1911 Selection Help

I think you are looking at the very least a semi-custom like you mentioned with the Brown, Wilson, Nighthawk, if not a full custom, but then you are looking typically at a year plus (or multiple year) wait.

Your requirements, especially for a 1911, are going to be very hard to fill (if not impossible) off the shelf. I can't think of any individual 1911 that has all those features, let alone consecutive serial numbers and depending on your definition of "reasonable wait time". Many of your requested features are not particularly common on 1911's let alone all together on one pistol.

You may also want to check with Les Baer in the semi-custom range. However, my understanding of the group in the semi-custom 1911 makers is that Nighthawk is the most customizable.

My guess is you are looking at a pistol that will cost $2,500+. Good luck with your search. You sound like a good friend.

My guess is that JTQ pretty much nailed it. You're looking at semi-custom at least and most likely the blank slide and consecutive serial numbers will push you into "full-custom" territory with the associated price range as again JTQ so succinctly points out. Les Baer and Nighthawk, methinks, would be your best bets. Maaaaaaybe Gemini Customs. Big maybe right there but worth looking into I'd say.

Now, how do I go about becoming your new best friend?

If you are going to end up going the custom route and are looking for a custom builder, John Harrison, at Harrison Custom is very well thought of by the guys on the 1911 boards.

http://www.harrisoncustom.com/Home.aspx

I don't have any personal experience with him, but I like what I've seen, and all the comments I've read about him have been very positive.

As an aside - We lived in Newport News for a few years while I was stationed at HQ Air Combat Command at Langley AFB. We really enjoyed the area, especially the season passes we always bought for Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. At the time, they were an outstanding value and a lot of fun for the family.

you can get all the things you want from Ed Brown.
http://www.edbrown.com/adobe.pdf/2010 Ed Brown Firearms order form.pdf
contact George at www.MIGunslingers.com
he has good prices, can order it for you and has layaway too.

My requirements are:
Consecutive serial numbers $150
Stainless frame and slide (frame will be need to be blackened) $2195
Ambi safety $75
Light rail $100
Crowned Muzzle $50
Fixed sights $0
Checkered front strap $200
Dehorned $0
No lettering on slide $0
Reasonable wait time - they quote 90 day's but a lot of people get them around 30 days if not sooner.
Excellent customer service

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have you contacted the Springfield Custom Shop? they can build you what you want too.

You might check out the guys at the RIA importer on the board here.

Check out www.fusionfirearms.com. They should be able to do exactly what you want.

Both the SA Custom Shop and John Harrison are great choices.

Fusion Firearms

berkbw said:

You might check out the guys at the RIA importer on the board here.

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I got one of those that I bought used.

It shoots as tight as a high end gun.

I paid 350 for it.

modifiedbrowning said:

Check out www.fusionfirearms.com. They should be able to do exactly what you want.

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Yessir, they'll build it to your specs and get you a custom serial # too.

RIA???

Come on now guys, have you folks that recommended the RIA actually read the OP's requirements? RIA is a pretty good value pistol for the money, but I would be extremely surprised if they are able to provide a pistol that can fit the requested specs.

rc109a,
Most of those other recommendations (other than RIA and SA) have been pretty good ones. Good luck with your search. I hope you can get your pistol on time and under budget.

Jim

You might contact John at ProLoad. He specializes in Les Baer and typically has a number in stock. He has a great reputation and wonderful customer service. His prices are also better than almost anyone selling Baers. Link below.

www.proload.com

I'd skip Fusion. It would be hard for me to trust a place that can't deliver parts in marked plastic bags with an order for two custom 1911s. I've been happy with Nighthawk, but I don't think you could go wrong with Ed Brown. The only thing I'd be worried about is meeting your price point of $2500. Is that $2500 per gun, or total?

Good for you. Sounds like it's going to work out. I tip my hat to the folks at Ed Brown for coming thru.

I'd love to see pictures of the pair when you get them.

I woudn't hesitate to go with Ed Brown if they willing to accommodate your requests.

good to hear, which is why i suggested Brown from the get go.
i love my Ed Brown, and is my choice of semi-custom guns. Much better (fit, finish, trigger and price) than my Wilson or the Wilson's i was looking at before my Brown.

thinking of having a Brown built for my son. maybe for his 2nd (yes second) birthday

tmpick,

If you need your parts in marked baggies maybe you shouldn't be working on a 1911. I have had nothing but good with the Fusion I have. Great service too. Kind of odd though, my unmarked parts bags look just like parts that could have come from higher end marked ziplocks.

I was going to go the route with building a kit from Fusion. After I got off the phone I decided that for a few dollars more a skilled gunsmith would put it together and I would get a warranty. I can't remember exactly the price difference but it really surprised how reasonable it was compared to the kit.