Help Me (custom 1911)

Not sure what's current, not so current
but I'd start with Colt, its catalog and
what is available on-line or in stores.

I seem to remember some two-tone
Colts in the past.

I am sure that any REAL "custom" builder will fabricate a gun to suit.
Turnaround time can be a factor to our generation.

There is a secondary market in little used high grade guns, you will just have to shop around.
I found you a nice two-tone Alchemy. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) it is a .38 Super.

https://www.kimberamerica.com/custom-ii-two-tone-a

Not custom, but meets most of your criteria. Although this has a slight slant to the serrations.

Personally, if you have the money I would start with Wilson Combat and see what they can do for you in their custom shop.

https://www.wilsoncombat.com/1911-customization/

They have a "Build Your 1911" series of drop down menu with their options and they will get back to you by email with answers, questions and pricing.

BreechFace has a good suggestion
and I'll add check out Nighthawk.

JCooperfan1911 said:

I am well over the hill and don’t consider myself long for this world. I have never owned a custom handmade 1911 and would like to change that.

I am desiring only a traditional design, two tone with blued slide and stainless frame. I do not want any tactical crap. Too old for that junk and don’t understand it. Maybe some target sights and a beaver tail is about all. I would like the original vertical slide serrations not slanted.

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The full custom shops should be able to make you whatever you want. However, if you are "well over the hill", a consideration is that many of those full custom shops have waiting lists measured in multiple years. It may not be in your timeline.

Most of the semi-custom makers I'm aware of, Ed Brown, Nighthawk Custom, Wilson Combat, Les Baer, etc., use slanted slide serrations, but could probably give you all the other things, and may be able to give you straight serrations for a price.

Some examples that may be close

Les Baer Boss https://www.lesbaer.com/boss45.html

Ed Brown Executive Target https://www.edbrown.com/executive-target/

Wilson Combat Classic https://www.wilsoncombat.com/classic/

Some on Gunbroker (if you are concerned about wait times), all with slanted serrations:

Les Baer (buy now price of $2,350) slanted serrations
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/891147187

Les Baer (current bid of $1,636) slanted serrations rear only
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/896108832

Colt Combat Elite (current bid of $960) slanted serrations
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/896761014

Kimber Pro Carry II (buy now price of $1,080) slanted serrations rear only
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/896216755

Nighthawk Custom T3 (now bids, starting bid at $3,095) slanted serrations rear only
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/891133512

Wilson Combat (buy now price of $3,150) slanted serrations
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/896594295

Colt Combat Elite (no bids, starting bid at $1,300) slanted serrations
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/896955851

Buy a plain vanilla Colt and send it to Nighthawk and have it fixed up to suit. Turnaround should be faster than special order and a lot faster than custom.

Ed brown

Jim Watson said:

Buy a plain vanilla Colt and send it to Nighthawk and have it fixed up to suit. Turnaround should be faster than special order and a lot faster than custom.

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I sent my 1987 Combat Elite (straight slide serrations) off to Wilson Combat for a rebuild. They did everything I requested, and they would call and discuss the project at various times during the build, double checking to make sure I got what I wanted. The price was reasonable and turn around time was not excessive (14 weeks). I highly recommend them. The guys at Nighthawk came from Wilson, so likely just as good.

Alchemy Custom is your answer.....

https://alchemy1911.com/prime/

A close friend has an extensive high end handgun collection (Wilsons, Baers, Korths, Nighthawks, Pythons etc.....) One of his Nighthawk 1911's (unsure which model) is the smoothest most refined 1911's I have ever had the pleasure to handle and shoot. If I could afford one I would have one in a hot minute. Someday maybe .......

Troy Harp builds unbelievable pistols you may not want to shoot.
Hardballers/ Bullseye.. Springfield builds an excellent and actual custom pistol.

Unlike some brands that just stamp custom on the slide of a standard pistol and BS their customers.

No first hand experience but these seem to speak to me. (Not a fan of their Star trigger hokieness however)


https://cabotguns.com/better-than-custom-1911-pistols/

Spats McGee said:

Not that I have any experience whatsoever with high-end pistols, but I've always liked the looks of some of the Guncrafter models, like the No Name: https://www.guncrafterindustries.com/no-name-government/

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I think that'd be my first choice, then cabot or alchemy, though it'd be an awful close choice.

For a two-tone 1911, I’d want a hard chromed frame with a polished blue slide or at least polished blue flats on the slide.

I’d look at a Rock River Arms Limited Match, note that for the price of admission you get a 1.5”@50’ accuracy guarantee;

https://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=141

I've never owned a Les Baer or Wilson Combat so I can't speak to them. I do have a couple of Kimber's and Colt 1911. My vote is for the Kimber, and I'm not trying to disrespect the Colt. The Colt is a great gun but the Kimber feels just a bit smoother to me. The Kimber comes in a two tone and is a simple 1911 design. On top of that it's accurate with a good trigger pull.

guyfromohio said:

Alchemy Custom is your answer.....

https://alchemy1911.com/prime/

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I really like the look of that one

If a person had a Colt 1911, they can send it to the Colt Custom Shop
https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/...loads/Colt+Custom+Shop+Order+Form+Q3-2019.pdf

Top Left- ACW Prime Elite Blue
Middle Left- Nighthawk Colt Series 70 Distressed Gray
Bottom Left- Colt Series 70
Top Right- Wilson ULCC Black
Middle Right- Colt Custom Carry Commander Gray
Bottom Right- DW VBOB Stainless

All .45 ACP



Should have wiped them down before pics....my bad.

guyfromohio said:

Top Left- ACW Prime Elite Blue
Middle Left- Nighthawk Colt Series 70 Distressed Gray
Bottom Left- Colt Series 70
Top Right- Wilson ULCC Black
Middle Right- Colt Custom Carry Commander Gray
Bottom Right- DW VBOB Stainless

All .45 ACP



Should have wiped them down before pics....my bad.


View attachment 990453

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That's pushing $16-18k, well done sir!

Now how much does your wife think is laying on the table there?

BreechFace said:

That's pushing $16-18k, well done sir!

Now how much does your wife think is laying on the table there?

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Oooooof..... That would be an awkward conversation with her to be sure. Let’s just say that she has no interest in my guns. However, I do recall a recent $500ish purchase and was asked “you spent that on a gun?”.

guyfromohio said:

Alchemy Custom is your answer.....

https://alchemy1911.com/prime/

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Ditto...Darn fine weapon...