Louder than words: custom pistolsmiths join forces for kids—and you can own the final result!

American Handgunner, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Jason Burton

Sometimes you get the opportunity to take part in something that is genuinely good. Often it can involve donating time or money to a cause that is a departure from your everyday life; with the sole benefit being the prosperity of others. Then there are the rare occasions where not only can you help others, but you can use the skills you have to really see a project through. That was the basic idea behind all this.

"Louder Than Words" is an assemblage of some of the finest craftsmen in the firearms field, and the purpose for this gathering, true to the form of a charity, is to give something back. Founding members include custom gun makers Ted Yost and Lew Bonitz from Yost-Bonitz Custom, Ned Christiansen, Chuck Rogers, C.T. Brian, Don Williams, John Harrison, Stan Chen and legendary holster maker Lou Alessi.

Louder Than Words seeks to provide a unique opportunity for the custom gun industry, and enthusiasts, to make a tangible in our world, while enhancing the image of our industry as a whole. The main vehicle of this charity is the talent of these craftsmen as they collaborate to build a one-of-a-kind custom firearm that will be then be raffled, with all proceeds being donated to worthy charities.

The first gun (LTW #1) has been completed, the second project (LTW #2) is in the works, and there have already been two more pistols donated for LTW #3 and #4. This is a project with a wide range of support. Part of that support comes in the form of an internet discussion forum where participants discuss the finer points of custom firearms and accessories and watch and participate as the LTW project guns get built.

The First Gun

LTW #1 is now complete and, true to their reputations, the makers involved in the creation of this first pistol have put together a package that is the epitome of one-of-a-kind. With a Series 70 Colt selected as the base gun, off it went to Chuck Rogers of Rogers Precision in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Chuck began by milling the top flat and adding serrations in an arrow pattern. He milled in very tasteful French borders, re-machined the rear cocking serrations, and opened the ejection port. Finishing the front of the slide with cocking serrations and ball cuts gives it both a contemporary and traditional look.

A Wilson Combat "Bulletproof" extractor was fitted, and Chuck added a new set of sights consisting of a dovetailed and de-horned front sight serrated at 30 lpi and a buried Bo-Mar BMCS rear. The original Colt barrel was cut flush, re-crowned, and fit with a new match barrel bushing. As you would expect, the whole slide was treated to a thorough but not over-exaggerated de-horn, retaining the classic lines.

The pistol moved on to Tim Brian of C.T. Brian Custom in Grand Junction, Colorado. Tim is well known for his innovative "SideWinder" conversions of the 1911 pistol as well as his creative metal work. Tim high-cut the frame and added perfect 25 lpi checkering. Tim carefully bordered the checkering by cutting serrations into the flats of the frame, giving the front strap a blended look. Tim included a custom set out of Kingwood grips in the package.

After checkering the main spring housing at 25 lpi, it was fit and blended into the frame with the bottom corner radiused. Tim beveled the slide stop and to cut the pin flush with the right side of the frame. The pin hole was chamfered to aid with disassembly, and any remaining sharp edges of the frame were removed. With a mild mag-well bevel and reworked feed ramp, Tim's work on the frame was complete.

For the final modifications prior to finishing, the pistol was sent Start Chen of Legacy Custom Products Inc., in Durango, Colorado. Stan cut the frame tangs and fit a CMC grip safety. The grip safety pivots on an Ed Brown thumb safety that was trimmed, de-horned, and cut to match the pistol's curves.

Moving on to the all-important trigger job, Stan started off with an ignition set made by Cylinder & Slide and a long solid trigger by Grieder. After sear work, Stan squared the hammer hooks, and the trigger was dramatically lightened by drilling holes in the trigger bow as well as milling away portions of the shoe. The bow was polished and the entire unit fit to the frame. The final step in Stan's work was to fit and adjust an Ed Brown extended ejector.

While still with Stan, the pistol was assembled with the plunger tube lightly staked in place, and the gun was test fired with a mix of ammo. As you would expect from 'smiths such as these, the performance was up to snuff and the pistol worked with 100-percent reliability. After testing, the pistol made its way to master holster maker Lou Alessi of Alessi Holsters in Amherst, New York.

A Holster and More

Lou Alessi has many times been described as being from the "old school." His well-deserved reputation for outstanding leather products and his unparalleled dedication to his clients confirms that Lou's special blend of "old school" never goes out of style. Being a master holster maker for over 30 years, as well as a founding member of Louder Than Words, it seemed only natural to have Lou craft the leather.