Build Your Own Custom 1911 Patriot C.O.P. Handgun

Dave Sample's (a.k.a. Captain Eagle)
Legacy Lives On ...

I am pleased to announce that our first five on-line classes were a great success. The Nay-Sayers were absolutely sure it couldn't be done with out an instructor being there in a hands-on capacity with the students.

They were wrong and we succeeded doing all of the assigned tasks with the help of text and Paint-Shop Pro pictures taken with a Sony Mavica camera and revised for clear explanation and instructions.

The class was conceived by a post on a Forum by a man who thought it would be neat to have a pistolsmith get a bunch of 1911 parts and then teach a group of other forumites how to put them together. After a month of debate and with a great deal of trepidation, I agreed to be the Instructor but only under some serious guidelines that they would have to agree to from the start. They were simple but firm conditions that had to be agreed to or I would not do it.

Simply put, we would build a Custom Gun out of components selected by me with very few options. The 1911 would be my Carry On Patrol Model ( C. O.P.)  that I have built for law enforcement types for many years which would make them an all around carry/play/match gun but not beyond their skill level.

No adjustable sights, no inferior parts, a trigger group selected by me that would give them an excellent trigger pull with out a “Trigger Job”.

The only options were checkered front strap 20LPI, Front Grasping Grooves, and a choice of fixed black on black rear sights, either Novak or Richard Heinie. All front sights would be a Richard Heinie dovetail picked for the right height. No Dots and no Atomic Sights that glow in the dark.

After all agreed to the terms stated, we booked a class and I did not cull anyone although it was understood from the beginning that no “Professional People” were to be a part of this class. I only wanted first time builders.

There were a couple of people that I discouraged from coming aboard because I felt they might be “know-it-alls” that would be hard to instruct and there fore not worthy of the effort required to teach them the fine art of building a Custom 1911 that would be an adventure into the world of the Pistolsmiths that can do this kind of work.

This is NOT a “Gunsmithing Class” and is merely Online Instruction for a certain kind of person who wants to give birth to one Custom 1911 Pistol. My promise to them was that they would build a better 1911 than they could buy from anyone for any amount of money.

The 7 out of 11 in the 2002 Class that have completed their respective pistols have done just that. One man broke the rule and did not want to build the type of gun that was agreed upon so he dropped out and went his own way. Three others have refused to communicate and are presumed to be unable to finish for reasons unknown to me. The man who came up with the idea has not been able to keep up with the others for various and sundry reasons so although several of the students have not completed their parts kit, the Number Eleven man has built a 1911 better than almost any” so called” Pistolsmith can do. He and the other six are the success of the class.

I did what I promised them and they delivered 100%. We received tremendous support from the suppliers and Don Williams of the Action Works gave us much of his time and skill in making all of the sight cuts front and rear in all of the Caspian slides.

The lower ends were numbered PATRIOT 01 through 11 and that serial number series will be continued through the years.

One man tested his PATRIOT in a Ransome Rest and got 2 ½ inch groups at 50 yards with the proper ammunition used that was donated by Triton.

Our Number Four man started a Forum where the class could access the lessons and download them by using a secret password and a "question and answer section" where I could respond to the group with individual questions.

It all worked very well and I think everyone had some fun building a gun. It was not without its scary moments when we had to deal with computer crashes and health issues here, but we did fine and the class members helped each other to a remarkable extent..

As stated previously, we build an all around 1911 semi-automatic pistol similar to what a police officer would have in his duty holster. Or a 1911 that could be used as a match gun in certain shooting disciplines like IDPA or a similar exercise. No Hard Chrome finish allowed and you will have a bead-blasted and blued finish.

The price of the gun parts will be $1,640. The tools you will need cost about $300 - 400 depending on what you already have. The Tuition is $750. All fees must be paid in advance. So at the time of registration, you will need to send me a check for $2390.

After you complete the lessons you will have a complete and serviceable pistol that is ready to be graded, prepped, and refinished.

Refinishing is not included in the price of the class. We will offer a couple of routes to go though.

You can choose either Parkerizing or KG coat over the Parkerizing.

This year, the Parkerizing rates were $150.00 to grade/prep/Park/and return your pistol. For the Park/KG the cost was $290.00 for a single color and $330.00 for two tone including the return shipping.

You will find these rates highly competitive, especially when you consider that I will be checking all of your work and include the return shipping. I will try to keep these prices the same for 2009, but prices are subject to change.

You will have a Custom 1911 at the end of the course that we value at $3,500 and it will be better than you can buy from anyone for any price. It will be a valuable addition to your collection and the knowledge you gain will give you the ability to fix any 1911 that you may encounter. So the money you invest is returned to you in the form of the PATRIOT C.O.P that you own and the knowledge is yours to keep forever.

For more information you may contact me by email at patriotcustoms@comcast.net  or by the telephone numbers listed on this website. I am at 1-706-495-8617. If I don't answer, leave a name and number and I will call you back. Thank you for your interest in our PATRIOT Project.

These seats fill up fast! Don't delay in contacting me if you'd like to be a part of this once in a lifetime experience!