THE EASY WAY TO SPEC A CUSTOM PISTOL

1152 Views 33 Replies 19 Participants Last post by DWPW, 2 mo ago

DRD

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Yesterday I received a call from Ted Yost regarding a build he's just beginning for me. The base pistol is a full size Colt 38 Super. Here's the requested specs:
1) Gold bead front sight.
2) Slightly wide thumb safety (maybe giving up a modest amount of aesthetics for functionality).

Beyond a brief discussion of possibilities, our final agreement was,
"Do as you like" and
"Build me something that would look good with a Brooks Brothers suit. "

After that, our discussion wandered into shotguns, for which we share a common love and appreciation.

We'll see what I get soon! Whatever it is, I know I'll be pleased.

Reactions: 5

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

KS_TLE2

· #2 · 2 mo ago

I would have a hard time navigating the etiquette. Do I treat the builder as an artist and trust him as a matter of deference to his tastes and knowledge or do I just make a list and ask how much I owe?

If the builder was easygoing I would be more inclined to let them be creative. If the builder tried telling me why what I wanted was dumb then I’d have to assume they didn’t want my business or that they would be tricky to work with.

I will admit I’d probably be an awful customer.

Reactions: 3

FWoo45

· #3 · 2 mo ago

That’s the method I use. I pick the smith whose style I like, specify a couple of things I want on all my builds, EGW ambi and Chen magwell, and tell em to do their thing.

Reactions: 3

AJP

· #4 · 2 mo ago

Ha, I read the title and immediately thought "send the gun to Ted Yost and have him do it his way", opened the thread and sure enough

Reactions: 4

DRD

Discussion Starter · #5 · 2 mo ago

@KS_TLE2
In the case of Mr. Yost, there are two critical factors. Firstly, I know his style is traditional and classic. He will not stray far from that. Secondly, Ted knows me pretty well, as he has done a few builds for me before. I would probably be more reluctant to give "carte blanche" to some builders but I want my last build from him to have "his own taste" all over it. When this one's done, I'll post a family photo or two.

In general;
I've had a few custom builds from other 'smiths, and have never attempted to dictate every fine detail. I've also bought the finished product so options were no consideration. Maybe it's just me, but I'd want a top tier builder to tell me if they didn't like what I was attempting to do. I don't want a pistol the builder isn't proud of. As you look at the creations of some of the high quality 'smiths we have on this forum, you'll become aware of their individual styles and preferences, so much of the mystery would be gone before an order was ever placed. (At this point in time all my BS in this paragraph is hypothetical since many builders have either closed their books or have wait times exceeding my life expectancy!)

See less See more

Reactions: 2

TheCollector

· #6 · 2 mo ago

KS_TLE2 said:
I would have a hard time navigating the etiquette. Do I treat the builder as an artist and trust him as a matter of deference to his tastes and knowledge or do I just make a list and ask how much I owe?

If the builder was easygoing I would be more inclined to let them be creative. If the builder tried telling me why what I wanted was dumb then I’d have to assume they didn’t want my business or that they would be tricky to work with.

I will admit I’d probably be an awful customer.

Actually.... in the case of Ted, Jason and maybe a couple others. You most likely wouldn't be one of thier clients. Regardless of how much you wanted to spend.

Reactions: 1

azguy1911

· #7 · 2 mo ago

I'll go by and check on the build for you, maybe talk Ted into doing a fiber optic front sight and an ambi thumb safety

Reactions: 3

jcc7x7

· #8 · 2 mo ago

I have a certain list of what I want , need and desire on a 1911 for it to be a good working handgun for me.
The ascetics' I leave up to them
BUT
With a builder like Yost I would want some of his special touches for sure.
Then
I would ask and hope for lots of pictures while he was building
BUT again!
I 've bought mostly used/pre owned guns from some of the well known guys
and have been very happy because I don't have the patience to get on the list
and wait for my slot to come up LOL

Certainly get the simple things you really like on a pistol; then let the artistic flow of the builder go!

Reactions: 2

DRD

Discussion Starter · #9 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

@azguy1911 , I've already told Ted to hide it when he sees you coming!

I do like fiber sights, but not with my Brooks Brothers outfits.

Ambi??? Only if I lose my right thumb when it gets a rebuilt in about 6 weeks.

Shootin' at the ranch 1 month from today, just sayin'.

TheCollector said:
Actually.... in the case of Ted, Jason and maybe a couple others. You most likely wouldn't be one of thier clients. Regardless of how much you wanted to spend.

This is absolutely true!!

Ted and I have never discussed prices. I know I'll get my money's worth.

Uncle Bob

· #10 · 2 mo ago

KS_TLE2 said:
I would have a hard time navigating the etiquette. Do I treat the builder as an artist and trust him as a matter of deference to his tastes and knowledge or do I just make a list and ask how much I owe?

If the builder was easygoing I would be more inclined to let them be creative. If the builder tried telling me why what I wanted was dumb then I’d have to assume they didn’t want my business or that they would be tricky to work with.

I will admit I’d probably be an awful customer.

WE both would be, after all these years I know how I like the platform. artistic esthetics, well there is room depending!!

Reactions: 1

KS_TLE2

· #11 · 2 mo ago

TheCollector said:
Actually.... in the case of Ted, Jason and maybe a couple others. You most likely wouldn't be one of thier clients. Regardless of how much you wanted to spend.

I suppose once you have established a certain position in the custom pistol business you have the luxury of picking clients and projects for more than just cash flow, and I respect that.

Rick McC.

· #12 · 2 mo ago

KS_TLE2 said:
I suppose once you have established a certain position in the custom pistol business you have the luxury of picking clients and projects for more than just cash flow, and I respect that.

I think he was probably referring to those top builder’s books being “closed.”

Reactions: 1

Bergeron

· #13 · 2 mo ago

I’ve been all over the map- I’m finally at a place now where I’m either working with a smith who wants to build me just what I want, or a smith whose style is just what I want…

So I picked up an AR-15 today that there was a lot of consulting back and forth on- I had a vision, and I knows probably 85% of of the exact parts I wanted- and the smith asked my purpose and gave his input, and did just all the weird I specified, and I was happy to take his inputs, and I grin when I hold the gun, just chef’s kiss nice.

The other example is I’ve got a Springfield full rail operator with no front cocking serrations, s unicorn gun of mine, that Mr. Jim Milks has, and although I tried speccing this and that and the other, we resolved everything very quickly with a phone call. His message to me:

“So I see what you are trying to do”

And then he told me how to do it.

“Uhhh, yes sir, please”

And it’ll be done.

Just different ways to end up in a great place.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

TexasRedneck

· #14 · 2 mo ago

2

This is the one gun I've had built ground-up custom, by a smith that had the potential to have become great - but his ego and Napoleon complex got the better of him, and he failed miserably. It's a shame, because he was VERY talented, but walked around with a huge chip on his shoulder. I EXPECT artisan's (which I consider custom gunsmiths to be) to "have their ways", but like I told him one day - "You haven't paid the dues to have that 'tude." Obviously his customers agreed with me as they gradually darkened his doorway less every day.....shame

Air gun Trigger Gun barrel Gun accessory Revolver

Air gun Trigger Gun barrel Material property Gun accessory

See less See more

Reactions: 2

Mike Stevens

· #15 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

DRD said:
Yesterday I received a call from Ted Yost regarding a build he's just beginning for me. The base pistol is a full size Colt 38 Super. Here's the requested specs:
1) Gold bead front sight.
2) Slightly wide thumb safety (maybe giving up a modest amount of aesthetics for functionality).

Beyond a brief discussion of possibilities, our final agreement was,
"Do as you like" and
"Build me something that would look good with a Brooks Brothers suit. "

After that, our discussion wandered into shotguns, for which we share a common love and appreciation.

We'll see what I get soon! Whatever it is, I know I'll be pleased.

Ted is a great guy to talk to and work with. He’s forgotten more about guns than I know.

I’m also a firm believer that when you/we commission a functional piece of art we will get best possible performance when the artist is left to their own devices.

Reactions: 1

ferrarif1fan

· #16 · 2 mo ago

If I were to pay $4-6K on a pistol, which I most likely never will, it would be exactly like I wanted it. What is the point of a paying top dollar if you don't get the pistol YOU want, not what the smith likes to build or decides to build.

Reactions: 1

TexasRedneck

· #17 · 2 mo ago

ferrarif1fan said:
If I were to pay $4-6K on a pistol, which I most likely never will, it would be exactly like I wanted it. What is the point of a paying top dollar if you don't get the pistol YOU want, not what the smith likes to build or decides to build.

Simply because an experienced smith will best understand which options best compliment each other. I'll happily take advantage of their knowledge and experience - ESPECIALLY when I'm dropping that kind of coin.

Reactions: 5

TPC

· #18 · 2 mo ago

I think it depends on whether you are focused on function vs. art. If you are talking art, who the hell is going to tell DaVinci what or how to paint? However, if the painter is instead painting my house, you can bet your a$$ he is going to be doing what he was told and not have it just left up to his whim. Same with the 1911. Mr. Yost has reached a point where people are buying his guns based on his style and reputation, which command a premium. In that case, best to leave it up to him. If you were building a gun for daily carry or for competition, you'd probably go somewhere else and tell them exactly what you want.

Reactions: 2

Merton

· #19 · 2 mo ago

I think that the stuff that comes from the shops of all the "best" smiths is cool. I also know that I don't want Ted features on my Ned gun or vice-versa("Hey! You dropped you Burton in my Biondo!" "No, you spilled your Biondo on my Burton!"......and so it goes) and as I am more than comfortable accepting that I am not the artist, I will not step on the toes of the artist. I will pay him and thank him for his time and art.

If I wanted a gun that came from my "creativity" I'd shoot my 80% Glocks. I don't want my creativity anywhere near my 1911's. I want my trigger finger near them and someone with the proper chops to build them. Will I someday be in tune enough to truly spec my own gun without it looking like a total mess? Maybe, but that isn't my personal goal. I want to shoot them a lot and leave most of the tinkering for those with the aptitude for such.

Reactions: 1

Jim w.

· #20 · 2 mo ago

If I were to order a gun from a Major Big Name Shop, I would have a list of must-have features and a list of must NOT have items. If the gunsmith wanted to exercise his creativity in between, OK. He might be frustrated, though, there are a lot of cosmetics I would not pay for and others I would darned near pay to delete if standard. He might not want to put his trademark on such a plain pistol. OK, somebody will.

1 - 20 of 34 Posts