Alchemy’s Combat Limited Carry: A Timeless Revival of the Rare Pachmayr 1911

In 2023, Alchemy Custom Weaponry (ACW) had an ambitious idea to start a RestoMod series to revive iconic and timeless 1911 pistols. The RestoMod series from Alchemy is a limited edition, quarterly drop of unique pistols inspired by the extensive heritage and the over 100 years of the 1911 pistol. Alchemy is kicking off 2025 with its latest addition to the series with the Combat Limited Carry as a tribute to the rare Pachmayr Combat Special, with an extended, vented barrel.

The Man, The Myth, & The Combat Special

Pachmayr Gun Works, founded in 1929 by Frank Pachmayr, rose to prominence as a premier custom 1911 gunsmith, specializing in high-performance bullseye and combat pistols. By the mid-1960s, Pachmayr’s shop became the go-to for competitive shooters demanding extreme accuracy and reliability. 

While bullseye shooting reigned supreme, a group of Southwestern shooters, including the legendary Col. Jeff Cooper, who helped pioneered practical shooting, laying the groundwork for modern IPSC and USPSA. By the first IPSC World Shoot in 1975, the 1911 was the undisputed choice for top competitors. Champion Ray Chapman selected a Pachmayr Combat Special as his prize, cementing its legendary status within the competitive shooting world. In 1981, Ross Seyfried won the IPSC World Shoot with the same model, further solidifying Pachmayr’s legacy.

Alchemy’s new RestoMod Combat Limited Carry is an authentic tribute to this ultra-rare vented barrel Combat Special, bringing back a piece of custom 1911 history that few have ever had a chance to witness in person. This meticulously crafted RestoMod features period-correct design elements while incorporating modern craftsmanship to recreate one of the most elusive Pachmayr variants.

Authentic RestoMod Features

This limited-edition pistol is built with meticulous attention to detail, incorporating historically inspired features while maintaining modern craftsmanship.

• Slide & Barrel – The Combat Limited Carry sports a 4.25” slide paired with an extended 5” barrel, featuring top-front venting to replicate Pachmayr’s original recoil-reducing design.

• Frame & Finish – The pistol is hard chrome finished, a nod to the durable, functional finishes used on competition guns of the era. The frame is scalloped cut, deviating from standard Alchemy designs to match original examples.

• Ejection Port Scallop – A historically accurate ejection port scallop mirrors the modifications seen on original Pachmayr builds, ensuring authenticity down to the finest details.

• Grips & Checkering – The pistol is outfitted with Pachmayr rubber grips featuring a cutout that reveals the 20 LPI checkering on the front strap, a signature detail of early custom 1911s. The flat mainspring housing is also checkered at 20 LPI for added grip.

• Sights & Serrations – ACW fabricated a ramped front sight with an orange-painted blade, paired with a Bomar-inspired adjustable Kensight rear sight for precision shooting. The top of the slide features serrations, complemented by vertical rear cocking serrations, a RestoMod exclusive feature.

• Grip Safety & Hammer – The bead-blasted blued grip safety provides a contrasting homage to Pachmayr’s original rubberized grip safeties. A classic ring hammer completes the build, staying true to the period-correct aesthetic.

A Tribute to a Bygone Era – And It’s Already Gone

The Combat Limited Carry is more than just a custom-built pistol—it’s a tribute to an era of innovation in competition shooting. It captures the spirit of the 1970s and ’80s, when gunsmiths were pushing the boundaries of what was possible in a 1911. While it may not be built for today’s demanding IPSC and USPSA competitions, the Combat Limited Carry honors the roots of practical shooting by embodying the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the era when competitive shooting began its rise.

This limited-edition release was capped at just 35 pistols, making it an ultra-rare collector’s item. Unsurprisingly, all 35 units quickly sold out, proving that the legacy of the Pachmayr Combat Special is very much alive.

To learn more about the Combat Limited Carry and the history behind the Pachmayr Combat Special, visit the Alchemy Custom Weaponry website.