Which High end 1911

[littlejake]

Baer, Wilson Combat (Oh, I like there stuff! -- leaning heavily in their direction), Ed Brown???

Who's easiest to get?
Who has best customer service?
Fastest Availability?

Looking for a full size 1911, .45 ACP, reliable, for use with 230 gr ball ammo. Defensive plus target use. No MIM parts! Holsters available for CCW where permitted.

Needs to be on Roster as I don't want to do the SSE route.

Prefer not to have the series 80 type FP block -- but could live with it.

I'm willing to get a 1911 from them and then send it for back for custom work.

Not a fan of Stainless steel; but could live with it.

I'm not a fan of ambi safeties, magwells, or beaver tails -- but could live with it. Wouldn't mind a bobtail MSH/frame -- traditional is fine also.

Ideas Folks?????

Jake

[teflondog]

Baer, Wilson Combat (Oh, I like there stuff! -- leaning heavily in their direction), Ed Brown???

Who's easiest to get? All are fairly easy to get. Crazy John (www.cj1911heaven.com), Jerry Hammond (Hammond's Gun & Tackle), or Becky (www.sportingarms.com) can hook you up.
Who has best customer service? Wilson Combat is legendary for their superior customer service.
Fastest Availability? The only ones I see on store shelves nowadays is Les Baer.

Answered in quote.

[DT556]

Springfield Pro

[teflondog]

Once you get into semi-custom 1911's, the differences are mainly fit and finish. Reliability and accuracy should be very close between all of them.

I believe Les Baer gives you the most bang for your buck since they're the most inexpensive from the bunch. I know of a few people with 20k+ rounds through theirs without a problem. I'd consider it a working class 1911.

If price is no issue then I'd personally get a Wilson Combat with all the bells and whistles.

[teflondog]

Springfield Pro

The Pro is a nice gun, but I really hate the fact that they use MIM parts in a gun that costs so much. For the price they demand, it wouldn't hurt them to replace the MIM with forged parts.

[t0kie]

Semi Custom: Baer, for the best value.

Full Custom: Guncrafter Industries (GI)

[fennecfrank]

Semi Custom: Baer, for the best value.

Full Custom: Guncrafter Industries (GI)

One more vote for Guncrafter Industries. Got 3 of their guns now.

Their Model 1 and Model 2 are on the roster. Model 1 is a traditional 1911 while 2 is full railed.

It's also something different: .50 GI. (You can also buy the .45 acp conversion barrel and accessory).

The current wait is a little more than 6 months. Their products, in my opinion, are far better than Nighthawk (which doesn't have good QC's lately, quite some complaint lately in forums), Les Baer, Ed Brown, Wilson, etc. I sold my Ed Brown Special Forces right away after I got my model 2. The fit and finish can be easily seen and felt.

A lot of people don't know that the owner of Guncrafter and co-inventor of .50 GI round, Alex Zimmermann, was the head of R&D at Wilson Combat for several years. Left there to pursue his dream of making a large caliber 1911. He also has won at least 7 world championships in large bore revolver competitions. He knows, as a competitor and as a home defender, what people want. If you ever talk to him over the phone or through e-mail (he answers all inquires to guncrafter), he will be one of the most humble person you'll ever encounter.

Be sure to check out Guncrafter (http://www.guncrafterindustries.com/). I can't say enough good things about this company.


Another company I sugggest is SVI (http://www.sviguns.com/). This is also a company which has good craftmanship and use good quality materials. Brandon Strayer is very helpful. They have 2 guns on the roster, one is single stack while the other is double stack.


Another route is to obtain a good base gun and send it to a good gunsmith to turn it into a full custom. Some people really like certain brand of guns (Colt, Springfield for examples) and these gunsmiths can turn those guns into artwork! Check out http://www.louderthanwords.us and click "Custom Pistols" to see what kind of work they can do.

[littlejake]

Springfield Pro

Springfield's out. Got a SA loaded model. MIM parts.
I consider it a fair deal for about $1000 -- but, not in the running for what I'm looking for.

[Shenaniguns]

IMO, it's hard not to go with a Les Baer TRS which is pretty basic but very well built which leaves options for customization. If I was going to grab one straight off the shelf and keep basically stock I'd choose a Wilson Combat CQB Elite.

[vliberatore]

Why hasn't anyone mentioned Nighthawk?

[hkdad]

If you have $$$ to blow, then a full custom SVI gets my vote! All parts are made in house and from bar stock! Beautiful handguns that are meant to be shot and abused! Awesome CS too! Give Brandon a call and you won't be sorry.

[skosh69]

In no particular order...

Dan Wesson

Les Baer

Ed Brown

Wilson Combat

Nighthawk

[IPSICK]

If you have $$$ to blow, then a full custom SVI gets my vote! All parts are made in house and from bar stock! Beautiful handguns that are meant to be shot and abused! Awesome CS too! Give Brandon a call and you won't be sorry.

The only thing that could beat an SVI is a full house custom built on an SVI platform. It's like getting a customized custom.

[badduggy]

the tactv episode about wilson combat made me consider them.

[socal147]

I own Springers, Baers, and NightHawks. They are all nice weapons. The devil is in the details. How much do you want to invest? Will you be comfortable wearing out (shooting) an expensive piece? People making statements about what parts are made of, I heard this that and something, well it is all just blah blah blah. Hands and handguns are all different. Try to shoot what you are considering. Make a choice on your comfort level.