Best 1911 Ever

Love my Baer, but definitely wouldn't call it the best 1911 ever. Best value, on the other hand? I think there's a very strong argument to be made for one of the Les Baers on that count. Wilsons are very, very nice, but once a semi-custom pistol starts flirting with $4K, I'll put that toward a full-custom build from one of the top handful of 1911 'smiths in the world instead.

My personal "best 1911 ever" (a Stan Chen Custom) should be ready sometime in 2019. I'll try to remember to return then with pics.

One that costs 13k dollars, thread/

It's just a pistol. The prices mentioned are stupid. If I'm going to drop $4k on a gun, it had better shoot sub-MOA at 1,000 yards or do something really, really spiffy up close.

It's just a pistol. The prices mentioned are stupid. If I'm going to drop $4k on a gun, it had better shoot sub-MOA at 1,000 yards or do something really, really spiffy up close.

Click to expand...

Everyone's different as are their wallets... You can exceed 4k on optics for a rifle, shotguns can get into 6 figures. We can go on and on....

I'm pretty sure everyone's favorite 1911, or gun for that matter, is the one they have right now. At least it should be.

I hear ya tomrkba.

My favorite 1911 is a Glock 17 .

I have a buddy with a Richard Heinie 1911 that he paid 5000 dollars for and waited 5 years to get. I saw it the day after he got it and it was cosmetically and mechanically perfect.

To each his own.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

I had a chance to shoot a Bullseye gun built by Evolution Gun Works (EGW) a few times, a while back. They don't build guns or do gunsmithing any longer, they are strictly parts manufacturers. Best pistol I've ever shot targets with.

It's just a pistol. The prices mentioned are stupid.

Click to expand...

To some extent, it's hard to argue with that. I wouldn't drop that kind of coin on one single handgun, but then again, I can totally understand doing so. I've shot Baers and wilsons, and I've fondled a couple of Nighthawks. Never gotten to feel a full custom job from a top smith, but can only imagine what they would be like. For me, the point of diminishing returns in the 1911 market is right around the $1,500 mark (give or take a little). But for some people it's not about diminishing returns and maximizing value. It's about the best of the best, and I'm glad there is a market to support makers who want to build the best with no compromises.

I'm a fan of my parkerized RIA 1911 Tactical:

19-3Ben said:

For me, the point of diminishing returns in the 1911 market is right around the $1,500 mark (give or take a little). But for some people it's not about diminishing returns and maximizing value. It's about the best of the best, and I'm glad there is a market to support makers who want to build the best with no compromises.

Click to expand...

I agree. I could see springing for a Dan Wesson, but past that, not so much.

I'd love to buy a Wilson Combat, but I just can't justify the money. If I won the lottery though, or inherited some serious money, maybe then. Otherwise my money in those quantities has much more productive uses. This just shows me I need a better job. It's good that those options exist though.

The most I've ever spent on a revolver was $1425. Semiauto is $1350. Rifle is $1650. I beat the hell out of myself on those purchases. I don't regret them now though.

I have several 1911's, but by far my favorites are my Wilson Combat CQB Compact pictured here:



and my Springfield TRP Stainless that I really kind of wish I hadn't parted company with after having my Wilson for a few months:

http://s274.photobucket.com/user/mwink822/media/DSC01876.jpg.html?o=106

surjimmy

That is one fine looking 1911, something about the stainless and ivory looks very nice, and being a Baer I'm sure it runs as good as it looks.
I have an old Springfield mil-spec that yours remindes me of a bit, it doesn't look as nice as yours but it was my first 1911 many years ago and I did a lot of learning on it so it holds a special place.

revolver was $1425. Semiauto is $1350. Rifle is $1650. I beat the hell out of myself on those purchases. I don't regret them now though.

Click to expand...

look at the used market.. The high end build do not retain their value as well as your cheaper guns.
I just sold a Baer for 1500. Sold a Brown 2 years ago for 1600. Have a Friend who just sold his Brown for 1800 with less than 200rds down the pipe.

Deals are out there as long as your patient and willing to jump..

I only have Sig Sauer 1911's, have only owned Sig Sauer 1911's.

No need to look further. Unless I start collecting 1911's.

be safe

I believe in life that if you want "X" be it a new car,custom built firearm or whatever your heart and wallet desire go for it. I have a Shiloh Sharps that I spent a nice hunk of change on and another 1K for a period correct telescopic sight and it's my pride and joy.

I love my Baer Custom Carry. Strictly my opinion, when I pick it up it feels like a warrior's gun more than any other I own or have shot.

I love my Ruger SR1911 it accurate as it gets !!!! It has some help from a very special friend a 20Th Anniversary Crimpson trace laser grip Master Series made of Applewood only 1000 Made !!!!! I'm curious about how many made there way up here to Canada !!!!! They make a very nice combination in my eyes and I'm a proud owner of 3 1911s this is certainly my favorite I'm grouping 10 inches at 50 yards lots of fun to shoot !!!! Put the laser on and the groups shrink to between 5 and 6 inches !!! Hey I'm still young lol !!!

The best 1911 is one that you built yourself from a bare frame and slide using hand picked parts fitted as perfectly as humanly possible. It doesn't matter what brand. But it takes years and dollars to learn how to do that (trust me on that). Or you could just buy a Baer or a Wilson. 30 years ago I learned to build 1911s simply because I couldn't afford to pay Bill Wilson or Les Baer to build me one. If you want to compare mass produced 1911s there is not really much difference. My favorite 1911 is the Springfield I built around 1990. It's had over 80,000 rounds put through it and it will still shoot better than I can. In a Ransom Rest it will chew the center out of a target all day long.

Very true Drail

After I achieved a very good grouping at 50 yards at the range a gentleman came over and asked me how much I payed for my Kimber I told him it was a Ruger and that I just practice a lot !!!!! Funny but true !!!