Gunsite Academy has been putting together its idea of a “service pistol” for years. Early versions (1980s) were simply kits put together on Springfield Armory pistols specified by Jeff Cooper. They were his idea of a “heavy service pistol.” Chambered in .45 ACP, they included Robar sights and some dehorning and tuning. However, the latest collaboration with Finks Custom took the service pistol to the next level of fighting evolution.
Finks Custom GSP-D Gunsite Service Pistol
Over the years, the service pistols were either collaborations with manufacturers like Colt or custom builds from the Gunsite Gunsmiths of the time. Gunsite is still working with Colt but is also having Finks Custom Guns build them.
Finks is a truly custom gunsmith now housed on-site at the old “Smithy” facility. Dave Fink, the owner, is a true perfectionist, and his guns reflect it. His first GSP was typical of the Gunsite doctrine—simple, chambered in .45 ACP, and includes a good trigger, usable sights, dehorning for carry, and modifications for reliability.
There is also a new version, the GSP-D, and it may be the most modern take to date.
The GSP-D starts with the same features as the standard model. Built on a forged series 70 frame and slide it includes an extended beaver tail safety, ambidextrous slide safety, and a hammer-forged match barrel with a recessed target crown.
The high cut provides a solid grip with a crisp 4.25-pound trigger. Dehorned for concealed carry, all the sharp edges are removed from the slide, frame, and everything else. Likewise, it features front and rear cocking serrations, beveled Magwell, and laser engraved markings, including the Gunsite Raven. The hammer is a Gunsite exclusive, and the GSP-D includes your typical lowered and flared ejection port and reliability work.
The Service Pistol Sight System
Where it deviates is the sighting system. Rather than your typical carry sights, it sports an RDS (Red Dot Sight). Yep, sacrilege to some, but the future to others—me included.
While there are plenty of iron-sighted pistols in my inventory, none of them are carried these days, with the exception of my revolvers. At 65, it is just much easier to use an optic. And since the whole point is getting hits, my carry pistols have them.
Finks, in this case, added an RDS mounted low on the frame. Holosun’s EPS will co-witness standard height sights, with no need for suppressor-height sights. Finks machines the slide for a direct mount (no plate), putting the RDS to the rear and adding a standard “iron” sight in front of the Holosun.
The rear uses a standard dovetail, and the front uses a Novak. With custom built pistols, you can have them built as you like, including the serial number. Mine matches the year I started as a Gunsite Instructor, like most of my Gunsite pistols. I added a mag funnel as well as some matching flush-cut black stocks.
It ships with two magazines in a nice soft case with a barrel wrench and brush. Finks test fires and sights these in at 25 yards using both ball and duty ammunition.
Retail is $2,399.00 plus any custom touches you may want to add. Each is hand-built one at a time with a typical lead time of a month or so. Mine was done in just about three weeks.
Range Time
Working at Gunsite Academy, especially during the legacy classes, my preference is to use and/or have a variety of pistols to match the student’s guns. Contrary to popular belief, that is mostly some sort of combat polymer with occasional 1911’s.
Early on, in a 24-student class, nearly half were carrying a 1911. Now, it’s less than a third and often only a couple. While 2011’s are picking up, the 1911 in .45 ACP is rare but still there. I purchased this to use while teaching and for demonstration during those classes. So, it will mostly see hard ball, maybe some occasional duty ammunition.
Simply Rigged Holsters put together one of its Defcon 4 holsters and a magazine/flashlight holder. It is also my first 1911 using this RDS treatment and it made for a great practice and testing platform.
Every 1911 guy has their favorite magazines. Mine is Chip McCormick, so most of the range time was spent with their latest railed 8-round power magazine. Reliability was excellent with all ball ammunition and three or four different types of carry ammo. The only ammunition it had issues with was some frangible rounds required in some of Gunsite’s simulators.
Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. Swapping in a couple of old 47Ds from Wilson Combat seemed to deal with it. Given how infrequently it’s used, it was not an issue for me, though. As always, where frangible is required, make sure it actually works in your pistol since it is all very finicky.
Everything that matters worked without issue. After about 500 rounds, it was smooth as can be even with the frangible.
Accuracy Performance
Accuracy testing proved excellent, with the best group coming from Barnes 185 grain TAC-XPD as well as the Federal 230 grain HST measuring about 1.25 inches at 25 yards. Barnes TAC-XPD created one clump of lead on steel at 25 yards and not much bigger at 50 yards. Even tagging the steel at 100 yards was pretty easy, so it’s about as accurate as it gets.
Maybe the most fun to shoot was Doubletap Ammunition 230 grain FMJ RN Match. Soft shooting, it may be some of the most accurate .45 ACP out there. When it comes to carry, my favorite was their 160-grain DT SC-HP. Pretty soft for +P. It’s accurate with incredible numbers in gelatin.
The Gunsite Service Pistol Bottom Line
Already on the hunt for a 1911 with an RDS, this one was conveniently timed. Not only is it built by a proven smith, but it also utilizes the new low-mount RDS and standard height sights. Previous 1911 pistols mounted the RDS high and required annoyingly tall irons to co-witness.
With decades on a 1911, they point naturally for me. This system did not change that. In fact, it worked so well that my government model in 38 Super/9mm was dropped off for the same RDS and sighting system. Sitting in the wings is an old 3-inch 9mm 1911 that will see this setup using Holosun’s new SCS carry. Currently testing this on a 2011, it may be the perfect 1911 RDS.
Having owned several custom 1911s over the years, I believe this is one of the best, especially at the price. Customs with similar features are nearly double the cost. Getting this much for under $2500.00 is a pretty good buy. Higher-end versions from typical manufacturers are pushing a couple of grand.
If you are a Gunsite fan, it is even better. Gunsite Service Pistols tend to hold their value with a solid built-in market. Having all the markings, the custom hammer, and the custom serial number means it will always appreciate in value. As a bonus, it really works.
Final Thoughts
Is this going to be your next carry pistol? Probably not for most. However, plenty of people still carry a full-sized pistol, including a 1911. It is certainly heavier than most of the new stuff. But that allows for it to handle .45 ACP with ease.
Having carried full-sized pistols most of my life, this does get carried on occasion. In a good holster, it is fine. The best part is that if it ends up in play, there is nothing like a solid .45 ACP with accuracy, reliability, and a Red Dot. That is pretty hard to beat.
For more information, please visit GunsiteStore.com.
Finks Custom Gunsite Service Pistol Specs
| Action | Series 70 Hammer Fired |
| Caliber | .45 ACP |
| Barrel Length | 5 Inches |
| Weight | 36 ounces (empty magazine) |
| Capacity | 8+ Accepts standard 1911 magazines |
| MSRP | $2,399.00 |
Accuracy Testing
| Barnes TAC-XPD 185 Grain +P | |
| Velocity | 1000 |
| Group | 1.25 inches |
| Federal HST 230 Grain | |
| Velocity | 950 |
| Group | 1.40 inches |
| Doubletap 230 grain Match | |
| Velocity | 850 |
| Group | 1.30 inches |
| Speer Gold Dot 185 | |
| Velocity | 1050 |
| Group | 1.45 inches |
