Joseph Brazier Ltd. has opened (by appointment only) its new 5,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Colorado Springs, CO on February 19, 2007. Its primary concentration will be the boring of Karl Lippard O/U and SxS sidelock guns and for the Trade worldwide. Second, to manufacture high tolerance wood stock components by CNC reducing manufacturing time by several years on sidelock guns.

The new Bacci CNC wood machine is the most sophisticated in the United States. Dedicated to wood with critical dimensional requirements a manufacturer of firearms or an end user can expect assistance not available before.

Bacci CNC wood manufacturing machine.

CNC cut wood is precise.

Competition: We do not compete with dealers on the sale of firearms or carry opinions to a shooter on what type of gun they purchase.

Fitting: Fitting takes time. Generally a correct stock fitting will cost only $165.00. Free credit when wood is purchased in conjunction with a fitting. Having fit for competition thousands of difficult stocks, we feel we are not lacking in experience. It is your assurance that your customer will be happy with the result and that someone doing it understands the business in its entirety. Mr. Lippard is available to train Dealers or Manufacturers in fitting or you can buy his instruction tape online from the American Custom Gunmakers Guild as the Guild instruction to stockmakers for fitting stocks for competition, and all applications. We assure you the method is different and quite specific. No smoke and mirrors. You will become expert yourself quickly and can provide accurate measurements yourself compatible with ours. If with a client at our offices you can watch of course the fitting process for free. Shooters with physical handicaps, or other maladies are welcome. I assure you we can fit any customer regardless of impairment and happy to do so.

Factory Offices of Joseph Brazier in Colorado

Wood: We sell wood or you can provide your own. Terms are: 100% payment with the order.
A customer can pick wood from three bins of English, Bastone and Claro mixed. Entry level of $1,000.00, 3A bin at $1,550.00 and 4-5A bin at $2,000.00. One can also pick from posted inventory on www.JosephBrazier.com add machining cost of $1,000.00 to it and arrive at a complete cost. (Lower priced wood are also available for guns such as Model 12’s, Brownings etc. where smaller wood is required and generall Black Walnut.) A stock is then completed, with Pad, to factory quality machined and finished. Any additional specifications are extra that change the CAD. CAD alteration is from $300.00.
From this you can see that a $1,000. standard piece of wood for say, Kreighoff, is about the same as dealer wood credit for custom wood for this maker. However a customer can select their own wood at Brazier that fits. The upgrades to 4A are reasonable when one considers the machine time included.

Karl Lippard Signature O/U stock from Brazier

So, in this example a gun that is fitted costs $0.00 to $165.00 and a dealer is not out of pocket really anything. If your customer wants something more he gets what he pays for.

Stocks: Premium Wood is also available for selection from $2,100.00 to $6,000.00 (or more) at Brazier. Some may be very exotic. They are kept under key in different rooms. Qualified customers may select from those by invitation.

The MMC6 impregnation process cost $300.00 per stock. This impregnation is particularly valuable in highly figured wood. It reduces the risk of cracking by 90%. Weight remains about the same and does not effect most wood finishing. This service will be available in late 2007.

Right now Brazier can do fittings for making stocks any time by appointment for $165.00. Free with the purchase of a machined stock. We do not expect to get to individual orders until about April or so of 2007. You should therefore commit to our waiting list by email letter of intent. And if an FFL, have a copy of License on file.

Our new address is across street from the Whistling Pines Gun Club, an indoor shooting range just off the HWY 24. Our address will be 1419 Woolsey Heights, Colorado Springs 80915. When fully up to speed our services should help the Gun Trade and clients as well with all gun stock requirements.

Joseph Brazier projection for 2007 CAD wood production in order is:

Wilkes Sidelock O/U in 12 and 20 gauge limited to 25 guns..
Karl Lippard SolidRifle™ in Signature and Safari grades
Perazzi O/U is 12 & 20 Sporting and Trap
Kreighoff O/U 12 Sporting & Trap
Browning T-Bolt grade II
Browning O/U standard 12 & 20
Browning HP Bolt rifle Medallion
Winchester Pre-64 rifles. Standard or High Grade wood
Note: Foreign and Custom orders are inclusive and integrated in this schedule but not listed. We make custom stocks and forends for any firearm.

And of course remember our O/U barrels for any maker listed beginning with SolidSolid™ O/U’s at $10,000.00 each. Barrel boring will be taking place at this facility.

New Joseph Brazier Barrel Boring Machine used for O/U barrels to 50 inches.

Joseph Brazier, Ltd. has commissioned the manufacture of a CNC machine dedicated to the boring of Karl Lippard designed SolidSolid ™ and MonoSolid ™ barrels. Difficult to make these barrels are solid billet VAC steel and make other forms of barrel making now obsolete. No solder means no ribs to come loose. Higher bursting properties mean safety and perpetual reliability. Chopper lump barrels to the client might cost $30,000.00 each. Joseph Brazier can make a one off barrel in SolidSolid™ for $10,000.00. The choice is modern or old. Strong or soft. Costly or reasonably priced.

“SolidSolid”™ barrels are made of solid Vacuum Arc Remelt Steel.

So whether your needs are wood or barrels you know where our location is. And say hello to Karl Lippard too while there. Their Sidelock O/U is available and Brazier is cutting wood stocks for the New Karl Lippard SolidRifle ™ as noted above. The only one piece bolt action rifle ever produced….But that’s what we do isn’t it? The impossible!

Select your wood and reserve a production spot for you firearm needs today.

Joseph Brazier, Ltd.

You know one thing that is hard to find for the gun case or fishing tackle box is a proper oiler that is not the size of a gas can! Our small Oilers measure just 1.75 inches in length shown here next to a USA Quarter.

We make the “O” ring sealed lids in Red, Natural White and Blue. The lid also has an applicator rod formed into it for ease of application of oil or other lubricants for your fine firearm or fishing reel. A nice look and perfect gift for anyone. Find them in the parts section for $11.95 each and pop one in your pocket today.

For manufacturers and Corporations ask for custom nomenclature bottles with logos and in different configurations. We have hundreds of design ideas that can satisfy every need.

Joseph Brazier, Ltd.

Ammunition is a funny thing. We have a host of new ones about every day to keep the public mesmerized and jumping to their nearest gun store to buy a new gun. A good idea but is all this necessary for the shooter?
The answer comes with ones own criteria. You just sit down and write exactly what you want a pistol, rifle or shotgun to do and check that to a firearm of interest.
Let’s do a defense weapon criteria and make an example.
1. It should be a pistol.
2. Light weight.
3. Concealable.
4. Low recoil.
5. Stop an aggressor.
6. Easy to aim and shoot.
7. Safe but quick to put into use.
8. Shooting distance 8 feet.
9. Easy to reload quickly.
10. Double or single action.
11. Accurate.

Alright. Let’s look at this mythical criteria. Item #2. suggests we need something Light, #3 concealable with # Low Recoil. This puts us into a small frame gun. #9 ease of reloading just about puts a revolver out of the picture as does #10. Double Action for accuracy and #6 ease of use or #11 accurate either from the gun itself or the shooter.
Okay, now we need to look at automatics that are small frame and #7 safe. This points to .22, .25, .32, .380 and that’s about it. The .25 is a centerfire cartridge buy a weak performer as is the .32. In most cases anything hit with those may not even know it. A .22 is terminal but like the other two not a stopper generally so one would think a .380 would be a good choice. And I agree. With the proper bullet this is outstanding…..But, what if we were shooting a .22 at 1,850 fps and the bullet expanded its size upon exit of the barrel to say .318???? What happens then??
Wellllll, now we have a weapon with 10% of the recoil of a .380, that has stopping power, easy to shoot, accurate; can be lighter weight than the .380 AND, the wife can handle and shoot it too!!!
But is there such a thing?
Have a look at this recent target I shot and see for yourself.

Here for demonstration we have a target over double the distance required with two distinct bullet holes. The first group at the top we can see it is accurate with one bullet set aside for demonstration comparison with the grouping below.
The second array of bullet holes are spread apart so as to see the difference clearly. In fact I shot a couple of magazines of those to show that all the rounds expanded in the same way every time. No change in flight. No change in penetration. Nothing.

These are .22 caliber Long Rifle bullets fired at about 20 feet. The result shows that this criterion has been met with a .22.

Therefore if we can believe this then, what kinds of pistols are available in this caliber that will work? Well, for sure a Walther model TPH .22 is the safest, small enough to carry concealed by design, safe with one round loaded in a chamber, carried “on or off safe” in your back pocket.

Sadly in this case I have to report that the Walther TPH is no longer made. We contacted Carl Walther and have asked to make it but as yet no reply.

More on the Walther TPH found online:

“In 1962 Walther introduced the Model TP or Taschen Pistole (Pocket Pistol). This model continued in production until roughly 1971. In the summer of 1968, Walther redesigned the TP to become the TPH, or Taschen Pistole Hahn (Pocket Pistol, Hammer) to compete in the small automatic pistol market. The TPH is acually a scaled down version of the well-known Walther PP, using most of the proven design features of the larger pistol. The TPH is a bit larger than the TP approaching the size of the Walther Model 8. It shares with the PP the basic outline of the frame and slide as well as the safety/decocker feature. The pistol in the image is chambered in caliber 6.35mm or .25ACP. It is also offered in .22 caliber as well.

The TPH uses a bottom magazine release much like the P5 in that it is hidden in the but of the pistol. It is a conventional single/double action handgun. The sights are fixed, but the rear is drift adjustable for windage. The frame is of steel, alloy and finally in the USA stainless steel. The barrel/slide and internal parts are of steel. It has the traditional high-polished deep blue finish (or stainless) that is standard on many Walther’s and is flawless. It does have a feature I’ve never seen before on any other Walther and that is a half-cock notch for the hammer. When the decocker is used, it allows the hammer to fall to this half cock position doubly insuring that there is no contact of the hammer on the firing pin.

Importation of this pistol was banned by the Gun Control Act of 1968 because of the TPH’s small size as an extremely concealable handgun. Many were legally imported for issuance to US Navy Seal Teams, the CIA, and other official government agencies that required the use of such a small concealable handgun. The entire length is less than a P.38 barrel. The grip is surprisingly comfortable for a pistol of this size and you can get a full two fingers around the grip with the help of the magazine extension. It points naturally in the hand and the sights are good for their size.”

Note: I wish I could credit the website for this info amended by me but I do not recall. When found I will do so here.

In any case we at Joseph Brazier will pursue the little self defense gun as we carry it ourselves. Hopefully to get back to you with the good news of the defense gun…. “that could”……

Ahhh, you thought of something bigger for another application? Uhhhh, yes Brazier has many designs of projectiles in conjuction with its specialty barrels. They too perform in a different fashion. Some will be coming on the market in 2009. Others will not for sale to the public. Guns made for new ammo are the secretive Combat NCO™ and Combat UC™ pistols. These are being sold toned down today by Joseph Brazier. Also in rifles, ammo for the new SolidRifle™ as well. So stay tuned, we will be showing some interesting things in the future.

Karl C. Lippard, Managing Director
Joseph Brazier, Ltd

The Joseph Brazier “Wheel Gun” reaches back some 20 years ago. Our design engineer Karl Lippard designed this gun called the “Combat UC” or “Combat Under Cover” in answer to a FBI problem back then in Florida which contributed to the loss of some agents in a gun battle with determined and very experience adversaries.
The problem? The problem was issue revolvers that were difficult to fire and almost impossible to reload or fire from the weak hand.

What does that mean? Well it means death…..

In a combat situation one has to consider all eventualities. Such as being shot for instance. Wounded in a manor in which a “Weak Hand” must come into play to save your life…or the lives of others.
In this case we had agents wounded who could not reload their weapons. In the case of the wheel gun, or revolver if you prefer, it is difficult to fire in the best of cases and to reload you almost need two hands.

The pistol selected as a basis for modifications to meet the criteria as a “Combat” revolver for Joseph Brazier was a Model 65 Smith and Wesson. The caliber: .357 magnum. And, if the law enforcement restricted its officers from .357 use, then the old .38 plus P’s were the second choice.
The Model 65 did have some deficiencies in that the trigger was often rough and pulls up to 12 pounds were not uncommon. But, the gun was malleable. It could be improved and with this model being made of stainless steel, the frame could be altered to another configuration to meet the demands of a professional under service conditions.

Let’s take a look at the alteration.

First, it was necessary to have a trigger pull that was clean and could be shot by a small woman. Next the spur hammer is bobbed as there is no practical application for single action in combat. For once you have cocked a hammer and not used the gun, the condition becomes dangerous. And if the hammer is allowed to be put down, where does that chamber go? A bad habit that could cost you your life.
So now you have a double action gun, a Brazier trigger and no hammer spur. What next?
Well, what time of year is it? Is it cold perhaps or do you wear gloves all the time? Gloves….?
Wearing gloves offers another problem in that the trigger on most guns do not allow access. So the motorcycle officer always is at a disadvantage until…he takes his gloves off. Therefore the Joseph Brazier Combat UC has a rebated trigger bow to allow access. All sharp edges of the trigger are removed from both sides, carefully by hand.
What about adjustable sites and those “glow in the dark” kind we see so much of today? Well, there are two types of firearms, those that are “defensive” and those that are “offensive “. What then IS a law enforcement weapon? Yes, it IS an offensive weapon. And an offensive weapon is reactionary. It’s sudden use. Anything that requires more than “instinctive focus” is a death sentence. The Combat UC has fixed non-reflective sights.
The grips selected were the Pachmayr rubber grips because they work. They provide great purchase to the bare sweaty hand or in the grasp of a glove.
One of the inherent problems too with any wheel gun it the cylinder lockup. Many are not square to the bore and shear lead when the gun is fired. That largely is a timing issue and all Combat UC’s are adjusted in timing to eliminate that accuracy problem of bullet shaving from the cylinder to barrel. And to aid in reloading, simple chamfering of the chambers solves most of that issue. The other being weak hand loading was another reason why the Smith & Wesson left opening cylinder, was selected. Our choice but again one that might save you life.

So as a composite, the Combat UC passes the test as it did 20 years ago as the most Combat worthy revolver pistol we know of. Guaranteed to fire and function properly for a lifetime of service. This Combat UC having past it’s shooting test today deploys to Denver, CO. We wish it a long life and God speed.

Look for the 3″ barreled sidearm not in your gun shop but where the metal meets the man. In the holster of a man who knows his business. A man who chose the Joseph Brazier Combat UC.

Members of the Tri-Lakes Chapter of the Ben Lomond Gun Club were treated to a special presentation by Joseph Brazier’s own Karl Lippard at their regular meeting on June 8, 2006 in Monument, Colorado.

The presentation included a lecture on firearms design theory focusing around the idiosyncrasies of the famous Colt 1911 originally designed by John Browning followed by a question and answer discussion session.

Attendees were also presented with the rarely seen Combat NCO pistol - a .45 ACP calibre 1911-style weapon designed by Mr. Lippard that integrates numerous functional improvements to the original John Browning design.

The audience was made privy to some of the design features of this extraordinary pistol that incorporates over a dozen mechanical and design improvements making it capable of firing accurately and unfailingly at extreme temperature and environmental conditions.

So precisely engineered is the Combat NCO, it has a demonstrated effective range of 300 yards and has been shown to place 40% of shots fired on target out to an astounding 450 yards - even after severe abuse. With parts manufactured to micron tolerances, the pistol components demonstrate no “play” and return perfectly to battery with every round fired making it unmatched in its class.

The use of special proprietary alloys used to construct the gun make it indestructible and allow it to fire continuously without jamming, even when exposed to massive shock, mud, water, sand and dirt.

Originally designed as an offensive combat weapon, many of the improvements in the Combat NCO were derived from Mr. Lippard’s own close-quarters combat experience in Viet Nam.

Previously, this very unique weapon was produced in very limited quantities some 20 years ago when Mr. Lippard was Division Manager and chief designer for Pachmayr. Those same pistols remain in use under combat conditions by U. S. Special Units in theaters around the world to this day.

Also in attendance for this enlightening event were Mr. Michael Blank of the Save Winchester effort http://www.savewinchester.com/
and Mr. Charles Henderson, author of such best selling military books as “Marine Sniper”, “Goodnight Saigon”, “Silent Warrior”, and “Marshalling the Faithful”.