When Your Gunsmith is a War Fighter

With nearly 30 years of carrying a Glock pistol of some model I was ready for a change. Since shedding the restrictions of department policy a couple of years ago, I began supplementing my Glock with a 1911. As much as I love my 1911, the Glock is what I have the most experience and training with. Until that experience, my training and technology dictates otherwise, my Glock 17 will be with me for the foreseeable future. 

I've always wanted the grip changed on the Glock frame, especially the angle. Although the familiarity of the grip is comforting to the touch, I've never been satisfied with how it felt in my hand. My natural point of aim is always off and the grip feels like I could shoot the pistol better if it was a little smaller. Perhaps harking back to the Gen 1 Glock I had in my academy days, I don't really care for the finger grooves. 

Stippling and contouring the frame on Glock's seemed to be a fairly common modification a few years ago. With later generations of Glock's having interchangeable sized back straps, contouring the frame isn't seen as much as it once was. Lastly, to me the stock triggers are just terrible and I don't want to settle for it if I don't have to. 

I knew of a couple places within a reasonable distance that could probably do the work I wanted. I didn't want someone to take a Dremel tool and wood burning iron to the frame and call it done. I could manage that much. Changing or modifying triggers is another matter entirely and needs to be done with utmost technical skill. 

My quest brought me to Core Elite Operations in Largo, Florida. I have purchased ammunition from their sister company, Hyperion Munitions. The two companies are based in the same facility. That's where I first glimpsed the forward thinking examples of custom work completed by Core Elite Operations on display. 

I met with Josh Marcus, the President of Core Elite Operations. Josh is a Naval Special Warfare Operator who has also filled other critical rolls in that community. He has years of hard earned experience fighting in the global war on terror, teaching, developing doctrine and improving on weapons and equipment. The connection with the military, specifically the special operations community, is strong with the staff at Core Elite Operations. The exacting standards and attention to detail mandated in the special operations community is at the foundation of Core Elite Operations. 

Josh explained that although they are heavily involved in working with the military they will gladly do custom work on privately owned firearms. There are no weapons they will not work on. Core Elite Operations couples their knowledge of materials, technology and craftsmanship into a high standard for their work. Core Elite Operations' collective past experience working in austere environments has ingrained in them the demand that firearms must be functional and unquestionably reliable when they needed them.

After discussing what I was looking for I decided on an all encompassing frame modification. This would involve removing the finger grooves, and undercutting the trigger guard. They were also going to reduce the thickness of the back strap as much as possible. Lastly, I wanted the best trigger I could get that would still provide a crisp break and reset. I left my Glock in Josh and his staff's capable hands. 

I can't emphasize enough how patient Josh was in talking with me about my handgun and the work I wanted done. He spent more time discussing his suggestions and the work they were going to do than most doctors spend talking to their patients before surgery. This was an interview, not selecting things from a drop down menu. 

A few weeks later it was ready. At Core Elite Operations I met with Josh and he went over the work and modifications they performed. They modified the profile of the frame and stippled it. They undercut the trigger guard, not just for the firing hand but also to facilitate a better grip for the support hand. They also stippled the area above the trigger guard on the right side of the frame so I could index my trigger finger at a tactile location. 

The trigger was amazing. They replaced all of the original trigger components with Killer Innovations Velocity Glock Trigger. In addition, numerous internal components were polished. Killer Innovations states that the Velocity Glock Trigger will yield an approximate 5.5 lbs. pull weight. That could be, but it's so smooth and comfortable it feels much lighter. It is by far the best trigger I've experienced with any Glock. 

It shoots fantastic and feels like a new pistol. Like any other firearm I own, they are all more accurate than I will ever be able to take advantage of. Having said that, this pistol is a dream to function and shoot. The stippling has not caused any discomfort or hot spots while carrying it concealed. This handgun is now leaps and bounds ahead of a stock, service grade Glock. 

Here's the hit, if there is one. Good gear isn't cheap and cheap gear isn't good. The same holds true for having custom work done to your firearms. You get what you pay for. How much would you pay for a parachute if you knew you were jumping out of a plane tomorrow? What is the price tag on your climbing gear if you will be dangling off a mountain? You see where I'm going? The firearms you have to protect you and your loved ones are just as valuable. Probably more so since most of us aren't parachutists or mountain climbers. (By the way the guys at Core Elite Operations have jumped out of planes and climbed mountains, and other stuff). Finally, as far as cost goes you don't have to have all the work done at once.

What is on the horizon for Core Elite Operations? Expanding on their designs they are making sniper rifles with more functionality and advanced materials than could have been imagined just a few years ago. With Hyperion Munitions in the same building, Core Elite Operations can develop ammunition and rifles to compliment each other. They are coming out with their own AR-15 line, which makes use of many proprietary components. These rifles will be light years ahead of the majority of the "semi-custom" slap together rifles that are often crowding the market. You will be able to get one of these for approximately $1000. They are also coming out with a sub 3.5 lbs. AR. More on these in the future. 

Despite our best efforts to attend training and educate ourselves in martial ways, experience is still the best teacher. Experience will always beat theory. The warrior that has prevailed in violent encounters who is also a craftsman has a perspective and intuition about weapons only experience can provide. This perspective and craftsmanship is what you get from Core Elite Operations. 

Core Elite Operations is a service-disabled veteran owned small business located in Largo, Florida. For more information or to discuss custom work or a full on build you can reach Core Elite Operations at; 

COREELITEOPS.COM 

813-699-0341 

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Shawn is the owner and lead trainer of Fare Thee Well Concepts. He served for over 24 years in law enforcement in various roles. He has taught for Suarez International and previously been involved in training law enforcement from across the United States in tactical drug operations, building entries, buy/bust operations, etc. He has taught firearms and related topics to private citizens since 2015. He has D, G and K security licenses and active instructor certificates in Florida for law enforcement firearms and defensive tactics. His website is Faretheewellconcepts.com. He can be reached at Faretheewellconcepts@gmail.com or 727-564-2556.