Now that I think about it, that gunsmith charged me less than 20 bucks and he had the cocking handle replaced fairly quickly and it was made of aluminum so it is entirely possible he got it from Jack First inc.
All this time I assumed he made a replacement for me. Well I probably was wrong.
But thanks for letting me know about Jack First inc. I know a guy who may need parts more frequently than myself.
“...All this time I assumed he made a replacement for me. Well I probably was wrong. ...”
No telling. Gunsmiths rate high on the ingenuity scale; many fashion parts by hand. 20 dollars does sound a bit low, for a single custom-made part these days. About five years back, Jack First Inc discontinued their practice of making individual parts on a one-time, custom basis. Their minimum fee was $100.00, but they declared that it was unprofitable even at that level.
They are the only source worldwide, for a number of parts Colt’s discontinued a while back. Just a few examples: hammers and triggers for Mk III and Mk V revolvers (originals were sintered; JF’s are machined); the little flat coil spring for the cylinder catches of those revolvers (also the MM frame); hands and bolts for New Service and many revolvers of pre-WW2 design; rear half striker spring retainer for All-American 2000 (original was plastic, JF’s is steel); sear for Mk IV Series 80 Government Model 380 (original was stamped; JF’s is machined); recoil spring plug for Officers ACP.
JF Inc is now managed by Jack’s youngest daughter. Among other accomplishments, she was a founder of Second Amendment Sisters. A national-level leader in gun-rights activism, she thought up the concept of women-only training/familiarization events, an activity Second Amendment Sister pioneered about 20 years ago.
Do not be fooled when women answer the phone at JF Inc. The parts department is staffed by women with decades of experience in divining just what part the caller needs - over the phone.