Anyone have experience with Kevin Toothman of USSA 1911's

[Maverick21]

At the wannemacher I came across his table and was able to toy with one of his 1911s. Honestly the fit was as solid as I've ever seen yet the action was smooth as butter. I was amazed that a 1911 with such tight tolerances could have such a smooth easy action. For instance, when comparing that to a Les Baer, the Baer was pretty tough to cycle.

Anybody here own one of his pistols? Are they worth the price tag (roughly $3500) compared to big name custom shops? My only concern is if I were to ever part with it how would anybody know it was one of his guns? He doesn't even put a logo or branding on them and I know if I made something that nice I'd have my name ALLLLL over it.

 

[Shadowrider]

I haven't shot one personally, but a lot of the USPSA shooters say they are absolutely top shelf.

 

[mr ed]

A lot of gunsmiths make the mistake of not marking their guns all over. I guess they just don't want to take the time or expense to do it. And its a big mistake from the gunsmiths point and the buyers point.
As far as resale goes, if that $3500 gun is not marked all over. Then it will be a $700 used gun when you go to sell it. Unless you've got good documentation to go with it.

There are a lot of really good pistolsmiths out there that turn out some fantastic guns. But never become "famous" because they don't market their name.

 

[Glocktogo]

Kevin is a really great guy AND a great gunsmith. Some very discerning top shooters consider him one of the best 1911 Smiths in the country. I've heard him mentioned in the top five. I've shot one of his guns and it was superb. About the only thing I can say about the value is that yes, it's worth $3,500 if any 1911 can be considered worth $3,500. He does the things that other smiths don't. As for resale value, you're correct. His name isn't on it. You'd have to be selling it to someone who knows his work. When you're doing that, it's easy for them to tell that it's Kevin's work.

 

[JD8]

Almost all the guns I've seen from him were VERY nice but they were geared towards competition. He had one "carry" style gun on his table.

Is it worth it? It's up to you, but you can spend that on a Wilson easily and a handbuilt 1911 from Kevin will be nicer IMO. You'll never get the resale value out it, whether they know Kevin or not. That's just how buying and selling custom 1911s goes.

 

[Maverick21]

Thanks for the feedback. Just what I needed to know. It was clear to me that his work was top shelf and he was an honest and modest man. I buy trade and sell too often to justify it but honestly even having not shot it, if I were to buy one 1911 in my life his would be top of the list.

 

[Glocktogo]

I think one of the reasons his 1911's are so good is because he's still a very high level competition shooter. He understands what makes the gun perform well, beyond just accuracy. His stuff works as well as it shoots, and they shoot very smooth.

 

[aeropb]

The answer is no. A price point can be reached where nothing more of real value is added. There is perceived value added by paying a very skilled or well known person to make you something. Does a very skilled or well known person's $3500 1911 yield measurably superior performance when compared to brand X's $2500 1911? The answer is no. Getting it custom means you can have it tailored how you want it, but is has no more real value than a semi custom.

 

[Glocktogo]

The answer is no. A price point can be reached where nothing more of real value is added. There is perceived value added by paying a very skilled or well known person to make you something. Does a very skilled or well known person's $3500 1911 yield measurably superior performance when compared to brand X's $2500 1911? The answer is no. Getting it custom means you can have it tailored how you want it, but is has no more real value than a semi custom.

And this is merely your opinion, which enough people disagree with to keep $3,500 custom 1911 gunsmiths in business. Does a Wilson CQB or Nighthawk Custom (which are approaching $3K these days) have a Schuemann barrel? Does it have Acc-U-Rails? Does it have the very best quality fire control parts? Is it put together with absolute precision, which takes a lot of time? The answer is no. I've shot all of them and there is a perceptible difference. Whether it's worth it to the individual is up to them.

To be honest, some people can't tell the difference. They're just not at a level that it would make any difference in their shooting results. Then again, some do see an improvement, just because of their confidence in knowing that their equipment is top notch.

 

[mmchambers06]

Kevin's guns are very nice. His open pistols are top-shelf.

But a casual shooter buying a 1911 is like a 16 yr. old kid paying a Formula 1 mechanic to build a Honda Civic...it's more than just a little ridiculous.