Alchemy Custom Weaponry Prime Elite

Alchemy Custom Weaponry is a division of Cabot Guns in Indiana. Cabot bought gunsmith Robert Schauland's company to bring his expertise in house, and Alchemy's pistols carry that traditional pistolsmithing approach. The Prime Elite is the deluxe version of the Prime, and it's traditional pistolsmithing at its finest.

This is the base configuration. It's a full-size Government model with a 5-inch barrel, flush cut and crowned, chambered in .45 ACP. A 9mm version is available for a small upcharge. The standard finish is blued with polished flats, a classic look that suits the pistol's traditional lines.

Alchemy puts real care into the details. The Prime Elite has a Stan Chen one-piece extended magwell and Alchemy's carry comfort checkering, with smooth transitions that grip well without chewing up your hand. The standard grips are checkered wood.

The sights are traditional too. The base pistol has a gold bead front sight and Alchemy's fixed rear. The hammer is a Delta style, the thumb safety is right-handed, and the trigger is medium length. Two magazines come standard.

Almost everything can be changed if you want to. Alchemy offers several finishes, from DLC to full chrome, a long list of premium grips, ambidextrous safeties, different triggers and even a red dot mount. Those options all add cost, so the base pistol is the starting point.

The fit and finish come from 30 years of experience. If you appreciate an old-school 1911 built with a gunsmith's eye, the Prime Elite is a handsome example that you'll want to shoot as well as show.