high dollar 1911's

[JohnTRourke]

Les Baer, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, etc

we're talking $2500 list and up for a 1911 (a damn nice 1911 but still a 1911)

Now, I have no problem paying good money for a nice 1911 (just ask the spousal unit), but wow.
That's another grand plus over high end springfields, Sig's, etc. And being into shotguns, it can take a lot of money to get that next 10%

worth it?
not worth it?

opinions?
thoughts?

[sneakerd]

They absolutely are worth it -if- you have the dough. If you do not, an $800 1911 will not disappoint, as long as you drop it off at BPTactical for a little "fluff" as Bert calls it!

[BPTactical]

Is there a difference between a Corvette and an Impala?
Yes and no.
They both do the same thing, get you down the road but not quite the same ride.

Will a Perazzi do the same thing a Browning will? Yup.
What you are paying for (besides a name) is top of the line components and the artisans craftsmanship.
If you have the money why not.

[Omicron]

High end 1911s tend to be built to much tighter tolerances, so they're more accurate. And components used are better, as in better steel, fittment, etc. If you hold them side by side with a "standard" high end 1911 you can really feel the difference. Try this: Go to some place that sells Kimbers and Wilsons. Compare everything between them side by side, you'll definitely detect the differences.

Worth it? That's subjective. Rather than comparing a Corvette and Impala, compare say a Cadillac CTS-V sedan to a Mercedes CLS63 AMG. Both high end performance sedans, one about $70K the other about $120K. Is the Mercedes really that much more car? Subjective! :)

[BPTactical]

Not to argue a point but tighter tolerances really do not lead to better accuracy.
What they do lead to is better consistency of groups.
Accuracy of a 1911 is more a result of barrel/slide lock up and fit and muzzle/bushing/slide fit.
I have seen more than a few rattle traps that will punch accurate groups all day long because the barrel/slide/bushing was fitted properly. I have also seen brand new pistols out of the box that shoot loose 6" groups because the barrel lock up and lugs were not fitted worth a damn.
What you get with a finely fit tolerances is mechanical repeatability. The barrel goes into battery in the exact same way, every time. The relationship of the barrel-slide-frame remains constant through out the cycle.
The trigger resets the exact same way, every time.
Hand cut checkering.
This is the craftsmanship you are paying for.
Premium components cost money.

I have shot Baers, Nighthawks and Cylinder and Slide pistols that were hand built and great shooters. But I also have a Colt XSE that I built for 1/3rd the cost that will run with them all day.

I could not justify that kind of moolah for a pistol I would be reluctant to shoot much. To me a pistol of that pedigree is more of an investment.

As Omicron so wisely put-Subjective

[JohnTRourke]

so really, what you guys are saying is I should buy it so you can finger f*ck it, errr I mean show and tell. [Beer]

still looking around, don't know that i"ll do anything at all (yeah right)

[sneakerd]

Bull. FYI reloads blew up my Nighthawk a week or 2 ago, cracked the barrel right back and thru the hood- so you bet I shoot them. I've owned 2 Les Baers and the Nighthawk. Sold the LBs when I needed dough. The higher-end 1911s get better the more you shoot them. Especially the LBs. Fire-blue and engraving? For show not the range. I think the best bang for the buck is a Les Baer. They can be had for just over 1500. Worth every penny and waaay better than a 1300 dollar TRP.

[Busta Prima]

I would say if you're asking us, you should probably avoid spending that much ($2500) and stick with the $800-$1000 models.

Because what will happen if you buy it is you'll never carry it because it's too nice and you have too much invested for subjecting it to holster wear, sweat, getting bumped around in Outback booths, etc. You won't compete with it for similar reasons. So you end up with another safe queen to look at once in a while, and maybe chuck a few downrange. I'm only speaking from my own experiences!

[eerw]

for that money...I would have it built. get the parts on it that I want and get the milling and finish I want.

LB, EB and Wilson are all high priced factory guns. a few options and colors but not truly custom.

[BPTactical]

for that money...I would have it built. get the parts on it that I want and get the milling and finish I want.

I'm here for ya JohnTRourke[Muaha]
That lil Colt you had is a prime candidate.

[Omicron]

Not to argue a point but tighter tolerances really do not lead to better accuracy.
What they do lead to is better consistency of groups.
Accuracy of a 1911 is more a result of barrel/slide lock up and fit and muzzle/bushing/slide fit.
I have seen more than a few rattle traps that will punch accurate groups all day long because the barrel/slide/bushing was fitted properly. I have also seen brand new pistols out of the box that shoot loose 6" groups because the barrel lock up and lugs were not fitted worth a damn.
What you get with a finely fit tolerances is mechanical repeatability. The barrel goes into battery in the exact same way, every time. The relationship of the barrel-slide-frame remains constant through out the cycle.
The trigger resets the exact same way, every time.
Hand cut checkering.
This is the craftsmanship you are paying for.
Premium components cost money.

I have shot Baers, Nighthawks and Cylinder and Slide pistols that were hand built and great shooters. But I also have a Colt XSE that I built for 1/3rd the cost that will run with them all day.

I could not justify that kind of moolah for a pistol I would be reluctant to shoot much. To me a pistol of that pedigree is more of an investment.

As Omicron so wisely put-SubjectiveGreat clarification. [Awesom]

[sneakerd]

Speaking for the LBs, they may not be "pure" custom- but they are hand-built and hand fitted.

[sneakerd]

Also, not trying to be rude, but if you've never owned, worked on or shot (alot) one of these "high dollar" 1911s- you don't know what you're talking about.

[JohnTRourke]

Because what will happen if you buy it is you'll never carry it because it's too nice and you have too much invested for subjecting it to holster wear, sweat, getting bumped around in Outback booths, etc. You won't compete with it for similar reasons. So you end up with another safe queen to look at once in a while, and maybe chuck a few downrange. I'm only speaking from my own experiences!

you haven't seen my shotgun collection.
trust me, it's not a worry

[JohnTRourke]

I'm here for ya JohnTRourke[Muaha]
That lil Colt you had is a prime candidate.

Yeah, I know
thinking that might be a winter project (for both of us)

of course, since half my collection is being fixed (are ya done yet? [Poke]) might be a while.

[El Caballo Loco]

Any STI opinions in here?

[bluker1]

Here is what I think of when I go high end custom 1911's. Volmann Clint Smith 1 of 2:)

http://www.companybe.com/MachineGunTours/product_photos/large/xl_csvolkman1.jpg

[sneakerd]

Nice.[Beer]

[Graves]

Volkmanns are nice but if you want the best, buy an S70 Colt and send it to Heirloom Precision.

[sneakerd]

Yea I read that article too. Sweet pistols.

[JohnTRourke]

I have a friend who has two Volkman's (1 full length, 1 commander)
it's a bleeping AMAZING pistol.
I kinda forgot about that, but the price range is probably a little above what I want to spend (I know, what's budget got to do with it)

[SA Friday]

I'm with eerw on this subject. Buy good parts and employ a good gunsmith and you will come out with a gun with exactly what you want on it, equal quality to the $2500 guns, but cheaper in the long run.

I had a basic Colt Govt series 80 that I had a gunsmith go to town on.

An STI Spartan is PERFECT for a starting platform for the above.

[El Caballo Loco]

The STI Spartan is a 1911 I've considered for a long time. On the other hand, not being a 1911 owner or a .45 shooter has made it hard for me to justify the purchase.

[soldier-of-the-apocalypse]

Volkman

[BigNick73]

I was on the verge of dropping the bomb on a baer, and decided I'd but some books, tools, and a pile of parts with the cash instead.

I ended up with a pistol that makes my Springfield Loaded seem like the biggest POS ever. Tighter groups and the ammo that my springer hates (anything flat nosed) the home built eats all day.

It's time consuming but no where near as hard as you'd think given you have some mechanical inclination and can use a file and stone. But it is addictive, I'm counting down the days till I get my Christmas bonus, going to build a officer slide on a commander frame.[Muaha]

[TTWHTD]

Wilson Combat Ultralight Carry Compact .45ACP LOVE IT!