If I were going to buy a "nice" 1911 I would go with a Les Baer. I have used his frames and slides to build on and shot plenty of his "production" guns. They are exceptionally fine pistols. I built a race gun for my boss with a Baer frame and slide and that thing was "scary" accurate. I used to borrow it for matches. I told him a million times "don't EVER sell that gun!" He did. He's sorry now.
Best 1911 Ever
- Thread starter surjimmy
- Start date
- Status
JeeperCreeper
Member
Not for me sadly... I have a Para that is OK. I like it, but not love it.
My favorite/best/dream 1911 is the S&W E-series with the 2 tone job and that beefy external extractor. I just think they are so darn pretty. Too bad I can't afford one, but I will buy one off of someone if they sell it to me for under $250.... anyone?? anyone at all????
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,299
Have to say this is still my best 1911 ever. Limited production run Colt Combat Commander from their Custom Shop. Perfect combination of total reliability and outstanding accuracy, all in a slightly more compact version.
flphotog
Member
Have to agree with this.
SwampWolf
Member
I have a Colt Gold Cup that I bought new in 1974. I've looked at a lot of "high-end", custom/semi-custom 1911s since and, for the life of me, I can't see how any of them are "better" in any sense of the word. Maybe I'm just not discerning enough...
sauer1911
Member
WOW 10" groups at 50yds!
Even with that gangster lean grip style.
be safe
Even with that gangster lean grip style.
be safe
Nice piece, surjimmy, I'm also a fan of 10-8 sights. I like Baers but when it came time to spend that kind of money I went ahead and put into a custom build on a Colt 1991A1 .38 Super that I had sitting around just waiting for something great to be done with it. I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out, especially since it has 9mm and 9x23 Winchester barrels in addition to .38 Super, now.
I did. I cleaned house over the last couple of years and got rid of everything except a few shooters and carry guns. The Bob-Cat and a bunch of others have gone to new homes.
Dont tell me you sold off that Bob-Cat????
Phaedrus/69
Member
I really have no idea what the best 1911 ever might be. I've never seen any uber high end, $10,000 custom guns before much less actually fired one. The LGS has some Ed Browns, Baers and Wilsons though. Handling the Wilson I can absolutely understand the price tag! The thing is Swiss-watch-precise, a total work of art.
The best 1911 I've ever shot is either my old stainless Colt Commander .38 Super or one my dad's highly-customized Para Ord's that he had built in the 80's.
The best 1911 I've ever shot is either my old stainless Colt Commander .38 Super or one my dad's highly-customized Para Ord's that he had built in the 80's.
ColtPythonElite
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 10,473
Never saw it, either. I would rather have your Gold Cup than most of the rest.I have a Colt Gold Cup that I bought new in 1974. I've looked at a lot of "high-end", custom/semi-custom 1911s since and, for the life of me, I can't see how any of them are "better" in any sense of the word. Maybe I'm just not discerning enough...
To tell you the truth, I can't recall where it went off the top of my head. It's a unique piece, though, only one like it, I'd recognize it anywhere.
AustinTX
Member
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2010
- Messages
- 743
Dude, that's 4 years from now.
There's a very long waiting list, and I'm at or near the bottom of it.
Oh, and he spends roughly a month working on each gun.
Best ever? My GI issue I bought in the early '60s. Runs just fine with the ball ammunition it was intended for and it's dripping with history.
Bought it through the CMP (or whatever it was called then) I believe for $15 and it was sent to me via USPS. Those days are gone, but it's a neat memory.
Bought it through the CMP (or whatever it was called then) I believe for $15 and it was sent to me via USPS. Those days are gone, but it's a neat memory.
WVsig
Member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2012
- Messages
- 2,063
The best one I will own is not in the stable yet. Like AustinTX I am on a waiting list. Not Stan Chens but John Harrison. I believe he will be calling me sometime in 2019. That gives me time to save up!!!! 
It will be a version of his Classic package with some true custom choices by me.
As of today the best 1911s in the stable are my Les Baer TRS & my Custom Colt CCO done by Wild West Guns.
It will be a version of his Classic package with some true custom choices by me.
As of today the best 1911s in the stable are my Les Baer TRS & my Custom Colt CCO done by Wild West Guns.
Last edited:
WVsig
Member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2012
- Messages
- 2,063
Price points and aesthetics/function/roll are a huge determining factor when talking about the best 1911. I think it is always best to talk about 1911s in terms of price point and aesthetics/function/roll.
For example lets look at price point. For me 1911s break down into these categories:
Again depending on criteria, aesthetics/function/roll, there are best in class at each of these price points. IMHO but it is silly to compare a $500 1911 or even a $900 1911 to a $4,000 1911. Its like comparing a 2015 Camaro to a Porsche 911 Turbo S or a Ferrari 488 GTB. They are all 2 door sports cars made to drive fast but they are in different price points and difference classes.
So when someone asks the question like this there really is no single right answer. You have to think about what you are willing to pay. Where is your point of diminishing returns? What will you use the gun for? Do you want a working tool or an heirloom to pass down to your children. There are so many subjective criteria that there are so many subjective right answers and the right answer for me might not be the right answer for you.
For example lets look at price point. For me 1911s break down into these categories:
- Sub $500 1911s
- $500 to $1,000 1911s
- $1,000 to $1,500 1911s
- $1,500 to $2,000 1911s
- $2,000 to $3,000 1911s
- $3,000 to $5,000 1911s
- Above $5,000
Again depending on criteria, aesthetics/function/roll, there are best in class at each of these price points. IMHO but it is silly to compare a $500 1911 or even a $900 1911 to a $4,000 1911. Its like comparing a 2015 Camaro to a Porsche 911 Turbo S or a Ferrari 488 GTB. They are all 2 door sports cars made to drive fast but they are in different price points and difference classes.
So when someone asks the question like this there really is no single right answer. You have to think about what you are willing to pay. Where is your point of diminishing returns? What will you use the gun for? Do you want a working tool or an heirloom to pass down to your children. There are so many subjective criteria that there are so many subjective right answers and the right answer for me might not be the right answer for you.
Let me make things straight, I don't think my LB is the best 1911. I wanted an eye catcher title, and fuel discussion. I don't think a semi custom like LB, EB, and Wilson are better then a full house custom by a master gunsmith. LB was my first hi-end 1911 so I have a soft spot for them, not to mention if you call the factory, most likely LB himself will answer. I can not afford to pay retail prices for these guns, I have to trade and sell and buy up. I've been very blessed to have a friend who knows more about 1911's then anyone I've ever seen, and with his advice. I have had some of the best customs out there. I sure am enjoying reading everyone's input, please don't stop but we NEED more pictures.
Peter M. Eick
Member
I am pretty fond of my Baer Heavyweight Monolith pair. One in 10mm one in 38 Super, both setup identical except for the super has an ambi safety so I can tell it apart quickly. Both are 1.5" guns, tactical rounding, FCS, bomar sights and no both have logo grips.
- Status
