Cylinder & Slide

Cylinder & Slide is a boutique gunsmithing and parts manufacturing operation based in Fremont, Nebraska, that has served the American firearms community for decades as one of the most respected specialty houses working on single-action revolvers and 1911 pistols. Founded by Bill Laughridge, a gunsmith with deep expertise and a reputation for meticulous craftsmanship, the company has distinguished itself through the quality of its custom work and its commitment to producing precisely machined replacement and upgrade parts for classic American firearm designs.

The company’s work on single-action revolvers—particularly Colt Single Action Army models and their derivatives—has earned it special recognition among collectors and competitive cowboys action shooters. Cylinder & Slide offers a comprehensive range of services for these revolvers, including timing corrections, action jobs, custom fitting of parts, and complete restorations. Their gunsmiths possess an intimate understanding of these classic designs that is increasingly rare as the pool of experienced revolver specialists shrinks with each passing generation.

On the semi-automatic side, Cylinder & Slide has long been a go-to resource for 1911 work, producing high-quality aftermarket parts such as hammers, sears, disconnectors, grip safeties, thumb safeties, and barrel bushings, as well as offering complete custom builds for shooters seeking a pistol tailored to their specific requirements. The company’s parts are machined to close tolerances from quality materials and are known for reliable function and good fit.

Cylinder & Slide also offers training and educational resources, reflecting Laughridge’s belief that informed owners are better stewards of their firearms. For shooters who appreciate traditional designs and value the kind of careful, individualized attention that large commercial manufacturers cannot provide, Cylinder & Slide represents an invaluable resource in the American custom gun trade.