McKinney's 1911 Academy staff aims to teach gun owners about firearm care, customization

Derek Peterson, who handles marketing and paperwork for transactions requiring Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives approval, reiterated the approach at 1911 Academy.

“We aren’t going to shoo [customers] out of the shop,” Peterson said. “They need to see what we are doing to their gun. This is a very different mindset. We don’t have a closed-door policy. You can see in our shop and watch as our gunsmiths do their work. We even took the shop door off the hinges to send the message to come on back.”

The two gunsmiths on-site, Bryant Barnes and Chuck Girard, who combined have more than 25 years of experience, are both certified armorers with numerous manufacturers.

Staff members at 1911 Academy want customers who love shooting, and they also seek the clientele who enjoy learning and understanding how their gun functions.

The 1911 Academy staff offers firearm labor and restoration, or they can assist their customers with the job.

“We can do the work, but when you want to learn how to do it yourself, we are here, too,” Anderson said. “The advantage is, if you get stuck, gunsmiths are there for you to ask questions.”