Retirement gift to myself ideas

[fgr39]

I will be retiring from active duty army in 2013. I started thinking it would be nice to have a pistol with something like " U. S. Army 1993 - 2013" engraved on the slide. I really like 1911s, have 5 in 3 different calibers. Who makes a 1911 that doesn't have huge roll marks down the sides. I really don't want to go with a custom gun right now. I would like to keep it in the $1000 - $1500 total range. Maybe a Dan Wesson CBOB? Any other ideas?

 

[cfullgraf]

Caspian Arms used to offer some custom roll engraving on their stuff. I have not looked recently if they still do.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Dan Wesson v-bob

 

[bannockburn]

I picked up a Colt Government last year because they had "100 Years of Service" rollmarked on the slide. Might go nicely with your 20 years of service to our country.

 

[Certaindeaf]

It seems you're all good on the 1911 front.
How about a good S&W Magnum with ivory grips?
Thank you for your service.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Colt Custom Shop could probably offer you a special order 1911 with just your desired engraving on the slide. All they would have to do is start with an unmarked slide, which they proably have on hand, for full engraving orders, etc. Price may not even be too bad.

 

[coebam]

I have a stainless Vbob Valor. By FAR the best 1911 I have ever shot. I also own a defender plus and a combat commander FYI. You cannot go wrong with the DW.

 

[fgr39]

Didn't think about the colt custom shop, guess I figured that would be out of my price range but worth checking into. I really dig the VBOB, why can't more manufacturers not plaster billboards on the side. I'm not a revolver guy, I've tried but keep coming back to 1911s. You can never have too many 1911s.

 

[jfrey]

It may be a little more than your budget but you can order a Les Baer with a naked slide so you can get it engraved any way you like. If you shop around a litttle you could probably get one for around $1700 to $1800. Face it, if you are going to retire, it is a special time in your life and you need a special gun to remember it.

I just turned 60 and for the occassion, my wife got me a Les Baer Boss 45. Way too much money I thought but she asked me how many times I planned on doing it. How do you argue?

 

[Pilot]

Try to find a Colt WWI Repro on the secondary market. Either the Carbonia blue 01911, or 01918. Excellent, no nonsense 1911. It isn't an A1, but these are both limitied editions that Colt got right. If you really want an A1, I'd get the series 70 re-issue that Colt is still producing.

 

[Skylerbone]

If you have 5 you've got an excellent donor pool for a real knockout refurb. I know you stated you're not ready for a custom but maybe retirement would be the perfect time. I'd contact Greg Derr of Derr Precision (http://www.derrprecision.com/) and dream bigger than another middling 1911 with engraving.

If you just want an engraved 1911, Brian Powley (http://www.powleyengraving.com/) is as good as they get.

 

[herkyguy]

seems like a decent idea above to look for a standard GI-style 1911 with no frills....that gives you a lot more money to play with when it comes to some really nice engraving. It also would tie in with your service in the Army.