High End 1911's

It works. That glass break......is a wall.

It serves no purpose, other than to please collectors that think it's a sign of high quality.

It's one of the many 1911 legends that have been holding that style of pistol back for ages. The trick with 2011's is to get that glass break so light, it doesnt hamper your accuracy. It's barely there, but still there enough to please collectors.

It's also why I picked a Cz Ts2 over the 2011's.

horsemen61 said:

I’m glad this worked for you I’m sure their is a reason for having an industry standard across the board I’m not sure a “Mushy trigger” would work for me or most but if it works for you that’s good

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There are a fair number of target shooters who like a "roll trigger" or "soft trigger" and gunsmiths who provide them.
And their targets are more demanding than "a chunk of lumber at 30 yards."

Even Skeeter Skelton had guns "honed to a delicate creep-fire 3 lbs."

jmorris said:

I have never felt anything smoother than SVI’s. If you can afford them and don’t mind the wait, you’ll be happy.

I think you have to register to use their online “gun builder” but they are not cookie cutter. You pick out everything you want, step by step. Then every part is machined from billet to the specs you picked out.

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I shot a SVI from another shooter. Slide was on ice, trigger was like a fresh bag of Lays potato chips, and accurate like a laser beam! Best part… Beautiful Gun!

It was just an example.

If you're a noob, you'll advance much quicker with instant feedback targets.

Lumber, steel, etc. Pay extra for shoot n see targets. You'll learn quicker when you see each shot.

Dont just hose away at a target like most, paste the holes, and use multiple targets at your range.

A guy here had a SVI years ago before they got so far gone in styling fads. His looked no different from my STI except the horrible green butt; but it was a nicer made gun.

tarosean said:

In the case of the 10k one, weeks were spent refining everything.vs minutes slapping parts together on the production one. Is it possible? I suppose it could in fact happen.

Would I ask for a refund of someones skilled craftsmanship? Not likely.

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Yost doesn't "make" anything, he's simply a parts assembler. He outsources all of his barrels, slides, frames, ejectors etc.

As far as his " skilled craftsmanship" is concerned, my Ransom Rest will determine that...not Internet hype.

And if his guns don't shoot one ragged hole, they're not worth any more than a $700 Springfield (which often do).

But I completely understand the 'snob appeal' of owning a $10,000 1911.

Otto said:

Yost doesn't "make" anything, he's simply a parts assembler. He outsources all of his barrels, slides, frames, ejectors etc.
As far as his " skilled craftsmanship" is concerned, my Ransom Rest will determine that...not Internet hype.
And if his guns don't shoot one ragged hole, they're not worth any more than a $700 Springfield (which often do).
But I completely understand the 'snob appeal' of owning a $10,000 1911.

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$10,000 1911! WOW you guys have deep pockets. But, I’m not hating! A wise man once told me “ Jealousy is a waste of energy”

Yeah. An Atlas is $6000.

These guys got into pistol smithing because they enjoyed it. Nobody enjoys hand making 100 pistols every month. So price increases to slow demand.

Otto said:

And if his guns don't shoot one ragged hole, they're not worth any more than a $700 Springfield (which often do).
But I completely understand the 'snob appeal' of owning a $10,000 1911.

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Sure, for some - maybe you - a $10,000 1911 may be "snob appeal".

The analogy I'll use is speed and cars.

You may say "my 1973 'Cuda (lets talk 1973 dollars here) is faster than your 2022 Challenger, so your Challenger isn't worth what my 'Cuda is worth." Which completely ignores the advances in overall refinement the 2022 Challenger has over a 1973 'Cuda, such as climate control, suspension, transmission, fuel economy, power windows, power seats, rust prevention, safety, etc.

Sure, there is a certain feeling to a 1973 'Cuda that may be pleasurable, but a 2022 Challenger is significantly more sophisticated, and in general, the entire day to day experience will be more pleasurable.

Otto said:

Yost doesn't "make" anything, he's simply a parts assembler. He outsources all of his barrels, slides, frames, ejectors etc.
As far as his " skilled craftsmanship" is concerned, my Ransom Rest will determine that...not Internet hype.
And if his guns don't shoot one ragged hole, they're not worth any more than a $700 Springfield (which often do).
But I completely understand the 'snob appeal' of owning a $10,000 1911.

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That is the most ignorant thing I have ever heard said about Ted Yost. He uses base guns. For 1911 he prefers Colts. He uses Kart Barrels these days. Things like sights, safeties, magwell, hammers, sears etc are all made by him or made by someone else to his spec. Try to find the thumb safety he makes for a 1911 or a BHP. You can't because he custom makes each one. I wonder who does the checkering on those frames for Ted and smiths like him?

I have heard Yost described as many things but someone calling him a parts assembler is stunning. <edited> You have no idea what you are talking about. I don't have to defend Teds but you are making some pretty uneducated statements.

Sometimes it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open up your mouth and remove all doubt. You miss the point of higher end 1911s. It is not about snob appeal it is all about the craftsmanship in the work and that is not determined by a ransom rest. LMAO





How about the sights on this S&W 13. The grips? Lets talk about the grips. For 1911s he cuts them, sands them and then an oil finish applies by hand. IIRC its like 24 coats.



Where did Ted buy the beavertail on this BHP? Where did he buy the magwell?



I get it you like your $700 SA no one has told you not to buy it. Shoot it. Sleep with it do whatever you want with it but you if you are going to talk about higher end bespoke guns you should at least be accurate. I don't see people disparaging your choice yet you seem to be doing that to others and misrepresenting the thing you are disparaging. Seems childish to me.

I have been reluctant to post on this as I have never owned a "high end 1911." The only one I've owned is a Ruger. However recently I went down South to visit a friend of mine. He wanted me to come shoot with him & his neighbor. It wound up being us 3 plus my 17 year old daughter & his neighbor's wife. We had a fun day. Started off shooting rifles. Got to shoot an AR-10 & a couple of SCARS in addition to AR-15's. I said something about handguns to the neighbor. He said, "I'll be right back". When he got back, he had a FN-Hi-Power, A couple of Gold Cups, One of the new Pythons & his 9mm race gun with him.
This is what I remember about the race gun. I don't remember the name of the 'smith that built the race gun for him. It was built on a Caspian slide and frame. The smith had measured his hand & milled the grip to fit it. Very nice pistol. Easily controllable & accurate. He said he had spent $3000 having it built exactly as he wanted.
Do I think my Ruger is just as good. No. I don't think there is anything wrong with my Ruger but comparing it to that man's custom built race gun is comparing apples to oranges. Mine is a mass produced factory gun. There is no shame in that. His was built specifically for him exactly how he wanted it. I don't have the funds to do something like that but I do not begrudge him the enjoyment of his very nice pistol. I just appreciate him wanting to share it with me. I like threads where people discuss guns I haven't had the chance to experience for whatever reason. It gives me a chance to learn things.

Otto said:

Yost doesn't "make" anything, he's simply a parts assembler. He outsources all of his barrels, slides, frames, ejectors etc.

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LOL..

A parts assembler is what you got with your SA's. You're actually equating an American Pistolsmiths Guild member with the same?
Here is a recent example of a build sheet from the "parts assembler", as you claim, that sold the other day.. (well above the 10k mark too)

WVsig said:

I have heard Yost decribed as many things but someone calling him a parts assembler is stunning.

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Ya think?

tarosean said:

LOL..

A parts assembler is what you got with your SA's. You're actually equating an American Pistolsmiths Guild member with the same?
Here is a recent example of a build sheet from the "parts assembler", as you claim, that sold the other day.. (well above the 10k mark too)




View attachment 1090392





Ya think?

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Oh and sold in a matter of minutes.

Zerodefect said:

Yeah. An Atlas is $6000.

These guys got into pistol smithing because they enjoyed it. Nobody enjoys hand making 100 pistols every month. So price increases to slow demand.

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Benos has startied calling Atlas ordinary, even entry level. "When you want a real custom gun, you will know who to call."

The Wilson crew is building about 100 1911oids a WEEK, plus rifles and Sigs.

Jim Watson said:

Benos has startied calling Atlas ordinary, even entry level.

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Adams ship sailed when he pulled a knife on a Cab driver..

Who is Adam? A regular poster on Benos or on staff at Atlas?

Jim Watson said:

Who is Adam? A regular poster on Benos or on staff at Atlas?

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Adam Nilson is the owner/head gunsmith of Atlas

Jim Watson said:

A guy here had a SVI years ago before they got so far gone in styling fads. His looked no different from my STI except the horrible green butt; but it was a nicer made gun.

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The SVI is a one off custom, from the manufacturer. You want round top, tri, 5, 7 facets something else, serrated rib, straight, front or rear serrations on the side, vertical or angled, how about a flat panel? How many lines per inch and the list goes on and on. My last one was something like 3 pages of the various specs. Of course you could build one like JMB would have made had he had the equipment 100 years ago.

The STI’s were just different models, Trojan, VIP, GM, Eagle, etc, I do have a lot more STI’s, they cost less but you don’t even need vision to tell the difference between them.

Another feature of the SV’s are the removable Breech face that allow you to have one frame and slide in various calibers.

Now. I am talking about the bygone days of the 20th century.
Back then SVI was of superior quality but there was not the variety of configurations, "features", and styling foo-fraw they offer now.

Jim Watson said:

Back then SVI was of superior quality but there was not the variety of configurations, "features", and styling foo-fraw they offer now.

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Pretty sure you can make a "plain jane" one in their Gun Builder web page

jmorris said:

Another feature of the SV’s are the removable Breech face that allow you to have one frame and slide in various calibers.

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Surely their patents expired by now.(?) Surprised no one else hasn't implemented it.

Course $$$ may not be worth it given the #'s of people who want a cal conversion.

Murphy's Law says that a caliber convertible firearm will be found to be assembled in the caliber you did NOT want to shoot today.

I love the Yost auto pistol rear sight. It is a Heinie or copy with the hangy down part removed. So it looks custom and saves an awkward mill cut. Even a pro can appreciate labor savers.

tarosean said:

Surely their patents expired by now.(?) Surprised no one else hasn't implemented it.

Course $$$ may not be worth it given the #'s of people who want a cal conversion.

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It’s another step. Another advantage is simply the fact that the breechface can be replaced.

Imagine the feeling you would get seeing this in your multi thousand dollar pistol.



If it’s an SV, that’s a replacement part, not a repair.

Than again if it’s a “for looking at” pistol, that won’t matter at all.

jmorris said:

If it’s an SV, that’s a replacement part, not a repair
Than again if it’s a “for looking at” pistol, that won’t matter at all.

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If you shoot enough to wear the breechface out. Is a slide replacement or replaceable breechface of any consequence compared to your Ammo costs?

Commonly said, but the price of the gun and then of major repair or replacement are lump sum capital investments.

Ammo is an operating expense spread over time.
It doesn't feel the same and it doesn't hit the budget the same.