Suggestions on locally crafted and custom firearms

[D-FENS]

Hi folks,

So, I've been desiring a higher end handgun. This is really new territory for me. I've always bought cheaper guns in a higher quantity and after accumulating quite a few over the years, I'm realizing that 1 great gun in the nightstand is better than 10 guns in the safe. I understand there's a place for every gun but I've lost interest in firearms, to some extent, over the last few years and having been reignited with the current events, I've been desiring fewer but better acquisitions.

Having sold a few items recently, I'd like to acquire a real safe queen. Preferably something made in PA. I'd love to get a gun from Cabot Guns but $5k is still out of my price range.

I tried to pull the trigger in an STI VIP but was too late. Unfortunately, my focus historically has been on numerous cheaper guns and not a single or group of heirloom quality firearms. I am not set on a 1911 but I do know there are a few I'd love to have.

Are there any custom firearms or PA-made guns I should look into? Followed by in general? I'd love to feed my money back into my county, locality or state but I'm open to all suggestions. I have some Sigs and I love those but I'd really like something with a special or unique touch.

I appreciate everyone's time, experience and insight.

Thank you.

[Urban_Redneck]

http://www.garthwaite.com/

A custom Hi Power is on my "bucket" list

[ithinkimamedic]

Evolution Gun Works is in Quakertown. I know they make a lot of quality custom 1911 parts and at one point did custom work on 1911's though I'm not sure if they do a full house custom build or not. Might be something to look into.

http://www.egwguns.com/

[TonyF]

Are you looking for a firearm in the self defense genre or just anything special?

If not strictly self defense, scour the internet for a nice S&W pre lock K or N frame revolver. Still allot of NIB condition specimens on gunbroker and the http://smith-wessonforum.com/ classified forum.

The pre-remington limited edition Marlins are very nice.

Even one of the new Colt Series 70 1911's would make a nice heirloom some day.

Maybe a nice 1st or 2nd generation Colt Peacemaker?

A pre-64 Winchester Model 70.

[D-FENS]

Thanks, guys.

Primarily for self-defense and admiration. It'll certainly be kept in the nightstand and spend some days on the range. I suppose I improperly used "safe queen" but I would never buy something I wouldn't shoot.

Thanks for the input, guys. I'm off to check each of them out.

Thanks,

Dan Parker

[Steve_NEPhila]

Smith and Wesson Performance Center guns, revolvers, autos or their rifles.

They are not made in PA, but they are fantastic and worth every dime. I do not have a large collection either, preferring quality over quantity. Nor are any of mine safe queens, they all get shot. I understand why some people collect firearms as curios, and they are cool. However, the utility I see in them is their ability to shoot and that is why I dig them...

[Wilson Guy]

I would have Jim Garthwaite build me a custom 1911 or Hi Power. EGW doesn't do custom gun work any longer. You can pick up a used Colt or Browning on GunBroker for your Garthwaite base gun.

[98Redline]

Two places to look:

Jim Milks
Innovative Custom Guns
http://www.innovativecustomguns.com/
(Jim worked under George Smith at EGW and opened his own shop when EGW stopped doing gunsmith work)
He does a heck of a job on 1911 guns.

Mark Hartshorne
Pinnacle Custom Guns
http://www.pinnacle-guns.com
I don't think he is taking any work now due to backlog.

[Jailkeeper]

Two places to look:

Jim Milks
Innovative Custom Guns
http://www.innovativecustomguns.com/
(Jim worked under George Smith at EGW and opened his own shop when EGW stopped doing gunsmith work)
He does a heck of a job on 1911 guns.

This. Jim is a good guy. Built my 2011 about 5 years ago and did an outstanding job!

[workingmanjeff]

Get any Smith and Wesson M&P and send it here

http://www.burwellguns.com/index.htm

Dan does excellent work and will make an all ready good gun even better!

Good Luck

Jeff