Suggestion on 1911

[ARFAN]

I got a tax return. I want to get a 1911 for ~2.7k.
Nighthawk; wilson; les baer; springfield pro.
these are brands that I am targeting for.
Can calguns 1911 expert tell me pro and con on these brand?
suggestion?
Thanks in advance

[FrankDux]

is this your first 1911?

[ARFAN]

is this your first 1911?

Nope

[FrankDux]

oh haha...then shoot...i dont know just get all of them haha! dont got experience with any of those only TRP/MC Op/Mil spec. wish I could help. Just picked up a M1a Scout and MC Operator for that much haha!! what ever one you pick you are getting a bad *** piece. good luck!

[aklon]

I got a tax return. I want to get a 1911 for ~2.7k.
Nighthawk; wilson; les baer; springfield pro.
these are brands that I am targeting for.
Can calguns 1911 expert tell me pro and con on these brand?
suggestion?
Thanks in advance

Consider the Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special. It was designed with reliability in mind, it's accurate, it's all steel, it was fathered by Clint Smith and Les Baer, and in my not so humble opinion (as a confirmed .45 shooter) the TRS is definitely a gold standard pistol.

(I prefer it over my Wilson Combat Professional, if that's any sort of endorsement.)

[ARFAN]

Consider the Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special. It was designed with reliability in mind, it's accurate, it's all steel, it was fathered by Clint Smith and Les Baer, and in my not so humble opinion (as a confirmed .45 shooter) the TRS is definitely a gold standard pistol.

(I prefer it over my Wilson Combat Professional, if that's any sort of endorsement.)

Why did you prefer it more than your wilson? even Wilson combat professional is more expensive than Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special? Can you elaborate more?
thxs

[fennecfrank]

Guncrafter Industries!

Here is my model 2 in .50GI


Long story short, I sold a couple of Colt 1911's and an Ed Brown Special Forces right after I got my Guncrafter Industries Model 2. It has the best quality I ever seen. (I looked into Les Baer, Nighthawk, and Wilson Combat too.)

Why just get a regular 1911 with .45 ACP when you can get one with .50 GI? And it's also a 1911 with the highest quality.

.50 GI round:





Ballistic Test with pictures:

http://www.guncrafterindustries.com/popup_50gichp.htm

also check out this thread of 50GI vs 10mm vs .45acp vs 454 casull

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=389124

and YES, Both Model 1 and 2 are on the roster!!

[Striker]

When I was thinking of buying a high end 1911, I looked at everything. The two that caught my attention were the Springfield Professional model and Cylinder and Slide Trident. If you're wondering about the Springfield Pro, read the FBI trials, it's great reading for someone considering a high end 1911. The Trident is a 1911 designed by a Navy SEAL for use in the sandbox.

[jimbos44]

performance center by S&W

[o0RedEyE0o]

I've read some great things about the Les Baer TRS ( about $2,000).
There is a thread on Calguns asking people what is the most accurate Handgun they have ever shot and i saw the TRS show up more than a few times.
http://www.lesbaer.com/TRS.html

I would also recommend the Wilson Combat 1911's they guarantee 1 inch groups at 25 yards with most of their pistols, but the down side is they can go up to $4,500.
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/p_classic.htm <-$2,700

I dont know much about the Springfield Pro, but they make quality stuff...I own a Springfield 1911 Loaded and its an accurate gun for $900.

[Q619]

Les Baer: they're unsurpassed accuracy wise but on the lower end of the semi customs in regards to finishing. You save a bit of money over the other guns because of this. The fitting is great. You have to understand that they're hard fit guns and the tolerances are the tightest you'll find on any 1911. They've been fit by hand to the point where they JUST function. No play anywhere. They're very tight because of this fitting method and actually need to be broken/worn in to really come into their own. You'll likely have some malfunctions while breaking it in, might have a hard time racking the slide, DEFINITELY have a hard time taking it apart, but once broken in: they're really something to behold. Technically, they can be considered broken in at around 500 rounds but mine became an entirely new gun at 3-5k. Glassy smooth, no longer STUPID tight as it was initially, and SCARY accurate. It's the most reliable pistol I've ever owned, including Glocks. Definitely worth consideration. CS seems hit or miss according to some people but I've experienced excellent support from Baer. In fact, I had some questions and when I called in: Les himself picked up and spoke with me.

Wilson: There's something to be said about being able to pick up a gun, ANY gun, coming from a manufacturer....and not be able to find anything wrong with it. Perfect symmetry. Crisp, clean lines. Everything flush where it should be. Perfect carry bevels. Everything about these guns exudes quality, from the finely tuned triggers that break like glass to racking the slide and experiencing the ease of manipulation in the action while noticing this gun has a tightness and ease of lockup akin to a Swiss bank vault. The first time you take it to the range, you immediately feel as if it's an extension of your will as you drive round after round exactly where you want it before shaking yourself to remember this is the first time you've shot this gun. Not quite as accurate as a Baer, but realistically....all but the most skillful bullseye shooters would never know it. When you finally finish your break in process and take it apart for the first time, after an easy takedown (the bushing is JUST finger tight), you'll be pleasantly surprised to find the interior of the gun is every bit as perfect as the exterior.

All of this comes at a cost, some of which is tied up into things you may or may not want (a range bag, bushing wrench, 2 47-D's, & 2 DVD's on top of the usual assortment of manuals and documentation (not to forget...the test target: just to give you a grouping to aspire to and the knowledge that NOT achieving it is the fault of the shooter...not the equipment).

Wilson customer service and support sets the bar for excellence and IMO still rides at the top. There's great piece of mind in a lifetime warranty.

[ARFAN]

Guncrafter Industries!

Here is my model 2 in .50GI


Long story short, I sold a couple of Colt 1911's and an Ed Brown Special Forces right after I got my Guncrafter Industries Model 2. It has the best quality I ever seen. (I looked into Les Baer, Nighthawk, and Wilson Combat too.)

Why just get a regular 1911 with .45 ACP when you can get one with .50 GI? And it's also a 1911 with the highest quality.

.50 GI round:





Ballistic Test with pictures:

http://www.guncrafterindustries.com/popup_50gichp.htm

also check out this thread of 50GI vs 10mm vs .45acp vs 454 casull

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=389124

and YES, Both Model 1 and 2 are on the roster!!

Thanks for suggestion. However, .50 seems to be a unpopular ammo. I like some thing is more popular like 45 acp ; 40 s&w or 9 mm and easy to find on the shelf.

[ARFAN]

Les Baer: they're unsurpassed accuracy wise but on the lower end of the semi customs in regards to finishing. You save a bit of money over the other guns because of this. The fitting is great. You have to understand that they're hard fit guns and the tolerances are the tightest you'll find on any 1911. They've been fit by hand to the point where they JUST function. No play anywhere. They're very tight because of this fitting method and actually need to be broken/worn in to really come into their own. You'll likely have some malfunctions while breaking it in, might have a hard time racking the slide, DEFINITELY have a hard time taking it apart, but once broken in: they're really something to behold. Technically, they can be considered broken in at around 500 rounds but mine became an entirely new gun at 3-5k. Glassy smooth, no longer STUPID tight as it was initially, and SCARY accurate. It's the most reliable pistol I've ever owned, including Glocks. Definitely worth consideration. CS seems hit or miss according to some people but I've experienced excellent support from Baer. In fact, I had some questions and when I called in: Les himself picked up and spoke with me.

Wilson: There's something to be said about being able to pick up a gun, ANY gun, coming from a manufacturer....and not be able to find anything wrong with it. Perfect symmetry. Crisp, clean lines. Everything flush where it should be. Perfect carry bevels. Everything about these guns exudes quality, from the finely tuned triggers that break like glass to racking the slide and experiencing the ease of manipulation in the action while noticing this gun has a tightness and ease of lockup akin to a Swiss bank vault. The first time you take it to the range, you immediately feel as if it's an extension of your will as you drive round after round exactly where you want it before shaking yourself to remember this is the first time you've shot this gun. Not quite as accurate as a Baer, but realistically....all but the most skillful bullseye shooters would never know it. When you finally finish your break in process and take it apart for the first time, after an easy takedown (the bushing is JUST finger tight), you'll be pleasantly surprised to find the interior of the gun is every bit as perfect as the exterior.

All of this comes at a cost, some of which is tied up into things you may or may not want (a range bag, bushing wrench, 2 47-D's, & 2 DVD's on top of the usual assortment of manuals and documentation (not to forget...the test target: just to give you a grouping to aspire to and the knowledge that NOT achieving it is the fault of the shooter...not the equipment).

Wilson customer service and support sets the bar for excellence and IMO still rides at the top. There's great piece of mind in a lifetime warranty.

Thank Q619 for detail info
Hmmm..tough choice. I got a wilson tactical supergrade and nighthawk predator2. But, never has baer. Also owned springfiled Pro before and did not have a chance to shoot it some scumbag stole my before I can to bring it to the range. So, Pro is also in my list now. My own experience with Wilson is very impress. My Wilson is shoot quite accurate out of the box.

[7anthony7]

Tough choice, but great you get to make it. Normally I waould say try before you buy, but good luck with that. I have played with the ones you mentioned and own a shelf full of 1911's. My personal favorite is the Wilson hands down. I just ordered my second. About 4 month wait if you want it built for you. The Thunder Ranch is nice, but I can't say moree accurate then my Wilson. Nighthawk are good too, but I like the customer service and attention to detail of Wilson. In the end, and of your mentioned guns will out shoot you, just find the options you like. I used to like the wildcat calibers, but can be a pita finding ammo, paying for brass to reload, or cutting down other brass.

[richie3888]

Les baer srp