{"id":2542,"date":"2024-09-12T22:21:07","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T22:21:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2542"},"modified":"2024-09-12T22:21:07","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T22:21:07","slug":"10-8-performance-custom-1911-garrison-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2542","title":{"rendered":"10-8 Performance Custom 1911 Garrison Review"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Rob Garrett<\/a><\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0This ultra-rare custom Garrison by 10-8 Performance is featured on the cover of the current Summer 2024 print issue of\u00a0<\/em>The Armory Life\u00a0magazine, and is also the featured monthly \u201cGiveaway\u201d gun for August on TheArmoryLife.com. Sign up for your chance to win this extremely rare pistol\u00a0<\/em>here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

I<\/span>t\u2019s safe to say readers of\u00a0The Armory Life<\/em>\u00a0don\u2019t need to be reminded the 1911 is a design that\u2019s alive and well. Despite the wide range of capable polymer-framed pistols available today, in my opinion, the 1911 is still a very sound choice for beginners and experienced shooters alike.<\/p>\n

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This ultra-rare custom 10-8 Performance Garrison pistol features gunsmith Hilton Yam\u2019s personal selection of parts and enhancements for the project. Images: Jake Miller\/Springfield Armory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s not by accident that Springfield offers numerous lines of 1911 pistols, with each of those categories populated by a wide range of options of configurations and chamberings. No sir, the 1911 reigns in Geneseo.<\/p>\n

Where It Started<\/h2>\n

My relationship with Springfield Armory started back around 25 years ago when I was a young, aspiring writer for\u00a0Combat Handguns<\/em>\u00a0magazine. In 2000, I purchased a Springfield Professional<\/a> model that, until the last few years, was my primary off-duty carry gun.<\/p>\n

\"10-8\n<\/picture>
Hilton Yam brought a wealth of experience with the 1911 to this project, crafting an extremely unique variant of the Springfield Garrison.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For those of you who may not be familiar with it, the Professional is a custom pistol developed by Springfield Armory for the FBI back in the 1990s. The Professional is almost mythical in the 1911 realm, and it always attracted a lot of attention when I was at the range or attending a class with it.<\/p>\n

Fast forward to 2010. I had the pleasure of meeting 10-8 Performance\u2019s Hilton Yam<\/a> when I was assigned to review one of his full custom build 1911 pistols for\u00a0Combat Handgun<\/em>s. We stayed in touch, and I have followed his social media content very closely since.<\/p>\n

\"The\n<\/picture>
This ultra-rare custom 1911 Garrison by 10-8 Performance is featured on the cover of the Summer 2024 print issue of\u00a0The Armory Life<\/em>\u00a0magazine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hilton has a very impressive pedigree. In addition to being the founder of 10-8 Performance and a renowned gunsmith as well as a competitive shooter, he spent 19 years on an FBI SWAT team where his primary pistol was a Springfield Armory Professional. That experience gave Hilton a unique insight into what it took to maintain a 1911 in a hard-use\/high-round-count environment.<\/p>\n

Now retired from the FBI, Hilton and 10-8 Performance are running wide open. While Hilton no longer builds custom guns, he offers a wide array of parts for the 1911, from his excellent sights to great-looking stocks. About the only thing you can\u2019t get from 10-8 is a frame, slide and barrel. Other than that, 10-8 has you covered. Additionally, Hilton offers a line of parts for the EMP and the 1911 DS Prodigy from Springfield.<\/p>\n

A Solid Source<\/h2>\n

As you can tell, Hilton has a strong connection with many Springfield products. This likely played no small part in a very special project we are talking about here today \u2014 a semi-custom 1911 based off of the Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison pistol. This build project was developed to not only showcase 10-8 Performance\u2019s 1911 excellent parts, but also promote the Garrison as a solid foundation for a custom build like this.<\/p>\n

\"Springfield\n<\/picture>
Hilton\u2019s take on the stainless steel Garrison 1911 in .45 ACP resulted in an attractive and appealing custom variant of the source pistol.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When the editor asked me if I\u2019d like to review this custom gun for the site, I didn\u2019t hesitate. It was a great opportunity to connect again with Hilton, as well as get to review a fascinating gun. I remembered that gun of his I reviewed back in 2010, and couldn\u2019t wait to see this new project.<\/p>\n

As part of my research for this article, I asked Hilton his opinion on the current Springfield 1911 guns, and specifically the Garrison. To quote him, \u201cRegarding the single-stack guns, everything they (Springfield Armory) have been doing, in terms of refining the production process, is noticeable. The slide and frame fit has been exceptional on every gun!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Hilton\n<\/picture>
The 10-8 Performance build included a number of custom parts. As a credit to the factory build from Springfield Armory, Hilton Yam retained much of the manufacturer\u2019s original parts in the pistol.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I should note that these are guns that Hilton purchases for research and for his online classes he offers. I should also note that this is a custom gunsmith with a reputation for very high standards. So, this is some very high praise.<\/p>\n

Speaking of Springfield\u2019s guns, as mentioned the foundation for this project is a Garrison 5\u201d. Available in blued or stainless steel in .45 ACP or 9mm, it is a feature-rich 1911 at a very reasonable price. Factory features include a forged frame and slide, a forged match-grade barrel, and low-profile three-dot sights. A beavertail grip safety and rowel-type hammer are also standard. For a retail price of $868 for blued or $917 for stainless, the Garrison is a great deal. It\u2019s also a great base gun for Hilton to work his magic.<\/p>\n

The Process<\/h2>\n

The variant selected for the 10-8 build was a stainless Garrison in .45 ACP. When Hilton received the gun, he completely disassembled and inspected it. Not surprisingly, he found his sample to be a solid pistol.<\/p>\n

\"10-8\n<\/picture>
Hilton fitted out the pistol with a set of his signature inlay grip panels, crafted from G10 material.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As mentioned, Hilton no longer does custom builds like this. However, he did agree to it for this special project. The build planned was a relatively simple and straightforward one, designed to highlight the selected 10-8 Performance parts without overshadowing the base gun.<\/p>\n

In fact, I think it\u2019s important to note how many components Hilton chose to retain during the build. This is a credit to the quality and consistency of the Springfield line of pistols. But, let\u2019s dig into the parts that Hilton has designed and made part of this custom build. You can see the full listing of parts included and work he did in the accompanying \u201cBuild Sheet\u201d listing.<\/p>\n

\"Hilton\n<\/picture>
For the 10-8 Performance custom project, Yam added subtle, yet notable, enhancements to the solid foundation of the Garrison pistol.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Starting with the slide, the factory sights were replaced with the 10-8 low mount rear sight with a \u201cU\u201d notch. This sight is CNC machined from 4140 bar stock and finished in black oxide. After years of shooting, Hilton is a big fan of a \u201cU\u201d rear notch. The rear face is serrated to 40 line-per-inch (lpi) to reduce glare while the leading edge is a ledge profiled for single-hand manipulation. Interestingly, 10-8 offers the four different heights that are matched with particular brands and models. The rear sight was paired with a bar stock, dovetailed front sight that is set up with a fiber optic rod.<\/p>\n

I have always found Springfield Armory barrels to be exceptional, and Hilton saw no need to replace the one that came in the Garrison. He also retained the factory barrel bushing and barrel link. However, he did custom tune the fit as needed. The factory recoil spring plug was replaced with a 10-8 Performance plug, and the recoil spring was replaced with a Wolff 17-lb. spring.<\/p>\n

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For the frame, the most noticeable addition is the 10-8 Performance aluminum flat-faced trigger. Let me say, if you haven\u2019t shot a flat-face trigger, you are missing out! More on that later. Hilton also installed his 10-8 Performance Thumb Safety. His design is a wide paddle that is serrated with beveled edges. When disengaged, the forward edge of the paddle is contoured to allow the thumb to lie flat alongside the slide.<\/p>\n

Little details can make a huge difference. This is the case with the 10-8 slide stop. Hilton has designed a slide stop that is approximately 0.50\u201d wider than the original G.I. part. This, along with the sloped shelf and serrations, provides an enhanced surface for positive manipulations. Hilton also reshaped the angle of the lobe for easier re-assembly without scratching the frame. His design also improves the pressure of the detent spring to minimize a premature locking of the slide. It\u2019s these little things that reflect Hilton\u2019s deep knowledge and experience with the 1911.<\/p>\n

\"Hilton\n<\/picture>
Hilton gave the Garrison a full teardown and inspection before starting the custom build project.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hilton installed and fitted his bobbed spur hammer. To my eye, this gives the Garrison a great retro appearance. The hook geometry is designed to fit with the drop-in EGW sear, with no stoning. Internally, an EGW hammer strut and sear were installed, giving the Garrison a clean trigger break that averaged 4 lbs., on my scale.<\/p>\n

As with his other 10-8 parts, the design of the magazine catch has been enhanced. The 10-8 catch is machined from bar stock to Hilton\u2019s specifications. The length of the 10-8 catch is approximately 0.45\u201d longer than the stock part and features a serrated beveled face.<\/p>\n

As with the other parts, the 10-8 stocks on the pistol are designed with the end user in mind. The stocks are manufactured from G-10, and have a diamond texture. The left panel has a prominent magazine catch scoop. Both panels have the 10-8 logo in a stock insert. The base of the stocks is cut flat for use with, or without, a magazine well, and there is a cutout for access to the mainspring housing pin.<\/p>\n

\"10-8\n<\/picture>
The custom Garrison features 10-8 Performance\u2019s bar stock low mount U-notch rear sight and fiber optic front sight unit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The final touch was to give the pistol a full external dehorning treatment and then finish it with a soft, satin appearance. This was accomplished with the careful application of glass bead media in a blasting cabinet. To get a consistent finish like this on an entire pistol takes patience and skill. Hilton pulled this off in typical 10-8 fashion, giving us an absolutely gorgeous pistol. The finish reminds me of the old Armaloy finish of the 1970s. As a nice additional touch, Hilton added the 10-8 logo at the forward portion of the dustcover on the frame\u2019s left side.<\/p>\n

Two CMC, eight-round Power Mags with 10-8 base pads round out the package. Finally, Hilton completed a thorough 100-round testing protocol.<\/p>\n

Build Sheet<\/h2>\n