No sir, the 1911 reigns in Geneseo.
Fast forward to 2010.
We stayed in touch, and I have followed his social media content very closely since.
This ultra-rare custom 10-8 Performance Garrison pistol features gunsmith Hilton Yam’s personal selection of parts and enhancements for the project. Images: Jake Miller/Springfield Armory
Hilton has a very impressive pedigree.
That experience gave Hilton a unique insight into what it took to maintain a 1911 in a hard-use/high-round-count environment.
Now retired from the FBI, Hilton and 10-8 Performance are running wide open.
Hilton Yam brought a wealth of experience with the 1911 to this project, crafting an extremely unique variant of the Springfield Garrison.
About the only thing you cant 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.
This ultra-rare custom 1911 Garrison by 10-8 Performance is featured on the cover of the Summer 2024 print issue ofThe Armory Lifemagazine.
The slide and frame fit has been exceptional on every gun!
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.
Hilton’s take on the stainless steel Garrison 1911 in .45 ACP resulted in an attractive and appealing custom variant of the source pistol.
So, this is some very high praise.
Speaking of Springfields guns, as mentioned the foundation for this project is a Garrison 5.
Factory features include a forged frame and slide, a forged match-grade barrel, and low-profile three-dot sights.
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’s original parts in the pistol.
A beavertail grip safety and rowel-pop in hammer are also standard.
Its also a great base gun for Hilton to work his magic.
The Process
The variant selected for the 10-8 build was a stainless Garrison in .45 ACP.
Hilton fitted out the pistol with a set of his signature inlay grip panels, crafted from G10 material.
When Hilton received the gun, he completely disassembled and inspected it.
Not surprisingly, he found his sample to be a solid pistol.
As mentioned, Hilton no longer does custom builds like this.
For the 10-8 Performance custom project, Yam added subtle, yet notable, enhancements to the solid foundation of the Garrison pistol.
However, he did agree to it for this special project.
In fact, I think its 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.
Hilton gave the Garrison a full teardown and inspection before starting the custom build project.
But, lets dig into the parts that Hilton has designed and made part of this custom build.
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 U rear notch.
The custom Garrison features 10-8 Performance’s bar stock low mount U-notch rear sight and fiber optic front sight unit.
Interestingly, 10-8 offers the four different heights that are matched with particular brands and models.
He also retained the factory barrel bushing and barrel link.
However, he did custom tune the fit as needed.
This custom Springfield 1911 is more than just a pretty pistol. It proved to be an accurate shooter with perfect reliability in the author’s hands.
For the frame, the most noticeable addition is the 10-8 Performance aluminum flat-faced trigger.
Let me say, if you havent 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.
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 wider than the original G.I.
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.
Its these little things that reflect Hiltons deep knowledge and experience with the 1911.
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.
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 Hiltons specifications.
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.
This was accomplished with the careful app 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.
Two CMC, eight-round Power Mags with 10-8 base pads round out the package.
Finally, Hilton completed a thorough 100-round testing protocol.
After that was completed, they entrusted the pistol to me.
FMJ for familiarization, and then three personal defense loads.
For those interested in the numbers, Federal 230-gr.
HST averaged 918 fps, Federal Syntech Defense 205-gr.
hollow point averaged 917 fps and Speer 230-gr.
Gold Dot averaged 830 fps.
During all this, the Garrison ran flawlessly.
You also have the opportunity to train online with Hilton himself by visiting his Patreon page.
It was truly a pleasure having the opportunity to review this very special and rare pistol.
I must say, it was very, very hard returning this one.
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