The best .45 1911 $1500 can buy.

[230therapy]

I think Les Baer guns are too tight for self-defense. I prefer something built with that purpose in mind. I recommend you look at Fusion Firearms and the previous shops mentioned. Fusion has some interesting options in the $1500 range.

 

[harmon rabb]

I know what happens when you bring elegance, panache, and class to a gunfight.

1911s are like Jaguars. Make sure you have two, so you will have something to shoot when the other one is in the shop.

Rant mode off.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

I would not bring a high end 1911 to a pistol fight. I'd bring my xd 45. I wouldn't carry a high end 1911. My preferred carry is my glock 27.

But I can still appreciate the sweetness that is a high end 1911 for fun at the range.

 

[Ratdog68]

Have you noticed how many Glock fans just have this uncontrollable NEED to join in reading/commenting on a 1911 thread? I think it's really "envy"... but, they're not grown up enough to admit it... so, they resort to trying to taunt. It's pretty pathetic really. LOL I had to find out how you load a Glock mag to capacity (another thread here)... and was amused at the "ya load it partially full.. hold it in your hand and whack on a solid surface and then the spring will allow easier loading from there on out..." (or sumpin' along those lines). Ok... I was entertained... I never had to do that with my S&W 659, my Baretta 92F, or my Walther PPK/S... let alone any of my 1911s. Wassup with that? I just moved on shaking my head at that one.

 

[A and O]

There will be some of the best sales ever on 1911's next year. You can take that to the Bank. The 100th will produce sales unheard of up to this point. That said, if you need it now then buy now. I'll probably wait for the100th anniversary edition from all the manufacturers.

 

[Magnumite]

"I would not bring a high end 1911 to a pistol fight. " and...
"I think Les Baer guns are too tight for self-defense."

I can understand the first quote on if it means not having the pistol confiscated for legal purposes awaiting trial. And yes, there are less costly alternative 1911's for SD or combat. Other than that...

No less an authority than Clint Smith uses a Baer TRS regularly for his daily carry pistol. He endorses that Baer as a defensive piece.
The tight 1911 being unreliable is a myth. If anything, built right, they are more reliable. A buried in the sand test done years back by a very well respected figure left the tight 1911 measurably ahead of the Glock in reliablity after being buried in sand, shaken out and shot. This test involved burying the gun in sand, creating movement between the sand and pistol, removing the pistol from the sand, mag removal and shaking out, cycling the action, reinserting the mag and firing the pistols.

 

[ambidextrous1]

Another vote for the Colt Gold Cup!

If stainless, have it polished nicely, and touched up every couple of years; if blued, send it off to Robar for a Roguard finish.

Scrimshawed ivory grips and just a bit of engraving (before refinishing) would bbe a nice touch.

 

[KingMedicine]

My 1911, and cost just about 1500 bucks.

 

[Zack]

get a minty 1940-1950 model from the war and own some history.

 

[jackpinesavages]

STI...less than 1500 for this Target Master with Dawson front sight.

 

[XxWINxX94]

+1 Zack

~OR~

One made in 1911 .......................

I would say a Colt of almost any kind, but if you save some more you could go with a top-of-the-line Nighthawk Custom, as stated above.

 

[postalnut25]

I'm not a big 1911 fan, but I sure can appreciate that Fusion Firearms pistol of King Medicine. That one does something for me. ^^^^^^

 

[KingMedicine]

Thanks Postal. It shoots as good as it looks.

 

[WoofersInc]

I am currently in the same place as the OP. I was looking for a new 1911 and set my budget at $1700. After looking around and doing some reading, I decided to up my budget and buy something really nice. I am currently looking at a Ed Brown Special Forces and a Wilson Combat CQB. I think that for the difference in price it would be worth it.

I would not bring a high end 1911 to a pistol fight. I'd bring my xd 45. I wouldn't carry a high end 1911. My preferred carry is my glock 27.

I have seen and heard this logic way too much. It is really not a valid arguement. If you are worried about the police confiscating yur gun after a shooting, stop and think about it. If you are there for them to take your gun, you SURVIVED. That by itself is all the more reason to carry the best gun you can afford. If it makes it so you get to go home to your family, that's the whole point.
I can tell you that I have every intention of carrying whichever of the 2 above guns I get. After all, does a mechanic have a toolbox full of high end Snap On tools and use cheap K-mart stuff to work on cars?? If that was the case, I shouldn't buy and carry any more 1911's since one of these would be better to carry since they cost less.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

"I would not bring a high end 1911 to a pistol fight. " and...
"I think Les Baer guns are too tight for self-defense."

I can understand the first quote on if it means not having the pistol confiscated for legal purposes awaiting trial. And yes, there are less costly alternative 1911's for SD or combat. Other than that...

No less an authority than Clint Smith uses a Baer TRS regularly for his daily carry pistol. He endorses that Baer as a defensive piece.
The tight 1911 being unreliable is a myth. If anything, built right, they are more reliable. A buried in the sand test done years back by a very well respected figure left the tight 1911 measurably ahead of the Glock in reliablity after being buried in sand, shaken out and shot. This test involved burying the gun in sand, creating movement between the sand and pistol, removing the pistol from the sand, mag removal and shaking out, cycling the action, reinserting the mag and firing the pistols.

No kidding. I've put 1000 rounds of lead reloads through my Baer in two hours with no malfunctions. I've put 200 rounds of the same reloads through my Baer when it was coated with sawdust inside and out. No malfunctions. If you read through my posts, you'll see that mine has had some atypical parts breakages, but besides that, it's been great. Its had ~10,000 rounds through it since the last time it had a failure to feed or extract not attributable to a handful of range mags I've marked as unreliable. I carry it daily.

 

[killchain]

For $1500 you could buy 3 FNP45's, and they hold twice the ammunition of the 1911. And they can shoot hollowpoints.

 

[Harvey]

Might as well go for the best money can buy. A Colt 1911.

 

[NMGonzo]

Cbob

 

[harmon rabb]

I have seen and heard this logic way too much. It is really not a valid arguement. If you are worried about the police confiscating yur gun after a shooting, stop and think about it. If you are there for them to take your gun, you SURVIVED. That by itself is all the more reason to carry the best gun you can afford. If it makes it so you get to go home to your family, that's the whole point.

I'm not concerned about an expensive gun being confiscated if I have to use it to defend myself. When I say I'd choose my xd 45 over a 1911 for a gun fight, I say that because of magazine capacity

 

[WoofersInc]

When I say I'd choose my xd 45 over a 1911 for a gun fight, I say that because of magazine capacity

Most gunfights are over in just a few rounds. For me I shoot a 1911 the best. I'll take my 9 starting rounds and the ability to get them on target fast over capicity. Plus I always have 2 spare mags on me. I have multiple handguns that are self defense capable. HK's, Sigs, Glocks, XD's, M&P's. I beleive that a self defense gun should be one that your a very familiar with and shoot the best. A 1911 just points and handles the best for me. I also find that I can conceal one better than any of my other brands mentioned.

Of course each person needs to make the decision on what is right for them.

 

[Polar Express]

The OP didn't specify that this was for SD only or not for SD at all, I don't think... Just because you want to buy a nice high-end sports car doesn't mean you are going to commute to work with it. But, it doesn't mean you would drive it to work on a nice day either.

We're kinda taking this thread off topic, but I agree with Woofers. I like the idea of selecting the platform that I am most familiar with for SD.

For the concealed carry issue, I went around and around with myself on this one, since personally, I am most familiar with the 1911 platform. It just fits my hand, and feels best to me. And, I can hit what I want, when I want, very reliably. To me, that's critical for a carry gun. The biggest drawback to the 1911 for a carry gun, is it's size. It's on the big size. Sure, it's not a Desert Eagle but it's no Derringer either. For a Double action compact carry gun, I sure like that M&P compact line. The grip angle seems to feel like the 1911 to me anyway. I respect Glocks, but when I bring them up naturally, I'm always high, and have to correct. I don't like how they feel in my hand. Not so with the 1911, or the M&P. But, I don't know why it took me so long to think of it, but I've decided to look for a Commander size 1911 for my concealed carry. Duh! So, personally, that's on my short list to pick up.

So, to sum it up, I agree with what Woofers wrote about platform familiarity for a SD gun. And yes, while it would suck to have a fancy gun temporarily confiscated pending any investigation for a SD shooting, the main point has been brought up, that at least you're alive for it to be confiscated from you!

PE

 

[sturmgewehr70]

I just got a Les Baer TRS with factory night sights and three mags......new for $1800 OTD including tax in Upstate SC. Awesome pistol.

 

[sprice]

dan wesson, sti, fusion, smith and wesson.

 

[Black Majik]

I think Les Baer guns are too tight for self-defense

I'd like to respectfully disagree. I've taken multi-day classes where my Baer has outlasted Glocks, XD, and a SIG without a malfunction.

If my guns are able to run through a weekend without any cleanings, I'm sure it can run through a magazine if I ever need to use it for self defense.

Unfortunately though, I don't know of any Baer that'll qualify for the $1500 price budget since they've gone up in price.

For $1500 and under, I would take a hard look at a Dan Wesson or a Springfield TRP.

 

[jim243]

In your price range you can find a lot of decent 1911s out there. It depends on if you are going for looks or shootability or both. Very seldom does a 1911 stay the same as it came out of the box. (grips, triggers, mag wells, magazines, extractors, safeties, hammers, etc.....) I would say get something for around $1,100 and have it dressed up and tuned. With that in mind, you could try Taurus, Charles Daily, STI, Springfield Armory, Para or Kimber, these will run between $850 to $1,200 for their base models (some do have more expensive models, Kimber, STI, Para and SA). The Ed Baer and Dan Wesson will run a bit more $1,800 to $2,800.

While Colts have keep their values, my feeling is you are paying for the name not the gun and there are better ones out there. (OK, you Colt people stop throwing stones at me, I know you love your Colts, but they all have been modified.)

It is not going to be an easy choice, and you really need to research all the one's out there in your price range. (go to the mfg websites and check out all the models)

Me I went with a Kimber (but that's just me) You will need to decide on your own and then get out to a store and put them in your hand to make your choice.

Good Luck
Jim

 

[Sheepdog1968]

If I wanted a 1911, I'd likely go with one made by Ed Brown. They are supposed to be very reliable and accurate pistols. I have a friend who has one and he has 19,000 rounds through his and has found it to be very reliable. Maybe new or maybe used.

Les Baer and Wilson are the two other big names that come to mind.