When I started sweeping the floors at the Yost-Bonitz Custom Gun and Exotic Humor Emporium, it was clear to me that Ted had developed a recipe that was time tested through hundreds of trial and error situations. The current crew is fortunate to learn from years of what Ted developed. In short, he doesn't allow us enough rope to hang ourselves.........most of the time. We still make mistakes but the idea is not to make them so bad you can't recover. Usually about the time you are going to do something really fowl, Ted subtlley walks by and says "you sure you want to do that?" And I usually reply "maybe?" So goes the lesson.
Weekends are a good time to pick Yoda's brain. A stupid question here and there, along with keeping your mouth shut can create a good situation. I often spend time on the phone with the other LTW smiths and feel fortunate to pick their melons on how they do things in their shops. When building 1911's, HP's, or any other gun you can't help to develop your own style. On that same idea, your style has alot to do with who teaches you. I have worked for Ted and Lew for two years now and if someone even mentions that my guns look like one of Theo's it is enough for me.
The collection of smiths here represents a culmination of what others before us have done at a very high level. Tim Brian, Chuck Rogers, and Ned Christiansen have provided us a look at what is possible. Stan Chen and his eye for detail has blown up "holy sh*t" category. John Harrison is as right as the mail so to speak. Detailed, wonderfully executed, and a build that runs like hell won't have it. I look at Don's work the same way. Consistent, perfectly done, and innovative. I say these things because we all pretend to like each other.
I write these ideas because hopefully the next Yost, Brian, Christiansen, Rogers, Harrison, Williams, Chen or god forbid Bailey, Bagnoli, or Harms understands what goes into not how to do this a few times but how to do a good gun everytime. "The machining makes it easier, you earn your money with your hands" The gun I recently finished represents everything I know how to do at this point. The thing I love about building 1911's is I get the chance everytime I start a new one to learn how to do it better. Everyone is critical of their work. That is what keeps us neurotic, pissed off, and challenged. Here is the latest. Thanks to Ted and Lew and the constant opportunities provided. Two years ago, I had to make sure when Ted said "trigger job" he wasn't referring to a murder or a suspect.
This is "my" idea of what some of them should look like.
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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911
"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr
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Keep it up Bailey, and I'll tell everyone about the pair of engraved full house Commercials