high price 1911 or skip to something else

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sernv99

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with my rebate check already here, I'm thinking about a semi-custom 1911 (Fusion Firearms) for about $1400....but then again I will be shooting this, max, twice a month, given the pricey ammo and range time fees. It will only be a range gun, that's about it.

Is it worth it too get a pricey gun like this but only shoot it once or twice a month? I dont think ammo prices will be going down any time soon so i see myself getting at most 2 to 3 boxes of ammo each trip to the range. I have a CZ 9mm now that I use for my range gun to practice.

My other option is to get a lower priced .45 like a CZ-97 or used SIG P220 in the $550 range.

Also, with a potential assault weapons ban, I was thinking perhaps I should buy now a good quality AR or a Galil or other assault rifle and hold off on a handgun, before the AR's, AKs, etc shoot up in price again.

opinions?
 
If your heart is set on .45 ACP why not consider a Glock 21 or 21SF? For $1,400 you could buy two 21s and have money left over for a fair amount of ammunition. Of course, you also have about a 99% chance that a 21 will work just fine, without the services of a 1911 mechanic, for thousands and thousands and thousands of rounds. In the interest of full disclosure; I shoot a lot of IDPA and USPSA and I use Glocks.

Still, if you don't have an AR15 that is always a good choice in my opinion. They are a fun gun and who knows what the next election cycle will bring. Perhaps you should get one while you can.
 
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If I were in the market for a semi-custom 1911, I'd almost certainly come home with a Dan Wesson Valor at about $1200.
 
Hi,

A quality 1911 is always a wise choice if you can afford it. You'll get years of fun out of it, have one heck of a defensive handgun . . . and it will "out-live" you and become a cherished family heirloom!

THAT BEING SAID . . .

Save your spent brass, and purchase a fairly inexpensive reloading set up, like a Lee Turret . . . and start reloading your own ammo! You'll be able to shoot so much more inexpensively and you can reload your spent brass many times with a .45ACP out of a 1911 (not so the Glock with it's unsupported chamber!!!).

Do some homework about self-reloaded .45ACP ammunition prices and it will stun you how much money you'll save through the years!

T.
 
I used to make fun of my friend for buying high end 1911's. I'd tell him I can get 3 guns for that much money, he'd just smile and say you sure can. I don't make fun of him any more. Last June I got a Les Baer PII. I spent 4 yrs in the USMC and over 30 yrs of shooting. I have never fired anything like it, it is a whole new world. Well worth the extra money. Second time to the range 15 yards off hand all 8 shots in the same ragged hole. Contact John at proload.com Great guy to deal with and no wait. He also sales cheaper then anyone I have found. Do your self a favor get one you deserve it. I would get the LB, but Wilson ,Ed Brown, or Nighthawk's I hear are also good. LB's are a better bargin for what you get, it will cost you about an extra $700-$1000.00 on the others. You can get a PII for about what your check is.
 
Perhaps it would be better to purchase a good .22 conversion unit for your CZ assuming that it is a CZ75. And you would have enough left over for an AR.
 
If you just want to play with 45, why not a RIA Tactical for ~$400?

I also have a Sig 220, and while totally reliable it's not the most fun thing to shoot at the range. I leave that duty for my CZ Kadet slide on my 75. Now *that's* fun.

You could get 3-4 different guns for $1400. Nice ones.
 
I will straddle the fence, how so? I have an RIA and it is great and I also have two Dan Wessons that I love. Take your pick of these three (see photos). Regards, Richard:)

RIA with King-Tappan Sights:
RIA-1.jpg
DW 10mm:
dw10mm-1.jpg
DW 45acp CBOB:
CBOB.jpg
 
My Les Baer PII with the 1.5" guarantee is my most accurate hand gun. I also have an Ed Brown Executive Target which is a delight to shoot. I avoided the 1911 all together for a few years. Started out with 9mm from CZ, BHP, Sig and Glock. Also great guns. I shoot the 1911 most of the time now. Just got a Les Baer PII in 9mm. Still looking for the perfect load for it but like it a lot.

Reloading is a must to shoot .45.

The Kadet Kit for the CZ is a very good investment.

I do not see an assault rifle ban.
 
I am looking at a semi-custom 1911 just because I want it in two tone and want the checkered back/front straps. If I went for a lower priced 1911, I would have to spend a lot more taking it to a gunsmith to get the features I want:uhoh: but I would consider a used SIG P220 since I heard those shoot pretty good.

I'll going to dwell on it for a couple more weeks. I don't see myself getting into reloading so if that's the case I may skip getting a .45 all together and go for a .40 in a CZ-75 platform.
 
if you got a cz in 9mm you are good to go in the pistol department. with 14.00 left over lok for a nice ar a little used not abused or build one and you will still have money left over for ammo and maybe a tank of gas ?:D
 
You might be able to custom build a 1911 for $1,400. The guys over at 1911 forum say some of their gunsmiths will put one together for you for just $500, provided you supply all the parts. Mine would cost around $1,300 total if I ever decide to do it.
 
sernv,

What kind of options are you looking for on your 1911? You certainly don't need to tap into the semi-custom territory to get fronstrap checkering. Kimber's TLE II comes with fronstrap checkering at less than $1000. It'll come with most goodies (except the two tone finish, but then you'll have to special order it most of the time) such as beavertail, extended thumb safety, skeleton hammer, 3 hole trigger, FLGR, night sights, 30 LPI fronstrap checkering, and beveled magwell.

It'll save you some money towards ammo if you can overlook the finish.
 
You mentioned the CZ97B,

I will say that it will easily rival an average semi-custom 1911 build in terms of accuracy.
 
I am a newbie here on the forum. My suggestion is to look at an STI. I have 4000 rnds through my edge 40 and love it. It is a little pricey but you will notice the difference. Great forum. Godd luck with whatever you decide to get.:D
 
Haven't handled or shot one but Taurus advertises a fairly well tricked out 1911 for about 700 bucks. Might be something to look at or make a few inquiries about.
 
This a typical rental range, pay for time and a lane and shoot at a target on a stand or trolley? Probably with a sign that says "No rapid fire or holster"?

I'd get a really, really good .22; a S&W M41 or well preserved original High Standard at least, maybe a Haemmerli or other Olympic type.

Just depends on whether you want to build skill or make noise.
 
Black Magik

I looked at the Kimber Custom TLE II and held it and like the front strap checkering and the stainless finish. My local shop was selling one for $1015. However I keep hearing reports of kimber's questionable QC on some of their guns, thus i was looking for another alternative. But after thinking about it now, .45 would probably be too expensive to shoot if I don't reload and I don't have the time or space to reload. :banghead::(
 
And the savings for reloading has dropped or possibly even vanished. I have seen FMJ bullets at Midway that cost more than WWB all by themselves and the cheap hollow points at Midway are nearly as expensive for just the bullet than what I pay at Wal-Mart for Remington UMC JHP.
 
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I'd check again. First, there are 100 bullets in a box vs. 50 loaded shells. Second, there are many better options for bullets than Midway.
 
I am referring to 100 round boxes at Wal-Mart - about 27.00 a box. As ridiculously high as that is, bullets for 21.00 that I have to load is even more ridiculous. I just don't see the savings to justify a reloading set up.
 
If you are not reloading and want to shoot a lot, the CZ75 with the Kadet Kit is the way to go. 9mm and .22 on one frame. If you want to upgrade, go with the CZ75SA or the Tactical Sport. The Tactical Sport is in two tone, and if it has as good of a trigger as my IPSC Standard it will rival the best 1911. I'm not sure the Kadet fits either the Tactical Sport or IPSC. Funny, I've never tried.
 
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