Pistolsmith
Class
By: Ken
O’Donnell
Note:
The author is a NTI team member.
Jim Garthwaite
has been a good friend and committed team member of ATSA and its
annual event, the NTI, since it was just an idea. At the end of
June, a mere few weeks after NTI XV, Jim held a 1911 pistolsmith
class for 4 NTI team members. This is the 3rd of such
classes Jim has offered during the past several years. The goal of
this class was for each student to assemble from unfitted and
unfinished parts a 1911 of the caliber and model of the student’s
choosing. Unlike some of the other 1911 gunsmith classes I’ve seen
offered, the student has a lot more freedom in choosing what he
wants to build and its options.
The class
lasts an entire week, starting early Monday morning, running from 8
to 5, breaking for lunch each day. Jim had 3 specific subject areas
he wanted us competent in by the end of the week: 1) Proper slide to
frame fit; 2) Proper barrel to slide fit; and 3) Performing a good,
safe trigger job, which included the proper functioning of all the
1911’s safeties. By Friday at 1pm, all 4 students had his pistol
finished far enough along to take to the local range for sighting in
and a thorough functions check. I am glad to report each student’s
pistol worked reliably.
Jim had a
building constructed specifically for teaching students this class.
We all had a sturdy work bench and a set of tools provided to us for
use. Jim usually does most of his work in his original shop, which
is also where his big machines are located, but the classroom is a
dedicated teaching space. We each had a bin of parts with our names
printed on it waiting for us at our work bench when we arrived.
Monday morning
focused entirely on the tools we would use. Jim took the time to
teach us how to shop for quality tools, and quality parts. First we
reviewed our measuring tools: calipers and micrometers; plates for
measuring frame rails; feeler gauges; and 1911 specific tools for
measuring the firing pin stop and the length of barrel hood. We
discussed all of our various cutting tools: files, stones, papers,
lapping compound, reamers, grinding wheels, and the tool that
probably has destroyed more good guns and parts than any other – the
dremel tool. Monday after lunch we began to fit the frame to the
slide.
Tuesday we
continued to fit slides and frames. Jim emphasizes removing 90% of
the material first, quickly, so you can spend your time on doing the
last 10% the right way. He relates how folks get frustrated when
working on fitting a part early on because they spend too much time
taking off too little material in the rough cut, get out the dremel
tool, and by that time take too much off and ruin the part. We
spent a lot of time hand lapping the slide and frame to get a good
fit. By mid morning two of us were far enough along to begin
fitting barrels. We started out filing on the barrel for an initial
rough fit, and once again used our lapping compound for the final
fit.
Let me take
the time to point out Jim is an artist, not just a craftsman. Over
the years he has made his own fixtures to perform many of the
specific pistolsmith tasks he performs. He has acquired many of the
tools and fixtures available from the popular 1911 shops, tools
commonly found in the Brownell’s catalog, such as sight pushers for
example. He takes the time to show his students the advantages of
those tools, the shortcomings of those tools, and shows how the
fixtures and tools he has made work compares to those.
Wednesday
morning we took a trip to his mill and lathe and got an overview on
how to make the cuts for the aftermarket rear and front sights. We
also were shown how he makes the custom cuts like the flat topped
and serrated slide. We continued to fit our barrels, and by mid
morning began to fit our grip safeties. We all had Springfield
frames, half Officers, the other half Commanders, and we all used
the high ride type beavertail grip safety. Jim showed us the way to
fit a grip safety so it blends into the frame nicely. It takes
extra time, but it results in a better feel, and makes the
difference in good craftsmanship. Personally, I can now appreciate
the difference.
Thursday we
began working with the trigger group. Again here two things made a
big difference: 1) quality parts; and 2) fixtures Jim developed to
achieve good trigger jobs. We learned how to both fit thumb
safeties properly and make them feel well in the hand. This type of
attention is what makes Jim’s work shine so much. He doesn’t just
fit the part. The time he takes to make it work, and feel, and
interact with our hand really makes his craftsmanship stand out. We
installed our sights. We installed our mainspring housings.
Friday morning we spent finishing up
areas we needed to spend more attention on, and performing function
checks with the magazines we were going to use with the gun. We
were shown how to tension an extractor. Once again, quality parts
make the difference. That afternoon we went to the range and shot
the guns. I guess I put 200 rounds thru mine, a lightweight
commander chambered in .45 ACP, and other than a couple rounds
feeding a bit sluggishly on the first magazine, mine never
malfunctioned after that.
Accuracy wise,
we were shooting at and hitting shards of clay pigeons 40 yards away
with our guns. Jim hit them better than I did, usually on the first
shot, but I like to think I held my own. We also had a Farnam
flipper that we set up at several distances to practice on. At the
end of the session we had moved it out to that 40 yard line and each
student was able to hit that steel plate with his gun with no
problems from my observation. All these guns worked reliably,
accurately, and did it in style. And we all came away with
priceless knowledge.
I
asked Jim a few questions for inclusion in this article:
How long have
you been building defensive pistols?
I started working on pistols for carry/IPSC in 1979. Hunting was
and is a big part of my life and it was that love of firearms that
translated to my involvement with handguns. Some of my
acquaintances saw the work I was doing to my personal weapons and
asked that I do the same for them. The rest, as they say, is
history.
Why did you
decide to offer classes in pistolsmithing?
I saw many
practitioners who were trying to do work for themselves, some good,
some questionable, and wanted to help them build/modify their
pistols using proper methods that would enhance reliability, be
comfortable to shoot, and give them pride in ownership.
Which pistols
do you use for your classes?
The pricing
for the class includes one of Springfield Armory's 1911A1 pistols as
I've found them to be one of the best values and an exceptionally
good platform to use when building a defensive pistol. We must keep
in mind the frame, slide, and barrel are the "building blocks" to
making a reliable, accurate, and quality pistol.
What are your
biggest challenges with the classes?
One of the
most important teaching points is to stress patience and attention
to detail. At first most students are hesitant to start
filing/cutting/grinding on the components because they fear making a
mistake and ruining the job. It is my responsibility as their
instructor to instill confidence, thoroughly explain the
modifications, show the difference between quality and substandard
parts, and be sure the student understands the process.
We must
ALWAYS
remember these are defensive pistols and may be used as a life
saving tool!
Domari Nolo,
Jim Garthwaite, Pistolsmith
Watsontown, PA
Jim
was a gracious host and a good teacher. I thought he did a great
job imparting pieces of his 25 years of knowledge to us. We had a
wide variety of 1911 experience among the students. One student had
never owned a 1911; this was going to be his first. On the other
extreme, one student had actually done some minor 1911 gunsmith
work, but nothing of this magnitude. And the other 2 of us fell
somewhere in between. I took this class for the knowledge, and to
gain an appreciation for fine work. I got my money’s worth and then
some; I even have a really great handgun at the end of it all, too.
I feel a great pride of ownership in what I built. Thank you, Jim.
