The Wyoming Governor's Match

Another great year shooting the WY Governor’s match in Casper!

We had an incredible time in Casper for the Wyoming Governor’s Match this year. The stages were long and super fun, and we got to reconnect with some close friends.

PRE-MATCH FUN

Before the match, we had dinner with our good friends, Doug and Katie (of Glenrock Blue) and Mark and Cheryl (of Graff Custom). Mark smokes a mean tri-tip steak and Cheryl makes the most delicious smoked mac n cheese. Johnny couldn’t get enough of Mark’s steak!

shooting the match!

We competed on Friday and Saturday, shooting unique and challenging stages Check out how many mag pouches Stan has on… he ended up needing even more! #singestacklife

A big thank you to Jason and Brian for inviting us to sponsor this fantastic match!

Hanging out at chrono, discussing our stage plan 😝

THE FIRE STATION!

After shooting, Mark took us on a grand tour of the Casper fire station. Thanks for showing us around, Mark!

Visiting Glenrock Blue

Since we had a whole morning to kill before the awards ceremony, we hung out with our good friends at Glenrock Blue and went prairie-dogging! Glenrock Blue is our go-to if we ever need anything blued. It’s always a treat to visit their facility! We also love hanging out with their Brittany spaniels, LC and Jasper.

Doug took us to his secret spot and glassed for Libby and Johnny. After prairie-dogging, we headed back to Stuckenhoff for the awards ceremony.

THE AWARDS CEREMONY

Hanging out before the ceremony starts- Mark and Cheryl came out to support!

Congrats to Stan and Libby for taking first in their divisions! Single stack shooters represent!

HEADING HOME

Before we began the long drive home, we had to stop by the Casper Dojo to say hi to our good friend Henk and his right-hand man, Alex.

After saying bye to our friends in Casper, we slowly meandered back to Durango. The views were definitely worth taking the scenic route.

Thank you to everyone who made this event special. We can’t wait for next year’s match!

The Third Rock IDPA Championship

Suns out, guns out, and plenty of fun stages in between. What more could you ask for in a perfect Memorial Day Weekend?

The beautiful bluffs at Cameo.

We (the Chen family) recently had the opportunity to shoot our 4th Rocky Mountain Regional IDPA Championship... but this time, there was a twist. Not only did we shoot the RMR this weekend, we also got to shoot a second match- the Colorado State Championship! The fantastic folks at Cameo put together 2 back-to-back Tier 4 matches, which meant every competitor got not 3, but 6 nationals points!

The Third Rock Regional is hosted at our all-time favorite range- the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex. With over two dozen pistol bays, 3D archery loops, and a long-range precision range that goes out to 2,000 yards, there is truly something for everyone here. If you haven't been, you're missing out.

Chenkin 2 and 3 driving over Red Mountain Pass.

Since Durango is only 3 hours away from Cameo, we left early afternoon on Friday. Now that all 3 Chenkins are drivers, it makes Stan's job a lot easier! #passengerprincess

In order to get to Grand Junction from Durango, you have to traverse the infamous Red Mountain Pass on the Million Dollar Highway (locals just call it 550, though). The views are unmatched, but you have to be extra cautious while driving near the thousand-foot drop.

Stage sponsor- our banner at one of the CSC stages.

We made it to Cameo just in time to check out some of the stages and say hi to some of our good friends. After making the rounds, we headed back to our AirBNB to pack some sandwiches and clean out our guns.

The next morning, we left bright and early to meet our squad and check-in. Seeing the sunrise from Cameo is a truly spectacular experience.

On Day 1, we shot the Colorado State IDPA Championship. It was 13 of some of the most creative stages ever- including a jet-ski and multiple vehicles! The Cameo staff constantly dropped off snacks at the bays, helping fuel our down-zero aspirations.

After a long and exciting 13 stages, we stopped to fulfill a match tradition we call "crush and slush!" This involves getting a frozen treat at the end of a long match- usually a slushee, but this time we opted for some good old-fashioned soft-serve at Graff's Dairy.

Now that we were 90% ice cream, we were ready to hop in the pool and then prepare for next day's match- the Rocky Mountain Regional!

The next morning, we once again headed to Cameo to shoot our second Tier 4 match in less than 48 hours. The RMR brought just as much excitement as yesterday's match, with 13 challenging, yet fun, stages.

After finishing up the RMR, it was time to head to the banquet! While we love the shooting, reconnecting with friends and making new ones is definitely the best part of every match. We're honored to be able to sponsor this match every year.

All in all, it was such a privilege to sponsor and compete in the Third Rock Regional. We want to send a huge thank you to Walt Proulx, Marty Johnson, and the entire volunteer squad. We always have such a blast at these matches. This weekend wouldn't have happened without you. We are already counting down the days until next year!

-Kacey

To see more of the Chen Custom family's adventures, follow us on instagram @stanchencustom!

P.S. If you have a match you would like us to sponsor, please reach out through our contact form. We love supporting the shooting sports in any way we can!

What's New

New Website 

Stan Chen Custom has created a beautiful new website and it is now public! The website consists in depth details of the planning, reasoning, and process of Stan's custom builds, including a few trade secrets. The Stan Chen custom collection is exquisitely displayed on it's own page, located next to the art page, which is dedicated to featuring the artistry in the finer details of each custom build. The new website also includes a short bio about the founder and maker Stan Chen, along with links to more in depth articles about him and his accomplishments. If you are interested in owning a Stan Chen custom build, please refer to the investment page, which outlines the details and process of such a venture.

If a full house custom build is too much of a commitment for you, you are in luck! Stan Chen Customs is now offering custom machining services for your stock 1911. The service outline, options and prices can be found on the machining page. Read more about the new custom machining service below. 

Looking for another way to add a bit of the Stan Chen touch to your 1911? We are now expanding in the parts department as well. A variety of new parts will be offered through Stan Chen Custom, along with Brownells. More information can be found on the parts page of the new website, or below. 

Machining

As found on the new website, Stan Chen Custom now offers custom machining service. You may now send in your stock 1911 pistol for custom machining work. Available options include Stan's ProTrac checking for the front strap and the mainspring housing, Stan's Maxbevel, flat top and lined slide, and sight work. More information can be found on the new website's machining page. There are also numerous options offered for pistol finishes including satin matte and blueing. 

Parts 

Stan Chen Custom will soon be broadening the part skews offered. Numerous styles of mainspring housings will now be available through us, or Brownells. Checkered at 20, 25, 30 lpi, or not at all, the Chen Maxbevel Mainspring Housing, the Standard Mainspring Housing, and the Chen Maagwell Suite will be available for purchase. 

Thank You!

Stan and I would like to thank you all for your loyalty and support over the years.  It was been a year full of transitions and adjustments. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as we have worked our way through. Exciting things are happening here at Stan Chen Custom, and we are thrilled to be able to share them with you. So thank you, and we hope you enjoy the new website! 

NRA 2015

As many of you may know, this year's annual NRA convention was held in beautiful Nashville TN. Unfortunately, Stan was unable to attend, so he sent me (Christina) in his place. An intimidating request being on the job for only six weeks, but I was eager to dive in and learn as much, and meet as many people as I could. A shout out to the VZ Grips group for allowing me to use their booth as a base camp. Initially overwhelmed, all I could do was wonder, shocked by the magnitude (which I have been told in nothing compared to Shot Show). However, after the awe wore off, I soon found myself being pulled into booths. At the mere mention of Stan's name I was being welcomed with open arms. Between Kyle Lamb, Rob Garrett, the APEX crew, and everyone at the Nighthawk booth, I was constantly surrounded by wonderful people. A special thanks to Ryan Repp from Brownells for taking the time to show me around and introduce me to several key people in the industry.  

Shawn Armstrong from Nighthawk Custom

Kyle Lamb president of Viking Tactics

All of this to say, the gun industry consists amazing and brilliant people. I have to say thank you to you all for making this the most amazing industry to work in. Was a great experience, see everyone next year and see you all at Shot Show!

Shot Show 2015

Wiith Julie Golob and Chris Corino from Smith and Wesson.

Larry Weeks and Stan Chen

SHOT Show this year really made me realize how grateful I am for so many great friends in this industry. This year was unusual compared to say the last 10, in that I had quite a bit more opportunity to really visit and linger with friends over long lunches, dinners, drinks and just casually in and out of the show.   With all the visiting, I didn't run around taking a bunch of pictures, but here are just a couple.  And a hearty congratulations to Larry Weeks, who after decades at Brownells, is retiring.  I've always enjoyed Larry's friendship and camaraderie, and not just because he makes me feel tall!

American Handgunner

Have you seen the March-April edition of American Handgunner? If you haven't yet, you probably should do that now. Featured on the cover is one of Stan Chen's full house custom 1911s! We are honored that American Handgunner displayed one of our 1911s on the cover, and that our friend Roy Huntington took the time to write such an amazing article about our small shop. 

The article includes a description of Stan's journey into the gun industry, and details about his custom builds. Building 1911s is truly Stan's passion, and he feels blessed to be able to share his passion with you. 

Thank you to Roy Huntington for writing a great article, Chuck Pittman for the beautiful photographs, and everyone at American Handgunner!

You can check it out here!

News from Stan – A New Chapter for ASYM Precision Ammunition

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you all doing well, and enjoying the tidings of the season that is upon us. It's with a grateful heart that I write to you, first to share a bit of news and to also extend my thanks and seasons greetings.

First the news. While a more formal press release is forthcoming, I wanted to give you, my friends and customers, an advance heads up.

An Exciting New Chapter for ASYM
 

The ASYM Precision Ammunition line, which I founded in 2010, is under new ownership. I was approached by a successful manufacturing company who wanted to purchase a high end ammunition line with a stellar reputation for quality, and we were able to come to terms. It is moving from its current location in my Durango, CO shop to a new facility in Phoenix, AZ.

I'm extremely grateful for the success that we were blessed with in making the ASYM line. In just a few short years, ASYM was used to win 8 world and national championship titles, including the 2013 NRA National Pistol Championship at Camp Perry. It has been a small dream come true for me to make some of the most accurate and consistent ammo available and see it used successfully in some of the world's biggest arenas. I am personally training new personnel on all aspects of ammunition production. They assure me that they are committed to carrying on my proven ammunition recipes, loading techniques and quality control, and have the resources and manufacturing know-how to take ASYM to new heights.

ASYM Precision Ammunition LLC can be contacted at their new website store.asym-ammo.com, email at asymammo@gmail.com, or 201-777-1911.  I will be finishing my Stan Chen Custom site featuring my custom pistols at  www.chencustom.com

Precious Time

The top four reasons for my decision are in the picture above. As the ammo business grew, the demands on my time greatly increased, and quality family time unfortunately began to rapidly dwindle. My children are ages 13, 10 and 7; which is "primetime" if you will. It seems I blinked once, and the precocious little girl I walked into preschool yesterday, starts high school next year. I want to be there for their soccer games, violin/cello/guitar recitals and mountain bike races. As tough as it is to let go of a successful product line I started from scratch, I don't want to live with the regret of not being there as my kids grow up. Not to mention what my wife Kristen has tolerated with my work hours! So given my desire to have more time to spend with family, the timing of this opportunity is a great blessing.

Custom 1911s

The increasing time demands also took its toll on my ability to get my custom 1911 pistols built, which as most of you know, is my core business. Custom pistolsmithing is my true professional passion, and an area where I've been given some unique gifts. An extremely long backlog of custom gun work has not gotten any shorter, as demand and interest in my work continues to grow. To those of you on my waiting list, thank you so much for your patience, and know that something special is in store for you that I'm confident you will treasure for a lifetime. I am simply thrilled to have more time at the bench crafting, innovating and pushing the boundaries of what defines a best-grade custom 1911 pistol. I will now also have time to design and manufacture more parts for custom pistols, as well as offer a la carte custom machine work on a limited basis. Yes...including my Pro-Trac Checkering for your stock Colt, Springfield or Kimber!

Thanks!

I continue to be humbled every day for the opportunity to be involved in an industry I love, and with so many great people I call friends. Thanks for all the support, laughs, wisdom, "solids", and most of all your friendship. To my customers, thank you for your support and the trust that you put in products my company has made. I'm looking forward to many more years working
and sharing life with you all in one way or another.

May this season be one of great joy for you and your loved ones. And a season full of great anticipation and celebration...of the fulfillment of the greatest promise ever made to mankind!

Merry Christmas!
Stan Chen