My old/NEW 1911-Courtesy of Dr. Greyson

[Wall]

Wow, Just got my pistol back from Dr. Greyson. Man, am I excited, Christmas came early.
It started out as just a barrel fitment, but turned into major surgery. It's now my NEW 1911. Even though it looks similar to how it did in the begining, looks is where the similarity ends. This is by far not the same pistol. The action on the slide is as smooth as silk. The trigger is as smooth as can be with just a little bit of take up before a nice crisp snap. If I remember correctly, it was right between 3 1/2 to 4 lbs. I can't wait to get to the range next week to shoot some more. I test fired it a few days ago, before the finishing touches were put on. This thing puts rounds on top of each other. It's night & day compared to when I took it to him. I couldn't believe it, I'd heard/read people talking/writing about shooting the same holes, but just kinda thought they were far better shooters than me. I guess I'm not as bad as I thought, just needed the right pistol.

The Major surgery included-Hand fitting of new barrel & bushing (to lock up perfectly to slide with no rotation/not just a simple barrel fitting), Recessed & Crowned the barrel, Lowered & Flared Ejection port, Serated rear of slide & Hand fitting & polishing of all the internals. I'm sure there's some more I'm just not thinking of at the moment.

Here's a parts rundown of my NEW Pistol:
Caspian Frame (Black Cerekote) & SS Slide
Bar Sto SS Match Barrel & SS Bushing
All new Wolff Springs
Ed Brown SS beaver tail (cerekoted black)
Ed Brown Chkrd Main Spring Housing (cerekoted black)
C&S Alum. trigger
C&S Ultra Lite Hammer Sear & Disconnect
C&S Hammer Strut
EGW Extended Ejector
EGW Flat Btm Firing Pin Stop
EGW Firing Pin
Wilson SS Guide Rod
SS Grip screw bushings-? Brand (but I'm possitive they are of top quality)
Simonich Gunner Grips
The only thing left is a set of quality sights. I'll be replacing them ASAP.

I thought that this was a nice pistol when I took it to him, but I guess ignorance is bliss. What I have now is an AWESOME pistol by anyone's standards. If any of you are thinking about getting or modifying a 1911, I highly reccomend Dr. Greyson. His PHD is in dentistry, but could easily be in 1911 pistolsmithing. One word of warning (if you can call it a warning), he will not compromise on quality. He only uses high quality parts & does a high quality job. I wouldn't expect him to fit some old used up barrel you found at the gunshow into your pistol, but I guess you could ask.

I will say this, this pistol will never leave. It will remain in my family forever.
Thank you Sir, you are a Master.


I'll post pics when I get a chance.

If any of you are on the fence about whether or not to customize yours, send me a PM. I'd be more than happy to meet up at H&H & let you shoot this one (your ammo of course). You won't stay on the fence very long, I can assure you.

 

[POSITIVE DISCONTENT]

Didn't happen without pics..... Lucky bas*ard.

 

[Wall]

Didn't happen without pics..... Lucky bas*ard.

oh it happened, boy did it ever.
I'll try to get pics up tomorrow

 

[12gabackup]

Dare I ask what you've got invested in this pistol?

 

[Wall]

I knew this would come up. I'd really rather let Dr. Greyson discuss price. I'd hate to say he charges this much for something and then he tell you something different. I'd rather you get an estimate from him. I hope you understand, I'm not trying to be a prick or anything. But, each gun is going to be different, so yours could be more or less than mine, depending on how much trouble it is. Mine was a pain in the a$$. If you call him he can tell you how much it is for this or that. He's does impecable work. Many folks on this board use him & he won't cheat you. He called me frequently just to update me on the status & I honestly think he was almost as excited about my pistol as I was (impossible but seemed that way). Send him a pm, his screen name is Dr. Barry Greyson.
He's a good guy & will even answer how to questions.

 

[Dr. Barry Greyson]

Tony...

The SS Bushings are Nowlin bushings that I have had in the "drawer" for a while...excellent quality.
Also, thanks for the nice review of the work and for going along with my craziness of not wanting anything to go out of the shop that is not safe or of high quality.
In the interest of disclosure...when Tony left with his gun I told him to retest fire it for any final "issues"and if he liked the final result to say something nice on OSA.-LOL .I think my excitement in 'resurrecting' his pistol was seeing the expression on his face the first time he shot it at H&H.... A few more additions to it like better sights,and a few more basic parts and he will have many years of shooting enjoyment from it.
Usually when clients ask me about doing projects for them on existing guns or guns that have been worked on by other gunsmiths you never know what you are going to run into in terms of labor or parts. I have to have a little bit of leeway in quoting fees for work. Bottom line is this..."I don't do budget builds,"that is anything that restricts doing a quality job for a client. We are dealing with a tool that sooner or later is going to need maintenance, and a tool in that "what goes out the end of its barrel may be forever!" Now ,can I stage a build for someone on a budget...of course. Do I like doing that ...no. Why? Because it becomes a "lifetime project," that never seems to end, and never gives the client a feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction from the pistol when they are fighting bad triggers and bad sights,etc. over a long period of time. It is the same in Dentistry. People come in with emergencies all the time. I ask them why they waited so long? They always have an excuse usually involving their "kids" and I understand that...but, after doing Dentistry for 40 years(ouch) my compassion is zilch, zero, nada...I've heard it all before. So now they are into a $450 to $800 root canal or an extraction instead of a $100 filling which will maintain their tooth for 5 to 15 years, and they have been in pain for months. I tell them, "How can you take care of and tolerate your kids, and be a good parent if you are in pain all the time?" Its not quite the same with guns, but you get the idea...and if you were taking the food out of your kids mouth to do the gun that is a different story.
However, most people don't mind paying for a good job if they perceive a value in it, and every now and then...damn it, you gotta make life interesting, whether its a bedroom set for the wife or a gun for you! It is hard to explain the difference between factory and custom, but there is a distinct difference.
There is an expression in Dentistry that "in the work of our hands we should strive for perfection and accept excellence." I try to do this in My work whether Dentistry or guns...
In addition, please remember that there are other good competent "smiths" in our state whether in OKC or Tulsa that can do a fine job for you ...just know with whom you are dealing before you enter into a contract. If I can help any of the members please feel free to e-mail me.

Sincerely
Barry

PS: Also, a BIG thank you to a fellow perfectionist and great shooter Ol' Yeller, Mike Cyrus at Accurate Iron, for refinishing the receiver and parts for Tony's project.

BJG

 

[WhiteyMacD]

oh it happened, boy did it ever.
I'll try to get pics up tomorrow

I still dont believe without pictures. It is tomorrow, yet no pictures. LIAR!

 

[Wall]

I still dont believe without pictures. It is tomorrow, yet no pictures. LIAR!

You for one, don't need pics.
You'll see soon enough, at the range.

 

[RustyZX9]

You for one, don't need pics.
You'll see soon enough, at the range.

I'd like to see pics or get an invite to the range!!! lol...

 

[Wall]

I'd like to see pics or get an invite to the range!!! lol...

Anytime!!!
Bring that 9mil SBR, seems I'm the only one that hasn't shot it yet.