So, how'd you meet John Travis?

What was the reason you first met John Travis?

  • My 1911 wouldn't feed/eject/extract

    Votes: 5 31.3%

  • My 1911 was too rough feeling

    Votes: 1 6.3%

  • My 1911 broke

    Votes: 1 6.3%

  • I like dogs

    Votes: 5 31.3%

  • I like Glocks

    Votes: 4 25.0%
  • Total voters
    16
MacEntyre

MacEntyre

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About 20 years ago, I had a Para P13-45 that had a problem... I don't remember what it was, but I do remember what John did about it!

I joined a 1911 forum run by some feller in Greece and soon discovered a user called 1911Tuner. What a surprise to find that he lived near Lexington, and invited folks with 1911 problems to stop by so he could have a look.

At the time, John was in the middle of an in depth online discussion with self proclaimed experts, and in person talks with Check-Mate Industries, the Georgia based 1911 magazine manufacturer. John was trying to get folks to understand the dimpled magazine follower, and why hybrid tapered feed lips improved controlled-round-feed.

When I showed up with my Canadian made double stack 1911, John was gracious. I only learned later that he strongly prefers firearms that adhere to the original JM Browning specifications, including 7 round magazines. The problem with my P13-45 was an out of spec guide rod, and he fixed it by asking me to buy one made by Colt. When I told this story on the 1911 forum, someone commented, "You mean John fixed a Para with a Colt part?" 🤣

Afterwards, John did a demonstration for me, showing that some mags fed a round with a Ka-Chunk, but others fed a round with a much quieter Sploosh. The smoother feeding was with the mag that had hybrid tapered feed lips. That's when I learned that the bullet is never supposed to hit the barrel feed ramp, and why polishing a feed ramp is a fool's errand.

A while later, I purchased one of the last Colt Sistema 1911s, sold by Gander Mountain. I took it to John, and we had a grand time with it. We replaced most of the internal parts, as well as the grip safety. John gave me a vintage Colt trigger and a Springfield barrel. He fitted the barrel, but wasn't satisfied. So, as he says, we beat on the frame with a hammer! His slide fitting tool worked well, and the result was a very tight gun, a sleeper actually... a gun with almost no finish, but one that shoots very well!

Yesterday, John had a look at my Tisas Government Model and said he was impressed. It was a good visit. It made me wonder how many folks on CFF have been there to get problems solved, or just to visit. I think there might be more than I imagined!
 
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Saw that section, figured that guy's name was Travis, didnt put the two things together.
Either way, I stand by my first post ha
 
How’d I meet him? I drove and you gave directions. 😂

ETA: Ok, I suppose you were looking for something more. I had been reading everything he posted and understood he was one of those few possessing tremendous experience and knowledge while being more than willing to share it. I think I sent him a PM saying I didn’t live too far from the location on his profile and asked whether it would be possible to pay him a visit (actually, exactly how I first met my departed friend 18DAI).

He, you and I agreed on a date (him explaining not to worry about his address; you knew the way). For some reason, I decided to bring a bunch of less common guns for some kind of show and tell (AKAIK, none needed tuning).

When we sat down at the table and he began checking out what I’d brought, I realized something. I had seen that table before. I recognized that table from a video I had seen years earlier.

 
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When I was building my first 1911 I reached out to John and asked him a few questions.

Without hesitation he offered to give me a tutorial and gave me his address after we picked a day that worked.

We sat around his kitchen table while he gave me a master gunsmith level class on the inner workings of the 1911.

I was still missing a few parts for my build so when I had those I went back down and he looked them over, told me how to fit them all the best way and I went back home and built my first 1911.
 
HMP said:
I have no idea who John Travis is.
Between this and BudE, lots of names being tossed out there like it's Tom Hanks or George Bush and Im clueless on who they are.
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I’ll give you the politician one. No idea who that was.

I’ve never met John. Probably never will. Probably never need his help, as the only 1911 I own is a 1911-22. I’m not even sure I’ve ever shot one in a centerfire caliber.

But your online situational awareness (at least on CFF) is horrendous if you aren’t familiar with his name. 🤔😉
 
Jeppo said:
When we sat down at the table and he began checking out what I’d brought, I realized something. I had seen that table before. I recognized that table from a video I had seen years earlier.
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...and that little leather covered work board was a gift from me long ago. It was still there yesterday! ;)

I got a kick out of you dramatically hauling out yer Model 52, which John glanced at and said, "Nice 52."

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That's Clark, nice.

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MacEntyre said:
He looked just fine yesterday! 🤣

I'm just thankin', how many of ye CFF Scallywags have been to visit him over the years? Mebbe it's not as many as I thought...
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I've never been to the ranch. But I've lost count of the number of times he's helped me and the number of forums I've encountered him on. If you're reading this, thanks John!
 
NCLivingBrit said:
I didn't know who he was either and I live here.
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Just go do this search…

IMG_9085.jpeg

I mean, I guess if you spend all your time in the Chatbox, and the Basement, it might not be as surprising of a statement. 😝
 
BigWaylon said:
Just go do this search…

View attachment 775671

I mean, I guess if you spend all your time in the Chatbox, and the Basement, it might not be as surprising of a statement. 😝
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I peeped into the the thread at some point, but never did more than glance at it. Although I did just get a 1911.....
 
I bought a nickel colt commander at night behind the dumpster at a truck stop, think it was my second 1911 and the first in 45acp. Got it home, it would kinda run but was seriously over sprung. Chamber entrance had been polished to death and there were marks from a dremel sanding drum inside the frame around the ramp. Thumb safety was stiff and misbehaving. Overall it performed inconsistently. Spoke to John a bit via an earlier iteration of this forum and he invited me over.

In preparation I purchased every possible replacement spring and a staking tool for the plunger tube. If you’re thinking, surely John has that tool you’d be right, but his was missing for a period after he’d had a group of people from the forum over, he found it some weeks later in his mailbox.

Got quite the lesson on 1911’s that afternoon. Replaced all the springs because I had them, had to adjust tension on the sear spring, also did a little shaping of the extractor and tensioned it. Filed a little on the thumb safety so the plunger would engage smoothly, replaced the plunger and spring, restaked the plunger tube. Also went through checking the fitting of the barrel link, looked at lug engagement, demonstrated what the thumb safety does and doesn’t do, check the disconnect and a bunch of other stuff. Did determine that too much support was ground away from the chamber, so to this day I only shoot target loads, one day I’ll fit a new barrel. Ramp geometry isn’t quite right, but good enough for ball ammo. He graciously replaced the trigger, the bow of which had been buggered up and I left him with a little bit of wire that you stick inside the plunger tube to prevent it from being crushed when staking.

It was a great day and the gun has run perfectly ever since. I found the dogs to be well mannered and the coffee to be properly strong.
 
Met him years ago with a small group at one of his kitchen table sessions. I wanted to learn all I could about the 1911 and certainly went to the right place. I enjoyed it so much, I went again with a second group. What I learned then stays with me to this day.

I returned a third time just to drop off some "doggie crack" (Milk Bones) and to let him see my Ruger 1911 back when they had first come out. No problems, just wanted his valued opinion.

I want to get back again if for no other reason but to say hi and drop off some more crack, but I know that he stays very busy these days.
 
I have one 1911 and it a paperweight. I just don't do 1911's. But even I know who John is, have read his posts and advice, and always come away impressed by the extent of his knowledge and experience with these things.
He is definitely a forum asset.
And bless his heart with the dogs. That's how you get into Heaven.
 
Exspiravit said:
If yo'uns would just buy a Glock you wouldn't have all these problems. 🎩
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My bait... the last Poll Q... worked!

But you are correct. Bubba The Dremel Wizard doesn't like Glocks. I wish he eschewed 1911s!
 
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I haven’t met John Travis. But if you’ve been around this forum or Any gun forum and haven’t heard of 1911 Tuner, you haven’t been paying attention. And, if you doubt his knowledge on guns at all, you haven’t been paying attention and should probably get your head outta your hind end and breathe some fresh air.
 
I was one of those “lolz glocks no need tooners!” Guys initially. Then I hit puberty and realized the error of my ways.

I met him personally after a Rock Island 10mm of mine broke in a stupid way and he straightened me out.
 
I have told my story about meeting John on here (and the previous place), so won’t go through the details again. Highlights are that I have an issue with a 1911, John said if I ever make it out his way, he would take a look at it. What sticks with me after the 10 or so years since that day is his generosity and knowledge, the coffee and all the dogs (even the Sharpei mix that kept letting me know she was there and wasn’t too pleased that I was there lol).
 
I have no doubt he's a great 1911 gunsmith/expert - but please understand that I have a 1911 and almost never shoot it.
Bought a nice(r) leather holster...never carry it

I do recall reading his post on a dog needing a home and he's not far from my childhood home (nor that far from me now)
 
Yes sir. 10-15 years ago I sat around his kitchen table with about a half dozen other members getting one of the most in depth history lessons and trainings that I have ever received. Could have been a $300 class yet he asked only we be kind to his dogs. Was able to meet his wife, daughter and extremely shedding husky dogs that hot summer afternoon. Learned his carry gun was actually a revolver 😂
 
BTW, Mr. Travis, if you’re reading this I want you to know you are one of the very few people on this planet that has made an impression on me. I’m no one special by any means but one day at your home all those years ago left a positive impact on me in a way like few others have. May you be blessed with many more years of health and prosperity sir.
 
jim2024bob said:
BTW, Mr. Travis, if you’re reading this I want you to know you are one of the very few people on this planet that has made an impression on me. I’m no one special by any means but one day at your home all those years ago left a positive impact on me in a way like few others have. May you be blessed with many more years of health and prosperity sir.
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Thats very kind of you to be so honest with him.

Thank you for sharing.

John
 
I've had the honor and privilege of sitting at his kitchen table before. John's knowledge of the 1911, as well as his hospitality, are astounding. There needs to be some videos made if there aren't already.
 
Unfortunately, I've never met him. So far my 1911s have run pretty good. Always read what he has to say at the hope of maybe retaining some of his knowledge . I'd bring him some homemade dog cookies for his helpers if ever got the chance.
 
B00ger said:
I was one of those “lolz glocks no need tooners!” Guys initially. Then I hit puberty and realized the error of my ways.

I met him personally after a Rock Island 10mm of mine broke in a stupid way and he straightened me out.
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IMG_0298.gif
 
Never met the dude and honestly dont care to. I hate 1911’s and have had him on “ignore” for quite some time now.

I know…”boo! ‘Derek sucks!’”
 
He tried to help me with my 9mm 1911.
 
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