1911 + Melonite from Drake's Gunworks

[theJanitor]

Well i just got my 1911 back from Drake's Gunworks. it was built on a Kimber Gold Guardian (http://www.kimberamerica.com/specialrun.php) which I purchased new back in 98/99. It was always a great shooter, really smooth and accurate. but after 10 years, it was looking rather beat up, and the polished stainless finish was a little too flashy for me.

This is how it looked before it went to Drake:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h30/grandprixboy/a-IMG_8006.jpg

I asked him to:

Checker the frontstrap
Install Kart barrel
Install CMC beavertail
Blend a S&A magwell
Install custom profiled Heinie rear sight and Novak tritium front sight
Remove the logos from the slide
Apply Melonite finish

This is what came back!!

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h30/grandprixboy/aa1drake1911003.jpg

I can't say enough good things about Drake. He was very accomodating, and was in constant communication with me while the pistol was in his hands. I've got a couple more 1911's to send his way. This will supplant a Frank Glenn built Colt as my primary training/competition gun. I couldn't be more happy with the end result.

Kent

[the1911fan]

Drakes work is looking fantastic. Can we get a close up of the checkering?
He's a great smith and OPOTA firearms trainer also. Great to have an A1 smith here in NE Ohio

[Joe R.]

Drake does some very good work! I've got a 9mm Springfield 1911 that will be going to him for Melonite once I get done working on it.

[dirksterg30]

Very nice pistol, Kent. What was the turnaround time, and what mag release is that?

[SHIVAN]

I like it with the marking erased....how much for that?

[theJanitor]

1911fan - i'll try to get a better pic soon. i didn't have the right lens with me at the time.

dirkster - i can't really say, i changed my mind so many times that it extended the project. originally i just sent it in for the rebarrel and checkering. everything else was added one-at-a-time. that being said, it was a few months. Oh and the mac button is an ED BROWN. the large button is removable, leaving only a standard size button underneath

[theJanitor]

I like it with the marking erased....how much for that?

pm'd you. the great benefit of the logo removal was the sharp edges of the slide came back.

[David Thomas]

Very nice. What a transformation!

How does it shoot now with the Kart barrel compared to before?

[theJanitor]

^actually, I don't know. I'll get to shoot it this afternoon. It would be hard to imagine shooting better than the gun in stock form, as it was a tack-driver. I have another Kart barrel'd Colt that couldn't out shoot the Kimber.

[Dave L.]

Drake did my Warrior a few months ago. His work is Top Notch. The Melonite is very slick. Also, he is a very genuine guy.

[theJanitor]

Drake did my Warrior a few months ago. His work is Top Notch. The Melonite is very slick. Also, he is a very genuine guy.
got any pics/details? i don't remember seeing it. My Operator goes in next for work similar to this Kimber, minus the barrel

[TOrrock]

That's some beautiful work.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Funny%20stuff/thumbs_up.gif

[varoadking]

Drake refinished my Robert Miller Custom Nighthawk Talon last year. Wish he had time to refinish outside work again...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/varoadking/NHCMC1.jpg

[theJanitor]

here's a few more;

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h30/grandprixboy/AAdrake1911029.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h30/grandprixboy/AAdrake1911031.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h30/grandprixboy/AAdrake1911037.jpg

[Saginaw79]

Mine is pretty worn but its like a badge of honor or something, though Im tempted to refinish it. Very nice work!

[INTrooper4255]

Here's my Warrior that Drake did soem work on. It's listed below EGW's work.

Work done by Evolution Gun Works:
-Reliability package
-EGW extractor
-EGW Firing pin stop
-EGW extended mag catch installed and tuned
-Checker front strap 25LPI
-Smith and Alexander mag well machine blended and checkered 25LPI to match the front strap
-Trigger job at 4#’s with EGW hammer, sear and disconnector
-Carry Bevel
-All new ISMI premium springs
-EGW Heavy Duty pin set
-EGW XL 1911 ejector
-Yost Pro rear sight


Work done by Drakes Gun Works:
-Install and blend Chip McCormick Grip safety
-Fit and tune spare EGW HD Extractor
-Fit spare Cylinder slide thumb safety
-Fit slide to frame
-Hard fit Kart NM barrel and throat
-Fit EGW monogram busing/plug with “Smiley Face”
-Fit EGW carry bevel bushing/plug
-Blend rear of slide and contour with Yost Pro sight and serrate rear of slide and sight 40LPI
-Fit 10-8 slide stop
-Fit spare Wilson Hard Core slide stop
-Fit 10-8 solid trigger
-Ned Christiansen Extra Stout plunger tube installed
-Re-finish entire pistol and spare parts in Melonite

Lanyard and side bevels on the mag well and rounding of the “butt” of the mag well was done by Mars Armament.

Magazines are Tripp Research Cobra mags with the bodies coated in Ion Bond matte.

The janitor, your Kimber looks superb! If I would have known that Drake could have removed the slide markings, I would have had him do that also since I like the looks of a "bare slide." You'll love the way that it shoots with that Kart, mine is far more accurate than I'll be able to shoot it! Drakes is a superb shop and everyone should consider him if they are going to have 1911 work done, before he's too back logged!!!;)

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u122/INTrooper4255/DSCN1303.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u122/INTrooper4255/DSCN1304.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u122/INTrooper4255/DSCN1305.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u122/INTrooper4255/DSCN1307.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u122/INTrooper4255/DSCN1308.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u122/INTrooper4255/DSCN1310.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u122/INTrooper4255/DSCN1311.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u122/INTrooper4255/DSCN1312.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u122/INTrooper4255/DSCN1318.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u122/INTrooper4255/DSCN1319.jpg

[theJanitor]

^ I really like that build. the logo removal was a very last minute thing. i asked him about it right before it was suppose to hit the refinishing tanks, so I lucked out.

[Dave L.]

got any pics/details? i don't remember seeing it. My Operator goes in next for work similar to this Kimber, minus the barrel

Sorry man, I'm in Iraq and my gun is locked in a safe back in the states. I was going to do a thread on it, but Drake told me he didn't really need the publicity.

[Outlander Systems]

INTrooper4255L: What grips are those? Gorgeous weapon, bro.

[INTrooper4255]

INTrooper4255L: What grips are those? Gorgeous weapon, bro.

Thanks, they're Simonich Gunners, the original style.