Custom 1911 question

[bannockburn]

SwampWolf

Where can you buy the seeds?

I was thinking along similar lines, as in if you plant a Falcon or GRP in good soil and water it regularly, can you get it to grow into a Chairman 6"?

 

[WVsig]

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.

As a waitress ask me at a Pizza Hut, back in the day when they had the 5 minute Pan Pizza lunch special, "Do you want that fast or fresh?" At this point in my 1911 life I want it Fresh. LOL

JudgeHolden10



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!

What if you already have a LB to hold you over until you get that custom. Also not every 1911 smith capable of building and Heirloom level pistol has a 3 year wait.

 

[Bottom Gun]

A few years ago, I owned a couple of Wilson Combat 1911s, an Ed Brown Kobra, and a couple of Les Baers at the same time. I made some comparisons and, in my opinion, the LB pistols were best as far as quality and accuracy. I rated Brown as next best and Wilson came in last. So, I sold the Kobra, the Wilson CQB and the Wilson Professional and kept the LB Concept II and the LB Premier. The LB pistols are the finest 1911s I have used to date.

 

[Steve S.]

I carried a GI issue .45 about the same time you did - same war at least. I own a WC CQB and LB PII, both are the entry level price range for these makers. I cannot see what can be enhanced by throwing more money at them. I can tell that the CQB spent more time at the bench (butter smooth) and the LB was “hard fit” but broke in very nicely. Both are built like tanks and both are more accurate than I can shoot. I also own a new 70 series Colt similar to what I carried in the Army; not near as refined or accurate as the other two, but nostalgic and fun to shoot. The money will buy you attention to detail and all the bells/ whistles - I think that all the high end builders do a great job - you will have fun choosing all of the goodies.

 

[bannockburn]

WVsig

What if you already have a LB to hold you over until you get that custom. Also not every 1911 capable of building and Heirloom level pistol has a 3 year wait.

Good question...but what if you don't? Remember the OP, TexasPatriot.308, is looking for a custom 1911 to celebrate his 65th birthday (oh and by the way, Happy Birthday TexasPatriot.308!). As I get on in years I could find myself willing to go with the semi-custom 1911 in the hand versus the two custom 1911s waiting in the bush, so to speak. As we grow older something like time can be of the essence.

 

[WVsig]

WVsig



Good question...but what if you don't? Remember the OP, TexasPatriot.308, is looking for a custom 1911 to celebrate his 65th birthday (oh and by the way, Happy Birthday TexasPatriot.308!). As I get on in years I could find myself willing to go with the semi-custom 1911 in the hand versus the two custom 1911s waiting in the bush, so to speak. As we grow older something like time can be of the essence.

If he has to have it now I would get on 1911adicts and buy a used gun from the maker of your choice. You can save $400-$1,000 for a lightly used babied gun from the best collection of high end 1911 shooter's on the web. No disrespect to THR but guns in the $2,000 - $5,000 range sell everyday there while it is hard to move a $1,000 gun here. I bought my Les Baer for $1,200 and it was LNIB not even broken in when I bought it. I can't tell you the current round count. The LB is a great working mans gun IMHO.

I carried a GI issue .45 about the same time you did - same war at least. I own a WC CQB and LB PII, both are the entry level price range for these makers. I cannot see what can be enhanced by throwing more money at them. I can tell that the CQB spent more time at the bench (butter smooth) and the LB was “hard fit” but broke in very nicely. Both are built like tanks and both are more accurate than I can shoot. I also own a new 70 series Colt similar to what I carried in the Army; not near as refined or accurate as the other two, but nostalgic and fun to shoot. The money will buy you attention to detail and all the bells/ whistles - I think that all the high end builders do a great job - you will have fun choosing all of the goodies.

It is not all about function. When you get into "real" bespoke custom guns they are works of art. Functional works of art that fire 45 caliber projectiles. You are buying the equivalent of a commissioned sculpture from a living master, if you choose right, that you can shoot. For me the LB is not a pretty gun. It is a functional bare bones gun built the old school way and I love it for that but my TRS is the same as every other TRS. Some people really enjoy the personalization of working with a smith to spec out a custom pistol.

I am working with Don Williams right now of specing out a custom build on a new Colt 70 series. We are talking about different parts, barrels, sights, finishes etc... The process of thinking about the build and choosing the right parts is part of the experience. I understand that is not for everyone but I have done it with a few high end smiths now and it is worth the time, money and effort. IMHO

I will also put in a plug for what I think would be the ultimate treat for the OP if he has the time and can increase his budget a little bit. I would look into the Jim Garthwaite 1911 building pistol class. You get to work with Mr. Garthwaite in his shop in PA and built your own custom 1911. You will be taught step by step how to built fit and finish a custom 1911. It costs $3800 but you will get a gun that is worth $3,800 and the knowledge and experience of doing it yourself. When you consider that the equivalent gun out of Garthwaites shop would cost you $3,000+ but you built it for me I can't imagine a better 65th Birthday present. I keep asking my wife to let me do it. Maybe when I am 65.

http://www.garthwaite.com/services/classes.php

 

[CopperFouling]

I will also put in a plug for what I think would be the ultimate treat for the OP if he has the time and can increase his budget a little bit. I would look into the Jim Garthwaite 1911 building pistol class. You get to work with Mr. Garthwaite in his shop in PA and built your own custom 1911. You will be taught step by step how to built fit and finish a custom 1911. It costs $3800 but you will get a gun that is worth $3,800 and the knowledge and experience of doing it yourself. When you consider that the equivalent gun out of Garthwaites shop would cost you $3,000+ but you built it for me I can't imagine a better 65th Birthday present. I keep asking my wife to let me do it. Maybe when I am 65.

http://www.garthwaite.com/services/classes.php

Now that is an interesting option. I think the satisfaction of building one with your own hands would be pretty darn special, and the 1911 is complex enough that some oversight would be a good idea.

 

[tarosean]

If he has to have it now I would get on 1911adicts and buy a used gun from the maker of your choice. You can save $400-$1,000 for a lightly used babied gun from the best collection of high end 1911 shooter's on the web. Do disrespect to THR but guns in the $2,000 - $5,000 range sell everyday there while it is hard to move a $1,000 gun here.

I would strongly advise against this unless you are ready. That site is very good at separating you from your hard earned money.

Grails and other dream guns, new and used, posted almost daily to the point where your tapped out. Then start googling what appendages can be sold for, and what you can live without.

(Just Jokes it is a great place for high end 1911's with many premier Smiths chiming in from time to time)

 

[rskent]

You already have 7 1911's, maybe its time for a 2011.
http://www.infinityfirearms.com/

 

[WC145]

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 !!

I'm a Colt and Les Baer fan, though I've had Ed Browns as well, along with custom and stock Colts and Springfields, and there was a Turnbull in there for a while, too. At the moment I have a Colt Wiley Clapp Commander out being worked over by David Clevinger, that one should be coming home soon. My take is, if you have the time and desire, go with a custom build using whatever your personal preference is for a base gun and have it built to the degree you want based on your expectation of the gun's performance and appearance. I have some that are full builds that started as the most basic of Colts with nothing original left but the frame and slide, and others that started as better appointed Colts and a Baer that required less work to get where I wanted them. Some have taken more time than others depending on the 'smith, how busy they are, and the amount of work being done.

If time is an issue, or one of the "semi-custom" shops is offering something that just really trips your trigger, something from the manufacturers you've been looking at could fill the bill. Most, if not all of those companies allow for some changes to the stock configuration so you can personalize your purchase to a degree and the wait is measured in a few months vs what could be years waiting for a 'smith to build your gun. Back in January I ordered a new Baer Hemi, a gun I've wanted since they came out, with a single side thumb safety, no FCS, 20lpi front strap checkering, and the 3.5lb trigger option. It took a little less than 4 months and the gun is perfect, exactly what I wanted and the price was right through Crazy John. Like I said, I've had Browns (very nice guns, very... refined) as well, but have not taken the plunge for the higher priced "semi-customs" because IMO, once you get past $2500 or so, you're better off having a gun built. You can get a lot of work done on the Colt you already have for $2500 and come out of it with a gun built for you to meet your wants and needs, but, again, you have to be willing to invest the time. I think the first thing you need to do is decide what you want out of the gun in terms of performance and appearance and decide if you can get that from one of the higher end manufacturers or if it's either going to require, or be worth, having a gunsmith build the gun you want. And keep in mind that you can take a Baer, Brown, Wilson, whatever, and have it upgraded as well. Custom work isn't necessarily just for base model guns.


Here are a few examples of what I'm talking about.

My new Baer Hemi-



Joe Chambers did some work on my Baer Boss that really sets it apart-



Not a great picture but this is the Colt Wiley Clapp Commander that David Clevinger is doing for me. The flames are engraved and polished blue, that balance of the slide is matte blue, the aluminum frame and small parts are hard chrome. Goes to show that if you find the right 'smith you can have almost anything you want done to a 1911.