SA Mil-Spec by Alchemy Custom

[Rhyyke]

I've been mulling over the idea of picking up a Mil-Spec and sending it to Alchemy Custom for a rework. Had made a list of what I wanted done and was looking for a good deal on a used Mil-Spec when I came across one in the Classifieds, already modified by ACW. I had basically everything I wanted done minus the hard chrome finish, and french border, and almost nothing I didn't (was wavering on whether I wanted carry cuts). Pulled the trigger and met an awesome Calgunner (if your reading this, I'm really really bummed I missed out on the Custom Carry!)

Quick edit, wanted to add that Rob over at Alchemy Custom is an awesome guy and his work is top notch. I probably asked a couple dumb questions and was annoyingly persistant about updates, but he answered everything quickly and kept me in the loops constantly. Helped me out with some ideas on what I should have done to it and was overall a patient and knowledgeable professional throughout. Will definitely be looking to him next time I need custom work done on a 1911.

Anyway, this is what it looked like the day I brought it home (taken a few seconds before being packed up for shipping).



Pretty nice already, but the dual tone was not for me. Shot it once and sent it out to ACW the same day. Two months and two days later, she's home!





Vanity shot showing off her dual parentage:



Now to get this pretty girl nice and dirty!

[AeroEngi]

Gorgeous looking 1911 you've got there! What exactly did you have Alchemy Custom do? Anything other than what you mentioned in the OP?

[Rhyyke]

Off the top of my head, the original owner did:

Refit slide and frame
Kart NM barrel, EGW bushing
flush cut and crown barrel 30 degrees
Nighthawk trigger, C&S ignition, 3.5# trigger
Wilson ambi safety
S&A beavertail grip safety
10-8 angled mag catch
10-8 slide stop
Nighthawk magwell blended
Wilson BP extractor, EGW firing pin stop
Checkered front strap 25 LPI
Heinie black rear sight, 10-8 fiber optic front
Dehorn complete pistol
Cerakote two tone
Harrison plunger tube
Full internal deburr
10-8 grip screws
Carry cut slide

So bascially everything but the kitchen sink.

Then I threw in the kitchen sink with:

French border cut
Switch red FO sight to green
Wilson BP thumb safety (the one in there was a little loose and would half engage)
Ed Brown extended mag catch (I'm a lefty so the angled 10-8 one did not work well for me)
Ball cut slide.
Hard Chrome brushed flat and matte rounds.

[FresnoRob]

Nice weapon, Alchemy Custom does great work.

[v.kevin]

Nice before AND after pics.

Enjoy it.

[NiteQwill]

Very nice. Rob does some damn fine work and cool to talk to.

[BoJackUSMC]

Wow.. awesome very clean 1911... both of them I will take it.

[Rhyyke]

Very nice. Rob does some damn fine work and cool to talk to.

Agreed. Rob was great to deal with and was patient with me throughout the process. I first thought of the idea of having ACW do a custom 1911 for me several months ago. The project has gone through several iterations, as I decided on a base gun (Ruger, Colt, Kimber or SA?) to messing with the configuration, to tossing the whole thing and starting over with the above as a base. I highly reccomend ACW!

[Lead Waster]

What is a "French Border?"



INSERT WWII Surrender jokes here.


but seriously, what is it?

[Cool Custard]

Nice piece! Never been a fan of the hi power style cuts but other than that the 1911 is beautiful! You definitely need to get it dirty!

[Rhyyke]

What is a "French Border?"



INSERT WWII Surrender jokes here.


but seriously, what is it?

I'll bite. French border is designed to be pourous and easily penetrated. zing.

Ok but seriously, it's a line cut along the top of the flat of the slide, right where the curve of the top starts. I'll take a clearer picture when I get home, it's a little hard to see from these pics.

[Rhyyke]

Nice piece! Never been a fan of the hi power style cuts but other than that the 1911 is beautiful! You definitely need to get it dirty!

Honestly I wasn't a fan when I first saw it, but it grew on me. When I was still planning to build this from a stock mil-spec I was leaning towards keeping the front slide bare and clean. But the base gun came to be at a pretty good price with the carry cuts already done so I went with it.

It is really a work of art, holding it in my hand I feel like it's too beautiful to shoot... which makes it all the more satisfying to take it and dirty it up good. Nothing I like better than taking something pretty and making it dirty.

[trigger945]

Very beautiful 1911. That was a quick turnaround time, too.

Enjoy it more!

[Chapped Hide]

I LOVE IT!!!!! I'm saving my pennies for either an SA custom or a mil spec to send to Rob.

[XDJYo]

Nice!!! ACW is top notch in my book. I'm considering something similar for the wife. Not quite as 'beautiful', but a SA GI with custom touches just for her.