1911 Gunsmith in Eastern MA?

[Supermoto]

The proof is in the pudding, and when you start looking you'll see what I mean.

Yep. I think one of the difference is Lou's gun are built from scratch, while a lot of greg's work is guns that are getting upgraded and the owner might not be paying for all the perfection details that Lou's guns have.

 

[Asaltweapon]

Heres the one greg did for my boss
If I could afford it I would buy it from him.
Absolutely great pistol

Step Right Up Sir! Try Your Luck!

Who among us has never thought of pulling out a 1911 at the carnival! Colt Gold Cup, to make it fair it was 25 yards. Finished in hard chrome with a few accents and features. Details later.

www.northeastshooters.com

That was one very pretty gun. Is he selling it?

 

[SgtHal75]

Here is Derr Gallery

Gallery — Derr Precision

www.derrprecision.com

Thank you Sir! I was Hoping some people can post some of their pics on here of their stuff.

 

[E.Stoner]

Yep. I think one of the difference is Lou's gun are built from scratch, while a lot of greg's work is guns that are getting upgraded and the owner might not be paying for all the perfection details that Lou's guns have.

This is absolutely true. Most Colts are “crooked”, and need to be straightened out. The standard amongst top 1911 smiths is so high that many don’t/won’t deal with them.
I own or have handled Colt's from many of the top makers and can say with confidence Lou is in the club.

 

[SgtHal75]

Heres the one greg did for my boss
If I could afford it I would buy it from him.
Absolutely great pistol

Step Right Up Sir! Try Your Luck!

Who among us has never thought of pulling out a 1911 at the carnival! Colt Gold Cup, to make it fair it was 25 yards. Finished in hard chrome with a few accents and features. Details later.

www.northeastshooters.com

Awesome! Thank you

 

[silversquirrel]

Lou must be too busy with fancy stuff.
He never called me back or answered my email or web inquiries about cutting a 1911 slide for a novak rear sight.
I gave up trying to reach the guy.
Still need the work done.

 

[Cur]

Lou must be too busy with fancy stuff.
He never called me back or answered my email or web inquiries about cutting a 1911 slide for a novak rear sight.
I gave up trying to reach the guy.
Still need the work done.

Call Greg then, I sent him an email and he replied the same day and told me to call him up.

I also tried Lou for some work on my Les Baer and never even got a reply. :|

 

[Matt_SERE]

This is a huge recognition of talents and artistic abilities. It is a good read.
When appropriate I will always consult with him in the future as long I'm in the states. I do also follow BEC and it is worth my time.

About - American Pistolsmith's Guild

American Pistolsmith's Guild About page. The American Pistolsmiths Guild (APG) is dedicated to the pistolsmithing craft and to the shooters and customers who patronize the profession. The APG is also active in pertinent legislative matters that effect the trade specifically and is in firm...

americanpistolsmithsguild.com

Pistolsmith of the Year, 2019

Pistolsmith Of The Year - American Pistolsmith's Guild

American Pistolsmith's Guild Pistolsmith Of The Year page. The American Pistolsmiths Guild (APG) is dedicated to the pistolsmithing craft and to the shooters and customers who patronize the profession. The APG is also active in pertinent legislative matters that effect the trade specifically...

americanpistolsmithsguild.com

Do Not discount Lou.

1911 | Business End Customs | United States

Truely Custom 1911's that are built one at a time and considered functional art.

www.businessendcustoms.com

 

[40 Creedmoor fan]

What are we talking about, price-wise? how many zeros? Is it a used Honda Civic or a used Porsche 911?

 

[mac1911]

That was one very pretty gun. Is he selling it?

What are we talking about, price-wise? how many zeros? Is it a used Honda Civic or a used Porsche 911?

Pretty sure when talking custom as in Derr or BEC your into 911 territory
Normal repairs —

 

[mac1911]

Yep. I think one of the difference is Lou's gun are built from scratch, while a lot of greg's work is guns that are getting upgraded and the owner might not be paying for all the perfection details that Lou's guns have.

I think Derr builds on your wallet LOL. Im sure could mill up a complete gun if it was a viable option . Cost prohibitive for these small guys to cut frames from solid stock.
Any how im sure if you showed up to Derr with out a frame and slide and said from the ground up build he would meet the demand.

 

[Supermoto]

I think Derr builds on your wallet LOL. Im sure could mill up a complete gun if it was a viable option . Cost prohibitive for these small guys to cut frames from solid stock.
Any how im sure if you showed up to Derr with out a frame and slide and said from the ground up build he would meet the demand.

When I said from scratch, I didn't mean build the actual frame. I doubt Lou is building his frame. I would bet they are outsources with his serial #s. There are very few companies doing the forging or castings of frames.

But my point was this. Both are very capable smiths. But I have yet to see a gun posted by Lou that need any work to it to make it perfect.
I have seen gun posted by Greg that still need a lot of time spent on detail work and I have seen some that don't. I believe the difference is that Lou build a gun to his level of perfection, this is the gun at this price. Greg build to what the owner wants and is willing to pay for. That final detail work is time consuming and expensive and most don't either notice or don't want to pay for that additional expense. I'm sure the gun's Greg submitted to the guild were perfection as that is the only way to get in.

When I look at a picture of a 1911 and the slide and frame don't match up. I don't know if that is because the barrel isn't fitted correctly or the owner/gunsmith didn't want the work done. Is it a sign of a bigger problem or not...no way to know without stripping the gun....so it gives me pause when I see it

 

[E.Stoner]

When I said from scratch, I didn't mean build the actual frame. I doubt Lou is building his frame. I would bet they are outsources with his serial #s. There are very few companies doing the forging or castings of frames.

But my point was this. Both are very capable smiths. But I have yet to see a gun posted by Lou that need any work to it to make it perfect.
I have seen gun posted by Greg that still need a lot of time spent on detail work and I have seen some that don't. I believe the difference is that Lou build a gun to his level of perfection, this is the gun at this price. Greg build to what the owner wants and is willing to pay for. That final detail work is time consuming and expensive and most don't either notice or don't want to pay for that additional expense. I'm sure the gun's Greg submitted to the guild were perfection as that is the only way to get in.

When I look at a picture of a 1911 and the slide and frame don't match up. I don't know if that is because the barrel isn't fitted correctly or the owner/gunsmith didn't want the work done. Is it a sign of a bigger problem or not...no way to know without stripping the gun....so it gives me pause when I see it

This.

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe....

 

[bmac10]

I'm sure Greg Derr is the go to guy. Never had him work on my guns but been to Dave Santurri many times and he does top notch work.

Santurri, Ltd.

Oh didn't see you're all the way up in Chelmsford, nvm

+1 on Santurri.

 

[bostonelli]

I'm sure Greg Derr is the go to guy. Never had him work on my guns but been to Dave Santurri many times and he does top notch work.

Santurri, Ltd.

Oh didn't see you're all the way up in Chelmsford, nvm

greg yes. Very nice guy.

no no no no to Santurri. He cuts corners and was not pleased at all with the 2011 work he did. Shame on him. Never will send a penny his way.

 

[mac1911]

When I said from scratch, I didn't mean build the actual frame. I doubt Lou is building his frame. I would bet they are outsources with his serial #s. There are very few companies doing the forging or castings of frames.

But my point was this. Both are very capable smiths. But I have yet to see a gun posted by Lou that need any work to it to make it perfect.
I have seen gun posted by Greg that still need a lot of time spent on detail work and I have seen some that don't. I believe the difference is that Lou build a gun to his level of perfection, this is the gun at this price. Greg build to what the owner wants and is willing to pay for. That final detail work is time consuming and expensive and most don't either notice or don't want to pay for that additional expense. I'm sure the gun's Greg submitted to the guild were perfection as that is the only way to get in.

When I look at a picture of a 1911 and the slide and frame don't match up. I don't know if that is because the barrel isn't fitted correctly or the owner/gunsmith didn't want the work done. Is it a sign of a bigger problem or not...no way to know without stripping the gun....so it gives me pause when I see it

Maybe lou only posts his “perfect” specimens.
Im sure both build to the customers wallet and desires, maybe lou just decides not to do the lesser work.?
Its all good. I cant afford any of them so a nice trigger is heaven for me !

 

[puška m70]

greg yes. Very nice guy.

no no no no to Santurri. He cuts corners and was not pleased at all with the 2011 work he did. Shame on him. Never will send a penny his way.

I've had a negative experience with Santurri also. Dishonest attempt to cover up a gun-ruining F up by him or whoever he had did the work for him.

 

[LuvDog]

It seems like every top smith in the area has both good and bad interactions

 

[troutbum_6]

Josh Rego Provincetown

 

[zork51]

How bout N. Central Mass? Or Western Mass? Anyone know of some good smiths for fitting aftermarket sites on a 1911, or more routine periodic maintenance?