jimsbowies
New member
I'm the proud owner of two of Gunsite's custom pistols...one in an all-steel commander and one a full-sized Government model. Just wanted to exchange experiences with other owners.
Any Gunsite gun owners out there?
- Thread starter jimsbowies
- Start date
Archer1440
New member
I have heard Ted Yost has left the Gunsite smithy, anyone know if that is confirmed ?
I have the entry level GSP(Gunsite Service Pistol). It is a 1991 colt with black Novaks and a Wilson low mount thumb safety. It is a very reliable .45. I have not had any trouble with despite my less than perfect reloads that I was turning out when I was learning to use a Dillon. I shoot 200 gr. SWC reloads and Federal Hydra Shoks in 230 gr. So far so good.
There is nothing fancy about this gun , I envy you folks that have the fancier guns from Yost. However for daily carry, this seems to be a perfectly reliable no-frills gun that will do the job. The only thing that I do not really care for is the arched mainspring housing.
There is nothing fancy about this gun , I envy you folks that have the fancier guns from Yost. However for daily carry, this seems to be a perfectly reliable no-frills gun that will do the job. The only thing that I do not really care for is the arched mainspring housing.
Lets see, I have the followingt firearms that Ted has worked on
1 - Gunsite Service Pistol circa 1993/4 (?) built on a Springfield.
2 - Beretta 1201 with Gunsite Police Shotgun mods
3 - Colt Pre-Ban Flattop with, what I term, service modifications (trigger job, tritium sights, firing pin (only mods that improve function)
The GSP (which is engraved on the slide and stands for Gunny Schmit's Pistol
(or if I ever try and sell it to an idiot George S Patton 
) is my carry gun and has been since I got it.
I've only had two problems with it over the years..
1 - Rear Sight came lose during a Gunsite Class. Luckilly, I noticed that my shots were hitting left of center mass and paused to look at the gun (not through the sights). Only then did I notice that the sight had drifted and more then likely on my next shot would have taken flight somewhere. A quick trip to the Smithy corrected the problem.
2 - Started to have failure to feeds. Opppps, springs wear out! New recoil spring corrected this.
Out of all my guns, if I had to start selling them the above would be in the catagory of last (or not at all) to go. I plan to hand these down to my children.
1 - Gunsite Service Pistol circa 1993/4 (?) built on a Springfield.
2 - Beretta 1201 with Gunsite Police Shotgun mods
3 - Colt Pre-Ban Flattop with, what I term, service modifications (trigger job, tritium sights, firing pin (only mods that improve function)
The GSP (which is engraved on the slide and stands for Gunny Schmit's Pistol
(or if I ever try and sell it to an idiot George S Patton ) is my carry gun and has been since I got it. I've only had two problems with it over the years..
1 - Rear Sight came lose during a Gunsite Class. Luckilly, I noticed that my shots were hitting left of center mass and paused to look at the gun (not through the sights). Only then did I notice that the sight had drifted and more then likely on my next shot would have taken flight somewhere. A quick trip to the Smithy corrected the problem.
2 - Started to have failure to feeds. Opppps, springs wear out! New recoil spring corrected this.
Out of all my guns, if I had to start selling them the above would be in the catagory of last (or not at all) to go. I plan to hand these down to my children.
jimsbowies
New member
Yost
Insofar as I know, he's still the "smithy" at Gunsite.
In my first posting, I noted I had two of Gunsite's pistol. One is a government model with the standard adaptations in the Gunsite Service Pistol....Wolff springs, Novaks, Wilson beavertail, Videcki trigger, etc. A real shooter and it has never once "hiccupped" on me...I've run at least 5000 rounds through that one.
The second one is a little more fancy. BarSto stainless barrell, plus all the internal goodies. Then I sent it to Jerry Reeder Custom Guns where I had the old Ruger "black" bluing done to the pistol and had Reeder's trademark black widow engraved on the same side as the Gunsite Raven....then inlaid with gold. Makes a really pretty piece and YES, it is my carry gun....This gun's tolerances are much tighter than the Govn't model but in over 5000 rounds, I've had one failure to feed and that was due to the reload...not the gun!
I'd most certainly recommend their work to anyone interested in a semi-custom....Mine are both based on Colts but I'm certain that any good foundation would work.
I did have a Colt Officers model built by them but had much difficulty with feeding...even puzzled Ted Yost so he called and said, just tell me which gun you want and I'll send you a new one....that's how I came to have the Gov't model....really good service from those guys.
Insofar as I know, he's still the "smithy" at Gunsite.
In my first posting, I noted I had two of Gunsite's pistol. One is a government model with the standard adaptations in the Gunsite Service Pistol....Wolff springs, Novaks, Wilson beavertail, Videcki trigger, etc. A real shooter and it has never once "hiccupped" on me...I've run at least 5000 rounds through that one.
The second one is a little more fancy. BarSto stainless barrell, plus all the internal goodies. Then I sent it to Jerry Reeder Custom Guns where I had the old Ruger "black" bluing done to the pistol and had Reeder's trademark black widow engraved on the same side as the Gunsite Raven....then inlaid with gold. Makes a really pretty piece and YES, it is my carry gun....This gun's tolerances are much tighter than the Govn't model but in over 5000 rounds, I've had one failure to feed and that was due to the reload...not the gun!
I'd most certainly recommend their work to anyone interested in a semi-custom....Mine are both based on Colts but I'm certain that any good foundation would work.
I did have a Colt Officers model built by them but had much difficulty with feeding...even puzzled Ted Yost so he called and said, just tell me which gun you want and I'll send you a new one....that's how I came to have the Gov't model....really good service from those guys.
I have an early Gunsite GSP2000. I bought it used, so I don't know if the troubles that I've had were the fault of Gunsite or whether the previous owner did some kitchen table gunsmithing.
First, the trigger has a really, really nasty creep. You take up the slack, good so far. Then you build up the back pressure on the trigger, and suddenly it slips about 1/32 of an inch, and then stops, and you build up more pressure before it breaks. Ugh.
Second, it's just not that accurate. I'm better with my 4" Kimber Compact than my 5" GSP2000 fer chris sakes. That's not right, given the extra sight radius of the GSP2000.
Third, the white ring around the front night sight has worn to the point where I have a hard time picking up the sight during daylight.
Fourth, the matte finish is easily scratched.
Fifth, I don't like the profile of the front strap. It's a lot more square than that of Kimbers and feels blocky in my hand.
Sixth, there's a lot of tool marks on my gun. I know, they don't affect function, but they look crappy. You see them in the cuts in the slide, in the slide slots in the frame, and in the frame where the recoil plug sits.
My stock Kimber Custom Classic was a better gun out of the box, and cheaper too.
YMMV.
So I've sent mine off to a gunsmith. We're throwing out the hammer, sear, disconnector, possibly the safety, grip safety and trigger as well. Toss out the slide (I don't care for front slide cuts), main spring housing, and grip panels. Not a whole lot left once we're done. Only about 11 more months (and one whopper of a check) before I get it back...
M1911
First, the trigger has a really, really nasty creep. You take up the slack, good so far. Then you build up the back pressure on the trigger, and suddenly it slips about 1/32 of an inch, and then stops, and you build up more pressure before it breaks. Ugh.
Second, it's just not that accurate. I'm better with my 4" Kimber Compact than my 5" GSP2000 fer chris sakes. That's not right, given the extra sight radius of the GSP2000.
Third, the white ring around the front night sight has worn to the point where I have a hard time picking up the sight during daylight.
Fourth, the matte finish is easily scratched.
Fifth, I don't like the profile of the front strap. It's a lot more square than that of Kimbers and feels blocky in my hand.
Sixth, there's a lot of tool marks on my gun. I know, they don't affect function, but they look crappy. You see them in the cuts in the slide, in the slide slots in the frame, and in the frame where the recoil plug sits.
My stock Kimber Custom Classic was a better gun out of the box, and cheaper too.
YMMV.
So I've sent mine off to a gunsmith. We're throwing out the hammer, sear, disconnector, possibly the safety, grip safety and trigger as well. Toss out the slide (I don't care for front slide cuts), main spring housing, and grip panels. Not a whole lot left once we're done. Only about 11 more months (and one whopper of a check) before I get it back...
M1911
Gunsite Arms
Yes, Ted Yost has left Gunsite and no I don't know any of the details.
As to arms built during Ted's tenure at the smithy I have the following;
1992 GSP built on a Springfield
Gunsite Advanced Tactical Pistol built on a Springfield, NP3 finish
Gunsite Advanced Tactical Pistol built on a Colt Commander
Gunsite Custom Browning Hi-Power
Gunsite GSP 2000 built on a Springfield
Gunsite Police Rifle built on a Marlin 336CS
Gunsite Scout Rifle built on a Sako medium action .308
All have been top-notch and utterly reliable.
Yes, Ted Yost has left Gunsite and no I don't know any of the details.
As to arms built during Ted's tenure at the smithy I have the following;
1992 GSP built on a Springfield
Gunsite Advanced Tactical Pistol built on a Springfield, NP3 finish
Gunsite Advanced Tactical Pistol built on a Colt Commander
Gunsite Custom Browning Hi-Power
Gunsite GSP 2000 built on a Springfield
Gunsite Police Rifle built on a Marlin 336CS
Gunsite Scout Rifle built on a Sako medium action .308
All have been top-notch and utterly reliable.
geegeePat Rogers
Member in memoriam
Gunsite Guns
Gunsite parted company with Ted Yost in August.
Note that Yost did not build all or even most of the guns there- several other very talented gunsniths such as Dave Stockton, Larry, Tim and a host of others built the majority of the guns.
There are a few GSP types still available for sale, but the probability of any more being made is zero.
The Gunsmithy is there to service or modify the guns of the shooters attending class (first priority)or those coming out to class.
The Springfield guns had some problems coming in due to QC problems at the makers end. Coupled with the fact that it had the grossly larger frontstrap, and the larger dust cover which precluded it fitting in many holsters, it was not a great choice.
The Caspian framed guns are much more usable.
Gunsite parted company with Ted Yost in August.
Note that Yost did not build all or even most of the guns there- several other very talented gunsniths such as Dave Stockton, Larry, Tim and a host of others built the majority of the guns.
There are a few GSP types still available for sale, but the probability of any more being made is zero.
The Gunsmithy is there to service or modify the guns of the shooters attending class (first priority)or those coming out to class.
The Springfield guns had some problems coming in due to QC problems at the makers end. Coupled with the fact that it had the grossly larger frontstrap, and the larger dust cover which precluded it fitting in many holsters, it was not a great choice.
The Caspian framed guns are much more usable.