Exotic 1911's

[1912 minus 1]

I thought this would be a fun post. Note that while it's only my second post on this forum, I have been around gun forums since they have been around me.

If you had $2500 to spend on an exotic 1911, for example a Wilson Combat, what would it be and why?

By the way, what happened to Dan Wesson? I keep getting linked into CZ (?) I must have missed something there.

Also, what makes these high end custom guns so much better than say a $1,000 stock gun?

 

[jon_in_wv]

Dan Wesson is mow owned by CZ. Check CZ's website and you'll find the DW weapons there.

If I had the cach to lay down, the Nighthawk Tactical 1911s are a thing of beauty.

 

[rm23]

I'd like to have a Springfield Professional

 

[Magic_Man]

Is there an option for would not spend $2,500 on a 1911?

 

[1912 minus 1]

Sure, why not.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Is there an option for would not spend $2,500 on a 1911?

Now I would say that option would be to not post in the thread. But since, the OP also asked what makes a $2,500 better than a stock gun, I would say that kinda opens the door to criticism. As for me, I would agree with you. I'd be hard pressed to even spend $1,000 on a gun that fires less than 10 shots. I'd take the $2,500 and but a G19 and G26 backup, and spend the rest on a ton of practice ammo.

 

[Oyeboten]

If I had $2500.00 for getting an 'exotic' 1911 or permutate, I'd go after an early Norwegian made M1914 ( I think it is, ) version one.


If cost no option, my First choice, would a Commercial Model 1911 Colt , of the batch having the Imperial Russian Crest on the top of the Slide, bought by and shipped to the Tzar's Government prior to the 'revolution', but, practically none are known to have survived, and, they'd be a lotta dough if one was for sale, so, the $2500.00 would prolly not cut it for one of those unless it was really beat.


Edit -


Oooops...sorry 1912 minus 1, I somehow missed the entire thrust of your question, especially the last part, of -

Also, what makes these high end custom guns so much better than say a $1,000 stock gun?

As for that, I do not know.

Possibly mystique/provenance...or, when present, great care and skill and understanding in fit and finish and metalurgical or other options I suppose.

Personally, I can not imagine any "1911" or permutate which could be 'better' than an early 'Commercial' Model Colt, at least not in any way which would have enough meaning for me.

Different than, yes...

'Better'...would depend on how the term is to be defined...of course...

 

[Balog]

If someone handed me a check for $2500 with the stipulation that I only spend it on a fancy 1911, I'd take a Caspian titanium Commander frame and stainless slide and have a good smith build me it up for me. Hilton Yam still taking orders? I'd heard a lot of good things about him.

 

[-eaux-]

Now I would say that option would be to not post in the thread. But since, the OP also asked what makes a $2,500 better than a stock gun, I would say that kinda opens the door to criticism. As for me, I would agree with you. I'd be hard pressed to even spend $1,000 on a gun that fires less than 10 shots. I'd take the $2,500 and but a G19 and G26 backup, and spend the rest on a ton of practice ammo.

good thing there's no rule against contradicting oneself or changing the subject. (he said, in all lower case.)

in response to the topic: i, personally, would buy a stock Colt and send it to the 'smith. along with a few extra magazines and plenty of ammunition. if i had to exclude any part of that equation on account of going over budget, it would be sending it to the 'smith.

 

[1912 minus 1]

Colt still makes 1911's for civilian sale?

 

[loop]

I didn't know 1911s could be exotic. They are, after all, so abundant.

$2,500 isn't that much to spend on a 1911. By the time I adjust a 1911 to my personal taste I've usually got about $2,000 in it.

The truth is that for most people there is no reason to buy anything but a Rock Island, Charles Daly or the like. But, when you have become spoiled by a 1911 that is finely tuned to your tastes it is hard to accept anything less.

All of my 1911s are custom, but I don't buy a Wilson or Brown or Baer. I build my guns from first generation Kimbers and from Colts. I buy a gun that has a good frame and slide and take it out and shoot it and decide what I want to change. Sometimes it is a lot, some times it isn't much. It depends on what I want the gun to do.

I recently picked up a 1992-made Delta Elite. I replaced the hammer, grip safety, grips, mainspring housing, all the springs, the slide stop, trigger, bushing and sights. I also added a mag well and polished all the internal parts that have any friction.

Because it is a carry gun it is out getting a matte black Gun Kote finish at the moment.

I've got around $2,000 in the gun and it is about the minimum I feel comfortable with for this gun. I could spend more money on it, but I wouldn't end up with a better gun. However, if I had spent less it would prove to be unsatisfactory for the role it is to fulfill.

I don't have any issue with the guys who like their Tauruses or other low-end guns. They probably will suit them fine for the rest of their lives.

And, I know everyone who has a Taurus or a Rock Island NEVER has a failure of any kind and can shoot half-inch groups at 500 yards and their guns are every bit as good as the more expensive guns - at least on the Internet they are...

It really is more a matter of taste. Once you get used to driving a Ferrari even a 'Vette seems kind of like a grandma car...

 

[-eaux-]

wow.
good problem to have, i reckon.
that's just the view from down here.

 

[hinton03]

Did it already and got it just the way I wanted it. Statrted with a new Colt 1991 Commander, but it actuallly ended up costing me closer to $2,800.

 

[mcdonl]

I would do it if I had $2500 to spend on a gun.

 

[TG13]

i'm not sure if $2500 could do it, but i'd like to have a high capacity Caspian built out..

or, a Springer Custom Shop TRP..

 

[davepool]

10mm Fusion Longslide i had built 2 years ago, maybe not "exotic" but different, i don't see many scoped 1911s. I use it it hunt javalina and my old eyes have a hard time seeing those little critters at 50-75 yds

 

[Kingofthehill]

 

[JTQ]

1912 minus 1 wrote,
By the way, what happened to Dan Wesson? I keep getting linked into CZ (?) I must have missed something there.

Colt still makes 1911's for civilian sale?

You really need to get out more.

Having a factory Colt customized it probably the best idea. I would pick a Series 70 Reproduction as the base pistol. Harrison Custom would be my choice for a pistol smith.

My next choice would a Les Baer Custom Carry.

 

[trbon8r]

Colt still makes 1911's for civilian sale?

http://www.coltsmfg.com/

I'd be hard pressed to even spend $1,000 on a gun that fires less than 10 shots.

You must plan on missing your target a lot.

If I had $2500 to spend on a 1911 I'd pick up a Fusion 1911 kit with pre-fitted slide/frame, barrel, and bushing. I'd take it to a local guy that I know does excellent 1911 work, and I'd let him finish the rest. I should have some change left over as well for reloading supplies.

 

[model of 1905]

I bought one of these and I'm very glad I did!

 

[Quack]

all of these were bought under $2500

all run great out of the box and haven't had a problem with any of them.
They've also been fired more than 10 times.
I carry my Ed Brown, so it's not a safe queen.

out shooting yesterday, a friend was shooting his SA Milspec and was getting crappy groupings, even at 7yards.
he was getting better groups at 25yards with my Wilson than his milspec at 7yards.
another friend shot the milspec and couldn't get good groupings with it, but grouped well with the Brown & Wilson.








and this was a steal at $1395


i'm not bashing polymers, i was actually at the range with my friends to shoot my new M&P9 Pro and XDm, but 1911's are oh so nice

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Not quite $2500, but you get the idea.

[/IMG]

 

[Sgt93]

I would buy the pistol I own, a Wilson Combat