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Kimber Custom Shop?
- Thread starter K1911
- Start date
F
faiello5
Guest
You really should contact Brian Bilby. He is a top notch 1911 smith with reasonable prices and he is practically in your backyard. He is in Jackson and can be reached at http://www.1911custom.com. I had him stipple the front strap on my SA 1911 in 9mm and I like it a lot. The stippling provides good purchase, will not chew up your hands like checkering can in hard use situations and looks good too.
Regards,
Frank
Regards,
Frank
Jason Demond
New member
Hi welcome to TFL!
Have you checked On Target gunshop?
On Target Guns & Gunsmithing
6984 W Main St,
Kalamazoo, MI
(616) 375-4570
Have you checked On Target gunshop?
On Target Guns & Gunsmithing
6984 W Main St,
Kalamazoo, MI
(616) 375-4570
F
faiello5
Guest
K1911, I found that calling him on the phone was the best way to get in touch with him. He does have an answering machine so you can leave a message. He does return phone calls.
Regards,
Frank
Regards,
Frank
alternative to checkering
You migh want to consider what Dick Heinie has come up with. Its been discussed at length at http://www.1911forum.com
http://www.heinie.com/whatsnu.html
Alternative to Checkering...
http://www.heinie.com/StnlsFront.jpg
http://www.heinie.com/yates3.jpg
http://www.heinie.com/yates4.jpg
Series of scallops machined into the front strap.
•Comfortable Grip
•Less Abrasive To Skin
•Snag Free
Price: $140.00 (Rock River, Caspian, Kimber, CMC and Wilson)
Price: $175.00 (Springfield and Colt - this price includes reshaping radius and high cutting grip.)
Mainspring Housing Price: $45.00 Customer Supplied (Flat Only) or $75.00 w/Mainspring Housing Supplied by Heinie.
Turn-A-Round Time ONLY 2
WEEKS!!
Dane Burns http://www.burncustom.com is also offering the identical package.
While not nearly as attractive as good 20, 25 or 30 LPI (my favorite) checkering it does offer you a choice that is highly functional and has some tactical consideraton merits. I intend to try it soon myself.
You migh want to consider what Dick Heinie has come up with. Its been discussed at length at http://www.1911forum.com
http://www.heinie.com/whatsnu.html
Alternative to Checkering...
http://www.heinie.com/StnlsFront.jpg
http://www.heinie.com/yates3.jpg
http://www.heinie.com/yates4.jpg
Series of scallops machined into the front strap.
•Comfortable Grip
•Less Abrasive To Skin
•Snag Free
Price: $140.00 (Rock River, Caspian, Kimber, CMC and Wilson)
Price: $175.00 (Springfield and Colt - this price includes reshaping radius and high cutting grip.)
Mainspring Housing Price: $45.00 Customer Supplied (Flat Only) or $75.00 w/Mainspring Housing Supplied by Heinie.
Turn-A-Round Time ONLY 2
WEEKS!!
Dane Burns http://www.burncustom.com is also offering the identical package.
While not nearly as attractive as good 20, 25 or 30 LPI (my favorite) checkering it does offer you a choice that is highly functional and has some tactical consideraton merits. I intend to try it soon myself.
Kimber Custom Shop? Yes
Yes, the Kimber Custom Shop does all sorts of mods.
Plus, their work keeps your Kimber warranty valid, if that's an issue for you.
They checkered my new Stainless Gold Match, 30lpi. Very nice work. Adds grip, is comfortable. Cost $150. Turned it around in 2 or 3 weeks, IIRC.
I've heard others complain about 20lpi checkering as being too abrasive; you might want to be aware of that.
Go here for contact and other info:
http://www.kimberamerica.com/accessories.htm
Also, FWIW, I've heard lots of good words for the work of Brian Bilby, including from Rosco Benson, a respected source (who also happens to host the 19ll forum at http://www.gunspot.com). Reportedly, Bilby has gained quite a reputation as "the man" when it comes to working on Kimbers.
Yes, the Kimber Custom Shop does all sorts of mods.
Plus, their work keeps your Kimber warranty valid, if that's an issue for you.
They checkered my new Stainless Gold Match, 30lpi. Very nice work. Adds grip, is comfortable. Cost $150. Turned it around in 2 or 3 weeks, IIRC.
I've heard others complain about 20lpi checkering as being too abrasive; you might want to be aware of that.
Go here for contact and other info:
http://www.kimberamerica.com/accessories.htm
Also, FWIW, I've heard lots of good words for the work of Brian Bilby, including from Rosco Benson, a respected source (who also happens to host the 19ll forum at http://www.gunspot.com). Reportedly, Bilby has gained quite a reputation as "the man" when it comes to working on Kimbers.
Gopher .45
New member
Just something to consider, if you can get the work done well and locally, it could save you a lot of $30 each way shipping expenses that would quickly raise the cost quite a bit.
30 dpi is nice, not too abrasive even for tender hands for 200-300 rounds in a session. It is what I have. If you are looking for some really down and dirty, grip your hand and not let go no matter how much mud, sweat, tears, blood, or oil is on your hands, say for a gun that is your primary defense gun, the go with 20 lpi. It has a very aggressive feel, but by golly, it ain't letting go until you do, no matter if your had has turned to hamburger!
If you want a particular person to do the work and they are backed up for a while, go buy some skateboard tape as an intermediate tool until you get the okay to send in your gun. For roughly 30 cents, you can give your front strap excellent gripping. I know it isn't considered terribly attractive, but I like it. I have it on a Colt that I eventually want to have checkered. I won't send it in just for the checkering, so I am using the tape until I have several mods made to the gun. I was surprised to find, I really like the tape. Plus, you can customize the amount and layout of the tape to suit you. If you spend a little more and get a bigger sheet of tape, you can try one pattern, take it off, then try another. It may help you to determine if you want your checkering to go all with way down to the mag well or not. My checked gun has it to the mag well and I don't like that aspect. I wished it would have stopped 1/4 above the mag well.
30 dpi is nice, not too abrasive even for tender hands for 200-300 rounds in a session. It is what I have. If you are looking for some really down and dirty, grip your hand and not let go no matter how much mud, sweat, tears, blood, or oil is on your hands, say for a gun that is your primary defense gun, the go with 20 lpi. It has a very aggressive feel, but by golly, it ain't letting go until you do, no matter if your had has turned to hamburger!
If you want a particular person to do the work and they are backed up for a while, go buy some skateboard tape as an intermediate tool until you get the okay to send in your gun. For roughly 30 cents, you can give your front strap excellent gripping. I know it isn't considered terribly attractive, but I like it. I have it on a Colt that I eventually want to have checkered. I won't send it in just for the checkering, so I am using the tape until I have several mods made to the gun. I was surprised to find, I really like the tape. Plus, you can customize the amount and layout of the tape to suit you. If you spend a little more and get a bigger sheet of tape, you can try one pattern, take it off, then try another. It may help you to determine if you want your checkering to go all with way down to the mag well or not. My checked gun has it to the mag well and I don't like that aspect. I wished it would have stopped 1/4 above the mag well.