Custom 1911 or not

[Firefight]

I know there are many 1911's out there. My dream would be to have a wilson like everyone else but I just can't do it. I'm focused on a custom build by will o'hara on a caspian slide and frame. I know his work came highly recommended but I can't get my mind off of the 1911's in the same price range like the Dan Wesson valor or les baer trs both of which I think are smoking guns but with the wilson in the back of my mind I don't think those will have some of the details I'm trying to avoid. Your thoughts...

[M76]

I've had the opportunity to shoot Les Baer and Ed Brown
1911's, both had great accuracy, fit, and finish. Just great.

The high-end 1911's have tight tolerances, beautiful finishes,
and just reek of fine craftsmanship. I would go the custom
route, you can always get your designer 1911 down the road.

I have an od green RIA tactical and coyote tan Remington R1;
both with custom cerakote jobs, within my budget and means.

[nikki#2]

Your thoughts...

Where are you in your 1911 'venture' ? E.g., Have you owned at least one (or several) and know from experience exactly what features you want in the 'perfect' pistol?

[FUBAR]

How much do you plan to invest in this 1911 journey.

[samsigsauer]

I am lucky to have both Wilson CQB and Dan Wesson Valor Stainless. Both are solid guns. The Wilson slide is so much smoother. The trigger on the Dan Wesson is almost as good as the Wilson. Just my .02cents!!!

Earlier this year I bought a Ruger 1911 CMD. Sold it because after shooting a Wilson, how can you go backwards.... Although I did buy that Dan Wesson after I sold the Ruger...

If you go Wilson you will not have second thoughts...Just trying to find one is going to be an issue... Try migunslingers.com. They have Wilsons once in a while that are Ca compliant....

Good Luck on your quest if you decide to get a Wilson....It took me a few months.

[trigger945]

Where are you in your 1911 'venture' ? E.g., Have you owned at least one (or several) and know from experience exactly what features you want in the 'perfect' pistol?

^This.

To do a custom build, you have to know what features and parts you want. Sometimes (or maybe most of the time), it takes owning a few 1911's and shooting them a lot to know.

[Firefight]

This is my dream wilson...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=460533769

I've owned two 1911's and honestly do not know a lot as many do here. I couldn't begin to compare but I do know that fit and finish and feel is what I'll end up with after investing in a 1911 builder like Will. All steel parts made in America, under cut guard and checkering on the front strap. One piece magwell ext. and a lo profile safety. Recessed slide stop in the frame. Smoothed edges and serrations on the top of the slide, checkered front strap, rear slide. There will be more details but from the example above I have a good direction to work toward.

[davidwow]

The question you must ask yourself is what you can afford and how badly you want the name and personal preferences to be. 1911's past the $800.00 mark should be functional and reliable. As you go up, you get into customization. And the higher the price point, the more it starts teetering into diminishing returns. But those diminishing returns are subjective.

After handling a good range of 1911's - I really love the fit and finish of the high end guys like Wilson, NHC and Ed Brown.

I also appreciate the more affordable guns from Springfield. Dan Wesson on the other hand is a big toss up for me based on their customer service (your milage may vary).

If I had the funds, I would definitely go with the high end guns, or go the custom route because I pay huge attention to detail, and I like the best. But I would have no qualms of getting a Springfield and tossing a bunch of the funds into some shooting courses and ammo instead.

It all comes down to what is more important, and what is within your means.

[matts2k]

I purchased a used full-custom built 2011, and the quality of the work is better than any other pistol I own. I was inspired enough to order another full-custom build.

[Laythor]

Having just finished a two year trip down the custom 1911 route let me throw in my two cents.

I got the chance to get some trigger time on a few high end 1911's from the big name houses. I really enjoyed each of them and very rarely did I think they weren't worth the price tag.

When it came down to it I went the full custom 1911 road because I wanted something that was uniquely mine. Something that had everything I wanted and nothing I didn't.

[jpm804]

This is my dream wilson...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=460533769

I've owned two 1911's and honestly do not know a lot as many do here. I couldn't begin to compare but I do know that fit and finish and feel is what I'll end up with after investing in a 1911 builder like Will. All steel parts made in America, under cut guard and checkering on the front strap. One piece magwell ext. and a lo profile safety. Recessed slide stop in the frame. Smoothed edges and serrations on the top of the slide, checkered front strap, rear slide. There will be more details but from the example above I have a good direction to work toward.

- Like other's have mentioned, what is your budget you want to work with? Without this you could be at this excercise for awhile ...

- List out all the options you want in this build and finalize these requirments as best you can? Any good 1911 pistolsmith should be able to do all those options you requested above.

-any reason it has to be a caspian frame? ( did you want the one piece doubles stack frame or did you want just a simple single stack frame).

- I've mentioned before in your other thread , why not pick out a good base 1911 and have a pistolsmith build it up for you?

What you want is not completely impossible or hard to get , it's more a question of how much you are willing to spend and finding someone who can build it for that price ....

[bulletblood]

A full custom from a recommended gunsmith made exactly to your liking vs a semi-custom produced gun..hmm this shouldn't be a tough decision.

[GW]

I think you have answered your own question That Wilson will always be in the back of your mind until you finally do it. After MANY years of wanting one I got lucky and found a used one on Gunbroker for $1500 then sent it back to Wilson for an overhaul/refinish etc for another $800. Now I have my dream 1911. I have 15 or so other 1911's in the stable but that CQB is Ooh lala for me. Keep an eye on GB and the used racks at your LGS and be ready to pounce. I scored a Dan Wesson CBOB at the LGS that way and had the devilish satisfaction of hearing a clerk say over the phone "Sorry, the CBOB just sold."
I wonder if I would have acquired so many 1911's if I just bit the bullet and bought that CQB 15 years ago. Eh Who knows? I can say this... I have had very good gunsmiths do excellent work on many of my 1911's but the Wilson is the standard they are all judged against.

It may be worth it for you to slap the plastic down and get a Wilson because I think you will always be bugged a little till you do.
Good luck

[JackRydden224]

With the roster full custom builds are a bit more difficult. If you find a way to a full custom build I would suggest that you know every little option you know on your 1911 before you start. There are just so many things you can do with a 1911.

[pklin1297]

Go here: http://ltwguns.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=6 to find a bunch of guys that are widely considered the top tier 1911 smiths in the country. There are gems all over the country in terms of gunsmithing skills of course, but this forum just has a good collection of most of them.

Find your favorite gunsmith, then go here: http://www.pt-partners.com/ to go shopping.

If $4,000 - $7,000 is too much to spend, then look at offerings from the semi-custom houses like WC, EB, and LB.

In terms of fit and finish and quality in general, in my opinion of offerings these days, start with Dan Wesson and go above. Some will cry heresy, but for my money, 1911s from S&W, Kimber, Sig Sauer, Ruger are not worth your consideration if your dream gun is a Wilson.

I've had four 1911s since turning 21. A Kimber Stainless Series I, Series II, a Dan Wesson Valor Stainless and Les Baer P2 1.5". I still have three minus the Kimber Series I, and the Series II is now a customized 1911 by Chuck Rogers.

Have fun in your search. 1911s are just very special pistols that I believe if you want to own one, you should save your pennies for the one you want.