ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In 2005 I moved to Arizona to pursue a career that would quickly become the uncompromising passion I have today to create exceptional handcrafted custom 1911s. Throughout my career I have had the benefit of the support, knowledge, and tutelage of numerous people both in and out of the firearms industry. The following are just some of the people who have helped guided, aide, and support me on my path to creating the best custom pistols I can.

Jaime Burton

My wife, Jaime, who puts up with the constant long hours in the shop, my obsessive nature, and never ending quest for perfection. Her support is unmatched.

  • "Brady Miller is the head honcho behind the company Monkey Edge and a true to form American entrepreneur. Our introduction was established through our common interest in firearms and firearms training and since then Brady has been a priceless consultant on all things business related. Brady is also the talent behind the photography you see on my website, he is 100% self taught and clearly understands how to communicate my work through his images."

    — Brady Miller

  • My very first professional firearms instruction was in 2003 under the tutelage of Clint Smith. Since that time I have attended countless classes at Thunder Ranch as well as becoming a staff instructor in there in 2011. I consider Clint a true mentor of mine whose influence has helped guide and shape my philosophy on guns, gear, shooting, tactics, as well as the guns I build. Clint is a genuine icon of the firearms industry and I am proud to have him as a friend.

    — Clint Smith – Founder of Thunder Ranch, Inc.

  • "Rob was the first person I met when I moved to Arizona and he is without question the best pistol shooter the world has ever known. Rob’s knowledge and influence have played an enormous role in both my progression as a shooter as well as the development of certain techniques I use on my custom builds. Rob is a constant resource for all things gun related."

    — Rob Leatham – “The Great One”

  • While I have had a great many influences during my career, since 2014/2015 no one person has helped me develop new skills or progress my work more than Pete Single. Pete got me to start thinking about the gun at a much deeper level and encouraged me to find new and more consistent ways to build the 1911 from what I had done before. Pete completely changed my ideas about frame and slide fitting and barrel fitting and how they work together. Pete is a constant source for knowledge not just about the 1911 but also various machining and welding techniques.

    — Pete Single – Pete Single Precision Metalsmithing

  • I’ve known John since almost the very beginning of VZ Grips and it has been a pleasure to watch his company grow into the benchmark it is now. John’s willingness to take on my special projects is only outshined by the friendship and unwavering support he has had for my work.

    — John Van Zyck – VZ Grips