1911 --Best quality makers?

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I have and extremely enjoy an STI TargetMaster and a Caspian custom. Incredible shooters, IMO. I only just got the 1911 flu 2 years ago, that trigger is incredible.

I instruct and assist in some firearms classes and get to talk with a lot of people about pistols. One fellow has a drooling large 1911 collection: Wilson, Brown, Wesson, STI, SVI, etc.. Around 20 1911 pistols. He said he's ready to start thinning the 1911 herd as he found the one that puts all the rest to shame: The Les Baer ThunderRanch. Now, I must find one!
 
My highest marks still go to Wilson Combat and Volkmann Precision...I'm not familiar with any reports of someone hearing the word "no" insofar as an option to add/omit from a build.
 
Zerodefect said:
But when it's all said and done, a 1911 custom fitted to your hands and style is priceless. There is an "X factor" with 1911's, an unquantifiable coolness from the look, solid feel, and awesome trigger that other more modern guns can't touch.
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Well said. When you hold that slab of steel in your hand....it's a unique experience. You definitely don't ever want to be pistol whipped with one. I've been very pleased with my new production s1991 Colt. 100% reliable! When you learn the details that make for a great running 1911, you'll find that your Colt has them. (hint: an uber tight slide to frame fit is NOT one of them.)

As for accuracy potential.....just look at what top bullseye competitors shoot..... 1911s
 
I don't have any of the high end 1911's, but I do have a couple of Colt 01918 WWI Repros which are stunning, very accurate and have run 100%. In fact all my Springfields also have run 100% from day one, just like the Colts. All my 1911's have been flawless, out of the box from day one. I don't see the need to spend several thousand more on 1911's when I can get nice Colts and others for under $1K that look and perform great.

I do understand that the Les Baers and Wilsons are stellar 1911's, with superb fiit and finish.
 
1911

Get the LES BAER ......I have a Thunder Ranch and it is a beautiful shooting machine.! The best 1911 and it was only $1700...
 
While I love my Les Baer TRS it is no where near the top of the heap. When you look around there are full house custom 1911s which are well over $5000 which have a greater attention to detail than the semi-custom guns like Ed Brown, Wilson Combat and Le Baer.

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The OP stated he was not looking for a $7000 pistol merely a well built, reliable example with tighter than normal standards and an attention to detail that will be used as JMB intended. His budget suggestion excludes most full customs unless used.
 
The OP stated he was not looking for a $7000 pistol merely a well built, reliable example with tighter than normal standards and an attention to detail that will be used as JMB intended. His budget suggestion excludes most full customs unless used.
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Right I and I think others understand that but there are a lot of posts in this thread making claims that the semi-custom brand X is the end all be all of fit and finish. IMHO this is just not the case.

In the under $2500 range I like the following based on value which is completely subjective.

  • Les Baer: Not the best but at around $1800 you get more for your money. They do not have the greatest finish. My TRS's bluing is a little thin. IMHO but they are tight and they are hard fit which puts them well above the DWs.
  • Custom Colt: Get a $900 Colt 70 series and send it to you named smith of choice. Have them do the work and only the work you want done. No need to buy off the shelf at the $2500 price range. Sights, grips, beavertail, hard tail whatever you want. This is the greatest feature of the 1911 platform which is too often lost in todays, of the shelf production 1911 that looks like a "custom" gun of old, market.
  • Wilson: Great guns but spendy at almost 50% more than a Les Baer. Lots more options and ablility to customize than the other semi-custom makers.
  • Ed Brown: Great semi custom guns but basically they make 4 models IIRC with different cosmetics. If one fits what you want that might bump them up over Wilson. I like the Kobra Carry but can't justify the price over my $700 DW CBOB. :)
  • Dan Wesson which is a production gun which gets you 90% of the way to the semi-custom guys but you will save a lot of coin over Wilson and Brown but I like Baer for just a few hundred more. Barrel fit wins the day here for me.
  • Colt Custom Shop: Colt Special Combat Govt is an outstanding pistol in the $1800 range. This is hand fitted in the Colt custom shop and is 95% of the way to a custom Colt
 
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Agreed rella, my misunderstanding. So long as the OP is aware that say an LB sent out for Hard Hat and a few hours of bench time with the right smith can keep him at budget and meet needs as well. It won't be one of a kind but it can be altered if required.
 
Some blueing is thinner than others. For example the bluing on my 1972 BHP which I carry and has seen a fair amount of holster time shows less wear than the blue on my TRS which has seen less.
 
Agreed rella, my misunderstanding. So long as the OP is aware that say an LB sent out for Hard Hat and a few hours of bench time with the right smith can keep him at budget and meet needs as well. It won't be one of a kind but it can be altered if required
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Honestly I did not feel the need to alter anything on my TRS. I left it as is. I have paid to have other 1911s customized and will continue to do so and more than likely down the road get a few more semi-customs.

With the OPs $$$ constraints I personally think LB is the value choice but it is not as "nice" as a Ed Brown in terms of fit or finish but for me it is a working man's gun which is the entry point to the semi-custom/custom world.

PS I paid abour $1200 IIRC for my TRS LNIB with less than 300 rounds down its pipe. :) :D
 
Apocalypse-Now said:
take a look at the baer picture thread on 1911forum. their finish wears in no time.
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That's the nature of bluing - it's a controlled thin rust that prevents further deterioration of the metal. It pretty much wear quickly in all hard-use applications, particularly cold bluing. I'm a fan of blued pistols, but it's the nature of the beast. A little wear does not bother me on a carried weapon.

But if you want a "thick" combat-type coating, you need to go with a bake-on finish.

Or parkerizing. Heck, isn't the Glock top coat a phosphate (Parkerized) finish, over the Tennifer treatment? Parkerized finishes also take well to being oiled, which enhances their corrosion resistance.
 
That's the nature of bluing - it's a controlled thin rust that prevents further deterioration of the metal. It pretty much wear quickly in all hard-use applications, particularly cold bluing. I'm a fan of blued pistols, but it's the nature of the beast. A little wear does not bother me on a carried weapon.
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a little wear doesn't bother me either. however, at the prices that baers command, i would expect a durable finish to be part of the package.
 
Bluing is arguably a nicer finish that costs more money to do right. Personally I would expect bluing to be part of the package on a pistol that costs that much, or go with a bake-on and get a credit back on the price. An extreme example, but Colt's Royal Blue should certainly cost more than a blast of Duracoat. But I agree it does not mean it is the best finish for everyone's needs, in all environments.

It's all a matter of that what an individual perceives as adding more value to them :)
 
Bluing is arguably a nicer finish that costs more money to do right. Personally I would expect bluing to be part of the package on a pistol that costs that much, or go with a bake-on and get a credit back on the price. An extreme example, but Colt's Royal Blue should certainly cost more than a blast of Duracoat. But I agree it does not mean it is the best finish for everyone's needs, in all environments.

It's all a matter of that what an individual perceives as adding more value to them
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+1 to that. Blueing is much harder to do right and have it hold up. In the end the wear on my BHP or Baer does not bother me. The Baer is IMHO the entry point to the high end world and because they have a sub $2000 price point a thinner blue is part of the package.

I have heard of them rebluing guns for customers in the past but I am not sure if they still do it.

Wilsons tuft coat is nice, Black T and others are out there if is is something you care about. I have having a custom Colt CCO done in the Wilson tuft coat because it will be a dedicated carry gun not a BBQ. :)
 
Is there a bluing out on the market that is thick.
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No, but there are finishes out there like IonBond that look like bluing but are as durable as titanium nitride.
 
Did anyone even mention Nighthawk Custom?
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Yes, but no one mentioned Guncrafter which is probably as good as any one in the $2500 or less range.
 
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