“Jim Garthwaite is one of only a handful of master pistolsmiths in America today who still rigidly adheres to the philosophy that the master's work is what the customers pay for, and should get. .. Each and every gun that enters the Garthwaite shop in Pennsylvania will be handcrafted with the skilled hands and practiced eye of the master himself.”
Then-editor Cameron Hopkins of the American Handgunner Magazine in the 1992 September/October issue and still represents my philosophy today.
Since 1977, my shop has specialized in modifications to the Browning designed 1911 and P-35 pistols. Through my close association with all the quality pistol and parts manufacturers, I have the ability to offer my customers a wide range of options to customize their pistol for individual preference and need.
2013 1911 Pistolsmithing Classes
As well as "full house" custom builds on Colt and Springfield Armory 1911's and Browning High Powers, my 1911 Classes remain very popular with novice as well as those experienced with John Browning's designed pistols. A link to the Class Brochure and an article from Guns and Ammo's Custom Edition of the Model 1911 are available here as well as other areas of the website. If you are contemplating coming to a Class I would advise securing your slot as soon as possible as I take a very limited number of students and reservations fill very quickly.
I've also had requests for another three day Class on the Browning High Power. This Class will cover trigger work, barrel fit, malfunction diagnosis, range testing and many of the current modifications to this particular handgun. If interested contact me at email@garthwaite.com and I can add your name to the list I have at present. A Class date is yet to be confirmed but would be sometime in late summer or early fall 2013.
Jim Garthwaite Pistolsmith, Inc.
12130 State Route 405
Watsontown PA 17777
Phone: (570) 538-1566
Email: email@garthwaite.com