The best .45 1911 $1500 can buy.

[Long Tom Coffin]

Okay. So here's the short of the story: In about a month and a half I'm going to be getting about $2000. I have nothing else to spend it on (no major bills, outstanding debt, already saved more than enough for this year's vacation, and so on).

I've decided to blow it all on a 1911 and accoutrements. I've already set aside $500 for the most expensive belt I can get from beltman, and some ridiculously expensive IWB holster from milt sparks. Also included will be ammo, spare mags, range duties, etc.

That leaves me with $1500 for a shiny, brand new 1911 of as of yet unknown manufacture. The thing is, if I am going to splurge on a $300+ combination of belt and holster, I sure as hell want a gun that's going to match, so I don't want the cheap $#i+.

So, go ahead and spend my money. What's the best 1911 I can get for $1500?


(FYI, I'm perfectly aware that "Best" is entirely subjective. But that's why I'm asking. I want everyone to be as opinionated as possible )

 

[harmon rabb]

Spend $2500 and get a Les Baer or Nighthawk

 

[Drail]

Pretty hard to choose just one but if I had the money to spend I would probably go with Les Baer. But Ed Brown and Bill Wilson also build very nice pistols. Try to shoot each of your choices before you decide.

 

[loadedround]

Why not consider a Colt Gold Cup? This pistol will give you almost all the bells and whistles of a Les Baer, Wilson, or Chip McCormick custom piece and save you over a thousand besides. They're are scarce but available and worth buying. There is just something about a Colt...

 

[oasis618]

I would check out the offerings from Dan Wesson, though their prices have increased this year.

 

[45crittergitter]

You can get a very lightly used Baer for $1500 or less if you shop around with a little patience. I got one that was like new for 12.

 

[Haifisch]

I wouldnt spend over $500.00 for any outdated 1911.

 

[CoRoMo]

If it were me, I'd find an unmolested Norc and send it off to James Clark for some attention. I'd have him fit a beavertail, install new sights, barrel, and hammer; have him checker, bevel, and serrate a few spots, buff off some of the words and refinish the whole shebang. I'd end up with one wild weapon, and maybe a good wad of cash left over.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

I think your best bet would be a used Baer, but that's subjective. Other good stuff out there in your price range (new or used) would be Dan Wesson, STI and Fusion.

 

[Ratdog68]

Wilson Combat Professional

Definately one sexiful 1911 !!

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Both of these and the added ivory grips came to less than $1500 individually: 1935 and 1936 Colt Commercial 1911A1's.

[/IMG] PS: Not "new", but not fired much, either, so near new.........

 

[rellascout]

Used Baer or DW Valor.

 

[gbw]

Mr. SharpsDressed nailed it. I'd look for a 1950'ish or earlier mint Colt commercial GM. Best in show, no contest. Anybody can go out and buy the latest greatest gee-whiz-bang wonder gun, and most do. Stretch your horizons a bit,and perhaps your budget. It's worth it. In this case the original really is still the greatest. When you see one you'll understand.

 

[rellascout]

Mr. SharpsDressed nailed it. I'd look for a 1950'ish mint Colt GM. Best in show, no contest. Anybody can but the latest greatest whiz-bang, and most do. Stretch your horizons a bit. In this case the original is still the greatest.

If you are looking for a safe queen. I really have nothing against safe queens.

Clearly you and sharpsdressed man did not even both to read the OP. He is going to carry the gun. He is looking for a carry piece not a safe queen. Are you actually suggesting that he carry a vintage 1950s Colt 1911? :banghead:

 

[gbw]

I read it. Who said anyting about safe queens except you?

Carry it, shoot it, and enjoy it. Not that much trouble to care for it as well. It it gets a little honest wear, who cares? That's what they're for.

 

[Zak Smith]

STI.

 

[HuntAndFish]

I'd probably get a new Colt series 70 and send it to C&S for a carry treatment.

$800 for the gun, about $800 for the 1911SSTACII package, and $400 left for holsters and stuff.

There are other gunsmiths out there I would send it to as well. C&S just comes to my mind quickest because they are fairly close.

 

[Clarence]

In my opinion, Les Baer makes the best 1911 that can be purchased for $1500 NIB. If you are willing to spend a little bit more you can get an Ed Brown............which I like a little better than the Baer. I've owned both and you can't go wrong with either gun.

 

[rellascout]

I read it. Who said anyting about safe queens except you?

Carry it, shoot it, and enjoy it. Not that much trouble to care for it as well. It it gets a little honest wear, who cares? That's what they're for.

Great advice...

Tiny sights, soft slides plus every time you holster it the pistol will become worth less and less.... To each their own but IMHO you are giving poor advice.

 

[Art Eatman]

Now, now, rellascout. I shot IPSC for three years with a 1912 vintage 1911. I've cleaned up and found reliable happiness with a fair number of ancient old clunker 1911s. No big deal whatsoever.

How'd you come up with this "soft slide" stuff? I ran several hundred rounds through, every week for three years, and the Parkerizing was mostly still intact, even after beaucoup practice in draw-and-present dry-fire. Tiny sights? Nope. MMCs are easy to install.

Sure, a lot of the modern critters are fancier and prettier and more accurate, but they're no more reliable for a carry gun than the old stuff.

 

[rellascout]

Now, now, rellascout. I shot IPSC for three years with a 1912 vintage 1911. I've cleaned up and found reliable happiness with a fair number of ancient old clunker 1911s. No big deal whatsoever.

Sure, a lot of the modern stuff is fancier and prettier and more accurate, but they're no more reliable for a carry gun than the old stuff.
__________________

Like I said to each their own but I still think it is bad advice. You could get just as much reliability from a more modern stock Colt which would cost less and not diminish the value of a possible collector.

They are not talking about taking a clunker with no collector value and making a shooter out of it they are talking about taking a $1500 pristine commerical colt and carrying it....

As far as soft slides that statement applies to older WWI slides which relatively are soft compared to later slides. The Colt 1950 would be strong enough for heavy shooting but again not sure that would be what I would do with my 1950s Colt.

 

[Leaky Waders]

I'd get a pistol that is very hard to find...a brand new plain Jane 1911 Colt series 70 or 80 - your choice.

Spend the rest on magazines and ammo or better yet a reloading setup if you don't have one.

 

[rellascout]

I'd get a pistol that is very hard to find...a brand new plain Jane 1911 Colt series 70 or 80

Stock guns are everywhere. I have never personally considered them hard to find.

I personally also love stock guns. One of my favorite shooters is my Stock 70 series Colt.

 

[Leaky Waders]

1911's rarely stay stock long...they are aftermarketed and shade tree pistol smithed far more often than staying stock.

 

[HisSoldier]

I wouldnt spend over $500.00 for any outdated 1911.

That says some things about you, that you don't recognize greatness when you see it. There are many good reasons why this 99 year old design is so popular.

Dan Wesson, should be right about $1500, and worth every dime.