Custom 1911 question

[TexasPatriot.308]

I am gonna treat myself to a custom 1911 soon for my 65th birthday. I first shot 1911s while in the military 46 years ago. I currently own 7 various 1911s from a low price Ruger SR1911, and some Colts, Springfields, Para GI, Remingtons. I have narrowed my choices to Nighthawk, Ed Brown, Les Baer and Wilson Combat and looking at $3,000 to $5,000 price lines. Any opinions? Thanks !!

 

[farm23]

I have shot both the Ed Brown and Les Baer and both were wonderful and if I am ever in the position I will buy one or both of them.

 

[9mmepiphany]

For that price range, I'd consider having a true custom gun built up for me.

Of the choices you've offered, I'd look at the Nighthawk first to see if they had a model that isn't offered by the others...I'm partial to the T3 series as well as the Heine models.

After NHC, if looking for more value, I'd look at the Baer models. For prettier, the Brown models.

 

[tark]

After NHC, if looking for more value, I'd look at the Baer models. For prettier, the Brown models.

Well, I worked for Les for 21 years so I'm not exactly a neutral observer, but I would say this is good advice.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

I know four people with Ed Browns. I’m also a little biased...

 

[WVsig]

For my money if you are going to pay $3000-$5000 I would go full house custom. Pick your smith and spec the gun the exact way you want it to turn out. Most of the brands you have mentioned are semi-custom in that most of the guns they are currently building they are packages based on a particular configuration. If you choose the right smith you can pick and choose the parts you want and make a true personal one of a kind truly bespoke custom gun. Nothing wrong with the brands you have mentioned but for me once I am over the cost of a most Baers I prefer a truly custom gun.

 

[johnmcl]

I have a pair of LBs, on which one of Tark did the checkering. I have a hard time believing I'd be happier with a gun that's more expensive. Btw, one is a Premier and the other an Ultimate Tactical Carry (I hate that name). My thoughts are for you to get an LB, an pocket the $1000 left over.

 

[tarosean]

I own multiple examples from the semi custom builders and they are all slightly different. Its really all up to what you desire in a gun.

 

[Jim Watson]

All I have is guns modified or built in a local shop. All I know about the Major Big Name manufacturers is what I read on the gunboards.
Guncrafter Industries gets good reviews.
I was impressed by Accuracy X literature.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I own multiple examples from the semi custom builders and they are all slightly different. Its really all up to what you desire in a gun.

That is really the bottom line. NHC just happens to offer a wider selection

 

[tarosean]

NHC just happens to offer a wider selection

Yes, but their checkering is pretty aggressive. Which can be off putting to some people. I love it though, as I live in hot and humid Gulf Coast TX. Hence, why I own more NHC's than the others.

Since you like the T3. here is mine..

 

[GE-Mini-Gun]

$5k, I'd get in touch with Larry Vickers and see if he'd put one together for me

 

[SSN Vet]

IIUC, LB hand fits the slides and is know for a really tight fit (some say too tight). I believe that LB is also the only one that offers an accuracy guaranty.

EB is a serious first rate CNC machining house, and has all the funky raptor like slide cuts.

And Wilson didn't build his reputation making junk.

I doubt you could go wrong with either, but if it was me, I'd buy the LB and spend the difference on ammo and a variety of good holsters. Then I wouldn't feel so bad when I got the first ding or scratch.

I'd love to have Harris Custom build me a 1911, but you'll likely have to wait 9+ months to get one.

 

[9mmepiphany]

$5k, I'd get in touch with Larry Vickers and see if he'd put one together for me

Did Vickers start building 1911s again?

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'd love to have Harris Custom build me a 1911, but you'll likely have to wait 9+ months to get one.

That isn't very long.

If I had the disposable income, my top 3, in no particular order would be Bruce Gray, Stan Chen, and Ned Christiansen...they have wait list measured in years. They each offer specialties that the others won't...respectively: HardTail grip safety, Grip Texture, Rear Sight and Conamids

 

[JTQ]

...they have wait list measured in years.

To me, this is why you buy a Wilson, Nighthawk, Baer, Brown, etc., rather than a pure custom gun. Price is one thing, and while I'm a pretty patient guy, I'm not that much of a 1911 (or any gun for that matter) fan that I'm willing to wait multiple years for a gun (sometimes it's that long just to get on the list to begin your wait).

In the big picture of these semi-custom 1911's, the Les Baer guns seem to me enough different than the typical 1911 due to their extreme tightness and frame dimensional differences that if you're choosing a Les Baer it's because you want a Les Baer and not just another semi-custom 1911.

Ed Brown is closer to my idea of the 1911 I'd want, though Wilson Combat seems to be the company I'd like to be tied to for customer service issues.

 

[SwampWolf]

Since you like the T3. here is mine..

Where can you buy the seeds?

 

[1911 guy]

For your price range, I'm going to second (or third) the notion of going full custom. Decide exactly what you want in a 1911 and have a smith build it. I did it years ago and don't regret it at all.

 

[WVsig]

Harrison’s wait list is 3+ years for a full house custom. i know because i am on the list.

 

[WVsig]

Did Vickers start building 1911s again?

He is not currently building 1911s i asked him about it in Feb when i took a class from him.

 

[drk1]

For that kind of money you can become the proud owner of a Cabot S100 or one of their other models. Please check them out! You will find no other 1911 is as well made, with tolerances as close and finely machined and operating, as a Cabot. That's why a lot of the folks that are winning competitions are shooting Cabot firearms. I don't have a thing to do with the company, but I sat up at a gun show near the Cabot booth one time. I was amazed at the quality of work. I've looked at, sold and shot dozens if not hundreds of other 1911s, but none of them come close to the quality of the Cabot. You write that you've narrowed your decision down to "Nighthawk, Ed Brown, Les Baer and Wilson Combat...." Please, please, please reconsider! If you think these are good quality firearms, you'll find that Cabot is so far above them that you won't even look at them any more. Best of luck and tell us what you decide.

 

[CopperFouling]

This guy: https://www.edbrown.com/executive-elite/. And if I were 65, I would not be waiting an additional two or three years for a handgun. Get it and enjoy it.

You have to show us some pictures when you get it.

 

[tarosean]

If you think these are good quality firearms, you'll find that Cabot is so far above them that you won't even look at them any more. Best of luck and tell us what you decide.

The problem with them is they were machinists at first and cared more about aesthetics over function. I think they evetually realized that is not a recipe for success in the firearms world..It's only been a couple years since they bought out ACW and put Rob in charge.. A lot of changes have already been made and will continue to be made.. I probably won't ever give them a dime due to a run in years and years prior. Although its nice to see them change. There is only one gun that I am interested in seeing since Rob took over and I haven't seen any released yet. (Prime) Saw an Anomaly just the other day so it could be soon. Time will tell.

 

[tark]

, LB hand fits the slides and is know for a really tight fit (some say too tight).

That was me! Lol

 

[bannockburn]

JudgeHolden10

And if I were 65, I would not be waiting an additional two or three years for a handgun. Get it and enjoy it.

Good point! I would rather just buy an Ed Brown or Les Baer 1911 off the shelf, so to speak, than wait a couple of years for a truly custom gun. As they say, we're not getting any younger!