1911 upgrade

[i1800collect]

im surprised no Dan Wesson fans have jumped in yet. they seem to be all over 1911 threads lately. I will say it for them. It's the "Best gun around a thousand bucks".

judging by the list of 1911 makers the OP listed, he's looking at semi-customs in the ~$2k (or more) range.

[Gem1950]

2K+

http://www.edbrown.com/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/004146.1.697135648813572204

[X-NewYawker]

If you live anywhere near Culver City, check out MArtin Rettings store. They have EVERY 19111 from Baer to Wilson to Ed Brown. Pick up everyone and see what features you like, etc.,
In spite of all being "1911s" there are subtle differences in the external dimensions that change the feel of each gun. Over $1500 the quality is there. pick the gun that feels best to you.

[oghl888]

out of your list, I'll pick a Wilson. They are consistently built, and always have a smooth slide operation and excellent trigger. EB and LB have more quality variations from personal experience. NH have great reviews and terrible reviews, but I've never handled one.

Personally, I own 2 S&W PC1911s.

[B Strong]

I can.

If you look closely at the relationship between moving parts, the difference is obvious. The slide to frame fit is tighter. The barrel to slide fit is tighter. The sides of the barrel hood are perfectly flat and you cannot see any light between the hood and the breech. The cuts are perfectly square. The barrel bushing is tight. The lower lugs are perfectly symmetric. The edges of upper lugs are not rounded off. More care and attention is given to thiese guns than the semi-customs mentioned above.

I can look at several different pistols out of my safes and make the same eyeball determination, but that isn't substantive evidence.

The plain fact is that at the high end of the scale, all 1911 type pistols are on an m/l equal footing, with personal preference making the difference.

There is another consideration though, and that is intended use.

You want a pistol to pull out of the safe and fondle, that's one thing.

You want a pistol to carry everyday, with the factors effecting performance due to environmental exposure, you might want a pistol with more generous tolerances.

[tiko]

I got a SW1911, a Kimber Raptor and 2 Les Baers, they are all accurate out of the box and never have a FTF for thousands rounds, however when I shoot 50 yards from a sandbags, only the Les Baers can make 4" groups (could be better if I have good eyes).

[J-cat]

I can look at several different pistols out of my safes and make the same eyeball determination, but that isn't substantive evidence.

The plain fact is that at the high end of the scale, all 1911 type pistols are on an m/l equal footing, with personal preference making the difference.

There is another consideration though, and that is intended use.

You want a pistol to pull out of the safe and fondle, that's one thing.

You want a pistol to carry everyday, with the factors effecting performance due to environmental exposure, you might want a pistol with more generous tolerances.

I can tell .050" from .010" with my eyeball, so it is substantive.

Generous tolerances do not translate to total reliability. Tight tolerances do not translate into unreliability. The Swiss built a near zero clearance pistol for military use. FBI swat is happy with a tight pistol.

Generous clearances on a $2500 pistol mean the manufacturer is out for maximum profit from people who do not know any better.

[9mmepiphany]

Generous clearances on a $2500 pistol mean the manufacturer is out for maximum profit from people who do not know any better.

well said