Higher End 1911's

[David_Lawrence]

Hi everyone, I walked into a LGS today and I held the Ed Brown Customs Special Forces and I instantly fell in love with it; fit and the finish is incredible; just wondering what you guys with higher end 1911's think. Anyone with Wilson Combat, Les Baer, Custom shop 1911's please chrime in with any recommendations on a nice higher end 1911.

I've only owned a Springfield TRP, and a Springfield Lightweight Operator.

[JDMIS300]

Depends how much you want to spend. The Baer's and Dan Wessons are great for those that want to spend around $2000. And when you really think about it, that's not much more than what you paid for your TRP. Many would disagree with me but I find a noticeable difference between the TRP's and ANY Baer or Dan Wesson. The extra money is more than worth it in my opinion.

If you don't mind spending a little more, the Browns, Wilsons, Gun Crafter, NHC are all very good choices and will serve you well. Of course sky is the limit, some of the higher model wilsons and NHC start climbing in price very quickly. I have found that the Browns are great for those that want something very plain. They are classy firearms and are more for the traditionalist. The wilsons, gun crafter, and NHC have a lot more choices as far as options and are more fitting for those that want something a little more personalized. All the options mentioned are good choices and are worth the money. They are special firearms.

[David_Lawrence]

Depends how much you want to spend. The Baer's and Dan Wessons are great for those that want to spend around $2000. And when you really think about it, that's not much more than what you paid for your TRP. Many would disagree with me but I find a noticeable difference between the TRP's and ANY Baer or Dan Wesson. The extra money is more than worth it in my opinion.

If you don't mind spending a little more, the Browns, Wilsons, Gun Crafter, NHC are all very good choices and will serve you well. Of course sky is the limit, some of the higher model wilsons and NHC start climbing in price very quickly. I have found that the Browns are great for those that want something very plain. They are classy firearms and are more for the traditionalist. The wilsons, gun crafter, and NHC have a lot more choices as far as options and are more fitting for those that want something a little more personalized. All the options mentioned are good choices and are worth the money. They are special firearms.

Thank you for your time to respond to my post, I'm willing to spend $2500-$3000 on a 1911, just never shot anything that expensive. Only thing I've heard bad from Ed Brown is their customer service.

[Litespeeds]

Everyone has something in their mind that they want to get one day and if the Ed Brown Special Forces is not that one gun you want to own one day, then I would say save up and wait for that one special gun to pop up for sale. All of those semi-custom 1911's will shoot very similarly and their fit and finish has some differences but overall, you can not go wrong with any of those.

I have always wanted a Wilson Combat but didn't know exactly which model. When a CQB Elite popped up on the CalGun Marketplace and the seller was local, I jumped on it right away. Once I held it in my hand, I knew this is the gun for me. I no longer lust for any other 1911's out there.

But if you are a collector, then get it and buy more.

[JDMIS300]

In that price range, the Browns are a good choice. They make the decision making process easy because they only make a few models whether it's on roster or not. They have a very simplistic philosophy to their 1911's and I will say again, they seem to appeal to the more traditionalist 1911 owner. They also have their own beaver tail design which will make it feel a little different than other 1911's. I have heard from 1911 forums that the brown customer service has gotten better. I wouldn't let the CS discourage you too much, you are very likely not to need them. You will enjoy an Ed Brown if you go that route.

However, $3000 can also get you into a Wilson. For me personally I am usually drawn to the Wilson line of 1911's. They are very special firearms. They are finished nicely but also have a very utilitarian feel and look to them. Despite my wilsons being very "tight" 1911's, they are the least picky about ammo out of all my 1911's. Of course this is some times luck of the draw, but worth mentioning I feel.

My suggestion to you is to get out onto 1911 forums and do some research. It is very interesting when reading through threads on that message board. You will start noticing that the personalities of Baer owners differ from the personalities of Brown owners and so forth. Of course there are those that have examples of each such as I do. You should also attempt to hold and examine some examples of each. There are usually calgunners that are willing to let you fire their guns if you ask them nicely. Decide for yourself which works for you. They are all 1911's but at the same time very different. I would go out on a limb here and say that NO particular manufacturer is necessarily better than the other, they just have different build philosophies and you have to decide which fits you best.

[PanzerAce]

Les Baer's are NOT anywhere near the same quality as an EB, Wilson, or Nighthawk. They take shortcuts to get the advertised accuracy, and as a result, the reliability and usability of the firearm is massively compromised.

[ianS]

If you love 1911's and can afford it why not? Any increase in aesthetics,, reliability, durability is a plus. With any premium priced item the law of diminishing returns kicks in precipitously. Know what you'll be happy with. It helps having owned other 1911's to understand why you are paying more and for what.

It's still a 1911. You still need to be on top of your mags, springs, extractor etc. otherwise like Hackathorn says if you're going to treat it like a llawnmower get yourself a Glock. In other words be realistic about what it can do. You can't neglect it like a Glock. And if you're a mediocre shooter a Wilson won't make you shoot better than a SA TRP or even a SA Loaded/Kimber TLE/Colt XSE. Or just get it because you simply want it. Why the hell not right?

Baer and SA Custome are tight. Brown, NHC, Brown not so much. I think I would prefer not so tight for a defense gun. With that said my SA Pro and Baer were great no complaints except I still needed to get out the bushing wrench after 10,000+ rounds for field strip. In hindsight not ideal but you may not mind.

[Cody]

Just be glad that higher end 1911's like Wilson's and Ed Brown's are still on roster. California's gun selection gets smaller each year. You should buy one now while you still can.

[static2126]

Depending on budget, Ed Brown, Wilson, Les Baer, Nighthawk are all nice choices.

If you wanna spend a littlemmore Guncrafter is excellent. Another step up is a full custom build and those can be heirloom quality firearms

[printrep]

[QUOTE= Only thing I've heard bad from Ed Brown is their customer service.[/QUOTE]

[David_Lawrence]

Thank you all for your responses, I personally like 1911's that have rails for that "tacticool" look but on the other hand it destroys the lines of the 1911.

I want to buy a nicer higher end 1911 for range use as I do have HD guns already. (HK USP 45 and Sig P226)

[Harley]

Get a Springfield Professional, with or without rail OP....

Ed Brown? Meh.....

[nvicta]

This question has direct parallel to a straight person asking about what hard drugs are like. Once you enter that new world, it's very difficult to get out. You may go on hiatus from the addiction for a short or longer term, but eventually you seek "the next one"

Everyone has their favorites and bias so it's hard to really take someone's word vs. trying it yourself to get the true lowdown. One neat thing about the high end 1911s is they trade pretty easily and without losing much value. So if you have the start up cash and the patience to land a good deal, you can easily try all the various guns for a rental fee of paying DROS, travel time and the 100% returnable deposit. However when you do find the few 1911's that sing to your heart, you end up stuck with them. But, that's not such a bad thing

I've been experimenting for a while...Currently I'm hooked on Springfield Pros and Guncrafter.

[AFTII]

OP, the best thing you can do is join the 1911Forum.com. The members there are helpful and knowledgeable. You can also get a lot more specific info on different makes in the various subforms. Here you get a lot of conjecture and nonsense.

[WWDHD?]

I'm really happy with my EB Special Forces that I bought used last year. I have other 1911's that I really like too but there's something "special" about that EB. Glad I busted my budget to get it. Good luck.