People Happy EntrepreNewYear: Bunker Arms David Reeder January 25, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Should you happen to find yourself anywhere in the vicinity of Ellenton, Florida, you would be well advised to swing by and visit a little place called Bunker Arms (@bunkerarms). They describe themselves as a “…federally licensed manufacturer of fine, hand-crafted custom 1911s.” That's a fairly anemic description if their picture gallery of his work. His guns are built in house from start to finish, see video below. We’re starting 2016 out right — I'm showcasing worthy small American businesses all through the month of January. Capitalism is part of the foundation upon which our great republic stands, and small business is a vital part of that. Join us in recognizing and acknowledging that truth and supporting craftsmen and small businesses. Happy EntrepreNewYear! Note that Bunker custom grips (themselves works of art) are typically built to order from unique woods like redwood burl (sometimes there will be a few in stock on the Bunker Arms website though, so it's worth checking). The grip blanks are stabilized in a vacuum, removing air and moisture, then treated with acrylic, cut and polished. He advises they us no varnish on any of Bunker Arms grips. They also do more than build gorgeous new guns too; they restore old ones to a gorgeous as new state. Bunker Arms HMFIC Brandan Bunker posted this comment recently on social media. I think it speaks well of the man's ethos. “[The]…best thing to do is buy a real custom, or even find someone who owns one and do a compare and contrast. There will always be 4 markets in this business, the buyer just has to choose which suits their need. We cannot change that dynamic… or even really want to, we can just build the best guns we can and enjoy that 1% market who bets their hard earned money on our ability and passion for our results.” Learn more about Bunker Arms online here. They're also on Facebook here. You can find my complete roundup of Happy EntrepreNewYear posts right here. Read more about Bunker Arms in this article by Lee Williams. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.