Alan Tanaka Custom AT Caspian 1500 1911 Government 9mm 5″ Semi-Auto Pistol

SOLD FOR: $3024

LSB#: 230508BS007

Make: Alan Tanaka Custom on Caspian Frame

Model: 1500, Custom Government Model 1911

Serial Number: 51400

Year of Manufacture: 1990s-2010s

Caliber: 9mm

Action Type: Detachable Magazine Fed Single Action Semi-Automatic Pistol

Markings: The slide is marked with the Caspian logo on each side behind the serrations. The left side of the slide is marked “Caspian”. The right side of the slide is marked “Manufactured by / AT / CUSTOM / GUNWORKS / GARDENA, CA”. The right side of the frame is marked “CASPIAN ARMS LTD. WOLCOTT, VT. USA” and wiht the serial number. The top of the barrel is marked “BAR STO 9mm P”. The left side of the rear sight is marked “ARISTOCRAT”.

Barrel Length: 5” BarSto

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Patridge blade that is dovetailed into the slide and also has a set screw. The rear sight is a square notch Aristocrat Tri-Set target sight fixed to the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece Nill-Griffe checkered wood with double diamonds, smooth borders, and palm swells. There are no major defects just light handling wear. The checkering is strong. The grips rate in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Hard Chrome

Finish Originality: Original to AT Custom Gunworks Customization

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In my opinion, this bore rates 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are some freckles of discoloration from previous oxidation on the grip safety. There are a few light marks on the metal that have caused smooth spots, most noticeable on the right side of the slide along the upper edge. There is light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear and crisp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine Plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions properly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with two 10-round magazines.

Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. The design was the end-result of a series of developments by famous gun designer John Browning, starting with the Model 1900. The advances made by Browning were revolutionary at the time, and were so successful that they are considered commonplace today. Browning not only developed first a pivoting and then a tilting barrel to allow for a locked system, he developed the concept of “the slide”, which is now synonymous with semi-automatic handguns.

The 1911 design has dominated shooting sports with its crisp trigger, intuitive controls, and naturally pointing ergonomics. After over 100 years, it is still the choice of many to compete with and many sports have divisions just for it. With all its characteristics, it is no wonder there are gunsmiths making them from the ground up to tailor every last detail to the competitor’s wants and needs. This one is by Alan Tanaka, a Southtern California based gunsmith who has been in the game since 1986 producing some of the finest semi-pistols and custom revolvers around. He was a competitive shooter that naturally got into gunsmithing and with his understanding of the competitor’s needs he has never looked back. His work is precise and he brings skill to the table from his days as a moldmaker/machinist, he is able to meet aerospace spec! Pretty damn impressive if you ask me…

This one is one of his 1911s and damn is it a beauty! It starts on a Caspian frame with their matching slide and a BarSto barrel, then is fitted out with all the best parts. It has a high ride beavertail safety, ambidextrous extended thumb safeties, skeletonized hammer, Videki trigger, extended magazine release, straight MSH wtih extended magazine well, and sweet Aristocrat sights. The mechanics are ON POINT and the gun just screams quality. To top it off it is fitted with class Nill Griffe grips and a hard chrome finish so you can flex on everyone at the range. To quote an enthusiast who used Mr. Tanaka as his personal gunsmith “If Jim Hoag is the grand-master of fit and finish, Alan is the grand-master of function.” This is a beautiful piece and one anyone would be lucky to ger their hands on! Please see our photos and good luck!

Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red