC 1911 · June 16, 2011, 06:04 AM

I use these guys for my pistols, a bit pricey but the work is excellent

Hatfields Gunsmiffin' Inc
8898 Mathis Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 369-4867 ‎

http://www.hatfieldsgunsmithing.com

Hope it helps, they did my trigger work on my RIA CS, turn around was 10 days.

I know several people who use Hatfields as well and both have been very happy with their work.Not in DC or Md. but worth a look!

Shadi Khalil · June 16, 2011, 06:19 AM

Contact sandy garrett of nova gun works. Not the nicest guy but his work is excellent.

James K · June 16, 2011, 09:09 PM

I am a believer that what works works. If you have put enough rounds through that gun to consider it reliable, I wouldn't have anyone work on it. The smith might be good, but even good smiths can goof and you might pay money and end up worse than you are now.

A secondary issue is that if you get the gun back and it fails, who is responsible? Unless you have the smith completely rework the gun, he could blame any problems on your parts/work. I have had that experience, and one of those contests with everyone screaming for a lawyer is no fun.

Jim

ClydeFrog · June 26, 2011, 01:47 AM

Central VA/NOVA pistolsmith David Sams does a lot of 1911 series work.

Sams also did custom/match work for members of the USAF pistol team.

I'm not sure of his shop's URL. Another good source is: www.AmericanPistol.com . This is a listing of American Pistolsmith Guild members. You can search by state or custom service.

CF

Coop de Ville · June 26, 2011, 08:28 AM

Thanks All for the help. I'm going to think this one through.

Regards,

-Coop

ClydeFrog · June 26, 2011, 10:31 PM

2 Garrets are listed as working on 1911a1 series pistols & the S-A line; www.AmericanPistol.com .

ClydeFrog

June 15, 2011, 09:26 PM	#1
Coop de Ville Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 436	Smithy in DC/MD Hi All, I am looking for a smith in the DC MD area that can help me with a SA 1911A1 Milspec. In short the gun is about 11 years old and has been slightly modified. I ended up having a smith tune it nice with a 3.5 lb trigger. After awhile I decided I didn't like the trigger because it didn't match, so I bought a solid black trigger from a gun show. I ended up having function problems and had to buy a couple new thumb safeties til I found one where it works. So now it functions the way it's supposed to and it won't malfunction. However, since I replaced parts with unknown parts, I have an issue with it in the sense that I am afraid it will malfunction at some point. I have fiddled with it so much, it concerns me. So, what I would like is to have someone install some quality small parts only for the purposed of making it perfectly reliable. I can forgo the 3.5 trigger if necessary. Basically someone who could tune it a bit without breaking my bank. Someone local if possible. Anyone on this forum up to the task? Thanks, -Coop __________________ "If chance be the father of all flesh, disaster is his rainbow in the sky. And when you hear a 'state of emergencies, sniper kills ten, troops on rampage, whites go looting, bomb blasts school,' it is but the sound of man , worshipping his maker." - S. Turner

June 15, 2011, 09:49 PM	#2
egor20 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,824	I use these guys for my pistols, a bit pricey but the work is excellent Hatfields Gunsmiffin' Inc 8898 Mathis Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110 (703) 369-4867 ‎ http://www.hatfieldsgunsmithing.com Hope it helps, they did my trigger work on my RIA CS, turn around was 10 days. __________________ Chief stall mucker and grain chef Country don't mean dumb. Steven King. The Stand

June 26, 2011, 01:47 AM	#6
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	David Sams; AmericanPistol.com .... Central VA/NOVA pistolsmith David Sams does a lot of 1911 series work. Sams also did custom/match work for members of the USAF pistol team. I'm not sure of his shop's URL. Another good source is: www.AmericanPistol.com . This is a listing of American Pistolsmith Guild members. You can search by state or custom service. CF

June 26, 2011, 08:28 AM	#7
Coop de Ville Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 436	Thanks All for the help. I'm going to think this one through. Regards, -Coop __________________ "If chance be the father of all flesh, disaster is his rainbow in the sky. And when you hear a 'state of emergencies, sniper kills ten, troops on rampage, whites go looting, bomb blasts school,' it is but the sound of man , worshipping his maker." - S. Turner

June 26, 2011, 10:31 PM	#8
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Northern VA Gun Works; AmericanPistol.com .... 2 Garrets are listed as working on 1911a1 series pistols & the S-A line; www.AmericanPistol.com . ClydeFrog

June 16, 2011, 06:04 AM	#3
MC 1911 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 372	I use these guys for my pistols, a bit pricey but the work is excellent Hatfields Gunsmiffin' Inc 8898 Mathis Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110 (703) 369-4867 ‎ http://www.hatfieldsgunsmithing.com Hope it helps, they did my trigger work on my RIA CS, turn around was 10 days. I know several people who use Hatfields as well and both have been very happy with their work.Not in DC or Md. but worth a look!

June 16, 2011, 06:19 AM	#4
Shadi Khalil Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2006 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 5,210	Contact sandy garrett of nova gun works. Not the nicest guy but his work is excellent.

June 16, 2011, 09:09 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I am a believer that what works works. If you have put enough rounds through that gun to consider it reliable, I wouldn't have anyone work on it. The smith might be good, but even good smiths can goof and you might pay money and end up worse than you are now. A secondary issue is that if you get the gun back and it fails, who is responsible? Unless you have the smith completely rework the gun, he could blame any problems on your parts/work. I have had that experience, and one of those contests with everyone screaming for a lawyer is no fun. Jim