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 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:



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!!



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.