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Featured Article:  01-2003

 

 

National Recognition for Jim Garthwaite

By:  John Butterfield

 

As most know by now, nationally known pistolsmith and ATSA/NTI founding member Jim Garthwaite has been selected by the American Pistolsmith's Guild (APG) as "Pistolsmith of the Year" for 2004.  Jim joins the ranks of such legendary 'smiths as Ron Power, Lou Ciamillo and Jack Weigand in winning this prestigious honor.  He will be formally recognized at the 20th annual APG meeting to be held in May in Pittsburgh in conjunction with the NRA Convention.

 

In the past, Jim has worked principally on 1911 and P-35 (Browning High Power) handguns.  However, due to the popularity of the Glock, Jim had begun to do frame modifications to this pistol.  His mod includes filling the hollow backstrap & re-contouring it to suit the owner, contouring the top, rear of the grip to prevent "slide bite", removing the hook on the trigger guard, contouring and eliminating sharp edges on the frame, re-coating the grip frame with epoxy, installing new sights and insertion of a gold bead in the front sight.  The photo array below displays his work.

 

 

 

This photo shows a Glock 23 after Jim has modified the grip frame.  Note that the flashlite rails and the mag release are in their original configuration.  The short extension immediately below the rear of the slide prevents "slide bite" from occurring to those shooters with "meaty" hands.  All rough edges on the polymer frame have been removed & the pistol is now user friendly.

 

 

The hollow portion in the rear of the backstrap has been filled with epoxy and recontoured.  In this case, the contour is similar to that found on a 1911 pistol with a flat mainspring housing.  Also clearly visible is the textured epoxy finish that is very similar to the original Glock finish.  The hook has been removed from the trigger guard and the farme has been modified to permit a higher grip.

 

 

In this photo, the Heinie Slant Pro front and rear sights are clearly visible.  Barely visible in the front sight is the .080" ten karat gold insert.

 

 

 

The top pistol is the Garthwaite modified gun while the lower pistol is a stock Glock 23 with the exception of Heinie Slant Pro sights installed.  This photo shows the two pistols in comparison.

 

 

 

 

 

Well Deserved Jim

By: Skip Gochenour

 

 

 

 

At the 20th Annual Meeting of the American Pistolsmith's Guild to be held in Pittsburgh, Pa. in May at the NRA Show, Master Pistolsmith Jim Garthwaite will receive the Pistolsmith of the Year Award.

 

In 1990, Jim and I 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!

 

In the late 60's I sent Armand a 5" Gov't Mdl and a Commander. Ambi-dexterous safeties, 30 line checkering on the front straps, S&W K-Frame sights, chamber throating, fitting of barrel bushings and slide to frame, as well as trigger adjustment, to create incredible groups, and industrial chrome finish completed Master Swenson's package that I used as a young police officer. I carried those guns until about 20 years ago when I met Jim Garthwaite.

 

I had him craft me a Commander. When I got it, I fired 1000 rds through it. I took the Swenson guns to Jim and asked him to go over them and prepare them for long term storage. My guns are working guns. When I say I trust Jim with my life, I mean to express a fact, not a sentiment. But it does not stop there. My two sons are members of the Corps of Cadets at VMI. They will commission upon graduation in the US Army. One will graduate in May, the other, May '05. The one who graduates this May has received his branch assignment to MI, detailed to the infantry. Jim is presently crafting lightweight Gov't Mdls for them. I trust him with my sons lives also! I can say nothing more about my fine friend and this extra-ordinary Master!  Well done and Well deserved, Jim!