Need a 1911 gunsmith recommendation.

[Uncle Alvah]

I'm looking for a good gunsmith to install a HYVIZ sight on my RIA 1911.

The slide will have to have a dovetail milled, and the sight installed(I have the sight already).

Can't seem to find anyone local, and since mailing the slide is easy to do, I'm soliciting recommendations on a shop that will do a nice job, in reasonable time, at a fair price.

THANKS!

[Earthling]

Jim Garthwaite is one of the best in the country and right here in PA.

[Uncle Alvah]

Well, I decided to have a local guy(won't call him a "gunsmith") do the work.

Waited over a month, and this is what I got back:



Am I mad? YOU BET I AM!!
Seems he wants a chance to "fix it". Ain't happening, no way!
Told him he can fix it by refunding my money, and furnishing me with a new slide from the factory!!!!

Lesson learned: ALWAYS CHECK REFERENCES!!!!!!!

[Steve_NEPhila]

Wow, that was "bubba'd" pretty bad. Caveat emptor!

[Earthling]

Wow. Looks like he did it by hand without a proper mill or his mill's tollerances were way out of wack. Maybe a router with the slide in a vice? At least he got the front edge of the sight centered on the slide, too bad he couldn't get the rear to center at the same time. Either way he could have at least blued the cut... Lesson learned?

[Uncle Alvah]

Actually, it looks better in the picture than it does in real life!!!!!

I am now in the aggravating position of trying to decide if I should have the slide welded and the dovetail re-cut(price unknown), vs. purchasing a new slide from RIA($115) and starting over again.

[normanvin]

Actually, it looks better in the picture than it does in real life!!!!!

I am now in the aggravating position of trying to decide if I should have the slide welded and the dovetail re-cut(price unknown), vs. purchasing a new slide from RIA($115) and starting over again.

115 does not seem bad for a new slide. Will it come set up for the sights you have chosen?

[Uncle Alvah]

Will it come set up for the sights you have chosen?

No, it would have the original style staked small sight. Pretty much impossible for me to see.......

[Earthling]

Do they not sell their tactical slides? I thougth they were dovetailed front and back...

[Uncle Alvah]

I believe they do sell the tactical slides, but I only priced the GI.
Good point though,I'll have to check on that!