Caspian custom 1911 value?

[Fat Boy]

I have the opportunity to buy a "custom" 1911- frame/slide are Caspian and are advertised as made together. The frame/slide are stainless, there is an accessory rail- grips are rosewood? Barrel is Kart brand. adjustable rear sight. 1 magazine- extended grip safety, bobbed-style hammer

in good condition, what would be a reasonable value range for this gun?

Thanks!

 

[rellascout]

It all depends on who put it together.

 

[Fat Boy]

It all depends on who put it together

I wish I knew that but I don't; any way to "guesstimate" without that information?

 

[NWcityguy2]

What are they asking for it?

What are you willing to spend on it?

What other 1911's would you get for that same money?

Do you have a chance to shoot it before you buy it?

 

[Fat Boy]

asking price is $700

I am willing to spend near that based on my thinking that I am getting a good quality 1911 for the money- I can't think of another "custom" 1911 I could buy for that price; maybe I am missing something?

 

[918v]

If you do not have a basis for comparison, you should leave it alone. How are you going to determine if the gun was assembled correctly? We can't go with you.

 

[mljdeckard]

Here's the thing.

The word "Custom" does little to increase the value of anything, whether it be cars, guns, or guitars. What the seller thinks is; "I put a lot of money into making something special for me, using parts that are better than stock."

What the BUYER hears is more like; "You built something for yourself, which may or may not be what I am looking for, and rather than accepted factory parts and manufacturing processes, you started messing with it, and probably didn't make it better, you made it WORSE."

If it wasn't built by a known, reputable custom shop, it isn't worth any more than a pistol I built myself. And if I did that, it would be set up the way I want it. Meaning, I can't see where I would buy someone else's custom build AT ALL. Zero Dollars. If someone else wanted it, I would advise them not to pay any more than they would for any other 1911 they could buy to customize from the ground up. $400.

 

[Fat Boy]

thank you for the replies- I did get to shoot the gun this afternoon- I understand that 50 rounds isn't a huge deal, but it did function correctly during this time, and I was able to shoot it with good accuracy-

Thanks again for the responses

 

[Sean Smith]

Look under the grip panels, a lot of gunsmiths put their mark there.

 

[NWcityguy2]

I would get it for $700. At that price point you are looking at a variety of 1911's that were built with cost as much a concern as quality. And there are no guaranties that any gun will work correctly, just warranties if they don't. You would just have to accept that there is no safety net to catch you with this gun.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I have a custom build on a Caspian frame, and as others have mentioned, it really depends on the gunsmith, and the results. Some 1911's can be had for less, but the parts and features on your particular gun may easily put it at higher value, as would the function and accuracy standard that you see. It will be hard for us to give you a definitive answer without a hands on, or at least detailed pictures, and even then we might be guessing.

 

[jackpinesavages]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=598949&page=2

Post #33 is my Caspian Custom purchased last year for $600.

Caspian with Wilson speed chute, Wilson combat adj. rr. site, Wilson extended mag release, Kart NM barrel and bushing, Nowlin hammer group, STI trigger, and Barnhart burner grips. It's right next to my STI for accuracy and 100% reliable.

Bought it from a "friend of a friend" who builds to the 'nth detail for competition performance in IPSC; guy lives within 30 miles, have his phone # for follow up questions on the build, etc.. He's a sort of underground builder with a great reputation for quality and performance. I could only go wrong in passing it up.

If the builder is an unknown to you, and you are realtively unfamiliar with 1911 builds, take a friend with who does to look/shoot. Otherwise, I'd pass, or offer $450 knowing it may need some tuning/work and MIGHT become a project pistol.

 

[CWL]

I wouldn't buy a "custom" 1911 unless I knew who built it, or the owner very well.

Without knowing either the builder or the integrity of the owner/seller, it is nothing more than a parts gun.

Plenty of expensive parts assembled into fugged-up guns by someone who doesn't know what he's doing.