Frequently Asked Questions

Often times the simplest of questions and/or issues can be resolved by referring to our frequently asked questions section below. Our most important goal as we serve you is for your complete satisfaction with our products and work, so should you still have a question, inquiry, or comment please feel free to email and we'll reply in kind.

Are you currently accepting work?

Yes. Our doors are never closed and, although we do have a waiting list, we continue to take on new projects everyday.

How does your waiting list work and what is the current lead time?

Our waiting list and lead time is based off a calendar system that allows us to accurately plan and schedule our customer's projects throughout the year. Once a customer's base gun has arrived at the shop, the customer is able to select the month they would like their gun built from the currently available openings in our schedule. This system not only allows us to more accurately anticipate and estimate our lead time but also gives the customer the added benefit of being able to plan for the completion of their project.

The scheduling of projects is done in the order the base guns arrive in the shop and once scheduled this represents a commitment to time for both the shop and the customer. The best way to get the gun in line is by sending it to the shop and once here we'll schedule your project in the first available opening that works for everyone.

There are still many variables involved in each project, such as the details and compliment of work desired, that will have an effect on just how long it takes to complete each individual build. As such, if before sending your gun in you would like to inquire when our next available opening is please feel free to email or call Jason at the shop... Jason@hp1911.com or 480-804-1911.

Who will build my pistol?

As you probably have already noticed there are only three `smiths at our shop and only two of them (Ted and Jason) build full time. When scheduling your project you can request a specific builder or should you want two or more of the builders to collaborate on your project we will make every attempt to accommodate that request.

Do you do small jobs or piece-meal work?

Yes, depending on the specific job we can perform work for smaller jobs/projects on 1911s as well as "remodels" of some semi-custom 1911s such as Wilson Combat, Les Baer, etc. However, since we concentrate our efforts on complete custom builds of the 1911, Browning Hi-Power, and Smith and Wesson revolver, the lead time and scheduling of these smaller projects is done as they fit into our schedule for complete builds. If you have a compliment of work in mind please contact Jason at the shop to discuss your project and potential lead time... Jason@hp1911.com or 480-804-1911.

What type of payment do you accept and when is payment due?

We accept checks, money orders, Visa, and Master Card. For most projects no money is required until we are ready begin working on your gun, at which time we will collect a deposit for the work about to begin. Once we have completed our work and are ready to finish the gun or send the project out for a final finish such as hard chrome, Ion Bond, Black-T etc. we will collect the balance due on the invoice. However, there are some special circumstances when we may require complete payment before beginning the work.

Which brand of pistol/frame do you prefer to build on?

We make no bones about it, we're big fans of using Colt pistols as the basis for our custom 1911s. However, in addition to Colt most any quality base gun/frame such as those from Springfield Armory, Les Baer, and Caspian will make a beautiful custom gun once we're done with it. With that said, we have found that using a specific brand or model of base gun may better suit certain projects either stylistically or functionally and we're always happy to lend a hand or a bit of guidance when choosing your base gun. For Browning Hi-Powers we will only work on Browning or FN made pistols.

How should I ship my pistol to your shop?

You can use either UPS or FedEx to send your pistol to us. Both may have specific requirements when shipping firearms so it is best to refer to their respective websites for instructions. Our shipping address is:

Heirloom Precision
2118 E. 5th Street
Tempe, Arizona 85281
480-804-1911

Which front sight height will work with the Yost Retro rear sight?

It's not really possible to say what front sight height will be required for every pistol as each gun can be different as there are many variables that will determine exactly what height front sight your particular gun will need. That said, the Yost Retro rear sight was designed to work with the stock front sight height on the current Colt 1911 pistols, .175". Additionally, if your existing rear sight is the same height as the Retro rear and your gun currently shoots POA/POI then your front sight height will remain the same.

Will dry firing damage my pistol?

No. It has been shown through our experience that dry firing a properly maintained 1911 or Browning Hi-Power will cause no undue wear to the pistol. In the past, and with certain rim-fire firearms, dry firing was frowned upon but with a properly functioning and maintained pistol dry firing should not cause any major issues and instead is a valuable tool that can help improve and maintain trigger control.

Is the use of a shock buff recommended?

No. Using a shock buff shortens the stroke of the pistol and can lead to erratic ejection and malfunctions. We have found that with proper maintenance and regular recoil spring replacement intervals there is no substantial value to having a shock buff installed in ones pistol.

Is letting the slide slam home on an empty chamber bad for my pistol?

Basically, yes it is. While an occasional or accidental occurrence may not damage ones pistol the repeated act of the slide slamming closed on an empty chamber can have an adverse effect on the pistol's hammer and sear geometry as well as cause battering between the frame, slide stop, and barrel feet. Whenever possible ease the slide home when not chambering a round.

When chambering a round should I "ride" the slide into battery?

No. When actually chambering a round always let the slide return to battery under the complete forward force of the recoil spring. Do not run the slide home by hand.

Can closing the slide on a loaded/live chamber cause damage?

Basically, yes it can. Whenever possible one should never allow the extractor to snap over the rim or a cartridge or dummy round, such as the case when closing the slide on a live or loaded chamber. The act of doing this forces the extractor to operate outside of its intended range of motion and can lead to a loss of extractor tension, premature extractor fatigue, and/or failure/breakage of the extractor.