ltwguns.com

First, if the question doesnt belong in here, im sorry. Please feel free to move or delete if necessary.

Where and how did you learn you artistry? When I wanted to learn how to build racing engines, I called one of the better known machinists / engine builders out here and asked for a job and got it. My riflesmith is showing me how to build rifles, but I want to learn how to build 1911's as well.

Did you go to school of it? Did you apprentice under someone? Did you just start cutting chips and learn as you progressed?

Alot of the work I have seen here is just incredible! You gentlemen are truly artists. I have been shooting 1911's since I was 10. The detail and fit of the pistols featured here are just amazing. All of you have truly taken custom 1911's to a higher level.

In my case, my interest in guns and my early exposure to making things with machines just sorta naturally pulled together. I served an apprenticeship as a moldmaker and got time on on a lot of different machines..... part of what made it interesting tome was imagining how each process could be applied to gun making.

Hi. Great question IMHO. I've wondered the same thing and glad to know a little of your history and backgrounds too. Thanks!

_________________
"Forged By Challenge!"

I'm not a LTW smith. Do you guys mind me telling my story (many of you already know)? I feel honored that you gentlemen let me post some of my work here and don't want to overstep my bounds too far.

Bob

I'm one of the thousands of lurkers/learners, and would like to read your story.

_________________
Colt 1991A1 OACP

Bob, get yourself up to the podium! No worries!

Bob, imo, the only thing preventing that is time...

Let hear it.

After High School, I went straight into machining. I didn't know how to even turn a machine on and a company hired me and taught me how to run a radial arm drill press making shafts for John Deere Harvester works. I spent 3 years learning how to cut metal, read blueprints, program CNC's, and do inspection. Working 3rd shift for 3 years in this facility left me very burnt out so I started looking for other work in machining.

I applied at a place called Lewis Machine and Tool....not knowing what they did, only that they were a machine shop. Now keep in mind, I am a gun nut, and I can remember shooting with Dad for the first time at some 8 years old. You can imagine when a 22 year old man walks into a new job finding out I'm going to be making AR-15's, grenade launchers, and parts for M-60's......AND TEST FIRE THEM!!!!

I was in HEAVEN!!! Dirty, oily, and repetitious...but man was it fun. I spent my overtime working in assembly and shooting the rifles. I worked with some real good people there. I'd like to tell you all about specifics, but I signed a confidentiality statment so please don't ask.

I spent another 4 years there until it started getting old. I was also kicking the idea of going back to school around so I started looking around for some other work. I was down at Rock River Arms one day...when they were literally down by the Rock River....buying parts for a rifle I was putting together and jokingly asked them if they would consider hiring an engineering intern. They came back telling me they really needed a machinist for the pistol department. I was looking for something different and they said they would work around my school schedule when applicable....I put my notice in at LMT.

Almost 4 years at RRA learning about the mechanics of the 1911 was where I got my start in the pistols. I'd really like to tell you about specifics, but I'm bound to trade secrets and privacy.

I can say that I got some good education on how things work, but never did get a chance to experiment and do my thing. I did, however, get on the forums and act as a "representative" for RRA in my own time to smooth over a customer service issue they had. I got not compensation from RRA, just self satisfaction for working with customers on a personal level.

RRA wasn't running on par with my expectations of the job that I was doing, so I decided if changes weren't made by the time I found a suitable school to forward my attention to, I would pursue my degree. We all know where that went - I'm at Bradley University.

After leaving RRA, some - one in particular - of the people I got to know at my RRA days (you know who you are) told me that I need to stay in the gun business. Thinking "nah, I can't......" I was constantly reminded that "yes.....you can." I loved working on guns, I liked the idea of having 100% control over creativity and what I wanted to do...I sold a pistol to start the financial process to start Miller Custom. Almost 2 years in business for myself, and now your up to date.

I suppose you could say in shorter words without reading through my entire story....

I learned how to machine, weld, measure, and inspect and apply these with an artistic background (I've been known to paint and draw) to pistols.

I've had only formal schooling in the first half of Engineering... Which I have found comes in handy when working on spring forces, heat treating and material sciences.

I hope this wasn't too long of a post. If you like, I can shorten it up.

Bob

Bob, that sounds like a journey well worth taking. I'd kill for the chance to spend some time at LMT playing with their toys. I have an LMT M-4 and I would never part with my it. Their rifles are as good as you get.

_________________
"Domari Nolo"

Is it the one piece quad rail upper with the quick detatch barrel? I may have seen that go from initial drawing to actually testing and tuning of the first prototypes....hypothetically speaking of coures

While speaking hypothetically, one of my most memorable times was going out with a guy that may or may not be called Geno and test firing about 80 rifles, full auto, with 7.75" barrels. On a 30 round magazine, the 15 round was going off about the same time the first case was hitting the ground....

I may or may not have been smiling so much my cheeks hurt.

Very interesting Bob! Thank you for posting your story, it really helps those of us out here in cyberspace to get to know our friends and gunsmiths a little better when you guys reveal little gems like those. I had an early interest in gunsmithing and thought seriously when I finished high school of enrolling in the Colorado School of Gunsmithing to educate myself more on the guns I loved, but that fell by the wayside (in part because I am totally inept when it came to anything mechanical). Now in my middle years and having to give up law enforcement due to a disability, I have been offered a job with a friend who is well known for custom AR's (to help me out a little financially, and to break the boredom) but I am again intimidated by my lack of knowledge and fears of bringing my "King Feces Touch" to my friends shop ! He said it really wont matter, that they will train me and it is also very repetitive work, and that I'd catch on very quickly...but I don't know. I can see me fouling up a run of his rifles and damaging a great friendship to boot!
Anyway...I'd love to see some of the other smith's stories here...Ted, CT, Don, Chuck and all the others...come on...don't be bashful!!--John

_________________
"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

My advice on working with AR's is don't be afraid. They are meant to go together with ease. The one thing to remember with AR's are they are meant to be universal. They have some issues with assembly, and can pose problems, but the AR's are one of the easiest guns to work with. You have to remember, they are meant for field use, field strip, and field repair. The one major thing (90% of AR work) about a custom AR builder is not fitting the parts, it's not scratching and marring the finish.

If you doubt yourself or start second guessing, you are prone for failure. Head up, chin up, and roll with the mistakes. If something gets messed up, one thing is for sure...99% of the time, it can be fixed or replaced.

My biggest suggestion for motivation is... You'll never know if you don't try, and if you don't try, there's a good chance you'll look back in regret.

Bob

Bob,

Thanks for the input

Nope just the plain Jane garden variety LMT M-4. I am however saving my penny's up for the much anticipated gas piston MRP due any month.

_________________
"Domari Nolo"

I didn't know that you worked at LMT or any of those others listed. I have an LMT MRP as a duty rifle with 14.5 and 10.5 inch barrels and I can say that they are superb. Cool story on how you got to where you are now!

I feel fortunate for the life I have been able to live so far. I had a pretty rocky time going through my teen years and just about didn't make it out of them alive. You would never have thought I would be where I am today if you knew me back then....but, it's part of what made me who I am today so I don't look back in any regret.

Time really changed when I started at LMT. A new place, new people, and working with government contracts. After September 11, our grenade launcher orders went way up and the bosses reminded us that these were going straight to our boys in the sandbox. That sinks in pretty heavy. Not for training, not for stock, but hot off the machine and into service - they had to be right. It was a moving moment.


I would like to also hear some other stories if possible. I don't want to be the only one here shooting off the keyboard. Anybody else have any other stories?

Bob

Thanks Bob

Mark