This July I attended the Chapman Academy for Advanced Defensive Pistol. My long time companion, a Colt Custom 1911 government, decided to stop functioning. The poor beast had about 60K rounds through it and several barrels and a variety of ghoulish parts ([voice of Dr. Frankstein] "it's alive"). It simply would not shoot in the same place, even when Professor Skaggs tried it. Shot out.
As the Les Baer was back in Illinois (you should buy 4 guns), I finished the class with John's wife's (the lovelyand charming Jean) Kimber which had been modified by Cylinder & Slide in Nebraska. John had attended LFI-III with Bill in California and recommended him.
I sent the pistol off to Bill in August and I received this Tuesday November 13th. I finally got to shoot it this morning.
The pistol went away a stainless government but came back a dark gray government with no sharp edges. I thought Bill sent me the wrong gun when I was undoing the bubble wrap.
Imagine a dark gray government, with ultra thin rosewood stocks, a "tactical" safety (thin, but longish), MMC sights, yellow in back and green up front. Bill took off metal in the back so I can get my hand high and into the weapon. This helps tremendously with my shooting as I discovered that my grip was weak.
Bill also put on a different grip safety and trigger. Thankfully he left the overtravel screw out. I had a mal with my Les Baer TRS during an Awerbuck class in September (I thought I froze on the trigger during a CQB drill and forgot to reset the trigger, but Louis said "Kerrrk, here's a clue for you. Get rid of that overtravel screw. Therrrre the worrrst thing on earrrth").
The trigger is very crisp. I would say about 5 pounds. I'm not that good a shot to be picky, so whatever Bill thinks is right is fine with me.
I warmed up with the LFI qual drill and then did some Bill drills. The weapon performed exactly as it should. I backed up and shoot plates at 30 yards. The gun shoots where it should.
No, I didn't shoot it off a Ransom Rest or any silly gun rag stuff. One, integral accuracy is of little use to me and two, I do not own a flowered shirt. Plus, if I did that I would have to pose for pictures while pointing a gun at myself. Very embarrassing.
I did some mal drills next. As you can expect from my profile, my hands are not very rough and it has been a long time since I jump out of helicopters with a knife in my teeth while fighting with the Selous Scouts. Bill's de-horning was superb. It is now a worn bar of soap.
I wish I had a scanner now so I could show you guys how handsome the pistol (not me) is. I am very please with my "new" pistol.
The cost was about a K, if I remember right. Half and half.
If you have pistol that you wish to have rebuilt, I recommend Cylinder & Slide without hesitation. The folks were very friendly and accomodating to my desires, even though I'm sure they rolled their eyes at some of my requests (Me: "Now, Bill,the pistol has to work; think ultra-reliable." Bill: [rolling eyes over the phone] "Yep, that's the idea.")
Bill is not just a great gun mechanic, but a shooter who seeks knowledge through formal education. Bill also informed me that he will also custom build a pistol for you, not just rework your Kimber, Colt or SA, for about 2.5K. I'll see how the end of the year looks, and report back if the books look good.
Now to sign up for a pistol class.
As the Les Baer was back in Illinois (you should buy 4 guns), I finished the class with John's wife's (the lovelyand charming Jean) Kimber which had been modified by Cylinder & Slide in Nebraska. John had attended LFI-III with Bill in California and recommended him.
I sent the pistol off to Bill in August and I received this Tuesday November 13th. I finally got to shoot it this morning.
The pistol went away a stainless government but came back a dark gray government with no sharp edges. I thought Bill sent me the wrong gun when I was undoing the bubble wrap.
Imagine a dark gray government, with ultra thin rosewood stocks, a "tactical" safety (thin, but longish), MMC sights, yellow in back and green up front. Bill took off metal in the back so I can get my hand high and into the weapon. This helps tremendously with my shooting as I discovered that my grip was weak.
Bill also put on a different grip safety and trigger. Thankfully he left the overtravel screw out. I had a mal with my Les Baer TRS during an Awerbuck class in September (I thought I froze on the trigger during a CQB drill and forgot to reset the trigger, but Louis said "Kerrrk, here's a clue for you. Get rid of that overtravel screw. Therrrre the worrrst thing on earrrth").
The trigger is very crisp. I would say about 5 pounds. I'm not that good a shot to be picky, so whatever Bill thinks is right is fine with me.
I warmed up with the LFI qual drill and then did some Bill drills. The weapon performed exactly as it should. I backed up and shoot plates at 30 yards. The gun shoots where it should.
No, I didn't shoot it off a Ransom Rest or any silly gun rag stuff. One, integral accuracy is of little use to me and two, I do not own a flowered shirt. Plus, if I did that I would have to pose for pictures while pointing a gun at myself. Very embarrassing.
I did some mal drills next. As you can expect from my profile, my hands are not very rough and it has been a long time since I jump out of helicopters with a knife in my teeth while fighting with the Selous Scouts. Bill's de-horning was superb. It is now a worn bar of soap.
I wish I had a scanner now so I could show you guys how handsome the pistol (not me) is. I am very please with my "new" pistol.
The cost was about a K, if I remember right. Half and half.
If you have pistol that you wish to have rebuilt, I recommend Cylinder & Slide without hesitation. The folks were very friendly and accomodating to my desires, even though I'm sure they rolled their eyes at some of my requests (Me: "Now, Bill,the pistol has to work; think ultra-reliable." Bill: [rolling eyes over the phone] "Yep, that's the idea.")
Bill is not just a great gun mechanic, but a shooter who seeks knowledge through formal education. Bill also informed me that he will also custom build a pistol for you, not just rework your Kimber, Colt or SA, for about 2.5K. I'll see how the end of the year looks, and report back if the books look good.
Now to sign up for a pistol class.