Why are semi / custom 1911’s so expensive ?

[acaligunner]

I own a Wilson 1911 and a Nighthawk 1911 ~ those cost a Purdy penny, but I’ve also saw a Les Baer / Ed brown / and heard that some 1911’s cost upwards of $5,000 + dollars.

I’ve shot 1911’s from when my dad bought them in the 60’s and 70’s, most were nice but didn’t come ready to shoot he’s ( even the mfg stated that in a note ) some needed some work by a gunsmith ~ etc .
I purchase mine because I wanted a nice 1911 that was or is a nice working 1911.

Have you also thought or have bought a semi / custom 1911 ?

I believe even some 1911 fans think a Wilson / Nighthawk may not even be a full custom pistol -
i know the 1911 club has a lot of ways about how they like and /or consider what “ really “ is a 1911.

[Tarmy]

I have a Wilson and from what I understand…it is considered a semi custom. They hand fit them, test them and take the time and process to build a nice shooter. I love mine and will never sell it. You pay for the time/hand craftsmanship/material and process. Like cars and watches, or similar mechanical things…there is some cheap effective ones and ones that work smoothly and make you feel good too…

[k1dude]

The more labor and precision, the more expensive. They're also very "in" right now. With everyone cranking out double stack 2011's for premium prices, it's the hot commodity. With everyone jumping on board now, a shakeout is likely coming in the next few years. There's not enough people with that kind of money for the segment to not become oversaturated with supply. Especially with some of the Turkish and Eastern European companies that are now jumping in with very low cost options.

[Oldluck]

Great points! Yeah, semi/custom 1911s can get pricey fast—but a lot of that cost comes from the hand-fitting, quality parts, and the time spent getting everything just right. You’re paying for craftsmanship and consistency that mass-produced guns just can’t match.

I’ve looked at a few and totally get the appeal. There’s just something special about running a smooth, tuned 1911. And yeah, the “what counts as custom” debate will probably never end in the 1911 world—everyone’s got their take! At the end of the day, if the gun runs great and you love shooting it, that’s what matters most.

[beerman]

Meh, I’m perfectly happy with my Series 80 Colt GCNM that I bought in the very early 80s. I’ve shot my buddies Bears & Nighthawks, they are very marginally more accurate, and in some cases ( depending on ammo) less so. I paid $560 for it back then.

[acaligunner]

Meh, I’m perfectly happy with my Series 80 Colt GCNM that I bought in the very early 80s. I’ve shot my buddies Bears & Nighthawks, they are very marginally more accurate, and in some cases ( depending on ammo) less so. I paid $560 for it back then.

I grew up shooting my Pops Colt Gold Cup, Colt Ace, Colt commander, old Brazilian Colt, Colt jefe, and Colt 1911. They were all nice pistols, today my Wilson and Nighthawk are a bit better, i prefer the NH ( don’t know why they are basically the same ). The 1 hole 3 shot group that is supplied is just crazy - I can’t shoot that well but maybe if I strap my hand to a vise ~ yeah then probably 😁.

I find it amusing when I pick up my 2 pistols, I don’t really think about how much they cost, just knowing that they are very reliable and nice makes me gtg.

IMG_9039.jpg

[acaligunner]

Nighthawk target IMG_9351.jpg

[acaligunner]

Meh, I’m perfectly happy with my Series 80 Colt GCNM that I bought in the very early 80s. I’ve shot my buddies Bears & Nighthawks, they are very marginally more accurate, and in some cases ( depending on ammo) less so. I paid $560 for it back then.

Yes, I like the Colt / Springfield / and what I grew up on
interarms Star pd, llama, auto ordinance, Brazilian, some mil spec ( can’t remember the mfg ) , Colt Ace ( bang bang 22lr and the medal Colt sent with a letter of thanks for buying the pistol ), all that.

But the 1911 game has improved a lot, and now even the 2011 ( which I don’t think to highly - 9mm 1911 ( ok 2011) 😏 ). Oh boy.

I’m a 45acp man ~ the Colt 38 super that Pops has was good, but I stuck to the 45acp round almost all the time.

These semi / custom 1911’s though they are very special, all these years of shooting different mfg’s offerings and I just had to get it on and buy the W & NH 🙂.

I believe it was a good deal. Thanks and I do regard all 1911’s with high regard ~ it’s what I grew up on 😁

[NorcalGSG]

Because they're worth it

[stormvet]

In this world of automation, robotics, CNC machining, metal casting, MIM, etc. anything actually worked on by a human being requiring more then simply slapping those parts together during the build process is gonna carry a high price tag. Is it worth it, that depends. But what is not deniable is those exspensive semi-custom 1911s are much better guns then a production 1911.

[Fjold]

Why are semi / custom 1911’s so expensive ?

Because the 1911 is the two time World Champion.

[splithoof]

As a dedicated collector of the 1911 platform, I like them all. IMO when you start getting into NHC, LB, Wilson, SA-Pro, etc., it becomes more about the tiny differences that discerning 1911 folks are attracted to. My issue is that whenever NHC releases a new version, I find myself figuring out if I like it, and if so it then eventually happens. Same with European revolvers and fine hunting rifles. That gets costly at times, b
But as to the 1911 platform, having examples from the whole spectrum, and knowing how to use them makes it enjoyable when explaining the differences to my fellow shooters who are interested. I like the new Tisas and other Turkish versions, as do I like our Norinco examples. There are lots of interesting oddities out there, a number of which are no longer produced.

[aklon]

In 1976 I paid $303 for a Mark IV Series 70 Gold Cup National Match. My friends were aghast that I would pay so much money for a gun. After I ran for political office (and lost) in 2000 I was sold a Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special at dealer cost ($1,800 at the time). In 2006 I picked up a Kimber Warrior II ($1,300), and late that next year, a Wilson Combat "Professional" for $2,500.

I was working then and enjoying a higher than usual income so I could reasonably afford these pistols. All of are fine examples of the kinds of 1911s available now, and the only work I've ever had done was a new bushing for the Gold Cup and had the Kimber's feed ramp polished.

One thing I believe true about the 1911: for the price you pay, you will get what you pay for. The Gold Cup was my main gun for almost twenty years and I got pretty good at it. Then I got the Les Baer and it was an eye-opener. Smoother, tighter, and with 20% greater accuracy than the Gold Cup. (Picture attached: 11.5 yards, Davis Street). The Kimber was finicky about ammunition, but once I found the right load it performed really well. The Wilson is definitely a matched tuned gun and is a treat to shoot: the trigger break like a glass rod. Start with a gun you can afford but sooner of later you'll want that upgrade, so it's best to buy a 1911 even at a price you can't afford just to avoid the cost of repeated upgrades.

Yet, out of all of them, I shoot the Les Baer more often than not; the Wilson less so. Both are completely reliable and deliver outstanding accuracy, so much so that I'm contemplating selling the Kimber and Gold Cup.

(Plus, I'm getting old)

Mike 8.09 003.jpg

[acaligunner]

^
I have Pops old Martin B Retting sales receipt and a Colt Gold Cup cost him $ 70 nib - S&W m 41 was $50 😁.

I heard you on you get what you want in a 1911 ~ I think I was 18 or 21 when I started buying Colts and Springfields ~ I upgraded from the Llama, auto ordinance, interarm star pd, and mil spec 1911’s - most went to kings or hoag for some gunsmithing.

I left for a bit and went into H&K’s and Glocks ~ it was not until some time that I made the decision to buy a Wilson and Nighthawk, I really do not think about the price and those guns ( like you said ) are just so good - I enjoy shooting them. I do love the 45acp so it’s all good.

Next purchase will be a Springfield or I may just buy a Les Baer - hopefully I can rack the slide and not embarrass myself infront of the family. 😏.
Thanks everyone for sharing !!

[SG29736]

I have one Springfield that I had completely rebuilt by Wilson. Also a Wilson CQB. I'm not a collector, could have several more Wilson's, Nighthawks if I wanted but don't. If I was younger I'd pick up another. I've probably got 40,000+ rounds through the Wilson shooting USPSA Singlestack. It's my favorite hangun although I really love shooting my CZs too.