Black Hammer Arms 1911 work review.
Sun Jan 14, 2018 9:18 pm
Honestly, i could not be more pleased with my experience with the Black Hammer. I took an almost New Ruger SR1911 Commander to Dana, as well as a somewhat used Springfield Range Officer 5".
I will start with the Springfield RO. I just got it back and the Rack is very smooth and tight, it's a pleasure to run that slide now. The attention to detail with the Internals is top notch, see his Instagram for his other work too.
Take a look at these pics, the attention to detail is commendable.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdTRNEoAcbr ... hammerarms
It now sports a Live round ejection cut, (Very nice when clearing a loaded weapon) Slide lock notch cleanup, drop free mag reliability cleanup, and an extensive throat and Chamber Polish.
Drop free cleanup. Will it really drop free empty? I know mine will.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdEKMgngyGU ... hammerarms
He cleaned up the fit with the drop in Wilson thumb safety https://www.instagram.com/p/BdTV16bg0Vv ... hammerarms
as well a full trigger job that breaks like a thin glass rod at my requested weight.
He took care of the SA proprietary Mainspring housing issue for me, (Very annoying, bad on you SA) and now it sports a simple pin for me to disassemble and clean.
I just cannot get express enough what a finely tuned 1911 feels like on the rack and trigger pull, it's magic after feeling a factory Pistol.
The Ruger SR1911 Commander. I thought it was fine out of the box, no it wasn't.
The sear engagement was like 50% and the extractor tension was non existent. The disconnector in a near new Pistol was also causing an audible click, the issue was cleanly resolved by my new 1911 'smith.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcTt6rkgajV ... hammerarms
Extractor tension issue.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcEta9Pgjv0 ... hammerarms
I was no fan of the Ruger etchings on the slide and Dana blasted it for me. Really improves the aesthetics of the pistol without the dark coloring in the etchings and is much more visually appealing while retaining the Ruger rollmark.
The Trigger is a Crisp 4.5lbs as i requested for a carry Pistol and breaks like the same thin glass rod with a very short reset same as the RO.
The bottom line is his attention to detail. The quality of his work is exceptional and i highly recommend him. He documented my pistols work in pictures for me and also kept me in the loop with what he was doing during the process.
You don't get that level of service anywhere anymore and he deserves to be commended for it.
When i picked up those two pistols i had another in my Truck, it was my Treasured early Safari Arms Stainless Matchmaster 1911.
After seeing the work he had done on the SA RO and the Ruger SR1911 Commander i promptly handed it over for an inspection and makeover blasting.
That was not done lightly, that pistol was built by Richard Neimer of Detonics fame after he went to Schuetzen Gun Works back in the day.
If you need Gunsmithing or refinishing he is the guy to talk to. Check his Instagram and Facebook pages, the BlackHammer services will soon be much in demand.
I will start with the Springfield RO. I just got it back and the Rack is very smooth and tight, it's a pleasure to run that slide now. The attention to detail with the Internals is top notch, see his Instagram for his other work too.
Take a look at these pics, the attention to detail is commendable.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdTRNEoAcbr ... hammerarms
It now sports a Live round ejection cut, (Very nice when clearing a loaded weapon) Slide lock notch cleanup, drop free mag reliability cleanup, and an extensive throat and Chamber Polish.
Drop free cleanup. Will it really drop free empty? I know mine will.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdEKMgngyGU ... hammerarms
He cleaned up the fit with the drop in Wilson thumb safety https://www.instagram.com/p/BdTV16bg0Vv ... hammerarms
as well a full trigger job that breaks like a thin glass rod at my requested weight.
He took care of the SA proprietary Mainspring housing issue for me, (Very annoying, bad on you SA) and now it sports a simple pin for me to disassemble and clean.
I just cannot get express enough what a finely tuned 1911 feels like on the rack and trigger pull, it's magic after feeling a factory Pistol.
The Ruger SR1911 Commander. I thought it was fine out of the box, no it wasn't.
The sear engagement was like 50% and the extractor tension was non existent. The disconnector in a near new Pistol was also causing an audible click, the issue was cleanly resolved by my new 1911 'smith.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcTt6rkgajV ... hammerarms
Extractor tension issue.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcEta9Pgjv0 ... hammerarms
I was no fan of the Ruger etchings on the slide and Dana blasted it for me. Really improves the aesthetics of the pistol without the dark coloring in the etchings and is much more visually appealing while retaining the Ruger rollmark.
The Trigger is a Crisp 4.5lbs as i requested for a carry Pistol and breaks like the same thin glass rod with a very short reset same as the RO.
The bottom line is his attention to detail. The quality of his work is exceptional and i highly recommend him. He documented my pistols work in pictures for me and also kept me in the loop with what he was doing during the process.
You don't get that level of service anywhere anymore and he deserves to be commended for it.
When i picked up those two pistols i had another in my Truck, it was my Treasured early Safari Arms Stainless Matchmaster 1911.
After seeing the work he had done on the SA RO and the Ruger SR1911 Commander i promptly handed it over for an inspection and makeover blasting.
That was not done lightly, that pistol was built by Richard Neimer of Detonics fame after he went to Schuetzen Gun Works back in the day.
If you need Gunsmithing or refinishing he is the guy to talk to. Check his Instagram and Facebook pages, the BlackHammer services will soon be much in demand.
Re: Black Hammer Arms 1911 work review.
Thu May 17, 2018 9:00 pm
Nice write up Jon.
well I'll make it quick.
My problem was my bolt wasn't smooth to operate. It was like metal cutting into metal. Even the bolt still had cnc machine marks on it from cutting. Asked Dana if he did any polishing, he did one. Ok no problem new smith he'll get reviews. I asked him a bunch of questions and he replied in a timely manner and some suggestions what might needed to be done (polish or Micro Slick). So I headed over and let him decide what would be best. Wow low and behold less than 3 hrs he calls back its ready...
I tell you what, big difference and a lot more smoother and no sharp edges.
thank you Dana
pic dont show justice...
before and after
well I'll make it quick.
My problem was my bolt wasn't smooth to operate. It was like metal cutting into metal. Even the bolt still had cnc machine marks on it from cutting. Asked Dana if he did any polishing, he did one. Ok no problem new smith he'll get reviews. I asked him a bunch of questions and he replied in a timely manner and some suggestions what might needed to be done (polish or Micro Slick). So I headed over and let him decide what would be best. Wow low and behold less than 3 hrs he calls back its ready...
I tell you what, big difference and a lot more smoother and no sharp edges.
thank you Dana
pic dont show justice...
before and after
Re: Black Hammer Arms 1911 work review.
Thu May 17, 2018 9:17 pm
I agree with you both. Dana does outstanding work! He stripped and refinished an aluminum M2HB replica for my jeep. It was as POS before, he made it look new. Also, he did a 92F that was beat, came out looking brand new! Highly recommend!
Re: Black Hammer Arms 1911 work review.
Thu May 17, 2018 10:40 pm
Y’all sure know how to make a guy blush.
Cmica,
Here’s better a pic of your bolt.
Cmica,
Here’s better a pic of your bolt.