What do you really get for 3 grand?

[earlthegoat2]

I guess if I had 3000 burning a hole I would not spend it on a 1911. I would probably spend it on 3 1000 dollar guns though and one of those would be a 1911.

 

[EddieNFL]

An 87 Honda and an 87 Lotus serve the same function from a utilitarian aspect... but they aren't the same animal. I'll drive a Honda and appreciate the utility... but I still admire the Lotus.

Now that's an honest response.

I think we all have a, "don't need it, but I want it," chromosome. For some of us it's firearms, for others autos. I once knew a couple who sacrificed almost everything to live in a specific neighborhood.

 

[MrMetalMan]

actually it's more like stepping up from a Honda Accord, by-passing the production BMW 3 class and getting a BMW M-class...or a AMG Mecedes, or RUF Porsche

Sorry if this is a little OT

As a previous owner of a regular 3-series and a current owner of an M3, I can tell you without a doubt the M3 is much more fun to drive, and sets faster lap times than my previous car. Aside from the wheels, most people wouldn't be able to see the difference between a 328i and a M3 or between a C63 and a C320, the RUF might stand out from a standard 911 a little. With the AMG or the M, the 20-30% difference in price between them and a regular production model does make a big difference in performance.


That said, when I bought a 1911, I bought a $1100 Kimber because I knew anything more expensive wouldn't make me a better shot.

 

[techmike]

My experience with 1911's boils down to what configuration do I shoot best and what are the priorities in the performance of the stock pattern pistol.

$1500-1800 will buy me the best performance and configuration I could ask for. The remainder of that $1200 is aesthetics and refinements.

I've built several 1911 pistols. Over the years they've been getting better and better. Through this I can; 1.) know what I need in a 1911 pistol; 2.) understand the fitting and labor behind a custom gun; 3.) appreciate the embellishments incorporated into them.

There is one $600 gun out there that is a great buy for the $$$ and a couple around $1000 that are on the cool side. $1200 is a good value price area also if you know what you are looking for.

Magnumite hit it on the head. I was composing a similar reply mentally when I read his post.

 

[M&PVolk]

It would get me buyer's remorse. Especially the first time I faced someone with a RIA that outshot me! Seriously, I can't justify something that is only "bragging rights" better than something at 1/3 of the cost. I could get several divers and awesome firearms for that kind of money. Furthermore, if you actually use the $3,000 gun, you are going to scratch it up, hard to swallow on a gun that expensive.

 

[EddieNFL]

That said, when I bought a 1911, I bought a $1100 Kimber because I knew anything more expensive wouldn't make me a better shot.

True, just as the M series doesn't make you a better driver.

Furthermore, if you actually use the $3,000 gun, you are going to scratch it up, hard to swallow on a gun that expensive.

The lowest round count of my three semi-customs is over 10K. I carry a 2500 plus Wilson everyday and you can tell by the looks. I bought them to use.

 

[Pappy109]

Three things that should never be done.

1. Never drink downstream of the herd.

2. Never slap a man who is chewing tobacco.

3. Never argue with a man pointing a .45 at you. regardless of the make.

 

[EddieNFL]

Three things that should never be done.

1. Never drink downstream of the herd.

2. Never slap a man who is chewing tobacco.

3. Never argue with a man pointing a .45 at you. regardless of the make.

Thou art wise, oh 109.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Furthermore, if you actually use the $3,000 gun, you are going to scratch it up, hard to swallow on a gun that expensive.

you should have told me that before i carried my tuned Colt Python as a duty weapon in an open top holster in all the elements

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Quote:
Furthermore, if you actually use the $3,000 gun, you are going to scratch it up, hard to swallow on a gun that expensive
HA! Both of my Colts have wear, blueing missing, and one has serious "idiot marks" on slide and frame. I don't mind carrying them at all. Thet are as reliable as any 1911 I have had the opportunity to own or shoot, and won't even notice any NORMAL wear I might put on them. I won't own a gun I won't carry.

 

[Dimis]

An 87 Honda and an 87 Lotus serve the same function from a utilitarian aspect... but they aren't the same animal. I'll drive a Honda and appreciate the utility... but I still admire the Lotus.

yes but were looking at the same model so in theory if you pay 10k for a honda civic would you then in turn pay 30k for a civic that has some racing seats and body kit with minimal tuning to make it just slightly faster and handle better?

apple to apples i feel that anything past 1500 is a bit rediculous for a 1911 i may pay up to 2000 if i KNOW that its a better gun but thats not usualy the case
you usualy only pay for the name on the slide once you break that 1500 mark

i can relate to the want it more than need it feeling but there really is a logical cap on that as well...
i believe the mantra goes something like a fool and his money are soon parted

As a previous owner of a regular 3-series and a current owner of an M3, I can tell you without a doubt the M3 is much more fun to drive, and sets faster lap times than my previous car. Aside from the wheels, most people wouldn't be able to see the difference between a 328i and a M3 or between a C63 and a C320, the RUF might stand out from a standard 911 a little. With the AMG or the M, the 20-30% difference in price between them and a regular production model does make a big difference in performance.

indeed the M3 is an awesome machine hard accelleration and handles like a cat on carpet

as for wilson and (especialy) nighthawk

would you pay more for a car knowing that carol shelby worked on it even tho your local machanic can do the same job for cheaper?
then why pay more for a custom 1911 when a smith can do the work cheaper and most times better?

 

[KBintheSLC]

What can I get for 3 grand?

I can get a decent AR, a Glock/XD/Sig/M&P/etc, a nice Ruger revolver, and a few cases of ammo to run through them.

Or I can get one "custom shop" 1911. I guess if you can afford it go for it. Not for me. Its the same reason I would not buy a $250,000 Italian sports car... even if I could afford it.

 

[SwampWolf]

The extra money might give you a bit better accuracy and a nicer trigger; features that are important mostly to a serious bullseye shooter who is realistically contending for top honors at major competitive events (i.e., Camp Perry or its ilk).

Harder to quantify is the pride of ownership and the appreciation for superbly executed workmanship as evidenced in top drawer pistols. And, no, even though I'm serious bullseye shooter and can realize the worth of "works of art" pistols, I've never owned one. But I'd like to have one someday...

 

[jfrey]

While in many cases it is hard to justify the extra money, if you rack the slide on a factory made Springfield or Kimber and then on a Baer, Briley, or Brown, you will know immediately why they cost more. There is just something about their feel and smoothness.

 

[JoeSlomo]

For the extra cash invested in a good custom or semi-custom gun you are SUPPOSED to be getting a better fit gun, better quality components, a gun that has had it's components tuned for performance, and a greater degree of reliability and accuracy.

Is this always the case?

Usually. Though there are horror stories aplenty, as in the production gun market.

Custom guns will generally retain their value better than alot of the standard production models, and the customer support can be pretty incredible. You don't find many Wilson / Baer / Brown 1911's for the ridiculous prices you can find for some of the other guns.

We are fortunate that the market carries a WIDE variety of decent quality guns that have many standard features that used to be considered "custom" back in the day, and that they are at reasonable prices.

The accuracy advantage of most custom guns doesn't really kick in until well beyond what is needed for typical close quarters defensive ranges, and the higher quality parts may never be needed for the typical low round count owner.

The question is not "Are they worth it?" but "Are they worth it to YOU?".

For some folks the answer is HELL no! For others the answer is absolutely.

 

[mljdeckard]

I've been screaming this for years.

Remember the scene in "Pulp Fiction", when they are in the restaurant, and Uma Thurman orders a "$5 milkshake"? Travolta flips his lid, wanting to know what is so special about this milkshake. When it comes out, he says; "I want to know what a $5 milkshake tastes like." So he tastes it, ponders, tastes again, considers, and proclaims: "WOW!! That is the BEST milkshake I have EVER had in my life!!. But it ain't worth $5."

I went to Impact and shot the Nighthawk and the Baer. WOW. great fit. Those alumagrips are COOL. Crisp trigger, more accurate than me, no malfunctions. I paid $630 for my Kimber, NIB. This Nighthawk was $2700. Is it good? Well, yeah. Better than my Kimber? Maybe. Worth more than three times what I paid for it? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR VULCAN MIND SPOCK?!

I tasted the $5 milkshake, and I don't need another one. I think that the law of diminishing returns kicks in at about $1000. You can spend a lot more, for a lot more detail, but the return will NOT be proportional to what you paid for it.

Buy, shoot, carry, collect, whatever you want. Maybe when I'm rich I'll change my mind, but for now, for the life of me, I have no idea what you get for the money.

 

[rtn]

I think you get extra nice fit and finish, plus some "exclusivity". Apart from that I don't know. On a practical level, my Glock 19 shoots as well as my Wilson Combat CQB. That is, both firearms are far more accurate than I am. I love the Wilson -- it's a beautiful, flawlessly functioning pistol, but the Glock does everything I need it to do.

 

[LancerMW]

im perfectly happy with my TRP

 

[Clarence]

I've got an Ed Brown that I paid less than $1500 for and it will shoot circles around any Kimber, Springfield or Colt that I've ever owned and will shoot as well as the Baers and Wilsons that I've owned. I've got almost 7k rounds through it with nary a hiccup.

You don't need to pay $3000 for a great 1911...........IMO

But I've never owned a great Kimber, Springfield or Colt.

 

[JohnBT]

"What do you really get for 3 grand?"

- My father gets about 2.5 weeks in assisted living.

- My mother gets about 1.5 weeks in a nursing unit for Alzheimer patients who require lifting, feeding, everything single little thing done for them.

Three grand for a gun? Sure, why not, three grand won't do you much good later on.

John

P.S. - The above weekly numbers are estimates. My mother's monthly bill is $7200 and my father's is $3850 plus another $1200 for 2 hours of health aide assistance to get him up, dressed and into his scooter (and then to bed, too.) Yep, over 12 grand a month. Good guns are cheap by comparison.

 

[JohnBT]

Duh.

 

[possum]

if i had three grand this is what i would do if i didn't already have the stuff. i would buy a reliable and quality handgun, reloading equipment, magazines, and take several training courses.

Mindest, Tactics, skills, and gear. in that order.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Custom work done after production is always going to cost considerably more that "custom options" installed at the factory. Think about: assembly lines, overhead costs, scale of production.

Get the picture?

It's analogous to tricking out a car. You can spend multiple thousands on custom upgrades from a custom shop. High quality and considerably more expensive than the equivalent options from the factory. However, the custom work is a unique bit of functional artwork that stands out and distinguishes your machine from all the others out there. Whether or not it's worth it depends on the amount of disposable income you happen to have and your own priorities. For myself, I'd keep the Colt as is and buy a gun from the factory with all the options pre-installed. But I'm rather utilitarian when it comes to firearms and my extra cash is limited right now.

 

[inherentical]

Mindest, Tactics, skills, and gear. in that order.

So if I already have the mindset, tactics, and skills I can spend what I want on a nice gun?

Sweet.

 

[Shear_stress]

What do you really get for 3 grand?

Diminishing returns.