I bought my first 1911 35 years ago at the time of this writing. I had just turned 21 and purchased a new Springfield 1911 Mil-Spec. I don’t think I was home for more than an hour and had the pistol torn down into a pile of unfamiliar parts. Another hour later, and after a bit of head scratching, the pistol was back together and working fine. I have been working on 1911s ever since.

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I have in the years since completed multiple 1911 Armorer courses and custom build classes, including Bob Marvel's intense 10 day custom build course. I prefer full custom builds, but I have also built on quality production pistols. I take joy in both.

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Over the years I have had a lot of people ask me what my ideal 1911 would be. To me, a 1911 has always been a fighting pistol. I have used a 1911 as my concealed carry pistol since I was 21. I feel that a 1911 is something that would be used literally at arm’s length in an emergency.

 

I believe a fighting pistol must have 3 requirements: 

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Reliability. Very seldom, if ever, will you need a pistol to defend yourself. But if you ever do, you will need it bad! It must be dependable when called upon.

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Durability. Most defensive or duty pistols are heavily used and abused. They can go a long time without a cleaning or any maintenance. The rigors of daily concealed carry, exposed duty wear or intense training sessions can take their toll, so the pistol must be durable.

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Accuracy. This is obviously important, but keep in mind that this is a fighting gun and not a target or competition pistol. I want my 1911s to shoot a 5 shot group under 1.5 inches at 25 yards off of a sandbag. Keep in mind that the government’s accuracy standard for 1911s was 5 inches at 25 yards.

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I am excited to soon be offering my own custom 1911s (full custom & production builds). As I stated earlier, to me a 1911 is a fighting gun. I don’t build works of art that are meant to be admired through glass or wiped off if you get a fingerprint on them. I build "tools" that are meant to perform a certain task if ever needed. I also build my 1911s to be as universal as possible, fitting 99% of those who pick them up.

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When it comes to a fighting 1911, I don't garnish the plate. If it won't help you in a gunfight, I won't put it on the gun! However, I do feel that there are some features that should be mandatory on a fighting gun.

 

Here are some of the mandatory features:

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*All components hand fit, tuned, and polished

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• 5" Government model, bushing barrel, 45 acp.

• Forged slide & frame

• Match grade barrel

• Polished feed ramp set to proper depth & geometry

• Barrel bushing precisely fit but removable by hand

• GI spec short guide rod & plug, flat wire recoil spring

• Forged or bar stock internal & high impact components (no MIM)

• Short triggers so those with smaller hands don’t have to “chase” the trigger, yet those with larger hands find it useable

• Precision trigger job (3.5 - 4.0 lb.)

• Hand fit & tuned extractor & ejector

• Strong side extended thumb safety

• Grip safety tuned to disengage at 50% or less

• Extended magazine catch cleared to prevent trapping magazines

• Blacked out rear sight and high visibility front sight (gold bead, tritium, or fiber optic)

• Standard size grips with slotted grip screws

• Hand cut carry bevel

• Durable corrosion & scratch resistant finish (Black, Stainless, or classic two tone)

• High quality 8-round magazine

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Kentac 1911s come with the following:

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• 3 magazines

• Emergency spare parts kit (recoil spring, fit & tuned extractor, firing pin & spring, 2 grip screws)

• pistol case

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*These pistols are built to my specific design specifications, but limited options can include:

 

Ambi thumb safety

Medium or flat trigger

Slim grips

 

 

 

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