Heirloom Precision

Heirloom Precision is a custom 1911 gunsmith operation run by Jason Burton out of Mesa, Arizona. He doesn't maintain a retail location, doesn't sell off-the-shelf inventory, and doesn't accept walk-ins. What he does is build bespoke 1911 pistols for shooters who understand that quality takes time.

Burton has been immersed in the 1911 platform since childhood. His father gave him his first Winchester single-shot at age 5 or 6. By 21, he cared more about getting his concealed pistol license than a drinking permit. He shot competitively, trained constantly, collected custom 1911s from established makers, and eventually decided he wanted to build his own.

In 2005, he moved from Washington to Arizona and started building. His stated goal then—and now—remains simple: "I want to build a perfect 1911."

"Strive for perfection in everything. Take the best that exists and make it better. If it doesn't exist, create it. Accept nothing nearly right or good enough." – Sir Henry Royce, co-founder of Rolls Royce

That philosophy guides every project that leaves his bench.

No Deposit Required To get on the waiting list, you only need to provide a suitable base gun (frame) and complete contact information. When it's your turn, Burton contacts you for a deposit.

What Goes Into Each Build Every Heirloom Precision pistol starts with these standards:

• •Completely detail frame and slide
• •Weld frame rails and re-fit frame and slide
• •Beavertail grip safety
• •Hand-filed de-horn
• •Hand-cut checkering front and rear
• •Enhanced user interface and controls
• •Straightened lines
• •Dovetailed and regulated sights
• •Best quality trigger job
• •Detail preparation and finish
• •Match-grade barrel

From there, customers configure finish, sights, safeties, controls, slide top treatments, and cosmetic enhancements to match their needs.

Time Investment Each pistol requires 160+ hours of work. Working six days a week, Burton completes only 10–12 pistols per year. With potentially 20+ years left to build, he figures he'll produce roughly 200–225 more pistols in his lifetime.

Burton recommends starting with a "blank canvas"—a gun without factory-added features like beavertail grips, front strap checkering, dovetailed sights, or previous modifications.

Top recommendations for 45 ACP: - Colt Classic Government Model (carbon or stainless, 45 ACP or 38 Super) - Colt Series 70 Government Model - Colt Series 80 Government Model - Colt Series 80 Commander - Springfield Armory Mil-Spec

Other calibers and base guns are evaluated case-by-case.

• •Small jobs or piecemeal work (sight installations, trigger jobs, safety fits, etc.)
• •Maintain an inventory of completed pistols
• •Keep a walk-in retail shop
• •Accept general retail customers
• •Rush work

Ship your base gun via UPS or FedEx with signature required. Heirloom Precision is located at:

Heirloom Precision 4838 E. Baseline Road, STE 121 Mesa, Arizona 85206 480-804-1911

Completed pistols ship via FedEx Priority Overnight with signature required.

Cash, check, money order, wire transfer, Visa, MasterCard, American Express.

[email protected]

New clients should sign up for the email list to receive updates on waiting list availability and shop happenings. Burton personally responds to inquiries.

This isn't about maximizing output or hitting production targets. Burton doesn't track billable hours—he tracks how he spends those hours. Each completed commission becomes a hallmark of his craft. Each gun is built as "the one closer to never getting to do it again," which is how he maintains the standard that defines Heirloom Precision.