From South African Combat Shooting to Pachmayr Gun Works | Paul Liebenberg

In Part 1 of this exclusive interview, legendary pistolsmith Paul Liebenberg sits down to discuss his remarkable journey from South Africa to becoming one of the most respected names in the world of custom handguns and practical shooting. Paul reflects on his upbringing in Johannesburg, his background in industrial design, and how a passion for ergonomics, machining, photography, and competition shooting unexpectedly led him into the firearms industry. Along the way, he shares incredible stories from the early days of IPSC competition, the evolution of the 1911 platform, and the groundbreaking innovations happening in South Africa during the 1970s and early 1980s. The conversation dives deep into: • Early practical shooting and combat matches in South Africa • Developing custom 1911 modifications before the internet era • Influential figures like Dave Sheer and Dale Getz • The rise of compensators, magwells, beavertails, and long-slide pistols • Training with legendary American shooters including Ross Seyfried, Ray Chapman, and others • Competing at the Bianchi Cup and World Shoots • His path to Pachmayr Gun Works and eventually building some of the most respected competition pistols in the world This is a fascinating deep dive into the roots of modern practical shooting and the craftsmen who helped shape the custom handgun industry as we know it today.