Why are semi / custom 1911’s so expensive ?

[sonofeugene]

I think it’s because they are flawed more than most and therefore require more work to get them to run properly.

[CALI-gula]

It's all that metal.

That, and it takes a lot more work to make .45ACP more accurate than 9X19mm.

.

[Mute]

I've had every kind of 1911 from the most basic SA to complete custom guns. It isn't just about how the gun shoots. There is a level of artistry to the higher end customs that either you can appreciate or you can't. If you do not, you will probably never think it's worth the time and money for the end result.

[walmart_ar15]

Not all customs are worth the price. It is like buying art, paintings, the worth is in the artist not the art itself. I would argue that with modern CNC automated control manufacturing, the quality of a 1911 build day in and day out would be superior to what a human can do. Your average human with a file is not going to be more accurate than a CNC machine.

Since not everyone going to be able to buy the 1911 hand build by the very few known 1911 grand master, next is the so call semi-custom where the final assembly fitting of intentionally oversized parts is done by human assembly line. Multiple people are involved in assembly with varying skill sets. Now you depend on the brand name, reputation for the quality. So, in a nutshell a full custom gun is assembled, fitted by one person, where semi-customs are done via multiple people using oversized parts in an assembly line. A production pistols are also hand assembled but instead with oversized parts, they use correct dimensioned parts.

Using oversized parts to hand fit removes the potential for tolerance stacking for individual part but it relies 100% on the person's skill. However, because each person is only focus on their part, potentially dimensional interference between parts fitted may reduce reliability. When using parts that has high degree of dimension control (CNC) it can be on-par with semi-custom fit and be more reliable. Then it boils down to the final QA/QC how much effort is spent. One thing true about any gun with "custom" in its title will always have a better finishing as most consumer still equate looks with functionality.

[Snoopy47]

I think the quality span between the higher end 1911's and sub $2000 options is narrowing greatly.

We will always have a problem where in CA with the roster, but outside of that.................. if I had unlimited access to 1911 I just don't see Wilson and NH, and Les Baer worth it anymore.

below is $850................ ARE YOU KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://www.usa.bularmory.com/product-page/commander

[The Gleam]

I think the quality span between the higher end 1911's and sub $2000 options is narrowing greatly.

We will always have a problem where in CA with the roster, but outside of that.................. if I had unlimited access to 1911 I just don't see Wilson and NH, and Les Baer worth it anymore.

below is $850................ ARE YOU KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://www.usa.bularmory.com/product-page/commander

You can get a lot of custom 1911 with a Dan Wesson (CZ) for a whole lot less cost than an Ed Brown, Les Baer, Wilson or Nighthawk.

---

[SDDAVE56]

I just shot 150 rounds through my Les Baer Custom Carry yesterday. Just reaffirms why I bought it, and money well spent.

[Grendel Guy]

I remember when Kimber was all the rage. Not custom enough or did the shine wear off?

[acaligunner]

I just shot 150 rounds through my Les Baer Custom Carry yesterday. Just reaffirms why I bought it, and money well spent.

Oh Yeah 😁

[splithoof]

You can get a lot of custom 1911 with a Dan Wesson (CZ) for a whole lot less cost than an Ed Brown, Les Baer, Wilson or Nighthawk.

---

Of all the many 1911’s we own, the Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail in .45ACP is my favorite for carry when I want a 1911-pattern weapon on my side. About the only “improvement” I may someday make would be to bead blast it to reduce the glare. Other than that, I find it to be a very good value for EDC.
Heck, for certain social functions when open carry is the flavor of the event, in a nice leather holster it makes a good clothing accessory.

[TKM]

I just shot 150 rounds through my Les Baer Custom Carry yesterday. Just reaffirms why I bought it, and money well spent.

Pull the grips and check the finish. Mine is a little thin on the right side.

[acaligunner]

Of all the many 1911’s we own, the Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail in .45ACP is my favorite for carry when I want a 1911-pattern weapon on my side. About the only “improvement” I may someday make would be to bead blast it to reduce the glare. Other than that, I find it to be a very good value for EDC.
Heck, for certain social functions when open carry is the flavor of the event, in a nice leather holster it makes a good clothing accessory.

I was / will look into that pistol also, it’s between the Mc Operator / TRP and Dan Wesson commander bobtail.
Appreciate the post 🙂

[acaligunner]

Pull the grips and check the finish. Mine is a little thin on the right side.

Les Baer “ tight tight tight “ 😁

[Snoopy47]

You can get a lot of custom 1911 with a Dan Wesson (CZ) for a whole lot less cost than an Ed Brown, Les Baer, Wilson or Nighthawk.

---

Yea, but unfortunately DW only has two on the roster.

[Snoopy47]

I remember when Kimber was all the rage. Not custom enough or did the shine wear off?

Kimber gets a bad rap.
I added up all the AFT data a few years ago. Kimber makes more 1911's than all other US based manufactures combined. So just numerically they come across as the most problematic, but I don't know if that holds true to "per capita".