Which 1911 to get?

We cannot prove or disprove accuracy by arguing. That can only be done at the range, in person. I just noticed the shopping list that looks like fantasy football. Thought a different opinion might help my brother save his hard earned money.

YZ: While I respect your opinion, I am simply trying to state *why* a 1911 might be worth more than $1k. In most cases, it is because of the tremendous amount of hand-fitting and hand-crafting that goes into making a pistol both mechanically reliable and exceptionally accurate, but also crafting a work of Art at the same time.

A 45 bullet is no different than any other 45 bullet and makes no difference what gun it came from if you are on the receiving end, on that much we can agree.

But for some of us who shoot bullseye, we routinely shoot our pistols at 50 yards and yes, we need them to be mechanically capable of producing 10-shot 1.5" groups. That simply cannot be done with any mass-produced 1911 that I know of, and certainly not below the $1k mark.

We cannot prove or disprove accuracy by arguing. That can only be done at the range, in person.

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When you have an accuracy guarantee in writing you can come closer to proving it. If it cannot, they will make sure it does.

Right before Christmas I was kind of in the same position as the OP. I was wanting to add a new 1911. I was at my LGS with a broad assortment of semi-customs, that represent every maker in the OP's poll, and a couple smaller firms all laid out on the counter.. Along with contemplating an order with Springfield's Custom Shop or to have my Colt LW Commander sent off to a smith.
After a few hours of handling, etc. I walked away with a Wilson Professional. Its not the prettiest gun, but its very smooth and accuracy is top notch. As a matter of fact, I have been so impressed with it I will likely trade off my EB Special Forces for a CQB.

I had a Jim Clark Colt auto. I thought that was about as good as it got.
Here's a little blurb about one like it.
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/08/clark-combat-colt-1911.html

To the OP:

Is there any reason you excluded three of the top 1911's on the market?

Dan Wessons have an excellent reputation.

The Sig 1911's are nice and tight, and have a reputation for accuracy.

As for Colt--all I'll say is this: I have owned a 1911 Enhanced since 1993. It is dead-on reliable. It will hold 3.5 inches at 50 yards--not bad. At 25 yards and in, it will eat out the X on a B27 every time. I carry mine as a duty gun, and it's dead solid and reliable. So, why not these three?

Splitting hairs at 50 yards is not what the 1911 was intended for. We are talking pure sports. You might as well get a 50 mph lawnmower. If that's your game, power to you. For most shooters 25 yards bullseye is where the pistol ends and the rifle begins.

Come on brother. You can have a 1911 SIG or Kimber for $900 or less. Even today. Can you shoot better than those two will allow you? Marketing is clever. If you miss the target, it's not you, it's the pistol. Like if you get fat, it's not your eating habits, it's the "hormones". The industry, the vendors and the media are all on the side of (you) spending big bucks. Only here does someone look out for you.

If yer gonna spend seven thousand dollars it might as well be accurate as all getout. Me, I'd customize a sweet Hi-Power for a pittance.

Splitting hairs at 50 yards is not what the 1911 was intended for.

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No, indeed it was not. But it's been doing so successfully (albeit in custom form) at Camp Perry for over 50 years now.

I want it for daily use with top notch accuracy and collection value as well. Irrespective of price, its not going to be a safe queen

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does "Daily use" mean carrying as LE or are you shooting it every day in competition/practice?

Any 1911 that sees daily use will most certainly lose collector's value.

tuj said:

No, indeed it was not. But it's been doing so successfully (albeit in custom form) at Camp Perry for over 50 years now.

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Fair enough if you are a camp perry grade long distance handgun shooter. Odds are, the gentleman who is shopping for a new 1911 is not. I don't want him to fall prey to seductive advertising, like a child. How do I know this. Ah trust me.
In the end the pollster will decide for himself after hearing all sides. All are subjective and biased, with the possible exception of me. But seriously, man! When the guy next lane leaves you in the dust with his $800 Remington R1, who can you blame? Your Nighthawk?

If you want collector's value, your whole list conditionally qualifies. Whichever one shuts down or at least gets sold first will gain value over current production. Often prestige beats real life quality when it comes to collecting.

$10,000= 9 Colts (and I'd be happy)

Indeed, sir.

Then consider the Colt Special Combat Government. It is their top of the line handgun, and it comes with a test target that equals the accuracy of a common Bullseye gun--3" groups at 50 yards. Yes--I said 50 yards, not feet.

And that's out of the box.

They run about $1800.00 or so.

The single most accurate 1911 out there, though, IMHO has to be a Les Baer 1911 pistol with their 1.5" guarantee. Based on my experience with Les Baer pistols, I would bet money that you would not find a 1911 in existence that will out shoot it from a Ransom rest.

But...here is the meat of the matter.

My last trip to Camp Perry (yes, I shoot Bullseye/Conventional Pistol) I saw a gentleman in some worn coveralls shooting during his relay. Big guy, with huge hands. I noted that he was shooting a GI Surplus 1911A1 pistol, complete with lousy sights. I didn't think the guy was going to do well.

That gentleman was Herschel Anderson, and that year he made it into the top 50 scorers at the Nationals. He smoked the majority of the field with a rattletrap "GI" 1911A1 pistol.

Mr. Anderson still holds the record for Conventional Pistol Shooting--2680/159X. That means out of a possible 2700 points, he only got 20 shots--out of 270--out of the 10 ring--a circle 3.32 inches in diameter at 25 and 50 yards.

It's not the tool--it's the craftsman.

Sence you said other. A colt mil spec.

I think you need two. A smaller carry 45, and a high end match 45.

Curve ball. Does it have to be 1911? Sig 220 carry EQ. And 220x6. I own the x5 in 9mm and have shot the X6. Amazing!

FPS Russian loves his Nighthawk, and if you need to get an opinion off the internet... He's as good as anyone, and better than some.

taurus, 1911,they have custom stuff right from the factory, Buy 3,

i was just pulling yur leg, I would never buy one, thats why i said buy 3,,

The new Hemi looks great seen it on a gunshow(tv). CZ Customs has some awesome Dan Wesson's too,im a Dan Wesson CCO fan.Great shooter!They're out standing completely customed. Id like to try that Wilson Combat too.

Another vote for a Colt.