Board Member,
American
Pistolsmiths
Guild
Member,
American Tactical
Shooting Association
Home of the
National
Tactical
Invitational
Articles on Jim's Work
- GUNS & AMMO Complete Book of the 1911, 2007: "Guns of Garthwaite" by David Kenik.
- "While many people can build and customize 1911s, it takes a master pistolsmith to achieve a perfect balance of art, accuracy and reliability. Jim Garthwaite is such a 'smith. However, Jim is not just a gunsmith, he is a practicing tactician. The benefit of combining the two is that his practical training greatly influences his work." (p.78)
- American Handgunner, September/October 2006: "American Handgunner 30th Anniversary Custom 1911 from Jim Garthwaite Pistolsmith Inc. and S&W".
- Combat Handguns, February 2007: "Garthwaite .38 Super Colt 1911," by Walt Rauch
- "Jim's talents, though, were sorely tested in the last two years when a mutual friend, John Lysak, had his house and all its contents burned to the ground. Among other irreplaceable items was John's gun collection of over 35 years, which included Armand Swenson, Garthwaite and Ed Brown custom handguns...
"Some...looked as though they might, just might, be salvageable. John said he thought he might just give Jim a call and ask him to take a look at some of the handguns to see if he thought he could bring them back to life. Jim Garthwaite said yes and did just that!
"Knowing the work of the other 'smiths, I saw that Jim had only one major problem, to not have his restoration work surpass or change what constituted the originals!"
- American Handgunner, September/October 2004:
"Premier Pistol Person"
- "The American Pistolsmiths Guild has chosen Jim Garthwaite as their 'Pistolsmith of the Year' and it couldn't have gone to a nicer fellow. Not only does Jim do astounding work, but also he's a heck of a nice guy to boot and it couldn't please me more to hear this. Jim's been around since dirt and if you have an idea, we'll bet Jim can make it happen. Try him at www.garthwaited.com or (570) 538-1566."
- GUNS Magazine, February 2004: "Browning Hi-Power Today," by Massad Ayoob.
- American Tactical Shooting Association , December 2003:
- Shooting Illustrated, January 2003: "Custom 1911 Tactical," by Wiley Clapp.
- Shooting Industry, June 1996: "Spring Handgun Marketing," by Chuck Karwan.
- GUNS magazine, May 1996: "A Classic on the Cutting Edge," by Frank James.
- Combat Handguns, September 1996: Interview with Jim Garthwaite-Custom Colt Officers Model/LW Commander .45 ACP.
-
CH: How did you get started in gunsmithing?
GARTHWAITE: I started working on guns in general for the pure love of it. I grew up here in the Pennsylvania Appalachians where I now live and have hunted and fished all my life. It wasn't long before I gravitated to building pistols because they were so much fun to shoot, and I saw so many pistols that were just plain ruined by incompetence I knew I had to do something. I took some local machine shop courses and basically taught myself how to build handguns. I never envisioned men and women needing what I do now to protect themselves and their loved ones.
CH: What gunsmithing services do you offer, what's included in your barebones package?
GARTHWAITE: I don't offer a package as such. I have a price sheet and allow the customer to pick and choose the modifications they wish, and I'll be more than happy to advise them, and work within whatever budget. There are a few basics, though. I must say that good, and I mean good, sights are a must as well as a trigger you can manage. Match pistols and street pistols are completely different in the trigger area. A street trigger should be no less than 4 1/2 pounds, and I prefer my own at 5 to 5 1/2 and crisp.
CH: How about accuracy & reliability?
GARTHWAITE: Reliability has to be 100%-that's why I use the Commander slide. Accuracy has to be better than 2 inches at 25 yards, say closer to 1, maybe 1 ½ inches, depending on the ammo.
CH: Who are your customers?
GARTHWAITE: I cover a broad range of people from private detectives, undercover police officers, lawyers (a lot of them lately), jewelers and just plain civilians who have the need and right to protect themselves.
CH: What advice would you offer to someone who is thinking of buying a pistol for protection?
GARTHWAITE: Get the best pistol to suit your needs and by all means get yourself TRAINED. There are a host of good schools, and some you can find in the pages of this magazine. Protecting yourself is a commitment only the individual can make and this commitment must be taken very seriously.
- "In 1990, Jim and I (Skip Gochenour) visited Armand Swenson at his shop in California. He showed us pistols he had crafted over the decades and had been produced for and owned by celebrities and royalty from all over the world. After we looked at a score or more Swensonized Gov't Mdl's, the original master asked to see some of Jim's work. Jim quietly opened a case and presented Master Swenson with a couple examples of his work. The huge hands of the former professional prize fighter took the guns, one at a time, and moved slowly over them. His eyes followed every line, just as his hands followed every detail. His look and demeanor kept us in a respectful silence until his examination was complete. When his attention was satisfied, he broke his concentrated gaze from the guns and said, 'Laddie, Laddie, Laddie, these are fine pistols!' Enough said!"