Higher End 1911s

[Rhyyke]

I care exactly zero about MIM, especially in parts like the slide stop.

That being said, I would tend to agree that to qualify as "the finest" all the top of the line parts, even unnecessarily so, would have to be used. This is of course completely divorced of cost.

The divide boils down to this question; do you believe that a product (1911 in this case) can be better than the sum of it's parts?

Off the top of my head I would point to something like a Wilson Supergrade as the top semi-custom 1911 built with exacting detail out of the best parts available. The price also reflects this, it truely is as good as the sum of all it's parts.

On the other hand something like the Professional might be better than the sum of it's parts. Though it contains some less than ideal parts, the practical function of it puts it at the top right alongside more expensive custom 1911s in terms of it's performance and function.

With price as a consideration, I would always buy the Professional, though if I could recieve any 1911 as a gift, I would choose the Wilson.

[JCMILLER]

I owned a 1911 by C T Brian. The finest 1911 I ever had the pleasure to own. Thats one I wish I still had. I believe he is located in the Phoenix area.

[Chapped Hide]

I care exactly zero about MIM, especially in parts like the slide stop.

That being said, I would tend to agree that to qualify as "the finest" all the top of the line parts, even unnecessarily so, would have to be used. This is of course completely divorced of cost.

The divide boils down to this question; do you believe that a product (1911 in this case) can be better than the sum of it's parts?

Off the top of my head I would point to something like a Wilson Supergrade as the top semi-custom 1911 built with exacting detail out of the best parts available. The price also reflects this, it truely is as good as the sum of all it's parts.

On the other hand something like the Professional might be better than the sum of it's parts. Though it contains some less than ideal parts, the practical function of it puts it at the top right alongside more expensive custom 1911s in terms of it's performance and function.

With price as a consideration, I would always buy the Professional, though if I could recieve any 1911 as a gift, I would choose the Wilson.

Couldn't have said it better.

[skyscraper]

I care exactly zero about MIM, especially in parts like the slide stop.

That being said, I would tend to agree that to qualify as "the finest" all the top of the line parts, even unnecessarily so, would have to be used. This is of course completely divorced of cost.

The divide boils down to this question; do you believe that a product (1911 in this case) can be better than the sum of it's parts?

Off the top of my head I would point to something like a Wilson Supergrade as the top semi-custom 1911 built with exacting detail out of the best parts available. The price also reflects this, it truely is as good as the sum of all it's parts.

On the other hand something like the Professional might be better than the sum of it's parts. Though it contains some less than ideal parts, the practical function of it puts it at the top right alongside more expensive custom 1911s in terms of it's performance and function.

With price as a consideration, I would always buy the Professional, though if I could recieve any 1911 as a gift, I would choose the Wilson.

Your post is spot on.

[LovingTheYear1911]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Wilson Combat submit a firearm for the FBI testing and it failed? Hence the reason the SA Pro got chosen?

[kozumasbullitt]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Wilson Combat submit a firearm for the FBI testing and it failed? Hence the reason the SA Pro got chosen?

I think the FBI selection of SA is a weak argument for the SA Pro. If I recall, there was a lot of controversy over the ammunition used and some inside dealings. I also recall only a handful of applicants when there are dozens of 1911 manufacturers. While I believe the SA Pro is a very nice 1911, I don't confuse it with high dollar customs.

[Harley]

Springfield FBI Professional....

[Chapped Hide]

While I believe the SA Pro is a very nice 1911, I don't confuse it with high dollar customs.

It shouldn't be. The design of the Pro is more about function than form and was built to take a beating. Wilson makes a lot of safe queens, if I could afford I'd buy though

[Colt]

Get a Colt from the '50's and send it out to be tweaked however he wants...


P1000081.JPG

[usclee]

Springfield Professional would be my choice.

One of the best!

[MR_X]

Get a Colt from the '50's and send it out to be tweaked however he wants...


[ATTACH]464399[/ATTACH]

This


When I think traditional, I'm thinking Colt.

[lazyH]

Brown or Dan Wesson

[hambam105]

How many copies of originals do you and your Dad purchase?

My Dad wants a nice traditional 1911

So I bought him an off-shore copy of one. Gee, thanks.

[SG29736]

How old is that quote from Frank Robbins? I have a 2008 CQB with no MIM and 2 cast parts. Currently, all Wilson's have tool steel parts other than the Ca. models that are made with the same 2 cast parts, again no MIM, as they were made when submitted for approval to Ca. It's been quite a few years since they used MIM parts. I agree that the difference between a quality MIM part and tool steel may not be much, but I'd rather have the tool steel. If I was ordering something where I had a choice, I wouldn't specify to have the MIM part. I know guys that have a Rock Island and their safe queen is their Kimber. I use my CQB for IDPA and USPSA a couple of times a month, minimum. Not counting range trips. Mark

[bountyhunter]

How old is that quote from Frank Robbins? I have a 2008 CQB with no MIM and 2 cast parts. Currently, all Wilson's have tool steel parts other than the Ca. models that are made with the same 2 cast parts, again no MIM, as they were made when submitted for approval to Ca. It's been quite a few years since they used MIM parts. I agree that the difference between a quality MIM part and tool steel may not be much, but I'd rather have the tool steel. If I was ordering something where I had a choice, I wouldn't specify to have the MIM part. I know guys that have a Rock Island and their safe queen is their Kimber. I use my CQB for IDPA and USPSA a couple of times a month, minimum. Not counting range trips. Mark

I recall cast parts are only about 60% as dense as tool steel, vastly inferior to MIM. The machinists I work with consider cast pieces as junk.