About Kellner Gun Werks

KGW, was started officially in 2023. The mission is to build accurate and reliable 1911 pistols, with components sourced from U.S. companies that excel in their products.

Genesis

I had cooled a bit on firearms once I left the Army in ’99, not a dislike for them or anything, but time was needed in many other areas. I had taught and used firearms of various types in my days serving, and lament not taking advantage of more opportunities on the heavy guns and free ammo (thank you taxpayers in the 80s and 90s). Then, after a few retreats with men from church, it was obvious I could help others who had neither grown up in the country, able to walk out the back door and go into acres of land to shoot and hunt, nor received formal training.

Escalation

I began a firearms fellowship group, and we met to shoot once a month. I would do some armorer type work for the folks and assist new shooters, this led to becoming an NRA instructor in Basic Pistol and CCW, and leading our Safe team at church. Along the way I somehow got involved in the world of Bullseye Shooting at Texas State Rifle Association sponsored matches. This was great for me, friendly people, great skill building opportunity and as a person with mobility issues, the “stand and deliver, then sit in your chair” sealed the deal on my new sport.

Now, for the big push, I was able to take a class on building 1911s by the Bob Marvel! Don’t get me wrong, this is nowhere like being an understudy, but the 80 hours spent with Bob and the good folks at the academy cinched the desire to produce quality and reliability above all else. There is something gratifying of taking ones time to hand fit the components into a great example of an American classic.

Apologies for the needed website improvements, but I would rather be working in the shop, so little by little improvements to the site will come.