Reliability work needed on a Colt 1911 - CPA

[Earthling]

Admittedly I have not spent the hours I think it would take to search all the 1911 posts on reliability work done on 1911s. But then the amount of info in these boards becomes overwhelming after a while (and I get easily distracted by the other posts - Oh, I gotta see that... )

Anyway, I'm looking for a good, reasonable local smith to do reliability work on my Colt Comander 1911. As far as I can tell, everything is stock and it MAY have had a trigger job done at some point. Either that, or the snot has been shot out of it by the previous owner and it has just smoothed up that much. Had 4-too-many FTFs at my last IDPA match and I'm tired of getting struck in the face with my brass. I've had a loose plunger tube replaced by one shop, but it took FAR too long for such a simple job (and I provided the parts).

So, anyone recommend a reasonable 1911 smith that they have worked with in the past that can do this anywhere in the Central to South Central PA area (I live in Mechanicsburg and work in York so anywhere in that general area will work for me). I have been recommended Garthwaite by other guys/gals I shoot with, and although I've seen his work and it is top-notch, I'm not sure I can afford him.

Thanks in advance!

Joel

[d90king]

I don't think George at EGW is doing work anymore but it might be worth the call. http://www.egw-guns.com/

Jim Garthwaite would be who I would use if it needed to stay local...
http://www.garthwaite.com/

Personally, John Harrison is the only smith that I would let touch any of my 1911's...http://www.harrisoncustom.com/

Hope this helps...

[Earthling]

Sure does.

Jim's about 2 hours north of me, so not exactly 'local' but I might make it work if I stop at the local winerys along the way back to keep my wife happy...

I like Harrison's prices, but the BS $35+ overnight shipping requirement peeves me off to no end which is one reason I try and stay local.

EGW is priced WAY out of my range...

Thanks for the links.

[cdi]

I can do that work for you. My turn around is usually 2 weeks.

I'm located in Chalfont, just west of Doylestown. I spoke to George (from EGW) last week and he told me he is not doing repairs at this time.

Pm me if your interested

[Earthling]

Thank you to everyone who offered suggestions/services. I finally did what I should have done when I first acquired the pistol - replaced the springs. A 16lb spring was noticeably stiffer than the spring that was originally in the pistol. I'm currently running it with an 18.5lb progressive spring from Wolf and it SEEMS to be doing well but I have not really had a chance to put it through it's paces. Makes sense now as I could 'Feel' when the pistol was getting dirty even though the top-end is very loose. I KNOW it needs some additional work and am meeting with Jim in November to have him take a quick look and offer his personal opinion.