I have often said I have the best job in the world. I get to build custom guns and learn from one of the best builders in the world and a fine mentor in Ted Yost. But, being in the shop allows me to see guns from a number of makers.
Several years ago CT Brian's work got my attention. I have the honor to call him a friend and am of the opinion he is one of the innovators in our business that is impossible to imitate and has an unmistakable style all his own.
Forever you have heard people say "you can't make a small 1911 run consitently" Well.....Bullshit. The people who say that are the so called smiths that have not spent enough time under the hood of enough guns to figure out how to tweek these little monsters so they become a reliable carry gun for the end user.
The 1911 platform has been around longer than any of us have been alive. Since it's inception people have been "customizing" the design because it simply lends itself to modification. God Bless John Browning.
Interesting enough, quality and attention to detail never go out of style. Like all of the LTW smiths, attention to detail is evident in everything they do. But get a fine woman a gaudy piece of jewelry and it will sit in the jewelry box forever. Give her a square cut diamond with some weight and you have the undivided attention of that woman for decades. Buy a guy who likes Harley's a Harley Davidson motorcyle and he has the pride of ownership of something that has been made in America for generations.
The 1911 is interesting that way. It has been American made, crafted, and created since it's birth. More than ever the 1911 is enjoying it's most vibrant times thanks to smiths like CT Brian. I would normally call him a Master Smith but CT would look at the ground and say something to the effect of "I need to work on some things" Humble and the consumate pro.
To the story. A few years ago CT had been telling me about a gun he was doing called the 'Sidewinder' he gave me the specs and it sounded interesting. Most of them if not all were built on Kimber Ultra Carry guns. Tiny packages that carried a huge punch. You could conceal this thing in a swimsuit. CT has always told me that people will carry small guns, and if they are going to carry them they should be the best I can build.
Then a few years later he excitedly told me about a new package he had been thinking about for a long time. It was an OACP frame set under a Commander slide. Being a fan of Commanders I had to listen. It had a longer sight radius and it might be a little gentler on recoil. CT thought that the package would be even better with an aluminum frame. Remember people will carry a small gun, and carry it more often if it doesn't way a ton.
IT CAN'T BE....aluminum frames don't hold up under high round counts, they are a liability.....Bullshit again. CT, with a long history of building and shooting in Bullseye competitions builds his carry guns just like he constructs a bullseye gun. With one exception he believes they should not be
quite as tight. Could have fooled me. The gun pictured below is a full blown, full house, custom gun.
To the custom 1911. Some folks enjoy tons of modifications. But alot of modifications done poorly or just for the sake of doing them looks trashy. Some folks gravitate to the style of gun that is void of a ton of modifications. That is why we love this platform. CT would tell you that the gun should "flow" Mods done with taste that compliment each other creates a functioning piece of art. You would be surprised at some of the polished surfaces in a CT Brian custom.
Like the Harley Davidson, the traditional square cut diamond, and the custom 1911 there is no substitute. It kind of adds up like this. Whether or not you are a motorcyle afficianado or not. Have you ever pulled up to a light and saw a guy sitting on a Yamaha, Suzuki, or Honda that is built to
look like a Harley Davidson, and thought...."wow that guy wanted a Harley and settled for a lesser bike". Why? Either he couldn't afford it or did not know the difference between the two. Either scenario is sad. A true custom is built by the smith, controlled by the smith and answered for by the smith. I know CT would not have it any other way.
Enjoy some photos of one of the small 1911's that don't run. For arguments sake this one runs like a Swiss watch.
A CT Brian Chopper pictured with a new offering from Lou Alessi, The Pro Speed Scabbard (review forthcoming)
Perfect checkering with handmade Kingwood stocks. Attention to detail.
Deep cut crown, and ball end cuts. The bevel on that slide looks like some time was spent on detail
Etched makers mark and the Chopper logo. Along with a heavy slide bevel, double American borders and a tastefully beveled slide stop and pin hole
Rear of beavertail fit, the round butt for carry and a shot of the magwell.
Perfectly serrated rear of "flatbacked" slide.
Reverse arrow slide treatment.
American Steel...CT Brian's Chopper, and a knife designed by professional knifemaker Jim Burke.
Port side of the same 'Functional piece of art'
This one actually belongs to Jason Burton and he has a better chance of seeing monkeys fly than he does getting it back.
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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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